http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/wwii/ en-us Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2413361/posts In the post-9/11 world, the term hero has been thrown around often by politicians and the media. At a time when our country is losing a generation of selfless men and women, it is a good time to reflect on the actions of some of our true American heroes. One of the latest losses is that of Col. James Herbert Macia, who died on Monday December 21st, 2009. Col. Macia was a Bombardier/Navigator on Crew 14 in Jimmy Doolittle’s Tokyo raid (pictured on far left). This volunteer action was considered by many to be a mission of no return. Main Street Radical http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2413361/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:13:50 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412609/posts HOUSTON (BP)--Joe H. Reynolds, a World War II veteran who fought at the battle of Iwo Jima and who went on to serve as Texas assistant attorney general and in several roles within the Southern Baptist Convention, died Dec. 18 of natural causes. He was 88. Reynolds grew up in Tyler, Texas, and enlisted in the Marine Corps following the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was seriously wounded in 1945 at the battle of Iwo Jima -- he received a Purple Heart -- and he witnessed the raising of the American flag on Mount Suribachi, a significant moment in U.S.... BAPTIST PRESS http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2412609/posts#comment Tue, 22 Dec 2009 00:16:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411544/posts Iran's president says he will soon write to the UN Secretary-General asking for his country to be compensated for World War II damages. "We will seek compensation for World War II damages. I have assigned a team to calculate the costs," Ahmadinejad said. "I will write a letter to the UN Secretary-General [Ban Ki-moon] asking for Iran to be compensated for the damages," he added, pointing out that such a move was necessary to ensure that justice was served. "During this period, the Iranian people were subjected to a great deal of pressure and the country suffered a great deal... Press TV http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2411544/posts#comment Sun, 20 Dec 2009 06:21:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410218/posts WARSAW, Poland – Polish police say the infamous iron sign over the gate to the Auschwitz memorial site with the cynical phrase "Arbeit Macht Frei" — German for "Work Sets You Free" — has been stolen. Police spokeswoman Katarzyna Padlo said police believe it was stolen between 3:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. Friday, when museum guards noticed that it was missing and alerted police. She says police have launched an intensive search. She says there are currently no suspects but police are pursuing several theories. AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2410218/posts#comment Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:04:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406416/posts The family of a British soldier has learned 65 years after his death in World War II that he sacrificed himself to save 20 French children. The town of Annezin, France, plans to name a road after Robert Key, the Coventry Telegraph reported. While a British investigation ruled Key died showing off with a grenade, relatives now know he had always been regarded as a hero in Annezin. UPI http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2406416/posts#comment Sun, 13 Dec 2009 03:11:21 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406297/posts The visiting head of Japan's ruling party apologized Saturday for wrongdoings his country committed during its colonization of Korea in the early half of last century. Speaking at a South Korean university ahead of his dinner meeting with President Lee Myung-bak later in the day, Ichiro Ozawa also called for increased cooperation among his country, China and South Korea in dealing with regional instabilities. Yonhap http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2406297/posts#comment Sat, 12 Dec 2009 22:25:57 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2405091/posts Here is a CNN video report that says Russian officials claim they burned the body of Adolf Hitler in 1970 and threw the ashes in an East German river. In newly released details, the Russians claim they buried the body of Hitler and his wife Eva Braun on an East German Base where they remained until 1970, when the Russians turned the base over to the East Germans. They did not trust the East Germans not to make a shrine out of the graves, so they dug the bodies up and disposed of them. That is the Russian version of... Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2405091/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 02:23:45 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405238/posts Moscow, Russia (CNN) -- The remains of Adolf Hitler were burned in 1970 by Soviet KGB agents and thrown into a river in Germany on direct orders from the spy agency's chief, a top Russian security official said this week. Cnn http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405238/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 10:55:02 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405209/posts By TIMOTHY LOGUE, tlogue@delcotimes.com RADNOR — Luther H. Smith, a World War II pilot who flew 133 combat missions over Europe as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, died Wednesday morning at Bryn Mawr Hospital. He was 89. A longtime resident of Villanova, Smith dropped out of the University of Iowa in 1942 to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. “Before World War II began in 1941, black Americans were not accepted in military aviation and I wanted to be a military aviator,” he told the Daily Times in a 2007 interview. “We performed much better than anyone thought... