Today in World War II History—Sept. 17, 1940 & 1945
German barges for planned invasion of England, at Wilhelmshaven, 1940 (German Federal Archive: Bild 101II-MN-1369-10A)
80 Years Ago—Sept. 17, 1940: The RAF and Royal Navy have now sunk 12% of the German invasion fleet (21 transports & 214 barges).
Hitler postpones the invasion of England, Operation “Seelöwe,” indefinitely.
In a gale, British barrage balloons break loose, cross the North Sea, and cause damage to Swedish and Danish power lines, radio stations, and rail.
75 Years Ago—Sept. 17, 1945: Forty-five Nazi SS officers go on trial at Lüneburg for crimes at Auschwitz and Belsen.
US begins returning 7 million Japanese soldiers and civilians in formerly Japanese-occupied areas to Japan.
Canada removes controls on employment that barred changing jobs and required work in war industries.
