Today in World War II History—September 1, 1939 and 1944
Today is the 85th anniversary of the start of World War II. I will be adding “85 Years Ago” to my “80 Years Ago” posts. I hope you find them informative.
German troops at the Egiertowo crossroads on the road to Danzig during the initial invasion of Poland, 1 Sep 1939 (US Library of Congress: Lot-3951-12)
85 Years Ago—Sept. 1, 1939: World War II begins when Germany invades Poland with 52 divisions, German Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers hit bridges over the Vistula, and German battleship Schleswig-Holstein bombards Polish naval base at Westerplatte.
Britain begins evacuating 1.9 million mothers & children from cities over the next three days.
George C. Marshall is named US Army Chief of Staff and is promoted to full general.
German troops removing the Polish emblem from the wall of a post office in Danzig, 1 Sep 1939 (German Federal Archive, Bild 183-H27915, Photographer: Hans Sönnke)
80 Years Ago—Sept. 1, 1944: Patton’s US Third Army offensive temporarily slows due to gasoline shortage.
German Army Group F begins withdrawal from Greece. Movie premiere of Arsenic and Old Lace, starring Cary Grant and Priscilla Lane.
Map of the western front in Europe, 1 September 1944 (US Army)