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2405209/posts#comment Fri, 11 Dec 2009 07:39:23 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403977/posts After fighting his way across Europe during World War II, John Pistone was among the U.S. soldiers who entered Adolf Hitler's home nestled in the Bavarian Alps as the war came to a close. Making his way through the Berghof, Hitler's home near Berchtesgaden, Germany, Pistone noticed a table with shelves underneath. Exhilarated by the certainty of victory over the Nazis, Pistone took an album filled with photographs of paintings as a souvenir. "It was really a great feeling to be there and we knew, by that time, he was on his last leg," Pistone told The Associated Press. Sixty-four... AP http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403977/posts#comment Wed, 9 Dec 2009 20:41:37 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403107/posts A Japanese mini-submarine, newly discovered in other underwater debris, may have capsized the battleship Oklahoma with a torpedo.The remains of a Japanese mini-submarine that participated in the Dec. 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor have been discovered, researchers say, offering strong evidence that the sub fired its torpedoes at Battleship Row. That could settle a long-standing argument among historians. Five mini-subs were to participate in the strike, but four were scuttled, destroyed or run aground without being a factor in the attack. The fate of the fifth has remained a mystery. But a variety of new evidence suggests it fired... Seattle Times http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2403107/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 20:09:56 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2403002/posts Two P-51 pilots reunite with their warbirds Most times when you look forward to a big event that is years in the making and is the culmination of a tremendous amount of time work, it can be a big letdown. This was not the case at Oshkosh this year. The airshow and our time with these two WWII legends far exceeded even my wildest dreams. They were AWESOME. Funny, lively, and absolute gentleman. When people speak of the Greatest Generation, I now know what they mean. It is Bill and Buck Pattillo they are referring to. These men are warriors... Notoriously Conservative http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2403002/posts#comment Tue, 8 Dec 2009 18:21:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402013/posts Today is the 68th anniversary of the Japanese sneak attack on Pear Harbor, December 7, 1941. The attack drew the United States into World War II. The United States suffered 2,402 killed, and 1,282 wounded. Until September 11, 2001, Pearl Harbor was the single worst enemy attack on U.S. soil in American History (not including Civil War battles). Here are some videos on the events of that day . . . (VIDEOS) Freedom's Lighthouse http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402013/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 15:13:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2402093/posts Below is a list of all of all those who perished as a result of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. You may also use the letters above to narrow the list to last names starting with a specific letter. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2402093/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:52:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2402279/posts December 7, 1941 is a day that will be forever ingrained in the minds of my family. That morning a knock came at the door of my grandparents home. My grandfather opened the door, and it was Mr. Steele, their next door neighbor. He was in a very excited state and kept repeating, have you heard, have you heard? The news he was carrying stunned them, Pearl Harbor had been attacked. After the initial shock passed, my grandfather and Mr. Steele went into the living room and turned on the radio as my grandmother made coffee. Their they stayed for... The Edisto Joe Outlook http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-vetscor/2402279/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 20:31:38 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402220/posts A PROCLAMATION President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared December 7, 1941, a "date which will live in infamy." With over 3,500 Americans killed or wounded, the surprise attack by the Imperial Japanese on Pearl Harbor was an attempt to break the American will and destroy our Pacific Fleet. They succeeded in doing neither. On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we pay tribute to the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, and we honor all those who selflessly served our Nation at home and abroad during World War II. On a tranquil Sunday morning, as war... White House.gov http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402220/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 19:14:30 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402193/posts Today on Turner Classic Movies... This is a series of 7 films made before and during WWII. The main aim of the films was to talk the public into supporting the war in Europe and the Far East. When I teach World History, I show these films. Today is Pearl Harbor Day. I think we might need reminding of what's at stake. And please don't let the cite (Wiki, I know, I usually disapprove, but not this time) or the use of the word "propaganda" turn you off. This is what our Dear Leader should be doing....showing us what's going... