Today in World War II History—July 2, 1940 & 1945
Thursday, July 2, 2020 by Sarah Sundin
Ocean liner Arandora Star in use as a troop transport, 1940 (Royal Navy photograph)
80 Years Ago—July 2, 1940: Off Ireland, German U-boat U-47 sinks British ocean liner Arandora Star; 805/1673 killed, mostly Axis POWs, civilian internees, and Jewish refugees bound for Canada.
US Congress passes Export Control Act, giving the president power to control or ban exports of munitions and critical materials.
Hatch Shell is dedicated on the Boston Esplanade—the amphitheater which hosts the Boston Pops Fourth of July concert.
75 Years Ago—July 2, 1945: Submarine USS Barb attacks Kaihyo Island (north of Japan off Sakhalin) with the first use of rockets by a US sub against shore installations.
