Showing posts with label Army. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Army. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 8, 2025

Sunday, July 8, 1945. The Camp Salina Massacre.

Private Clarence V. Bertucci murdered nine German POWs at the POW camp at Salina, Utah.  He fired a Browning M1917 into their lodgings, only stopping when he ran out of ammunition.

Nineteen were wounded.

Bertucci, who had a previous court martial from his time in the UK, did not deny the killing and was court martialed and found insane.  The New Orleans native died in New Orleans in 1969 at age 48.

Australian troops landed at Penajam, Borneo.

From Sarah Sundin's blog:

Today in World War II History—July 8, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—July 8, 1945: Only international sub-to-sub rescue in history: USS Cod rescues crew of stranded Dutch submarine O-19 in the South China Sea.

The USS Saipan was launched.


She's serve until 1970.

Last edition:

Saturday, July 7, 1945. Japanese killings.

Thursday, July 8, 1915. The Women's Peace Army.

The Australian Women's Peace Army was formed to protest to Australia's involvement in World War I.

The Plan of San Diego was resulting in some exchanges of fire in Texas.

Last edition:

Wednesday, July 7, 1915. Last meeting of the Mexican Convention.

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Sunday, July 1, 1900. A battle in Peking and a royal wedding.

The Chinese army drove off German and American defenders within the legation area but failed to exploit their advantage before the situation was recovered.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Crown Prince of Austria-Hungary, married Sophie Chotek von Chotkova at Reichstadt in Bohemia.

Last edition:

Tuesday, June 26, 1900. Prejudice and Equality.

Monday, June 30, 2025

Saturday, June 30, 1945. Mopping up.

"These five 96th Div. Texans are considered "aces" by their buddies in Co. I, 383rd Inf. Regt., an ace being anyone who has killed five or more Japs. From bottom to top: S/Sgt. Vernon Z. Wilkins, 101 Chicago St., Delhart; Pfc. Albert Welfel, El Campo; Pfc. Richard S. Groce, 318 Lafitte St., San Antonio; PFC Roy D Clepper, Florey; and Pfc. Russell Linnard, of Pharr, Texas. 30 June, 1945. Company I, 383rd Infantry Regiment, 96th Infantry Division."  I wonder what their lives were like after the war.
Today in World War II History—June 30, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—June 30, 1945: In the Philippines, Luzon is declared secure. Organized Japanese resistance ends on Mindanao in the Philippines.

Sarah Sundin's blog.

Indeed, some Japanese troops would hold out on the Philippines on an individual basis for decades. 

" Jap tankette knocked out in battle for Shuri. Tank is about 10 ft. by four and about five feet in height, and carries two men. Relative size is shown by Lt. M. A. Miller of 94 Parkway Rd., Bronxville, New York. 30 June, 1945. Photographer: Henderson, 3240th Signal Photo Det."  Tankettes were a British concept from between the wars, but had fallen out of favor almost everywhere before World War Two.  Japan, which existed in military isolation, kept them.

American forces on Okinawa completed a week of mop-up operations in which 8,975 Japanese were reported killed and 2,902 captured, showing how intense operations remained.

While not apparent to anyone yet, the U.S. Army and Marine Corps had effectively concluded the main part of their ground fighting in the war.  Ground combat, however, carried on for the British and Dominion armies, and the Chinese Army.

Former U.S. Army Air Force base Liuzhou, China, was recaptured by the Chinese.  They also took Chungchin on the Indochinese border.

The French the 5e REI, a Foreign Legion regiment which had been stationed in Indochina, was deactivated, having been decimated in their retreat into China.

Truman appointed James F. Byrnes to be Secretary of State.

Last edition:

Friday, June 29, 1945. Downfall.

Medical shaving waivers could soon get you kicked out of the Army

Ah man, this again?

Medical shaving waivers could soon get you kicked out of the Army

Forthcoming revisions to grooming standards would do away with permanent shaving waivers, which could largely impact Black soldiers.

I get why the clean shaving rule came in originally.  Gas masks. And I get why its still around.

But US troops haven't been gassed since 1918, saving for getting gassed by ourselves with CS.  They ought to let up on this.

