Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 31, 1945: Former head of Vichy government, Pierre Laval, handed over to French by Spanish. He will be tried and executed for collaborating with the Nazis.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 30, 1945: Japanese make final stand in New Guinea, at Numbogua.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 29, 1940: Movie premiere of Pride and Prejudice, starring Lawrence Olivier and Greer Garson.
65 Years Ago—July 29, 1945: After having delivered the atomic bomb to Tinian, Cruiser USS Indianapolis is sunk by a Japanese sub off Leyte, and is not missed for days. Only 316 of 1196 men survive the shark-infested waters.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 28, 1940: Act of Havana is signed by the US and twenty Latin American countries, agreeing to help any country threatened by the Axis in the Americas.
65 Years Ago—July 28, 1945: Japanese “choose to ignore” Potsdam Declaration. Destroyer USS Callaghan sunk, the last Allied ship to be sunk by kamikaze. US Senate ratifies UN Charter. B-25 crashes into Empire State Building at 79th floor in fog; 19 killed.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 27, 1945: Chinese retake Kweilin from Japanese in southeast China.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 26, 1940: League of Nations is disbanded. US embargoes strategic materials (aviation fuel, iron, steel) bound for Japan.
65 Years Ago—July 26, 1945: Potsdam Declaration gives Japan ultimatum requiring unconditional surrender. USS Indianapolis delivers atom bomb to Tinian. British parliamentary elections won by Labour Party; Prime Minister Winston Churchill resigns, replaced by Clement Attlee of Labour Party.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 25, 1940: Women and children are evacuated from British-owned Gibraltar.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 24, 1945: US and British carriers annihilate Japanese fleet at Kure over next few days, sinking battleships Haruna, Ise, and Hyuga, and carrier Amagi.

Winner of Jam Drawing!

Thanks to everyone for your lovely, nostalgic comments about making jam. I had my son draw a random name - Lois Hudson has won a jar of homemade plum jam. Um, guess I'd better get around to actually making that jam now, huh? Lois, I'll send you a message on Facebook to get your mailing address.

If Only They'd Listened

On December 7, 1941, two Army Air Force radar operators on Oahu reported a blip on their screen, which looked like dozens of planes approaching Pearl Harbor. They reported it to Lt. Kermit Tyler, who had been on the job only two days. Tyler knew a squadron of twelve B-17 Flying Fortresses was due to arrive from San Francisco and land at Hickam Field at 8:00 am. He told the operators, “Don’t worry about it.” (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/24/local/la-me-kermit-tyler25-2010feb25).

Radar was in its infancy, American planes were expected, and Tyler hadn’t been adequately trained, but we still wonder what would have happened if he’d heeded the warning. The damage at Pearl Harbor would have been less if the sailors and antiaircraft gunners had been prepared and fighter planes had been dispatched. If more ships had survived, would the Japanese conquests around the Pacific have been slowed or stopped? We’ll never know.

While Lieutenant Tyler had legitimate excuses, King Jehoiakim of Judah did not. In 605 B.C., King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon and his mighty army pressed his attack on Jerusalem. The Lord told Jeremiah to write down the description of the destruction that would come if they continued in their ungodly ways—and that if they repented, the Lord would forgive them. When the scroll was read to King Jehoiakim, he used his knife to cut up the scroll, strip by strip, and burn it.

He—and all of Judah—paid the price for his contemptuous dismissal.

God gives us warnings in Scripture for our own good. His warnings have two promises—continue in your sin and something bad will happen, or repent and be forgiven. He always offers hope and redemption, but only if we choose it. Rejoice in His love always, but never dismiss His warning. Unlike 1941-era radar, God’s word is reliable.

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” 2 Peter 3:9.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 23, 1940: British Home Guard is officially created with 1.3 million civilian volunteers to protect the home front.
65 Years Ago—July 23, 1945: Vichy Marshal Henri Petain goes on trial in Paris for collaborating with Nazis; his death sentence will be commuted due to age. Submarine USS Barb lands raiders on Karafuto (between Japan & mainland Asia), who blow up a train and escape.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 22, 1940: Britain establishes Special Operations Executive (SOE) to support resistance groups in Nazi-occupied Europe. New Japanese cabinet formed with Prince Fumimaro Konoye as Prime Minister.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 21, 1940: Romania forced by Germany to give Dobruja province to Bulgaria.

Lessons from the 1940s - Yes, I Can!

My plum tree overfloweth. Right now, two grocery bags full of ripe plums are sitting on my kitchen counter, saying, "We want to jam!"

