Saturday, June 16, 1945. Oppenheimer writes a letter. Bell Bottom Trousers hits the charts. Belgians debate the return of a king. Sugar for canning.

See below.

Oppenheimer and his committee wrote a letter:

Mount Yuza was captured on Okinawa.

"Soldiers of the 32nd Regt., 7th Inf. Div., advancing to Hill 115 against moderate resistance. 16 June, 1945. 32nd Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division."  Okinawa. Note the infantryman reloading his M1 Garand and the two BARs in the photograph.  Both of the BARs have had their bipods removed.  One of the automatic rifleman is holding his BAR sideways.

"A flame throwing tank of 96th Division burns out Japs hiding in holes along sunken road on bitterly contested “big apple” ridge, Okinawa. 16 June, 1945."

This was also noted by Sarah Sundin, who also noted an interesting musical item:

Today in World War II History—June 16, 1940 & 1945: 80 Years Ago—June 16, 1945: US Tenth Army takes Yuza-Dake Hill on Okinawa. “Bell Bottom Trousers” becomes final military-themed song to hit US charts in WWII.

Lots of versions of this song were recorded in 1945, and all in close proximity. The one above is the one that hit the charts on this date.

Here's another version, same year. 

 

The song was actually originally a bawdy sailors song, and it had been rewritten by Moe Jaffe for a modern audience in a form that' was recordable.  His lyrics went:

Once there was a little girl who lived next to me

And she loved a sailor boy, he was only three

Now he's on a battleship in his sailor suit

Just a great big sailor, but she thinks he's very cute

(With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue)

(She loves her sailor and he loves her too)

When her sailor boy's away on the ocean blue

Soldier boys all flirt with her, but to him she's true

Though they smile and tip their caps, and they wink their eyes

She just smiles and shakes her head, then she softly sighs

(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue)

(She loves her sailor and he loves her too)

Then her sailor went to sea to see what he could see

She saw that he ate spinach, now he's big as he can be

When he's home they stroll along, they don't give a hoot

She won't let go of his hand, even to salute

If her sailor she can't find on the bounding main

She is hopeful he will soon come home safe again

So they can get married and raise a family

Dress up all their kiddies in sailor's dungarees

(Oh, bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue)

(She loves her sailor and he loves her too)

The song was hugely popular (I can recall my mother singing it), and was recorded five times in 1945.  Interestingly, the last recording, in February 1945,  by Louis Prima recalled the more bawdy earlier version.

When I was a lady's maid down in Drury Lane

My mistress, she was good to me; my master was the same

Along came a sailor, happy as could be

And he was the cause of all my misery

With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue

(She loved her sailor and he loved her too)

He asked me for a candle to light him up to bed

He asked me for a kerchief to tie around his head

And I, like a silly girl, thinking it no harm

 

Lay down beside him, just to keep him warm

With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue

(She loved her sailor and he loved her too)

(Trumpet Solo)

Early in the mornin', before the break of day

A sawbuck note he left for me before he went away

And he wrote a message that if I have a son

Let him be a sailor if he wants to have some fun

With his bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue

(She loved her sailor and he loved her too)

(Saxophone Solo)

LOUIS:

If it is a daughter, bounce her on your knee

And if it is a boy, send the begger out to sea

Singin' bell bottom trousers, coat of navy blue

Oh, he'll climb the riggin', like the sailors used to do

LILYANN:

If my sailor I can't find on the bounding main

I am hopeful he will soon come home safe again

So we can get married, and raise a family

Dress up all our kiddies in sailor's dungarees

The original song was Rosemary Lane, and English song from the early 1800s.  It went:

When I was in service in Rosemary Lane

I won the goodwill of my master and did I

Till a sailor came there one night to lay

And that was the beginning of my misery 

He called for a candle to light him to bed

And likewise a silk handkerchief to tie up his head

To tie up his head as sailors will do

And he said my pretty Polly will you come too 

Now this maid being young and foolish she thought it no harm

For to lie into bed to keep herself warm

And what was done there I will never disclose

But I wish that short night had been seven long years 

Next morning this sailor so early arose

And into my apron three guineas did throw

Saying take this I will give and more I will do

If you'll be my Polly wherever I go 

Now if it's a boy he will fight for the king

And if it's a girl she will wear a gold ring

She will wear a gold ring and a dress all aflame

And remember my service in Rosemary Lane 

When I was in service in Rosemary Lane

I won the goodwill of my master and did I

Till a sailor came there one night to lay

And that was the beginning of my misery

The 10th Mountain Division adopted the song during the war for their own fighting song, and produced these lyrics:

I was a barmaid in a mountain inn;

There I learned the wages and miseries of sin;

Along came a skier fresh from off the slopes;

He’s the one that ruined me and shattered all my hopes.

