Today in the Second World War

Welcome to your daily dispatch of World War II history, dear enthusiasts. On this day, June 22, the world was gripped by the relentless march of war. In this edition, we delve into the strategic shifts, the brave individuals at the front lines, and the far-reaching implications that defined this day. Join us as we journey into the past, extracting lessons from history to illuminate our present and future. Stay curious.

"We only have to kick in the door and the whole rotten structure will come crashing down" - Adolf Hitler

France has Fallen

At Compiègne, France, in the very same rail carriage and at the same location as when the WW1 armistice was signed, French General Huntzinger and German General Keitel signed the armistice at 1830 hours to end the invasion of France. Meanwhile, France dispatched officials to go to Rome to negotiate peace with Italy.

Charles de Gaulle broadcast a speech from London, England, United Kingdom on the BBC; in this broadcast, he used the term Free French for the first time, while declaring himself the French leader in exile.

The Eastern Front Begins

At about 0100 hours, the Red Army was ordered to assume defensive posture, but it was too late to improve defenses significantly as Germany tore up the non-aggression pact and launched Operation Barbarossa. At 0325 hours, Georgy Zhukov woke Joseph Stalin by phone to inform him of the news of the invasion; initially, Stalin refused to give Zhukov the permission to strike back at the Germans, believing it to be a German provocation. At 0630 hours, Stalin finally realized it was a full scale invasion and gave his authorization for the Red Army to fire back. At a strength of 3.5 million men, Operation Barbarossa was the largest military operation in history, overwhelming Soviet defenses which were further disadvantaged by poor communications. In support, German aircraft destroyed 2,000 aircraft, many on the ground, allowing the Germans to gain air superiority across the entire front.

A Future for G.I.s

President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944, commonly known as the G.I. Bill, into law on June 22, 1944. However, the term "Bill of Rights" is typically associated with the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution and is not commonly used to refer to the G.I. Bill.

The G.I. Bill was a landmark legislation that provided a range of benefits for returning World War II veterans, often referred to as G.I.s. Benefits included low-cost mortgages, low-interest loans to start a business, cash payments of tuition and living expenses to attend university, high school or vocational education, as well as one year of unemployment compensation. It was available to every veteran who had been on active duty during the war years for at least 90 days and had not been dishonorably discharged.

This Act had a huge impact on the lives of veterans and the U.S. economy in the post-war years, helping to create the modern middle class in America. It also contributed significantly to the expansion of higher education in the United States.

The Mainland Next?

The Americans secured Okinawa, Japan. Three months of savage fighting had cost the Japanese 129,700 military and 42,000 civilian dead. Just over 10,000 were taken prisoner. The Japanese had also lost 7,800 aircraft and six capital ships. The Americans had lost 12,520 dead, 36,600 wounded, 763 aircraft destroyed and 40 warships sunk.

Photo of the Day

German soldier standing next to the memorial of the French victory over Germany in 1918, Compiègne, France, 22 June 1940.

As we draw the curtain on our exploration of June 22 during World War II, we thank you for joining us in understanding the trials and triumphs of the past. We look forward to welcoming you back tomorrow, ready to unveil another page from the annals of the Second World War. Stay curious, stay informed, and until our histories intertwine again, farewell.

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Have a great week :)

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