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From entering active service in 1932 with the Red Army; the T-26 participated in many conflicts through the 1930’s up until it’s final engagement against the Japanese Kwantung Army in Manchuria in August 1945
Abandoned Flak 41 inspected by American soldier at Magdeburg – 1945
The Flak 41 was a Rheinmetall improvement on the famous Krupp “eighty-eight”, resulting in a more powerful version than any of the previous ones. Only very few numbers were produced, but this prompted Krupp to respond with another prototype which ended up becoming the feared Pak 43 & KWK 43 – mounted on the Elefant, Jagdpanther and the Tiger II.
RAF Pilot receiving a haircut in between sorties
With a pipe and a good book, this young pilot receives a haircut in between sorties. Knowing that each time they went out it could be their last mission, keeping mentally busy is key.
“A date that will live in infamy” – Dec 7th 1941
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| The USS Arizona burns during the attack on Pearl Harbor |
A double post today – It’s the 8th down here in NZ but for our American readers it is the 7th.
“The attack commenced at 7:48 a.m. Hawaiian Time. The base was attacked by 353 Imperial Japanese fighter planes, bombers, and torpedo planes in two waves, launched from six aircraft carriers. All eight U.S. Navy battleships were damaged, with four sunk. All but the USS Arizona (BB-39) were later raised, and six were returned to service and went on to fight in the war. The Japanese also sank or damaged three cruisers, three destroyers, an anti-aircraft training ship, and one minelayer. 188 U.S. aircraft were destroyed; 2,403 Americans were killed and 1,178 others were wounded. Important base installations such as the power station, shipyard, maintenance, and fuel and torpedo storage facilities, as well as the submarine piers and headquarters building (also home of the intelligence section) were not attacked. Japanese losses were light: 29 aircraft and five midget submarines lost, and 64 servicemen killed. One Japanese sailor, Kazuo Sakamaki, was captured.
The attack came as a profound shock to the American people and led directly to the American entry into World War II in both the Pacific and European theaters. The following day, December 8, the United States declared war on Japan. Domestic support for non-interventionism, which had been fading since the Fall of France in 1940, disappeared. Clandestine support of the United Kingdom (e.g., the Neutrality Patrol) was replaced by active alliance. Subsequent operations by the U.S. prompted Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy to declare war on the U.S. on December 11, which was reciprocated by the U.S. the same day.
There were numerous historical precedents for unannounced military action by Japan. However, the lack of any formal warning, particularly while negotiations were still apparently ongoing, led President Franklin D. Roosevelt to proclaim December 7, 1941, “a date which will live in infamy”. Because the attack happened without a declaration of war and without explicit warning, the attack on Pearl Harbor was judged by the Tokyo Trials to be a war crime.”
Churchill Mk II "Shaver" on Field Exercises
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| Churchill Mk II – “Shaver” |
Infantry A22, Mk IV Churchill Mk II “Shaver” B Squadron 9 Troop 43rd Royal Tank Regiment