Tomorrow I'll boil jars, pit and puree plums, measure sugar, and emotionally bond with my ancestors.

Something about canning appeals to me. I love my food processor, heavy-duty mixer, and modern stove and oven. I love buying my meat already butchered and wrapped in styrofoam and clear plastic. I love my pantry and refrigerator bulging with food. But all this distances me from reality.

Food comes at a price. Food takes work. Food is precious.

In the 1940s, everyone knew that. While most people didn't have to do their own butchering, meat was rationed and scarce. Housewives had to come up with dishes that didn't require meat or used whatever was available.

Everyone was encouraged to plant Victory Gardens to grow ration point-free produce for their families. Since fewer foods were imported, canning was a necessity to provide fruits and vegetables year-round. Each household was even allowed an extra ration of precious sugar just for canning use.

I make my own jam for many reasons. It uses up the fruit so it doesn't go to waste. It saves me a bit of money. It makes the house smell divine. And homemade jam is yummy. But I also love the sense of continuity with the past, and the reminder that food is a gift from God to be cherished and never taken for granted.

How about you? Do you have any canning memories? Do you enjoy canning?

Leave a comment, and I'll conduct a drawing on Thursday for a jar of homemade plum jam!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 20, 1940: Luftwaffe night-fighters first shoot down a British plane.

Brainstorming Drawing Winner

Thank you all for your creative ideas for titles. It's nice to have friends who are better with titles than I am! I've forwarded a long list of suggestions to the team at Revell. The marketing director said she saw a lot that she loved, and they'll take it to their titling committee this week. I'll let you know what they decide. If your suggestion is selected, I'll mention you in my acknowledgements page in the book.

My youngest son drew a name from all of you who left a comment, so if you didn't win, blame him. The winner is....Loretta Boyett! Loretta, I'll contact you on Facebook.

Thank you all for participating! This was a lot of fun.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 19, 1940: Germany holds a victory parade in Berlin.
65 Years Ago—July 19, 1945: Lt. Gen. James Doolittle establishes the US Eighth Air Force on Okinawa, taking over Twentieth Bomber Command.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 18, 1940: British Royal Air Force sinks German invasion barges in Rotterdam, Holland and St. Omer, France.
65 Years Ago—July 18, 1945: US Third Fleet carrier ac sink Japan’s last big battleship, the Nagato, at Yokosuka naval base near Tokyo.

Help Me Brainstorm!

It's time to name the third book in the Wings of Glory series. Yesterday, the fantastic, creative team at Revell, my agent, and I brainstormed title ideas. They really liked my working title, When Blue Skies Return, but with the font and look of the series - see the book covers - the title is just too long.

We'd love to stick with the "Blue Skies" theme, but need something shorter. Something along the lines of "_____ Blue Skies," "Blue Skies _______," or "Blue Sky _________."

Here's a short synopsis of the story:

Lt. Raymond Novak prefers the pulpit to the cockpit, but his stateside job training B-17 pilots allows him to court Helen Carlisle, a widowed mother who conceals her pain under a frenzy of volunteer work. The sparks of their romance set a fire that flings them both into peril. Ray leaves to fly a combat mission at the peak of the air war over Europe, while Helen takes a job at a dangerous munitions yard and faces an even graver menace in her own home. Can they both find the courage to face their challenges?

Help me brainstorm! Leave a comment, and I'll enter your name in a drawing to win a copy of either A Distant Melody or A Memory Between Us.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 17, 1945: Potsdam conference begins outside Berlin—Winston Churchill, Josef Stalin, and Harry Truman meet to discuss post-war Europe and the end of the war with Japan; through August 2.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 16, 1945: First atomic bomb detonated at Alamogordo, New Mexico.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 15, 1940: Democratic convention nominates Franklin Roosevelt for US president and Henry A. Wallace for vice-president. Britain bans fireworks, kites, and balloons.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 14, 1940: Three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), involuntarily occupied by Soviet forces, “vote” to be admitted to the Soviet Union.
65 Years Ago—July 14, 1945: French celebrate first Bastille Day since 1939. US warships fire directly on Japan for the first time, in support of carrier strike on Kamaishi, Honshu.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 13, 1940: First Free Polish fighter squadron is formed in Britain.
65 Years Ago—July 13, 1945: Japanese ambassador Sato meets with Soviet foreign minister Molotov to discuss peace with the Allies without unconditional surrender.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 12, 1945: US lands at Sarangani Bay to crush final resistance on Mindanao in Philippines.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 11, 1940: Marshal Henri Pétain named head of Vichy France.
65 Years Ago—July 11, 1945: British repel attack by remnant of Japanese army in Burma at Waw.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 10, 1940: Battle of Britain begins with German Luftwaffe attacks on British shipping and on southern England.
65 Years Ago—July 10, 1945: US Fast Carrier Task Force begins raids on Japan coordinated with B-29s; 1000 planes bomb Tokyo.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 9, 1940: Battle of Punta Stilo, the first naval engagement in the Mediterranean—between British and Italian convoys, little damage occurs.
65 Years Ago—July 9, 1945: US conducts last area bombing of Formosa; 6100 killed in campaign.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 8, 1940: Britain begins tea rationing (two ounces per person per week).