Singing:

[Chorus:]

Ninety pounds of rucksack

A pound of grub or two

He’ll schuss the mountain,

Like his daddy used to do.

He asked me for a candle to light his way to bed;

He asked me for a kerchief to tie around his head;

And I a foolish maiden, thinking it no harm;

Jumped into the skier’s bed to keep the skier warm..

Singing:

[Chorus]

Early in the morning before the break of day,

He handed me a five note and these words did say,

“Take this my darling for the damage I have done.

You may have a daughter, you may have a son.

Now if you have a daughter, bounce her on your knee;

But if you have a son, send the young man out to ski.”

Singing:

[Chorus]

The moral of this story, as you can plainly see,

Is never trust a skier an inch above your knee.

For I trusted one and now look at me;

I’ve got a bastard in the Mountain Infantry.

Singing:

The USS Twiggs was sunk by a kamikaze attack.

Poster from this date.  The impressive thing is how much territory the Japanese were still holding, and tenaciously.

Belgian Premier Achille van Acker and his cabinet resign in protest against the contemplated return of King Leopold III from Germany, where he'd been taken by the Germans at the end of the war.

Today In Wyoming's History: June 16: 1945  Sugar once again allowed, on a restricted basis, for home canning in the US.  Attribution:  Wyoming State Historical Society.

Belgian Premier Achille van Acker and his cabinet resign in protest against the contemplated return of King Leopold III from Germany, where he'd been taken by the Germans at the end of the war.

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Béla Imrédy was arrested by American troops.

Col. Gen. Nikolai Erastovich Berzarin, commander of the troops in Berlin, died in a motorcycle accident.  He was 41.

Denounced radical Communist Greek guerilla leader Aris Velouchiotis  committed suicide rather than surrender.  He was 39.

Polynesian won the Preakness.

Last edition:

Friday, June 15, 1945. Infantry Day.

Labels: 1660s, 1670s, 1930s, 1935, 1940s, 1945, 1945 at the movies, 1950s, 1953, Aircraft, Battle of Bessang Pass, Cavalier Parliament, Infantry, Korea War, Movies, Philippines, U.S. Air Force, United Kingdom, Wyoming

Thursday, February 12, 1925. Arbitration and Execution.

President Coolidge signed the Federal Arbitration Act into law, allowing contractual facilitation of resolving private disputes through arbitration.

For some reason, I don't see the GOP supporting that today.

Imperial Russia's last Prime Minister Nikolai Golitsyn was arrested by the Soviets.  He'd be tried and, of course, executed.

German miners in Dortmund stopped work in sympathy with the victims of the Stein mine explosion and a protest against dangerous mining conditions.

The Belgian airline SABENA (Societé anonyme belge d'Exploitation de la Navigation aérienne) started the air travel between Europe and Central Africa, the first airline to do so.  

Last edition:

Tuesday, February 10, 1925. A concordat.

Labels: 1920s, 1925, Canada, Catholic, Diplomacy, fishing, Poland, United States

Monday, January 22, 1945. Relentless.

Cavalrymen of the 3rd Guards Cavalry Corps approaching Allenstein, Prussia, now Olsztyn, Poland.  January 22, 1945.  A least a few of these horses appear to be panjes, Russian peasant ponies.  Allenstein dates back to 1334, when it was founded as a military outpost by the Teutonic Knights.  It rebelled against those knights in 1454 and joined the Kingdom of Poland.  Nicholas Copernicus, famous scientist and Catholic Deacon, lived there from 1516 to 1521.  It became part of the Kingdom of Prussia in 1772 during the First Partition of Poland.  Given this, in reality, the post World War Two result simply returned it to what it had originally been, Polish.

The Red Army took Insterburg, Allenstein and Deutsch Eylau in Prussia as well as Gneizo.

The British Army took St. Joost and other towns near Sittard. The US 1st Army attacked all along the front between Houffalize and St. Vith.

Kriegsmarine torpedo boats attacked a convoy north of Dunkirk while other torpedo penetrated into the Thames Estuary.

The British IV Corps took Htilin in Bruma and the Battle of Hill 170 began. The British also took Tilin.

