Category Archives: 1940s

German radio broadcasts fake ‘live message’ from Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Dec. 24, 1942 (at 41:04)

(Thursday, December 24, 1942, Christmas Eve; during the Battle of Stalingrad during Eastern Front of World War II) — In Nazi Germany today, the radio broadcast a “live message” from Stalingrad, but it was a fake. Broadcasts from Stalingrad had stopped a week before. Continue reading German radio broadcasts fake ‘live message’ from Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)

‘Random Harvest’ opens in New York City 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: 'Random Harvest' (trailer)

(Thursday, December 17, 1942)Random Harvest, a film about an amnesiac World War I vet who falls in love with a music hall star, opened today at the Music Hall in New York City. Continue reading ‘Random Harvest’ opens in New York City 70 years ago today (1942)

Japanese observe first anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Dec. 7, 1942 (at 4:52)

(Monday, December 7, 1942, midday, during World War II) — In Tokyo, the Japanese people today observed the first anniversary of their Imperial Navy’s destruction of the American fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.

Churchill warns of tough job ahead 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Churchill at 6:21 (Dec. 5, 1942)

(Saturday, December 5, 1942, during the Tunisia Campaign, part of the North African Campaign, part of the Mediterranean, Middle East and African Theatre of World War II) — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill told an audience in Bradford, England, today that “very hard fighting” faces the Allies before they will be able to kick the Axis out of the last 20 miles of Tunisia.

Vichy France scuttles ships, subs at Toulon 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: 'Heroic End Of French Fleet 1942' (click image to watch video)

(Friday, November 27, 1942, part of the Mediterranean Theatre of World War II) — The Vichy French navy at Toulon scuttled its ships and submarines today to avoid capture by Nazi German forces during Operation Lila of the Case Anton takeover of Vichy France.

President Roosevelt orders full ‘gas’ rationing 70 years ago tonight (1942)

(Thursday, November 26, 1942, Thanksgiving Day during World War II) — U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt served notice tonight that the government would begin the nationwide rationing of gasoline to conserve rubber on Dec. 1, as scheduled. Continue reading President Roosevelt orders full ‘gas’ rationing 70 years ago tonight (1942)

U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve established 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: 'COAST GUARD SPARS WWII WOMEN'S RECRUITING FILM'

(Monday, November 23, 1942, during World War II) — President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a measure today establishing the U.S. Women’s Coast Guard Reserve, or SPARS (an abbreviation of the U.S. Coast Guard motto “Semper Paratus” — “Always Ready”).

Soviets encircle 250,000 Axis soldiers near Stalingrad 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Nov. 22, 1942 (at 34:09)

(Sunday, November 22, 1942, during Operation Uranus, part of the Battle of Stalingrad during Eastern Front of World War II) — Soviet forces linked up at the town of Kalach late today, encircling some 250,000 Axis soldiers (including all of Germany’s 6th Army) east of the Don River.

Russians launch offensive against Germans along the Don front 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Nov. 19, 1942 (at 33:04)

(Thursday, November 19, 1942, 7:20 a.m. Moscow time, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Red Army today launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged attack targeting the weak Romanian and Hungarian forces protecting Germany forces in and around Stalingrad east of the Don River. Continue reading Russians launch offensive against Germans along the Don front 70 years ago today (1942)