Today in World War II History—May 15, 1942
Sunday, May 15, 2022 by Sarah Sundin
US poster for the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps, WWII
80 Years Ago—May 15, 1942: Germans take Kerch in the Crimea; Soviets flee the peninsula, leaving Sevastopol to stand alone.
US national insignia, May 1942
National insignia on US Army Air Force, Navy, and Marine aircraft is changed to a white star on a dark blue disc, eliminating the central red disc due to confusion with Japanese aircraft.
US Army Air Force pursuit units are renamed fighter units.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt signs legislation forming Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC).
Gas rationing begins in 17 Eastern states due to tanker losses to U-boats; 8 million motorists register for cards worth 3 gallons/week (Read more: “Make It Do—Gasoline Rationing in World War II.”)