M4 Sherman of the 19th King George's Own Lancers, Burma, 22 January 1945

The Royal Air Force destroyed a liquid oxygen factory in  Alblasserdam in a Spitfire raid.  The oxygen was used for rockets.

The 1st Corps engaged the Japanese in heavy fighting near Carmen and Rosario on Luzon.

Last edition:

Sunday, January 21, 1945. Removing Hindenburg.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Army, Battle of Tannenberg, Belgium, British Army, Burma, Eastern Front, German Kriegsmarine, Kamikaze, Luzon, Paul von Hindenburg, Philippines, Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, World War Two

Sunday, January 21, 1945. Removing Hindenburg.

The Red Army captured Gumbinnen, crossed the Warthen and approached Poznań.  They also took Tannenberg, the site of a major German victory in World War One, where the Germans had begun demolishing key structures of the Tannenberg Memorial and where they also disinterred the remains of Paul von Hindenburg and his wife ahead of the Red Army's advance.

The U.S. Army took Titiz in the Ardennes.

"Reinforcements for front line duty move through Apach, France. 21 January, 1945. 94th Infantry Division."

The U-1199 was sunk by the Royal Navy off of Sicily.

The British landed on the northern tip of Ramree, Burma.

The US took Tarlac on Luzon.

The USS Ticonderoga was hit by two kamikazes.

Last edition:

Saturday, January 20, 1945. FDR Reinaugurated.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Armor, Army, Battle of the Bulge, Belgium, Burma, China Burma India Theater, Eastern Front, Franklin Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, Henry A. Wallace, Red Army, Slovakia, World War Two

Saturday, January 20, 1945. FDR Reinaugurated.

The fourth, and modest, inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt took place on the South Portico of the White House.

His address. 

Mr. Chief Justice, Mr. Vice President, my friends: 

You will understand and, I believe, agree with my wish that the form of this inauguration be simple and its words brief. 

We Americans of today, together with our allies, are passing through a period of supreme test. It is a test of our courage—of our resolve—of our wisdom—of our essential democracy. 

If we meet that test—successfully and honorably—we shall perform a service of historic importance which men and women and children will honor throughout all time. 

As I stand here today, having taken the solemn oath of office in the presence of my fellow countrymen—in the presence of our God—I know that it is America's purpose that we shall not fail. 

In the days and the years that are to come, we shall work for ajust and honorable peace, a durable peace, as today we work and fight for total victory in war. 

We can and we will achieve such a peace. 

We shall strive for perfection. We shall not achieve it immediately—but we still shall strive. We may make mistakes—but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principle. 

I remember that my old schoolmaster, Dr. Peabody, said in days that seemed to us then to be secure and untroubled, "Things in life will not always run smoothly. Sometimes we will be rising toward the heights—then all will seem to reverse itself and start downward. The great fact to remember is that the trend of civilization itself is forever upward; that a line drawn through the middle of the peaks and the valleys of the centuries always has an upward trend." 

Our Constitution of 1787 was not a perfect instrument; it is not perfect yet. But it provided a firm base upon which all manner of men, of all races and colors and creeds, could build our solid structure of democracy. 

Today, in this year of war, 1945, we have learned lessons—at a fearful cost—and we shall profit by them. 

We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other Nations, far away. We have learned that we must live as men and not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger. 

We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. 

We have learned the simple truth, as Emerson said, that, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." 

We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust or with fear. We can gain it only if we proceed with the understanding and the confidence and the courage which flow from conviction. 

The Almighty God has blessed our land in many ways. He has given our people stout hearts and strong arms with which to strike mighty blows for freedom and truth. He has given to our country a faith which has become the hope of all peoples in an anguished world.

So we pray to Him now for the vision to see our way clearly to see the way that leads to a better life for ourselves and for all our fellow men—and to the achievement of His will to peace on earth.

Roosevelt would be the only US President to be elected to more than two terms, and after him jealous Republicans caused the Constitution to be amended to prevent that reoccurring, which we can now all be grateful for as it will theoretically prevent Donald Trump from trying for a their term, should old age or dementia not remove him from politics before the end of his claimed current term.  While still hated by some conservatives, FDR is the last American President who might be regarded as "great", although that status can be debated.  He certainly was one of the best Presidents in the nation's history, and his long administration fundamentally altered the country and shaped the post war United States up until, it would seem, today.