Friday, June 27, 2025

Wednesday, June 27, 1945. Giving Japan a warning.

Under Secretary of the Navy Ralph Bard suggested giving Japan a warning about the atomic bomb.

US forces completed the occupation of Luzon's Cagayan Valley.  The island is accordingly nearly fully under US control.

The I-165 was sunk east of Saipan by a US PV-2 Harpoon.

The USS Bunker Hill was struck by a kamikaze resulting in the death of 373 men.

Dr. Emil Hacha, age 73, the former president of the German sponsored "Bohemia-Moravia Protectorate," died in the Prague prison hospital while awaiting trial.

Edward Stettinius resigned as Secretary of State to take up the post of ambassador to the United Nations.

Last edition:

Tuesday, June 26, 1945. The United Nations Charter signed, Manhattan Project scientists worry, Marilyn appears in Yank,

Friday, June 20, 2025

Wednesday, June 20, 1945. Japanese surrenders.

Today in World War II History—June 20, 1940 & 1945: Australians take oil fields at Seria on Borneo.

Hard fighting continues on Okinawa, but 1,000 Japanese troops surrendered.

"A Jap prisoner of war and Pfc. John H, Davis, Rt. #1, Whitwell, Tenn, 7th Reconnaissance, 7th Infantry Division, attempt to reach shore on a surf board to coax Japs still entrenched in a cave to surrender and swim to LCI. The attempt was unsuccessful due to the inability of the prisoner of war to swim. 20 June, 1945."

Australians landed at Lutong in eastern Sarawak, Borneo.

The Australian 26th Infantry Brigade captured Hill 90 on Tarakan Island, ending organized Japanese resistance.

The Polish government in exile denies the right of the Soviets to try Polish ministers who had flown to Moscow and were arrested.

The United Nations agreed to let the General Assembly have the right to discuss "any matters within the scope of the charter".

Last edition:

Tuesday, June 19, 1945. Eisenhower's parade.

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Monday, June 18, 1945. The death of Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr.


Gen. Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr. was killed by Japanese artillery on Okinawa.  He was 58 years old, making him one of the older U.S. Generals of the Second World War.

The artillery projectile was of the flat shooting rifle type, and the projectile had actually ricocheted off of a coral reef, and then hit Buckner.

Prior to World War Two, Buckner had principally been involved in the education and training of troops.  He had seen overseas duty, however, in the Philippines in 1908.

His father, the senior Simon Bolivar Buckner, had been an American Army officer during the Mexican War, and a Confederate general during the Civil war.

Prime Minister Kantarō Suzuki informed the Japanese Supreme Council of Emperor Hirohito's intention to seek peace with the Allies as soon as possible.

The USS Bonefish was sunk in Toyama Bay.

The Chinese Army took Wenchow.

The Soviets put sixteen officers of the Polish Home Army on trial for fighting the Soviets.


William Joyce, Lord Haw Haw, was put on trial for treason.

The British Army began demobilizing.

Last edition:

Fort Hood is Fort Hood Again

Why the Marine Corps should adopt the M10 Booker

 

Why the Marine Corps should adopt the M10 Booker

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Sunday, June 17, 1945. Taking Kuishi Ridge.

The last Japanese defensive line was broken on Kuishi Ridge, Okinawa.  The US 7th Division completed the capture of Hills 153 and 115.

"Tec Sgt. Hiroshi Mukaye, Los Angeles, Cal., Japanese Interpreter for the 32nd Infantry Regiment, and S/Sgt. Ralph M. Saito, Ewa, Hawaii, interpreter for the 24th Corps, question this Japanese sailor brought in by the 32nd Infantry Regiment. 17 June. 1945. 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. Photo Source: U.S. National Archives. Digitized by Signal Corps Archive."  This photograph is remarkable in that S.Sgt  Santo has his rank drawn onto his fatigue cap in the same approximate size that later black subdued rank insignia would have it.  He also has his rank printed on the lapels of his fatigue shirt, which would anticipate the practice of the 1960s, although not in that location.

The 37th Infantry Division captured Naguilian on Luzon.  

Last edition:

June 17, 1775. The Battle of Bunker Hill.

