Today in the Second World War

The 3rd of December

Hidden History
December 03, 2023

Welcome to today's edition, where we cast a spotlight on the historical events of December 3 in the era of World War II. This day is marked by pivotal moments and decisions that played a significant role in shaping the course of the war. Our focus is to bring these narratives to the forefront, offering a comprehensive view of both the strategic military actions and the powerful personal stories of this date. Join us as we delve into the events of December 3, uncovering the lessons and impacts that continue to resonate in our understanding of history and its influence on the modern world.

"Attacks on cities are strategically justified in so far as they tend to shorten the war and so preserve the lives of allied soldiers." - Air Chief Marshal Sir Arthur "Bomber" Harris - 29th March 1945

No Evidence

1942: Approximately 300 Jewish prisoners from the Sonderkommando who dug up and burned the 107,000 bodies buried in mass graves were taken from Auschwitz II-Birkenau to the main camp by SS guards. They were led to the gas chamber in Crematorium I and killed.

Sonderkommando in Auschwitz-Birkenau, August 1944. Incineration of corpses

Photo of the Day

Soviet 122mm gun in action near Moscow, Russia, 3 Dec 1941

As we close this edition, we thank you for your commitment to revisiting the significant moments of December 3 in the context of World War II. Today's journey has taken us through a diverse array of events and stories, each shedding light on different facets of this global conflict. We hope that these insights have not only enriched your understanding but also emphasized the relevance of these historical events in shaping our present and future. As we part ways today, let us carry the lessons of resilience, strategy, and human spirit forward. Join us again as we continue to navigate through the intricate history of World War II, uncovering the narratives that have shaped our world.

If you ever have any recommendations feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]

Have a great weekend :)

Recommended Books:

At Dawn We Slept by Gordon W. Prange

Revisit the definitive book on Pearl Harbor in advance of the 78th anniversary (December 7, 2019) of the "date which will live in infamy".

Judgement at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass

A landmark, magisterial history of the trial of Japan’s leaders as war criminals—the largely overlooked Asian counterpart to Nuremberg.

The Things Our Fathers Saw by Matthew A. Rozell

How soon we forget. Or perhaps, we were never told. That is understandable, given what they saw. But, it happened.

Operation: Snare Drum: A WWII Submarine Adventure Novel by Scott W. Cook

December 7, 1941 - America is attacked by the Japanese and dragged into a worldwide struggle for power unlike anything ever seen on Earth.

Pacific Sniper: A World War II Thriller by David Healey

In December 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor plunges the United States into war. Fresh from the hardscrabble mountains of Appalachia, Deacon Cole joins the fight against Imperial Japan.

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