Outgoing Vice President Wallace administered the oath to his successor Harry S. Truman, which had been the long standing tradition.  It was the last time it would be observed.  Wallace was dumped as insiders, including FDR, knew that FDR was on death's door and that the incoming Vice President would become President.  Wallace was feared by many because of his very far left views.

The Germans started evacuating East Prussia.

The evacuation of East Prussia would be a major human tragedy, although one that receives very little attention as the Germans brought it upon themselves.  The mass migration into the Reich would end centuries of German presence in what is now once again part of Poland.

The Red Army took Prešov, Slovakia.

The Hungarian Provisional Government entered into an armistice with the Allies.

The Allies progressed in the Ardennes and the French 1st Army commenced an offensive in the Vosges region.

The Nationalist Chinese took Muse, Burma.

Last edition:

Friday, January 19, 1945. Martin Bormann and Hitler's mistress Eva Braun arrived at the Führerbunker.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Adolf Hitler, Eastern Front, French Army, French Resistance Movements, Poland, Red Army, Siege of Budapest, War Crimes, World War Two

Saturday, January 13, 1945. Stiff German resistance.

 

US troops in Belgium being served chow, January 13, 1945.

Allied advances in the Ardennes continued.  On this day the event at Foy depicted in Band of Brothers occurred.

The Red Army encountered stiff resistance in East Prussia.

The USS Salamana was badly damaged in an kamikaze attack off of the Philippines.  Such attacks themselves were dropping off.

Last edition:

Friday, January 12, 1945. The beginning of the last Red Army Winter Offensive of World War Two.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Belgium, British Army, Burma, German Wehrmacht, Indian Army, Red Army, Sandomierz–Silesian Offensive, U.S. Navy, Vistula–Oder Offensive, Weapons, World War Two

Friday, January 12, 1945. The beginning of the last Red Army Winter Offensive of World War Two.

The Red Army commenced the Sandomierz–Silesian Offensive and the Vistula–Oder Offensive.

German troops were outnumbered at least 4 to 1 in all classes of equipment.

"A civilian casually picks his way through the rubble - all that remains of the Belgian town of La Roche, entered earlier in the day by Allied troops. 12 January, 1945."

"Double trouble for the Germans comes in the form of twin bazookas mounted on a .50 caliber machine gun mount, which can be completely traversed. Although only two men are shown in the jeep, a third is present to load the projectiles while the unit is in actual operation. L-R: T/5 Louis Gergye, Youngstown, Ohio, and Pvt. William R. Jump, Owenton, Ky. 12 January, 1945. I & R Platoon, 60th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division."  This must be a field modification.  I've never seen another example of this.

The British 18th Indian Division took bridgeheads over the Irrawaddy.  Commandos were landed near Myebon on the mainland between Akyab and Ramree.

Aircraft of the U.S Navy sank 40 Japanese ships in Cam Ranh Bay and most of the ships in a convoy from Qui Nho'n, including the carrier Kashii.

Last edition:

Thursday, January 11, 1945. Reinforcements at Lingayen

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Army, Battle of the Bulge, British Army, Dekemvriana (Δεκεμβριανά), Greece, Heroes, Imperial Japanese Navy, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Kamikaze, Royal Navy, U.S. Navy, World War Two

Monday, January 8, 1945. Two Medals of Honor.

T/Sgt Russell E. Dunham performed the actions that resulted in his winning the Medal of Honor.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at risk of life above and beyond the call of duty. At about 1430 hours on 8 January 1945, during an attack on Hill 616, near Kayserberg, France, T/Sgt. Dunham single-handedly assaulted 3 enemy machine guns. Wearing a white robe made of a mattress cover, carrying 12 carbine magazines and with a dozen hand grenades snagged in his belt, suspenders, and buttonholes, T/Sgt. Dunham advanced in the attack up a snow-covered hill under fire from 2 machine guns and supporting riflemen. His platoon 35 yards behind him, T/Sgt. Dunham crawled 75 yards under heavy direct fire toward the timbered emplacement shielding the left machine gun. As he jumped to his feet 10 yards from the gun and charged forward, machine gun fire tore through his camouflage robe and a rifle bullet seared a 10-inch gash across his back sending him spinning 15 yards down hill into the snow. When the indomitable sergeant sprang to his feet to renew his 1-man assault, a German egg grenade landed beside him. He kicked it aside, and as it exploded 5 yards away, shot and killed the German machine gunner and assistant gunner. His carbine empty, he jumped into the emplacement and hauled out the third member of the gun crew by the collar. Although his back wound was causing him excruciating pain and blood was seeping through his white coat, T/Sgt. Dunham proceeded 50 yards through a storm of automatic and rifle fire to attack the second machine gun. Twenty-five yards from the emplacement he hurled 2 grenades, destroying the gun and its crew; then fired down into the supporting foxholes with his carbine dispatching and dispersing the enemy riflemen. Although his coat was so thoroughly blood-soaked that he was a conspicuous target against the white landscape, T/Sgt. Dunham again advanced ahead of his platoon in an assault on enemy positions farther up the hill. Coming under machinegun fire from 65 yards to his front, while rifle grenades exploded 10 yards from his position, he hit the ground and crawled forward. At 15 yards range, he jumped to his feet, staggered a few paces toward the timbered machinegun emplacement and killed the crew with hand grenades. An enemy rifleman fired at pointblank range, but missed him. After killing the rifleman, T/Sgt. Dunham drove others from their foxholes with grenades and carbine fire. Killing 9 Germans—wounding 7 and capturing 2—firing about 175 rounds of carbine ammunition, and expending 11 grenades, T/Sgt. Dunham, despite a painful wound, spearheaded a spectacular and successful diversionary attack.

