Today in the Second World War

The 20th of December

Hidden History
December 20, 2023

Welcome to the December 20 edition of our World War II Daily newsletter, where we dive into the significant events and compelling stories that marked this date during the war. Today, we explore the critical battles, strategic decisions, and poignant human experiences that occurred on this day, offering a rich and nuanced perspective of the war's impact. Our aim is to connect the past to the present, highlighting the bravery, challenges, and complexities faced by those who were part of this global conflict. Join us as we journey through history, shedding light on the events of December 20 and their lasting influence on our world.

"No amphibious attack in history has approached this one in size. Along miles of coastline there were hundreds of vessels and small boats afloat and ant-like files of advancing troops ashore." - General Dwight Eisenhower, on the Allied landings at Sicily, July 1943

Displacement

1943: RAF made the heaviest raid of the war on Frankfurt, Germany, with 650 aircraft (390 Lancaster, 257 Halifax, and 3 Mosquito) dropping over 2,000 tons of explosives; less than an hour later, RAF Mosquito aircraft followed up in order to hamper firefighting efforts. 14 Lancaster and 27 Halifax bombers were lost.

Bomb damage near Frankfurt Cathedral included 2 bridges

Photo of the Day

A freshly-constructed wall across a street in the city center defines the boundary of the Warsaw Ghetto for the city’s approximately 500,000 Jews, 20 Dec 1940.

As we conclude today's edition of our World War II Daily for December 20, we hope that the stories and insights presented have enriched your understanding of this critical period in history. Our exploration of the events and personal narratives of this day serves as a reminder of the resilience, courage, and complexity that characterized those times. We thank you for joining us in this daily journey of remembrance and reflection. Looking forward to sharing more compelling stories and historical perspectives in our next issue, we encourage you to continue exploring the vast and intricate history of World War II. Until our next edition, let us remember and learn from the past as we strive to build a more informed and peaceful future.

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

Have a great week :)

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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