Category Archives: World War II

Hitler orders destruction of German infrastructure with ‘Nero Decree’ 70 years ago today (Mar 19 1945)


Video: '1945 - Nero Decree'

(Monday, March 19, 1945; during World War II) — Adolf Hitler ordered the destruction of German facilities that could fall into Allied hands today in his so-called “Nero Decree,” which was largely disregarded.

Americans join massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 14 1945)


Video: 'The World At War Ep21 Nemesis' (Feb. 14, 1945, at 12:17 p.m. CET, at 1:17)

(Wednesday, February 14, 1945, 12:17 p.m. CET; during the Bombing of Dresden, part of strategic bombing during World War II) — American planes began bombing Dresden, Germany, this afternoon, following up on the previous night’s massive bombardment by Royal Air Force bombers. Continue reading Americans join massive bombardment of Dresden, Germany 70 years ago this hour (Feb 14 1945)

Soviets capture Budapest from the Germans 70 years ago today (Feb 13 1945)


Video: 'The soviet invasion of Hungary and the Siege of Budapest 1944-1945 Budapest Ostroma'

(Tuesday, February 13, 1945; during the Siege of Budapest, part of the Budapest Offensive on the Eastern front of World War II) — The Red Army today completed its conquest of Budapest, ending a 50-day siege of the battle-scarred capital of Axis Hungary.

Actress Lauren Bacall sits atop piano while VP Truman plays 70 years ago today (Feb 10 1945)

(Saturday, February 10, 1945; during World War II) — During a luncheon today at the National Press Club, Vice President Harry Truman sat down at the piano to play the “Missouri Waltz” when suddenly 20-year-old actress Lauren Bacall perched herself on top of the piano for some publicity portraits, showing a rather daring amount of leg by 1945 standards (click here for a relevant clip from “American Experience: Truman” at 1:27:35).

U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne relieved 70 years ago this hour (Dec 26 1944)

Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 26, 1944, at 33:34)

(Tuesday, December 26, 1944, 5:15 p.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — The embattled U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne, Belgium, was relieved today by units of the 4th Armored Division. Continue reading U.S. 101st Airborne Division in Bastogne relieved 70 years ago this hour (Dec 26 1944)

American soldiers pinned down on Western Front prepare Christmas dinner 70 years ago this hour (Dec 25 1944)

Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 25, 1944, at 31:49)

(Monday, December 25, 1944, Christmas Day, noon local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — American soldiers, preparing their Christmas dinners, including heat up C-Rations (tin cans filled with a variety of meats and vegetables), were still pinned down one last full day in Bastogne. Continue reading American soldiers pinned down on Western Front prepare Christmas dinner 70 years ago this hour (Dec 25 1944)

Germans reach high water mark of advance 70 years ago this hour (Dec 24 1944)

Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 24, 1944, at 31:00)

(Sunday, December 24, 1944, Christmas Eve, 12:00 noon local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — Allied reconnaissance aircraft discovered the Germans had pressed ahead to within just five miles of the River Meuse, the high water mark of the German advance, but their fuel supply had run dry. Continue reading Germans reach high water mark of advance 70 years ago this hour (Dec 24 1944)

Skies clear for American planes over Bastogne 70 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1944)


Video: 'WW2: The Battle of the Bulge' (Dec. 23, 1944, at 30:23)

(Saturday, December 23, 1944, 9:00 a.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — The skies over Bastogne cleared today just in time for American planes to relieve and support the soldiers pinned down on the ground and and stalling the German offensive. Continue reading Skies clear for American planes over Bastogne 70 years ago this hour (Dec 23 1944)

84 American POWs murdered by Germans in Malmedy massacre 70 years ago this afternoon (Dec 17 1944)


Video: 'Massacre at Malmedy'

(Sunday, December 17, 1944, 1:00 p.m. local time; during the Battle of the Bulge on the Western Front of World War II) — 84 American prisoners of war were murdered by their German captors this afternoon near Malmedy, Belgium, by members of Kampfgruppe Peiper (part of the 1st SS Panzer Division), a German combat unit.

The massacre, plus others committed by the same unit on the same day and following days, were the subject of the Malmedy massacre trial, part of the Dachau Trials of 1946.

133 sailors killed in Japanese kamikaze attack on Nashville 70 years ago today (Dec 13 1944)


Video: 'The Book: Humble Heroes, How The USS Nashville CL43 Fought WWII'

(Wednesday, December 13, 1944; during World War II) — The light cruiser USS Nashville was badly damaged today in a Japanese kamikaze attack off Negros Island in the Philippines that claimed 133 lives.