Today in World War II History—May 27, 1940 & 1945
Wednesday, May 27, 2020 by Sarah Sundin
British prisoners of war in Calais, France, May 1940; Panzer I light tank in foreground (German Federal Archive, Bild 183-B14898)
80 Years Ago—May 27, 1940: Germans take Calais, France.
The FBI receives 2900 reports of espionage and sabotage after President Roosevelt’s Fireside Chat warning about “fifth columnists” the night before.
British weekly sugar ration cut from 12 oz to 8 oz per person.
US poster, 1940s
75 Years Ago—May 27, 1945: Due to mines, Tokyo harbor is closed for the duration of the war.
US Sixth Army takes Santa Fe, Luzon, securing the Villa Verde Trail.
US Marines take Naha, the capital of Okinawa.
Sherman tanks of US 6th Marine Division at Naha, Okinawa, Japan, 27 May 1945 (US Marine Corps photo)
