Video: Hitler's speech (Nov. 8, 1942)
(Sunday, November 8, 1942, evening, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — On the 19th anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch, German dictator Adolf Hitler focused on the fighting in Stalingrad in an after dinner speech in Munich: Continue reading Hitler on Stalingrad: ‘We’ve got it really’ 70 years ago today (1942)
Video: Nov. 6, 1942 (at 6:19)
(Friday, November 6, 1942, 5:30 p.m. during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — Two days after victory in the Second Battle of El Alamein, the British 7th Armored Division catches and destroys the remainder of Germany’s 21st Panzer Division, which is out of fuel.
The British pursuit, however, is slowed by fuel shortages, minefields and booby traps and a heavy rainfall late in the day that makes the coastal road the only viable route of advance.
Video: 'The Palm Beach Story' (trailer)
(Monday, November 2, 1942) — The Palm Beach Story, a romantic screwball comedy film about a married woman who courts an eccentric millionaire to finance her husband’s career, premiered today in New York City.
Directed by Preston Sturges, the film stars Claudette Colbert, Joel McCrea, Mary Astor and Rudy Vallee.
Video: 'Battle of Santa Cruz 1942'
(Monday, October 26, 1942, part of the Pacific Theater of World War II) — Japanese planes badly damaged the aircraft carrier USS Hornet today in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. The Hornet sank early the next morning Hornet with the loss of 140 of her sailors; the battle itself ended in a tactical victory for Japan, but ultimately a strategic win for the Allies.
Video: Oct. 25, 1942 (at 2:23)
(Sunday, October 25, 1942, during the Second Battle of El Alamein, part of Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who had fallen ill and was recovering in Germany for about a month, flew to Rome early today to press the Comando Supremo for more fuel and ammunition; and then on to North Africa to resume command of the Panzer Army Africa, which was renamed the “German-Italian Panzer Army” (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee).
Video: Oct. 23, 1942 (at 0:00)
(Friday, October 23, 1942, 21:40 Egyptian Summer Time, part of Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — The Second Battle of El Alamein opened today as British Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery unleashed the British 8th Army against Axis forces at El Alamein in Egypt. Continue reading Second Battle of El Alamein begins in Egypt 70 years ago today (1942)
Video: 'Now, Voyager' (trailer)
(Thursday, October 22, 1942) — Now, Voyager, a drama film about a repressed spinster who is transformed by psychiatry and her love for a married man, opened today in New York.
Directed by Irving Rapper, the film stars Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains and Gladys Cooper.
Video: October 22, 1942 (at 4:07)
(Thursday, October 22, 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — Wilhelm Hoffman, a soldier in the 267th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division of the German 6th Army who chronicled the Battle of Stalingrad in his journal, wrote today:
“Who would have thought three months ago that instead of the joy of victory we would have to endure such sacrifice and torture, the end of which is nowhere in sight?…The soldiers are calling Stalingrad the mass grave of the Wehrmacht.”
Video: October 14, 1942 (at 2:14)
(Wednesday, October 14, 1942, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — Wilhelm Hoffman, a soldier in the 267th Infantry Regiment, 94th Infantry Division of the German 6th Army who chronicled the Battle of Stalingrad in his journal, wrote today:
“It has been fantastic since morning; our aeroplanes and artillery have been hammering the Russian positions for hours on end; everything in sight is being blotted from the face of the earth…”
Video: 'Baseball World Series 1942'
(Monday, October 5, 1942) — The St. Louis Cardinals won the 1942 World Series today, beating the New York Yankees 4-2 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York, in the fifth and deciding game. It was the Cardinals’ fourth World Series title and the first played since the U.S. had entered World War II.
