Category Archives: 1940s

Crematorium II becomes operational at Auschwitz death camp 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, The Holocaust, World War II


Video: 'Auschwitz II Birkenau Crematorium II'

(Wednesday, March 31, 1943, part of The Holocaust during World War II) — Crematorium II, with the capacity to burn 1440 corpses a day, became operational today at the Auschwitz II–Birkenau extermination camp in Nazi-occupied Poland.

Originally designed as a mortuary, with morgues in the basement and ground-level furnaces, Crematorium II was converted to increase greatly the gassing capacity of Birkenau by placing a gas-tight door on the morgues and adding vents for Zyklon-B and ventilation equipment to remove the gas.

Rationing of meat, fats and cheese begins in U.S. 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II

(Monday, March 29, 1943; during World War II) — Rationing of meat, fats and cheese began today in the United States. Rationed meats included beef, pork, veal, lamb, and tinned meats and fish. Poultry, eggs, fresh milk—and Spam—were not rationed. Cheese rationing started with hard cheeses since they were more easily shipped overseas.

‘Mrs. Miniver’ wins Best Picture at 15th Academy Awards 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: '1942 Oscar Winners'

(Thursday, March 4, 1943) — Mrs. Miniver won six Oscars tonight at the 15th Academy Awards, including Outstanding Motion Picture, Best Director for William Wyler and Best Actress for Greer Garson, whose 5 1/2-minute acceptance speech became the butt of industry jokes.

James Cagney won Best Actor for Yankee Doodle Dandy. The ceremonies were held in the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles (click here to watch a newsreel from tonight’s ceremony).

Battle of the Bismarck Sea begins 70 years ago this hour (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Battle of the Bismarck Sea'

(Tuesday, March 2, 1943, at about 10 a.m. local time; part of the Pacific War of World War II) — The three-day Battle of the Bismarck Sea began this morning in the South West Pacific Area (SWPA); U.S. and Australian warplanes were able to inflict heavy damage on an Imperial Japanese convoy.

Battle of the Kasserine Pass in Tunisia begins 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: Tough Old Gut Italy 1/5' (Feb. 19-25, 1943, at 5:21)

(Friday, February 19, 1943; during the Battle of the Kasserine Pass, part of the Tunisian Campaign of World War II) — German Gen. Erwin Rommel and his Afrika Korps launched an offensive today against an Allied defensive line in Tunisia, North Africa, in the first large-scale meeting of American and German forces of the war.

U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve officially established 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'Marine Corps Women's Reserve Drill Team, circa 1945'

(Saturday, February 13, 1943; during World War II) — The U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve was officially established today to provide women shore duty jobs so the men of the Marine Corps could be released for combat duty.

3,000 ‘Chindits’ march into Burma 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: 'The World At War: It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow Burma 2/5' (Feb. 8, 1943, at 3:43)

(Monday, February 8, 1943; during the Burma Campaign, part of the Pacific War during World War II) — 3,000 Chindits, a British India “Special Force” led by British Brigadier Orde Charles Wingate, marched into northern Burma today, launching Operation Longcloth against the Japanese.

U.S. government announces rationing of leather shoes 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II

(Sunday, February 7, 1943; during World War II) — The U.S. government abruptly announced that rationing of shoes made with leather would go into effect in two days, limiting consumers to buying three pairs per person per year. (Rationing was lifted in October 1945.)

Jury acquits actor Errol Flynn of statutory rape 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, Movies 1940s


Video: 'Tasmanian Devil - The Fast And Furious Life Of Errol Flynn' (statutory rape case at 25:44)

(Saturday, February 6, 1943) — A Los Angeles jury today acquitted actor Errol Flynn, 33, of three counts of statutory rape. He had be charged with having sex with two under-age girls, Betty Hansen and Peggy Satterlee, at the Bel Air home of Flynn’s friend Frederick McEvoy.

German radio announces defeat at Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1943)

1940s, World War II


Video: Feb. 3, 1943 (at 52:30)

(Wednesday, February 3, 1943; a day after the Battle of Stalingrad ended on the Eastern Front of World War II) — German radio announced today that Stalingrad had fallen to the Soviets; the 6th Army had fought courageously but had succumbed to vastly superior enemy forces and to unfavorable circumstances. Continue reading German radio announces defeat at Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1943) →