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402193/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 18:54:59 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402063/posts Here are a series of places I found on Google Earth where significant events happened in World War Two. You Tube http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2402063/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 16:19:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402023/posts Introductory Remarks: On December 7, 1941, U.S. military installations at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii were attacked by the Imperial Japanese Navy. Could this tragic event that resulted in over 3,000 Americans killed and injured in a single two-hour attack have been averted? After 16 years of uncovering documents through the Freedom of Information Act, journalist and historian Robert Stinnett charges in his book, Day of Deceit, that U.S. government leaders at the highest level not only knew that a Japanese attack was imminent, but that they had deliberately engaged in policies intended to provoke the attack, in order to draw... The Independent Institute http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2402023/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 15:25:33 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401754/posts USS Arizona Memorial Canteen Mission Statement Showing support and boosting the morale ofour military and our allies militaryand the family members of the above.Honoring those who have served before. Time Line Pearl Harbor Blue Champagne Embraceable You GI Jive Moon Dreams Stealin' Apples USS Ward, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack The Search for the World War II Japanese Midget Submarine Sunk off Pearl Harbor, Dec. 7, 1941 Here We Go Again I Can't Give You Anything But Love, Baby I've Got A Heart Filled With Love Songs My Mother Taught Me Wang Wang Blue Army Private, Wetzel Sanders, Remembers... Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401754/posts#comment Mon, 7 Dec 2009 01:00:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401681/posts PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - Ed Johann will always remember the sound of planes diving out of the sky to bomb U.S. battleships, the explosions and the screams of sailors. He still recalls the stench of burning oil and flesh. The 86-year-old retired firefighter is due to return to Pearl Harbor Monday for the first time since World War II to attend a ceremony marking the 68th anniversary of the Japanese attack. "I really don't know how I'm going to handle it," said Johann, from his home in Oregon. "When I think about it, all I have is unpleasantness. I'm sure... MSNBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2401681/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 22:21:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2401289/posts Major "Chuck" Sweeney had an extremely risky takeoff before dawn, loaded as he was with the 4.5-ton A-bomb, "Fat Man". Now they were over their primary target, Kokura. He had made three runs over the hopelessly clouded city when he made a shocking discovery: the auxiliary gasoline pipe was blocked. Unless they dropped the bomb soon, they would never get home. He turned his plane southwest for the secondary target, "Nagasaki, urban area". His B-29 was over Shimabara just before 11 A.M. A radio announcer saw this and excitedly broadcast a warning, and Nagasaki people who heard him ran for... Insight Scoop http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2401289/posts#comment Sun, 6 Dec 2009 02:00:32 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399751/posts WWII Fighter Plane Returns to Land A World War II fighter plane that crashed into an icy Lake Michigan during a training flight almost 65 years ago was brought to the surface Monday. please watch video at link 'I remember it like it was yesterday': WWII fighter pilot's Hellcat is pulled out of Lake Michigan 65 years after he crash landed Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1232327/I-remember-like-yesterday-WWII-fighter-pilots-Hellcat-pulled-Lake-Michigan-65-years-crash-landed.html#ixzz0Ya9UisLi nbc http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2399751/posts#comment Thu, 3 Dec 2009 23:45:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400582/posts WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 2009 – The Army’s chief of staff stepped back in history Thursday evening to Christmas Eve in Belgium 65 years ago by reading one of the most inspirational letters written by a commander to his troops. Gen. George W. Casey Jr., chief of staff of the Army, reads the World War II Christmas letter from Gen. Anthony McAuliffe to his troops during the 13th annual Norwegian Tree Lighting Ceremony in Union Station, Washington D.C., Dec. 3, 2009. The tree is a gift from Norway and a symbol of the friendship between the United States and Norway. DoD... American Forces Press Service http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400582/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 23:12:20 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400019/posts Joseph Stalin sent millions to their deaths during his reign of terror, and his name was taboo for decades, but the dictator is a step closer to rehabilitation after Vladimir Putin openly praised his achievements. The Prime Minister and former KGB agent used an appearance on national television to give credit to Stalin for making the Soviet Union an industrial superpower, and for defeating Hitler in the Second World War. In a verdict that will be obediently absorbed by a state bureaucracy long used to taking its cue from above, Mr Putin declared that it was “impossible to make a... Times Online (U.K.) http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2400019/posts#comment Fri, 4 Dec 2009 09:51:00 GMT