Category Archives: World War II

Great Marianas Turkey Shoot begins 70 years ago this hour (June 19 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (June 19, 1944, at 8:31)

(Monday, June 19, 1944, 5:50 a.m. ChST; part of World War IIPacific War) — The Battle of the Philippine Sea, a decisive naval battle which eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy’s ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions, began today. Continue reading Great Marianas Turkey Shoot begins 70 years ago this hour (June 19 1944)

U.S. Marines land on Saipan 70 years ago this hour (June 15 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Japan 3/5' (June 15, 1944, at 9:36)

(Thursday, June 15, 1944, 7:00 a.m. ChST; during the Battle of Saipan, part of World War IIPacific War) — U.S. Marines stormed the beaches of the strategically significant Japanese island of Saipan this morning in an attempt to capture an air base from which the U.S. could launch its new long-range B-29 bombers directly at Japan’s home islands. Continue reading U.S. Marines land on Saipan 70 years ago this hour (June 15 1944)

Free French leader de Gaulle returns to France 70 years ago today (June 14 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 4/5' (June 14, 1944, at 9:04)

(Wednesday, June 14, 1944; during the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — Free French leader General Charles de Gaulle returned to France today, eight days after the D-Day landings at Normandy and some four years after the Nazi occupation sent him into exile.

British Prime Minister Churchill visits Normandy 70 years ago today (June 12 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 4/5' (June 12, 1944, at 7:26)

(Monday, June 12, 1944; during the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — British Prime Minister Winston Churchill visited Normandy today, six days after the D-Day landings there by Allied troops.

D-Day + 1: First laying of Mulberry Harbours 70 years ago today (June 6 1944)


Video: 'The World At War: Morning 4/5' (June 7, 1944, at 6:10)

(Wednesday, June 7, 1944; during the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — The day after D-Day saw the first laying of the Mulberry Harbours, a portable temporary harbour developed by the British to facilitate rapid offloading of cargo onto the beaches during the Allied invasion of Normandy. Continue reading D-Day + 1: First laying of Mulberry Harbours 70 years ago today (June 6 1944)

Rangers headed to Pointe du Hoc are off target 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1944)


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 6:15 a.m. BDST at 27:48)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 6:15 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/12:15 a.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); one hour before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — U.S. Army Rangers headed toward Pointe du Hoc to climb the cliffs and destroy German weapons at Omaha Beach, are delayed by errors of navigation and a strong current. They finally land at 7:11 a.m., 40 minutes late.

Allied bombers prepare for their part in D-Day 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1944)


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 3:00 a.m. BDST at 20:37)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 3:00 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/9:00 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); three hours before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — At air bases all over southern England, Allied bombers are being prepared for their part in D-Day.

Germany’s 21st Panzer Division stuck near Caen, France 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1944)


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 2:15 a.m. BDST at 18:17)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 2:15 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/8:15 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); five hours before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — The men of Germany’s 21st Panzer Division wait by their tanks near Caen, France, ready to move towards Pegasus Bridge in Normandy, but do not receive the proper orders.

Dreaded counterattack at now Allied-controlled Pegasus Bridge begins 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1944)


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 1:00 a.m. BDST at 15:29)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 1:30 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/7:30 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); five hours before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — The dreaded counterattack at the now Allied-controlled Pegasus Bridge in Normandy, France, began early this morning.

Allied aircraft approached Normandy, France 70 years ago this hour (June 6 1944)


Video: 'Operation Overlord & Neptune (D-Day documentary)' (June 6, 1944, 1:00 a.m. BDST at 8:00)

(Tuesday, June 6, 1944, 1:00 a.m. British Double Summer Time (BDST)/7:00 p.m. Eastern War Time(EWT); five hours before the Normandy landings on the Western Front of World War II) — Allied aircraft carrying 23,400 American and British paratroopers approached Normandy, France, this morning for jumps behind enemy lines in preparation of today’s D-Day landings.