Category Archives: World War II

Allies launch coordinated crossing of Rhine River 70 years ago this hour (Mar 23 1945)


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 19-Pincers(August 1944-March 1945)' (Mar. 23, 1945, at 52:12)

(Friday, March 23, 1945, 9:00 p.m. CET; on the Western Front of World War II) — The first part of Operation Plunder, coordinated crossings of Germany’s Rhine River, was initiated tonight by the 51st (Highland) Infantry Division, led by the 7th Black Watch, near Rees, followed by the 7th Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders.

Allies secure Germany’s Rhine River 70 years ago today (Mar 22 1945)


Video: 'The World At War 1973(World War II Documentary)Episode 19-Pincers(August 1944-March 1945)' (Mar. 22, 1945, at 50:35)

(Thursday, March 22, 1945; on the Western Front of World War II) — As of today, no German soldier was fighting west of the Rhine River along Germany’s western border.

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)