Today in World War II History—July 1, 1940 & 1945
German troops in the Channel Islands, 1 August 1941 (German Federal Archive: Bild 1011-228-0326-34A)
85 Years Ago—July 1, 1940: Germans occupy Jersey and Guernsey in the British Channel Islands.
Beginning of the “Happy Time” for German U-boats, as they successfully hunt Allied shipping, to last through October 1940.
Eric Knight’s children’s novel Lassie Come-Home is published.
Scene of destruction in the Linden Passage, the famous Berlin, Germany shopping area on the Unter den Linden, 3 Jul 1945 (Imperial War Museum 4700-30 BU 8608)
80 Years Ago—July 1, 1945: Australians land at Balikpapan, Borneo.
US occupation forces arrive in Berlin.
Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (former commander of the Tuskegee Airmen) assumes command of Godman Field, KY, the first Black officer to command a major US air base.
US resumes production of cars, with the first rolling off the assembly line on August 30.