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 7, 1940: British damage French battleship Richelieu when she refuses to surrender at Dakar; British disarm all French ships in Alexandria.

Today in World War II History

65 Years Ago—July 6, 1945: Nicaragua becomes the first nation to ratify the United Nations Charter. US President Harry Truman establishes the Medal of Freedom, the highest honor for civilians.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 5, 1940: Vichy French government breaks relations with United Kingdom.
65 Years Ago—July 5, 1945: Gen. Douglas MacArthur proclaims the campaign in the Philippines is completed. Australian Prime Minister John Curtin dies at age 60.

Lessons from the 1940s - Look Back for Inspiration

Happy Independence Day! This poster seemed appropriate with its Revolutionary War theme.

In 1943, the United States, and the rest of the world, faced its greatest threat. Germany, Japan, and Italy with the other Axis powers, had conquered vast areas of the globe. The Allies were just beginning to make progress, clearing North Africa, invading Sicily and Italy, and invading some Pacific Islands, but the road ahead looked long and difficult. It would prove to be so.

This poster reminded the people of 1943 of their heritage, that Americans fight for liberty. The American colonists fighting for freedom in the Revolutionary War faced the greatest military power of the time and prevailed, mostly because of their intense drive to be free. Their example inspired World War II soldiers to fight for liberty at home and abroad despite the odds.

Likewise, we can learn much from the past. I enjoy writing these posts. When I think of what the men and women of the 1940s endured so we could be free in 2010, it inspires me to embrace their values.

This Fourth of July, remember what made America great - our love of liberty, our willingness to fight for what's right, our ingenuity, our flexibility, our sense of humor, our diversity, and our moral strength - and embrace it. Keep America great by keeping Americans good.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 4, 1940: After the Luftwaffe destroys a British convoy, Churchill orders fighter protection for convoys.
65 Years Ago—July 4, 1945: British occupation forces arrive in Berlin.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 3, 1940: British seize all French ships at port in Britain to prevent them from falling into Nazi hands; at Mers-el-Kébir in Algeria, the British sink three French battleships, one escapes to Toulon—1200 killed.
65 Years Ago—July 3, 1945: US occupation forces arrive in Berlin.

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 2, 1940: U.S. Congress passes Export Control Act, giving president power to control vital exports.
65 Years Ago—July 2, 1945: US crushes last Japanese resistance on Okinawa; 11,000 POWs total.

Promises

I broke a promise.

Last summer I promised to take my kids to Waterworld. I fully intended to do so, and even purchased tickets in advance. But then one child went on choir tour, all three went to camp, we went on our family vacation, visited family out of state…where I broke my wrist. My cast was like a personal sauna, and I couldn’t tolerate a full day in the sun. We didn’t go to Waterworld.

I’m not alone. We’ve all broken promises. Sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control, sometimes due to lack of careful planning, and some of us have even made promises we never intended to keep.

No wonder we have a hard time grasping the concept of a faithful God who always keeps His promises.

However, God is sovereign—there are no circumstances beyond His control or knowledge. God is wise—He makes perfect plans and takes care of every detail. And God cannot lie—He is incapable of saying one thing and meaning another. If God promised, it’ll happen.

He’s promised to be with us always (Matt. 28:20), to give wisdom whenever we ask (James 1:5), and to come back for us some day (John 14:2-3), and many other wonderful things. He’ll keep those promises. He can’t do otherwise.

“O Lord God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O Lord, and your faithfulness surrounds you” Psalm 89:8.

By the way, this year…Waterworld!

Today in World War II History

70 Years Ago—July 1, 1940: Vichy government set up in Vichy, France, in collaboration with Nazi Germany.
65 Years Ago—July 1, 1945: Australians land at Balikpapan, Borneo in the final amphibious landing of the war.