Today in World War II History—October 18, 1939 & 1944

German poster for the Volkssturm, WWII
80 Years Ago—October 18, 1939: Germany announces neutral ships in Allied convoys will be sunk without warning.
President Roosevelt declares US waters off-limits to submarines of warring nations.
75 Years Ago—Oct. 18, 1944: Hitler activates Volkssturm, a militia of all able-bodied males 13-60 years old.
Soviets enter Czechoslovakia through Carpathian passes, but pause to let Germans crush Slovakian mountain uprising.
Lt. Gen. Joseph Stilwell is removed from command of the China-Burma-India Theater and recalled to US.