WWII HISTORY NETWORK

Normandy Today - March 2012 | By ERWIN LEYDEKKERS, The Netherlands  To see more new photography taken in March  from Pointe Du Hoc, Carentan, Sainte Mere Eglise and other locations in and around Normandy France click on the photo above or go here. To view the Airborne Museum in Sainte-Mere-Eglise, France, please enter here. The La Cambe German War Cemetary, France slideshow can be viewed by proceeding here.

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May 2^nd Berlin, Germany; 1945: The Battle of Berlin ends »  Only fitting that the final major battle of the ETO in World War II would also prove to be the costliest. Soviet and Polish forces numbered 2.5 million as compared to 767 thousand German troops. Eisenhower determined that western Allied involvement was not needed due to the increased chances of friendly fire would increase casualties as the Allies would draw closer to Soviet forces. Fighting would continue however, as German forces fought their way westward in order to surrender to Allied Forces rather than surrender to Soviet troops.

May 7^thRheims, France; 1945: Germany signs the Instrument of Surrender » The armistice was signed on 7 May and formally ratified on 8 May 1945 which ended the War in Europe. More than one million people celebrated in the streets of cities around the world. President Harry Truman would dedicate the victory to the memory of Franklin Delano Roosevelt who would pass away just a month previous on 12 April in Warm Springs, Georgia. Overall, the number of lives lost during WWII is staggering: 61 million from the Allied nations and 12 million from the Axis Powers, military and civilian included.

May 18^th Cassino, Italy; 1944: Allied Forces complete victory at Monte Cassino » The four battles involved the U.S., U.K., Canada, Poland, New Zealand and others against the German Army and air forces. Allied forces reached a strength of twenty divisions, but the four-month long battle would see a huge loss of Allied lives and its overall battle efficiencies remain in debate by historians. The ancient abbey at Monte Cassino was destroyed from Allied bombing, of which its necessity is still debated. More controversy surrounded the competition between British and American commanders to be the first to liberate Rome after the Battle of Anzio.

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May 4^th The Coral Sea; 1942: Battle of the Coral Sea »  Widely regarded as the pivotal naval battle which helped to turn the tide of the war in the Pacific, the Battle of the Coral Sea was viewed as a victory by Japan in terms of US ships sunk. This victory by Japan may have been seen as a tactical victory, however in terms of overall strategy the Battle of the Coral Sea was a strategic victory by the Allied Forces. The Battle of Midway which was fought one month later ended in victory for the Allies due to the weakening in Japanese naval forces in the Coral Sea. These two naval battles are regarded as turning the tide for the Allies in the Pacific.
May 6^th Corregidor Island, The Philippines; 1942: The Fall of Corregidor »  In what would become one of the more controversial topics from the Pacific Theatre was the fall and surrender of Corregidor Island and the Philippines. The years of discussion by historians centered around the medal of honor awarded General Douglas MacArthur for his defense of the Philippines. MacArthur was ordered to escape the Philippines by boat to Austrailia, leaving Lt. General Jonathan Wainwright to surrender to the Japanese.

May 11^th Attu Island; Alaska; 1943: The Battle of Attu Island, Alaska »  US and Canadian forces combined to retake the Island of Attu in the Alaskan Aleutian Island chain. Debate among historians of World War II would ask why Japan felt the need to take such inhospitable land in Alaska. The only logical answer has been its proximity to the US mainland as well as extending its immense Pacific defense perimeter. The battle would see one of the largest banzai charges of the Pacific War. The Allies would ultimately prevail.

May 29^th Shuri Castle, Okinawa; 1945: The Conquest of Shuri Castle »  During the Battle of Okinawa, the conquest of Shuri Castle by the US Marine and Army forces was considered both a strategic win and psychological blow to the occupying Japanese forces in May of 1945. The battle would see Marine Major General Pedro del Valle earn the Distinguished Service Medal and Army General Simon Buckner Jr. lost to Japanese artillery fire on 18 June 1945.

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May 4^th Republic of China; 1942 The Flying Tigers at Kunming »  The 1st AVG, or American Volunteer Group also known as the "Flying Tigers" would see action in China from December 1941 to July 1942. Chinese ground forces were able to hold off the Japanese 56th Division's drive to Kunming with air support from the AVG, or "Flying Tigers". Largely comprised of American fighter pilots, these "volunteers" were key in successes over the Japanese Air Force during May of 1942. Actual numbers are disputed of enemy aircraft destroyed by the Flying Tigers, but even with conservative numbers used the AVG had superior ratios of air victories.

May 8^th Burma, Southeast Asia; 1944: Merrill's Marauders take Myitkyina » Merrill's Marauders, fought in Burma against the Japanese forces and were the Army's first Ranger unit. Led by Major General Frank Merrill, the unit was made up of experienced jungle fighters exclusively. In March and subsequent months of 1944 while vastly outnumbered, the unit advanced 750 miles through some of the harshest jungle terrain in the world.

May 17^th Myitkyina, Burma; 1944: General Joseph Stilwell  Four-star General Joseph Stilwell was best known for his service in the China and Burma Theatre during World War II. He had earned the nicknames "Uncle Joe" and "Vinegar Joe" for his tough personality and his caring attitude for the enlisted men in his command. His popularity would be tested in Burma operations and the Battle of Myitkyina.