Category Archives: World War II

Russians launch offensive against Germans along the Don front 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Nov. 19, 1942 (at 33:04)

(Thursday, November 19, 1942, 7:20 a.m. Moscow time, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — The Red Army today launched Operation Uranus, a two-pronged attack targeting the weak Romanian and Hungarian forces protecting Germany forces in and around Stalingrad east of the Don River. Continue reading Russians launch offensive against Germans along the Don front 70 years ago today (1942)

Dentist Fritz Pfeffer moves into ‘Secret Annex’ 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: 'Anne Frank - The Whole Story -1' (Nov. 16, 1942 at 59:26)

(Monday, November 16, 1942, part of The Holocaust during World War II) — On Anne Frank’s 134th day in hiding in a secret apartment behind her father’s business in German-occupied Amsterdam, Fritz Pfeffer joined the Franks and the Van Pelses today. Continue reading Dentist Fritz Pfeffer moves into ‘Secret Annex’ 70 years ago today (1942)

Hitler on Stalingrad: ‘We’ve got it really’ 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Hitler's speech (Nov. 8, 1942)

(Sunday, November 8, 1942, evening, during the Battle of Stalingrad, part of the Eastern Front of World War II) — On the 19th anniversary of the Beer Hall Putsch, German dictator Adolf Hitler focused on the fighting in Stalingrad in an after dinner speech in Munich: Continue reading Hitler on Stalingrad: ‘We’ve got it really’ 70 years ago today (1942)

Fuel shortages, minefields, heavy rain slow Western Desert Campaign 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Nov. 6, 1942 (at 6:19)

(Friday, November 6, 1942, 5:30 p.m. during the Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — Two days after victory in the Second Battle of El Alamein, the British 7th Armored Division catches and destroys the remainder of Germany’s 21st Panzer Division, which is out of fuel.

The British pursuit, however, is slowed by fuel shortages, minefields and booby traps and a heavy rainfall late in the day that makes the coastal road the only viable route of advance.

Rommel resumes command at Second Battle of El Alamein 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Oct. 25, 1942 (at 2:23)

(Sunday, October 25, 1942, during the Second Battle of El Alamein, part of Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — Field Marshal Erwin Rommel, who had fallen ill and was recovering in Germany for about a month, flew to Rome early today to press the Comando Supremo for more fuel and ammunition; and then on to North Africa to resume command of the Panzer Army Africa, which was renamed the “German-Italian Panzer Army” (Deutsch-Italienische Panzerarmee).

Second Battle of El Alamein begins in Egypt 70 years ago today (1942)


Video: Oct. 23, 1942 (at 0:00)

(Friday, October 23, 1942, 21:40 Egyptian Summer Time, part of Western Desert Campaign of World War II) — The Second Battle of El Alamein opened today as British Lieutenant-General Bernard Montgomery unleashed the British 8th Army against Axis forces at El Alamein in Egypt. Continue reading Second Battle of El Alamein begins in Egypt 70 years ago today (1942)