Today in World War II History—March 19, 1940 & 1945

Damaged carrier USS Franklin off Japan, 19 Mar 1945; photograph taken from cruiser USS Santa Fe (US National Archives: 80-G-273880)
80 Years Ago—March 19, 1940: The Royal Air Force bombs a seaplane base at Hörnum on Sylt Island, the first bombs to land on German soil during the war.
75 Years Ago—March 19, 1945: Hitler issues “Nero Decree” for scorched-earth retreat—Germans are to destroy factories, railroads, and bridges, but the decree is largely ignored.
Off Honshu, Japan, kamikazes damage carrier USS Franklin, killing 894.