 


The British took Bunker HIll in Massachusetts in the first really notable largescale battle of the American Revolution.

While they prevailed, they took twice the casualties of the defending American forces.

250 Years Ago Today: The Bloodiest Day of the Revolutionary War

Related threads:

Saturday, April 4, 1925. Recalling Lexington and Concord.

Last edition:

Thursday, March 30, 1775. King George III gave Royal Assent to the New England Restraining Act, which provided. . .

Sunday, June 15, 2025

Cliffnotes of the Zeitgeist, 90th Edition. Parade and Protests.

 

Yesterday the much discussed extremely expensive Washington D.C. parade occured.  

I had not intended to watch any of it, but when I came home from work, after fixing the exhaust on my Jeep, I came in from the 90F weather and there wasn't anything on as I drank a beer.  Being fasciated, obviously, with things military, I turned it on until the nightly local news came on.

I don't know how much of the spectacle I saw.  When I turned it on there were troops marching in World War Two combat uniforms.   They looked pretty sharp.  There was a collection of World War Two rolling stock, and it looked good, although based on the passengers, I'm dead certain that the equipment, from Jeeps to tanks, were the property of private parties, not the Army.  The Army keeps old armor on display, but their vehicles are just that, on display.  A working Sherman tank is probably pretty difficult to turn up in the Army.

I watched through the Korean War, which was interesting, and again, at least while I was watching, mostly rolling stock.  When the Vietnam War era was depicted, some wag programmed in Fortunate Son for the background music.  The protest song famously is aimed at people like Donald Trump.

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no millionaire's son, no, no

It ain't me, it ain't me

I ain't no fortunate one, no

I wonder if he recognized the tune?

I concluded at some point after they reached the modern Army.  Troops were marching in their BDUs.  Some were out of step pretty badly. A few were overweight.  A small contingent carrying the latest small arms looked grossly overburdened by the weight of their arms.

I thought it was probably just me, as I'm not a Trump fan whatsoever, but it isn't.  Net comments, including some from Europeans where armies fairly routinely put on large parades, noted the same thing.

And what they really noticed is how empty the stands were.  People didn't turn out. That's a real indictment of Trump.

They did, however, turn out across the country for No Kings protests.

That really says something as well.

Last edition:

Lex Anteinternet: Cliffnotes of the Zeitgeist, 88th Edition Postscript. Adding to what we already noted in a predictive issue and other ramblings. Order coming on women in combat roles.


Cliffnotes of the Zeitgeist, 89th Edition. Sidewalks and flags.

Saturday, June 14, 2025

Fortunate Son

They actually played it at the reviewing stand today for the Army's 250th anniversary parade.

How ironic.

Musings Over a Barrel: June 14: A Day Rich with “Made in America” Celebra...

Musings Over a Barrel: June 14: A Day Rich with “Made in America” Celebra...: June 14 is a day rich with truly “Made in America” celebrations. It’s Flag Day — a time to honor our Nation’s flag and everything it repres...

In addition to being the birthday of the U.S. Army, and Flag Day, it turns out today is National Bourbon Day.

I'd have a bourbon, but I had a couple of Irish whiskeys last night, so I'll abstain.

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Tuesday, June 12, 1945. The suicide of the Japanese Marines.

Today in World War II History—June 12, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—June 12, 1945: US Marines make push for final pocket of Japanese forces on Okinawa; hundreds of Japanese Marines commit suicide.

Sarah Sundin's blog.

On Okinawa, US troops took the Yaeju Dake escarpment.

Allied forces occupied Trieste.

Dwight D. Eisenhower received the Freedom of the City of London and the Order of Merit.  In receiving them, he stated:

Humility must always be the portion of any man who receives acclaim earned in blood of his followers and sacrifices of his friends.

The Visayan Islands, including Samar, Negros, Panay, Leyte, Cebu, and Bohol, between Luzon and Mindanao, were secured by American forces. 

Penn Station, June 12, 1945.

Niecey Brown, a 74-year-old Black woman, died from injuries after an off-duty white police officer forcibly entered her house and beat her with a bottle in Selma, Alabama.

Last edition:

Monday, June 11, 1945. King gets another term. . . but it's a minority government.