And also, Day G. Turner performed the actions tat caused him to be awarded the Medal of Honor.

He commanded a 9-man squad with the mission of holding a critical flank position. When overwhelming numbers of the enemy attacked under cover of withering artillery, mortar, and rocket fire, he withdrew his squad into a nearby house, determined to defend it to the last man. The enemy attacked again and again and were repulsed with heavy losses. Supported by direct tank fire, they finally gained entrance, but the intrepid sergeant refused to surrender although 5 of his men were wounded and 1 was killed. He boldly flung a can of flaming oil at the first wave of attackers, dispersing them, and fought doggedly from room to room, closing with the enemy in fierce hand-to-hand encounters. He hurled handgrenade for handgrenade, bayoneted 2 fanatical Germans who rushed a doorway he was defending and fought on with the enemy's weapons when his own ammunition was expended. The savage fight raged for 4 hours, and finally, when only 3 men of the defending squad were left unwounded, the enemy surrendered. Twenty-five prisoners were taken, 11 enemy dead and a great number of wounded were counted. Sgt. Turner's valiant stand will live on as a constant inspiration to his comrades. His heroic, inspiring leadership, his determination and courageous devotion to duty exemplify the highest tradition of the military service.

Turner was killed in action a month later. 

He survived the war and died at age 89, in 2009.

"Cpl. Charles S. McNulty, 2075 Beaver Ave., Cedar Rapids, Iowa, stops for a moment of prayer before joining his division near Houmont, Belgium. 8 January, 1945. 17th Airborne ".  McNulty appears to have been wounded, given the bandage on his right arm.  He's carrying a M1A1 carbine which was designed for paratroopers, and issued only to them.

An interesting "look what I got" photo from Belgium, January 8, 1945.  Note that one of the young women is carrying something in a Dutch Oven.

" First contingent of WAVES for duty at Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. WAVES sing “Home Sweet Home,” 8 January 1945."

Parliamentary elections in Egypt were won by a political coalition headed by Ahmad Mahir Pasha.

Last edition:

Sunday, January 7, 1945. Retreat from the Ardennes and Hope.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Battle of the Bulge, German, German Wehrmacht, Heroes, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, Joseph Stalin, Kamikaze, Luzon, Nazi Germany, U.S. Air Force, Winston Churchill, World War Two

Thursday, January 4, 1945. Fighting in snowy Belgium.

"Pvt. Joy B. Richcreek, North Fortville, Indiana, cooking his dinner over a lit can of gasoline in the snow-covered woods. Belgium. 4 January, 1945. 28th Infantry Division."

The 3d Army repulsed a German counterattack near Bastogne.

"When tanks of the 35th Division had to negotiate steep and icy roads in the outskirts of Bastogne, Belgium, tank crew members placed lengths of firewood on the road for increased traction. 4 January, 1945. 35th Infantry Division."  Photographer: Pvt. A. H. Hertz, 166th Signal Photo Co.

The US 8th and 3d and British 30 Corps mount attacks.

The British and Indian armies completed occupying Akyab.

Heavy air assaults occurred on Luzon against Japanese targets.

Last edition:

Wednesday, January 3, 1945. British actions.

Labels: 1940s, 1945, Battle of the Bulge, British Army, Burma, Commandos, Greece, Indian Army, Invasion of Lingayen Gulf, World War Two