Category Archives: World War II

MacArthur fulfills promise, returns to the Philippines 70 years ago this hour (Oct 20 1944)


Video: 'Allied Newsreel - MacArthur Lands at Leyte, Philippines 1944'

(Friday, October 20, 1944, 1:30 p.m. local time; during the Battle of Leyte, part of the Pacific Theatre of World War II) — American forces landed on Red Beach in Palo, Leyte, today as General Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines, fulfilling his promise to return to the area he was forced to flee in 1942. Continue reading MacArthur fulfills promise, returns to the Philippines 70 years ago this hour (Oct 20 1944)

German Field Rommel commits suicide to avoid trial, certain execution 70 years ago this hour (Oct 14 1944)


Video: 'Nazi Secrets:The Desert Fox(full documentary)HD' (Oct. 14, 1944, at 43:05)

(Saturday, October 14, 1944, 1:25 p.m. CET; during World War II) — German Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, popularly known as the Desert Fox, committed suicide today rather than face trial and certain execution for allegedly conspiring against Adolf Hitler. Continue reading German Field Rommel commits suicide to avoid trial, certain execution 70 years ago this hour (Oct 14 1944)

Operation Market Garden ends in failure 70 years ago tonight (Sep 25 1944)


Video: 'The Lost Evidence: Operation Market Garden (HD - FULL)' (Sept. 25, 1944, at 39:25)

(Monday, September 25, 1944, 10:00 p.m. local time; during the Operation Market Garden, part of the Allied advance from Paris to the Rhine during World War II) — Operation Market Garden, an Allied military operation fought in the Netherlands and Germany and the largest airborne operation up to that time, ended today when the remaining British 1st Airborne Division on the Lower Rhine at Oosterbeek were ordered evacuated. Continue reading Operation Market Garden ends in failure 70 years ago tonight (Sep 25 1944)

Dutch railway workers strike in support of Operation Market Garden 70 years ago today (Sep 17 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Occupation Holland 5/5' (Sept. 17, 1944, at 5:26)

(Sunday, September 17, 1944; during World War II) — The Dutch Government in London ordered a railway strike in support of Operation Market Garden, a plan to secure seven bridges and transport lines to the rail bridge across the Rhine at Arnhem. Continue reading Dutch railway workers strike in support of Operation Market Garden 70 years ago today (Sep 17 1944)

Americans invade Japanese-occupied Palau Islands 70 years ago this hour (Sep 15 1944)


Video: 'World War II Pacific Peleliu'

(Friday, September 15, 1944, 8:32 a.m. PWT; during the Battle of Peleliu, part of the Pacific War of World War II) — U.S. Marines landed today in the Palau Islands, launching the Battle of Peleliu, codenamed Operation Stalemate II, fought to capture an airstrip on the small coral island. Continue reading Americans invade Japanese-occupied Palau Islands 70 years ago this hour (Sep 15 1944)

Allies liberate first Dutch city (Maastricht) 70 years ago today (Sep 14 1944)


Video: 'Bevrijding 1944 Maastricht - www.zeuk.nl'

(Thursday, September 14, 1944; during World War II) — Maastricht today became the first Dutch city to be liberated by allied forces. Continue reading Allies liberate first Dutch city (Maastricht) 70 years ago today (Sep 14 1944)

FDR, Churchill attend Second Quebec Conference 70 years ago today (Sep 12 1944)


Video: 'Photo Op, Second Quebec Conference, Canada, 09/12/1944 (full)'

(Tuesday, September 12, 1944; during World War II) — The Second Quebec Conference, a high-level military conference, opened today with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in attendance. Continue reading FDR, Churchill attend Second Quebec Conference 70 years ago today (Sep 12 1944)

British forces liberate Antwerp 70 years ago today (Sep 4 1944)

(Monday, September 4, 1944; during World War II) — The British Second Army liberated Antwerp, Belgium, today with help from the local resistance. The port of Antwerp became a highly prized and heavily fought-over objective because Allied supply lines were heavily stretched and needed a deep-sea port nearer the front lines.

British forces liberate Brussels 70 years ago this hour (Sep 3 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Pincers 1/5' (Sep. 3, 1944, at 9:08)

(Sunday, September 3, 1944, 2:00 p.m. CET; during the Liberation of Paris, part of Operation Overlord, World War II) — Belgium’s hidden army came into the open today to help the Allied Expeditionary Forces sweep the Germans out of the Low Countries back onto the Reich after four years of occupation. Continue reading British forces liberate Brussels 70 years ago this hour (Sep 3 1944)