Today in World War II History—Jan. 4, 1944

Gregorio Diamare and the ecclesiastical authorities of Monte Cassino abbey giving German Luftwaffe troops permission to remove artwork to Germany, 4 Jan 1944 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101I-729-0005-25)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 4, 1944: Church authorities at the Abbey of Monte Cassino give Luftwaffe permission to remove artwork to Germany.
Mussolini’s Fascist government in northern Italy seizes Jewish assets and forbids Jews from owning land or stock.
Future Nobel Laureate Ralph Bunche becomes the first African-American officer in the US State Department, appointed to a post in the Near East and African Section.