Category Archives: 1940s

Admiral Kantaro Suzuki becomes Japanese prime minister 80 years ago today (Apr 7 1945)


Video: 'The World At War: The Bomb 2/5' (Apr. 7, 1945, at 2:36)

(Saturday, April 7, 1945; during World War II) — Seven days into the Battle of Okinawa, the growing peace party of Japan secured the appointment of a new cabinet today led by Admiral Kantaro Suzuki following the resignation of Prime Minister Kuniaki Koiso.

Japanese battleship Yamato sunk by Allied forces 80 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1945)

Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (Apr. 7, 1945, at 16:24)

(Saturday, April 7, 1945, 12:41-2:23 p.m. JST; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — American planes today intercepted and effectively destroyed a Japanese fleet, which included the battleship Yamato, that was headed to Okinawa on a suicide mission. Continue reading Japanese battleship Yamato sunk by Allied forces 80 years ago this hour (Apr 7 1945)

Japanese launch kamikaze attacks on Americans off Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 6 1945)

Video: 'The Lost Evidence Of WWII Episode 17 Okinawa' (Apr. 6, 1945, at 12:38)

(Friday, April 6, 1945, 3:00 p.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — Starting today (through the end of the battle on June 22, 1945), the Japanese flew 1,465 kamikaze aircraft in large-scale attacks from Kyushu, 185 individual kamikaze sorties from Kyushu, and 250 individual kamikaze sorties from Formosa. Continue reading Japanese launch kamikaze attacks on Americans off Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 6 1945)

U.S. Army liberates Nazi concentration camp for first time 80 years ago today (Apr 4 1945)


Video: 'Corpses found at the liberation of the Ohrdruf concentration camp'

(Wednesday, April 4, 1945; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — The Ohrdruf concentration camp, a Nazi forced labor and concentration camp located near Ohrdruf, south of Gotha, in Thuringia, Germany (part of the Buchenwald concentration camp network), was liberated today by the 4th Armored Division and the 89th Infantry Division. Continue reading U.S. Army liberates Nazi concentration camp for first time 80 years ago today (Apr 4 1945)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt attends Easter services in Warm Springs 80 years ago today (Apr 1 1945)


Video: 'American Experience - SO7E02 - FDR Parts 3 and 4 (October 12, 1994)' (Apr. 1, 1945, at 2:09:21)

(Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945; during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt attended Easter services today in Warm Springs, Georgia, with a noticeable tremor in his movements. Continue reading President Franklin D. Roosevelt attends Easter services in Warm Springs 80 years ago today (Apr 1 1945)

American forces launch amphibious invasion of Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 1 1945)


Video: 'J.Pacific Lost Evidence Okinawa World War II' (5 videos; Apr. 1, 1945, at 7:34 during first video)

(Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, 8:15 a.m. Japan Standard Time; during the Battle of Okinawa, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — The U.S. Tenth Army this morning launched the amphibious invasion of Okinawa, main island of the Ryukyus, 362 miles from the Japanese home islands. Continue reading American forces launch amphibious invasion of Okinawa 80 years ago this hour (Apr 1 1945)

U.S. B-29 bombers launch incendiary bomb attacks against Tokyo, estimated 100,000 killed 80 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1945)


Video: 'WORLD WAR 2 AIR RAIDS ON TOKYO - PART 2' (Mar. 9-10, 1945 at 3:43)

(Saturday, March 10, 1945, 12:08 a.m.-2:48 a.m. Japan Standard Time; part of the Pacific War during World War II) — In the deadliest air assault in history, hundreds of American B-29 Superfortresses swept over Tokyo early this morning, unleashing a torrent of incendiary bombs that set vast sections of the Japanese capital ablaze. Continue reading U.S. B-29 bombers launch incendiary bomb attacks against Tokyo, estimated 100,000 killed 80 years ago this hour (Mar 10 1945)

Japanese overthrow French rule in Indochina 80 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1945)


Video: 'French Foreign Legion. Massacre at Lang Son 9 March 1945'

(Saturday, March 9, 1945, 8:00 p.m. local time; part of the South-East Asian theatre of World War II) — The Japanese military staged a coup d’état in French Indochina today, effectively overthrowing French rule and taking full control of the colony, a move known as “Operation Bright Moon” where they replaced French officials with their own administration, aiming to secure the region against potential Allied advances during World War II. Continue reading Japanese overthrow French rule in Indochina 80 years ago this hour (Mar 9 1945)