Lex Anteinternet: Battle of the Visayas

Showing posts with label Battle of the Visayas. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 30, 2025

Wednesday, July 30, 1945. Eisenhower questions the bomb.

The Battle of the Visayas in the Philippines, where in fact the war was still going on, ended in Allied victory. Fighting had been reduced to mopping up by this time.

The Japanese government asked civilians to harvest acorns for food. The entire Japanese population was living at the starvation level by this point in time.

The Japanese 18th Army made a last stand at the village of Numbogua, New Guinea. General Adachi, ordered his troops "to die in honorable defeat."

General Marshall ordered General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz to coordinate plans in readiness for an early surrender by Japan.

Secretary of War Stimson informed Gen. Eisenhower of the intent to use the atomic bomb. Eisenhower questioned the wisdom of the act.

Occasionally I'll see different dates listed for an event. Here we have such an example:

Today in World War II History—July 30, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—July 30, 1945: Heavy cruiser USS Indianapolis is sunk by Japanese sub I-58 off Leyte; only 316 of 1199 men will survive the shark-infested waters.

July 30, 1945: The Fate of the USS Indianapolis

Most sources do list today, not yesterday, for the sinking of the USS Indianapolis. Not all, however. I used a source that listed July 29, as the "last edition" item below shows.

Why the difference?

Well, I don't know off hand, but the nature of the sinking, which saw the ship traveling under radio silence and in secret may have something to do with it. More likely, however, is the fact that sources using today's date put the time at 00:15.

Last edition:

Tuesday, July 29, 1945. The sinking of the USS Indianapolis. The 509th Composite Group receives orders for Operation Silverplate. The last Medal of Honor of World War Two.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, boats and ships, British Army, Disaster, Fish, Henry Ford, Heroes, Imperial Japanese Navy, Luzon, Operation Silverplate, Predictions, Sharks, Tinian, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Weapons

Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Sunday, March 18, 1945 Landings in the Philippines, the largest air attack on Berlin.

"First wave U.S. troops from the Americal Division's 3rd Battalion, 132nd Infantry during the landing on Talisay beach, Cebu. Alligator LVTs are visible rolling up in the background. View facing south, Signal Corps photograph SC 204236."

The Battle of the Visayas began in the Philippines, commencing with amphibious landings. The campaign would continue until the end of the war.

Japan closed its schools in Tokyo and ordered everyone over the age of six to report for war work.

The largest Allied bombing raid on Berlin during World War Two took place. 1,329 Allied bombers and 700 fighters were countered by the Luftwaffe using the new Me 262s and air-to-air rockets.

The U.S. Eighth Air Force lost six Mustangs and 13 bombers while the Luftwaffe only lost two planes. 3,000 tons of bombs were dropped on the city.

The US 3d Army took Bingen and Bad Kreuznach.

The Battle of Kolberg ended in Soviet and Red Polish victory.

The Battle of the Ligurian Sea was fought between British and German naval forces in the Gulf of Genoa.

The U-866 was sunk by the U.S. Navy.

Last edition:

Saturday, March 17, 1945. The Ludendorff Bridge collapse.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Eastern Front, German Kriegsmarine, World War Two

Thomas More, counsellor of law and statesman of integrity, merry martyr and most human of saints: Pray that, for the glory of God and in the pursuit of His justice, I may be trustworthy with confidences, keen in study, accurate in analysis, correct in conclusion, able in argument, loyal to clients, honest with all, courteous to adversaries, ever attentive to conscience. Sit with me at my desk and listen with me to my clients’ tales. Read with me in my library and stand always beside me so that today I shall not, to win a point, lose my soul. Pray that my family may find in me what yours found in you: friendship and courage, cheerfulness and charity, diligence in duties, counsel in adversity, patience in pain—their good servant, and God’s first. Amen

"Be at peace. Do not look forward in fear to the changes of life; rather look to them with full hope as they arise. God, whose very own you are, will deliver you from out of them. He has kept you hitherto, and He will lead you safely through all things; and when you cannot stand it, God will bury you in his arms. Do not fear what may happen tomorrow; the same everlasting Father who cares for you today will take care of you then and every day. He will either shield you from suffering, or give you unfailing strength to bear it. Be at peace, and put aside all anxious thoughts and imagination." St. Francis de Sales

Lex Anteinternet?

This blog has been around since 2009. In the very first post, we asked the question: "What the heck is this blog about?"

Our answer to the question was: "The intent of this blog is to try to explore and learn a few things about the practice of law prior to the current era. That is, prior to the internet, prior to easy roads, and the like. How did it work, how regional was it, how did lawyers perceive their roles, and how were they perceived?"

We also noted: "Part of the reason for this, quite frankly, has something to do with minor research for a very slow moving book."

All of this is still true, but the focus of the blog has changed somewhat. It now focuses on the era from 1890 to 1920 in general, rather than on the law and lawyers specifically, although that may be far from obvious. It's also become the location where we comment on anything we feel moved to comment on.

We hope you'll feel moved to comment as well. While we moderate every comment, so as to weed out Spam, we greatly appreciate the comments where they are offered, and hope to see more.

Thank you for stopping in!