Today in World War II History—June 25, 1940 & 1945
Map showing the German and Italian advances in France, 13-25 Jun 1940 (US Military Academy)
85 Years Ago—June 25, 1940: French-German armistice becomes effective at 00:30.
Cease fire becomes effective in Italo-French conflict.
Hitler orders Compiègne surrender site destroyed, including the railroad car used for both the 1918 and the 1940 armistice ceremonies.
Final Allied troops are evacuated from France (Polish troops from St. Jean de Luz).
Isolationist advertising appears in New York Times, secretly funded by Germany.
Emergency Rescue Committee is organized in New York to rescue endangered intellectuals in France; members include journalist Varian Fry.
80 Years Ago—June 25, 1945: Austria is divided into four Allied occupation zones.
British Second Army (northern Europe) is stood down.
Premiere of war film Back to Bataan, starring John Wayne and Anthony Quinn.
