Today in World War II History—July 9, 1940 & 1945
Thursday, July 9, 2020 by Sarah Sundin
Australian Army Lieutenant MG Searles, 2/25 infantry battalion, inspecting a Japanese vehicle found abandoned near Balikpapan, Borneo, 22 Jul 1945. (Australian War Memorial 112057)
80 Years Ago—July 9, 1940: The Battle of Punta Stilo occurs between British and Italian convoys, the first naval engagement in the Mediterranean; battleship HMS Warspite hits Italian battleship Guilio Cesare from 24 km, one of the longest naval gun hits of the war.
The Duke of Windsor (formerly King Edward VIII) is named British Governor of the Bahamas.
75 Years Ago—July 9, 1945: Australian and Dutch troops complete encirclement of Balikpapan Bay, Borneo.
US conducts last area bombing of Formosa (Taiwan); 6100 have been killed in the campaign.
