Today in World War II History—February 20, 1944
Tuesday, February 20, 2024 by Sarah Sundin
Map of Allied bombing targets during Operation Argument “Big Week,” February 20-26, 1944 (Source: US Air Force)
80 Years Ago—Feb. 20, 1944: Allies launch Operation Argument (“Big Week”), a week-long aerial attack which devastates the German aircraft industry; RAF bombers fly 2300 sorties; US Eighth and Ninth Air Forces fly 3300 sorties from England; US Fifteenth Air Force flies 400 sorties from Italy.
Norwegian resistance fighters blow up ferry Hydro carrying the only German shipment of heavy water (for atomic bombs) on Lake Tinnsjø, Norway.
D/F Hydro railway ferry at Mæl, Norway, 1925 (public domain via Anders Beer Wilse/Norwegian Museum of Cultural History)
