Today in World War II History—March 31, 1942

Oneida Silverware “Back Home for Keeps” advertisement looking forward to peacetime when its production will again be available to young couples, 13 Dec 1943 (Western Connecticut State University Archives)
80 Years Ago—Mar. 31, 1942: Indian Congress Party demands immediate and complete independence from the United Kingdom.
Japanese take Toungoo in Burma, Christmas Island south of Java, and Bougainville in the Solomons.
In South Atlantic, Italian submarine Pietro Calvi sinks US tanker T.C. McCobb, first US ship sunk by an Italian sub.
Manufacture of silverware ceases in the US; Oneida converts to making flatware for the military, bayonets, and surgical instruments.