Today in World War II History—July 23, 1940 & 1945

Members of USS Barb’s demolition squad, Pearl Harbor, August 1945. These men went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted an explosive charge that wrecked a train. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag. (US Navy photo: NH 103570)
80 Years Ago—July 23, 1940: British Home Guard is officially established (formerly Local Defence Volunteers) with 1.3 million civilian volunteers to protect the home front.

Battle flag of the USS Barb in the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum at Pearl Harbor (Photo: Sarah Sundin, Nov. 2016)
75 Years Ago—July 23, 1945: Marshal Philippe Pétain goes on trial in Paris for collaborating with the Nazis; his death sentence will be commuted due to his age.
Submarine USS Barb lands 8 raiders on Karafuto (between Japan & mainland Asia), who blow up a train and escape.