Category Archives: World War II

Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ served in Anne Frank’s hiding place 70 years ago tonight (12/24/1943)


Video: 'MOVIE - Diary of Anne Frank - 1 1' (Dec. 24, 1943, at 1:51:59)

(Friday, December 24, 1943, evening; part of The Holocaust during World War II) — “Friday evening, for the first time in my life, I received a Christmas present,” Anne Frank, 14, would write about this evening in her famous diary on Dec. 27, 1943. “Mr. Kleiman, Mr. Kugler and the girls had prepared a wonderful surprise for us. Miep made a delicious Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ written on top, and Bep provided a batch of cookies that was up to prewar standards.” Continue reading Christmas cake with ‘Peace 1944’ served in Anne Frank’s hiding place 70 years ago tonight (12/24/1943) →

Allies victorious in Battle of San Pietro Infine 70 years ago today (12/17/1943)


Video: 'The Battle of San Pietro John Huston WW2 Documentary 1945 Movie'

(Friday, December 17, 1943; part of the Winter Line and the battle for Rome during the Italian Campaign of World War II) — Allied Forces today won the Battle of San Pietro Infine (commonly referred to as the “Battle of San Pietro”) against heavily fortified positions of the German “Winter Line” in and around the town of San Pietro Infine, just south of Monte Cassino about halfway between Naples and Rome. Continue reading Allies victorious in Battle of San Pietro Infine 70 years ago today (12/17/1943) →

1,138 killed when Germans strike HMT Rohna off Algeria 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'Rohna Film Preview'

(Friday, November 26, 1943; during World War II) — The HMT Rohna, a British transport ship carrying American soldiers, was hit today by a German missile and sank in the Mediterranean north of Béjaïa, Algeria. 1,138 men were killed, including 1,015 Americans, constituting the largest loss of U.S. troops at sea in a single incident.

Cairo Conference participants discuss fate of Asia, pose for cameras 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'Cairo and Teheran Conference 1943' (leaders pose in Cairo at 4:45)

(Thursday, November 25, 1943; during World War II) — Participants of the Cairo Conference, underway since Nov. 22, 1943, at a residence of the American Ambassador to Egypt, Alexander Kirk, near the Pyramids, posed today for journalists. Continue reading Cairo Conference participants discuss fate of Asia, pose for cameras 70 years ago today (1943) →

Tarawa and Makin atolls fall to American forces 70 years ago this hour (1943)


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (Nov. 23, 1943, at 6:11)

(Tuesday, November 23, 1943, 1:30 p.m. GILT; during the Battle of Tarawa (Operation Galvanic) part of the Pacific War during World War II) — The Tarawa and Makin atolls fell to American forces today, concluding the Battle of Tarawa. Nearly 6,400 Japanese, Koreans, and Americans died in four days of fighting, mostly on and around the small island of Betio.

Battle of Tarawa begins as U.S. Marines land on Tarawa Atoll 70 years ago this hour (1943)


Video: 'The World At War: Pacific 1/5' (Nov. 20, 1943, at 3:46)

(Saturday, November 20, 1943, 9:00 a.m. GILT; during the Battle of Tarawa (Operation Galvanic) part of the Pacific War during World War II) — U.S. Marines today launched the Battle of Tarawa, the first American offensive in the critical central Pacific region, landing on Tarawa Atoll in the Gilbert Islands. The Marines suffered heavy fire from Japanese shore guns and machine guns.

Soviet troops liberate Kiev 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'The World At War: Red Star The Soviet Union 5/5' (Nov. 6, 1943, at 8:38)

(Saturday, November 6, 1943; during the  Second Battle of Kiev on the Eastern Front of World War II) — Soviet forces, under the command of Nikolai Fyodorovich Vatutin, today captured Kiev, the Soviet Union’s third largest city. Only 6,000 Axis prisoners were taken as most of the German forces had successfully withdrawn.

Second Raid on Schweinfurt results in German victory 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'The World At War: Whirlwind Bombing Germany 4/5' (Second Raid on Schweinfurt, Oct. 14, 1943, at 9:30)

(Thursday, October 14, 1943; during the Operation Pointblank, part of the European Theater of World War II) — The second Schweinfurt raid took place over Germany today between forces of the United States 8th Air Force and German Luftwaffe’s fighter arm (Jagdwaffe). Continue reading Second Raid on Schweinfurt results in German victory 70 years ago today (1943) →

Mountbatten takes post as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command (SEAC) 70 years ago today (1943)


Video: 'The World At War: It's A Lovely Day Tomorrow Burma 3/5' (Oct. 7, 1943, at 3:15)

(Thursday, October 7, 1943; during the Burma Campaign, part of the Pacific War during World War II) — Admiral Lord Louis Mountbatten, former leader of Britain’s Commandos, arrived in New Delhi, India, today to take over his new post as Supreme Allied Commander South East Asia Command (SEAC). His mission was to end the stalemate and knock out the Japanese.

Allied tanks enter Naples, Italy 70 years ago this hour (1943)


Video: 'Battlefield S2/E4 - The Battle for Italy' (Oct. 1, 1943, at 1:24:57)

(Friday, October 1, 1943, 9:30 a.m. local time; during the Italian Campaign of World War II) — “A” Squadron of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards, a cavalry regiment in the British Army, entered Naples, Italy, today. German troops occupying Naples provoked a rebellion, known by the population (known as Four days of Naples) starting on Sept. 27, 1943, and had to evacuate. Continue reading Allied tanks enter Naples, Italy 70 years ago this hour (1943) →