3D CROSSES CZECH BORDER AND BISECTS REICH; MAGDEBURG WON; CANADIANS AT ZUIDER ZEE (4/19/45)

Microfilm-New York Times archives, Monterey Public Library | 4/19/45 | Drew Middleton, Frederick Graham, John MacCormac, Milton Bracker, George E. Jones, Lindesay Parrott

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[EternalVigilance]

Nazi concentration subcamp Leipzig-Thekla liberated 70 years ago today (Apr 19 1945)

http://retronewser.com/2015/04/nazi-concentration-subcamp-leipzig-thekla-liberated-70-years-ago-today-apr-19-1945/

Sobering film below. Not for the squeamish.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ5PnzXY1w8#t=3058

[EternalVigilance]

"Liberty party. Liberty section personnel aboard LCM returning to USS CASABLANCA from Rara Island, off Pitylieu Island, Manus."

Photograph by R. W. Mowday, Admiralty Islands, April 19, 1945.

http://www.studenthandouts.com/01-Web-Pages/01-Picture-Pages/10.13-World-War-II/Rest-and-Relaxation/43-Liberty-Party-USS-Casablanca-April-1945-World-War-II.htm

[EternalVigilance]

Getty images aren’t allowed on FR, so you’ll have to go to the link to view this remarkable photograph from Leipzig on April 19th.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/after-the-capture-of-leipzig-by-the-1st-us-army-on-april-19-news-photo/542417065

[henkster]

One of the last German situation maps for the war. In the sector of 4th Panzer Army, south of Berlin, Konev's 1st Ukrainian Front is well over the Niesse River and German defenses have collapsed. Two tank corps of Konev's army have been spotted heading north-northwest through a large gap torn in the German defenses. Many more Soviet units are following up through the breach. The northern wing of 4th Panzer is hard pressed but still intact, holding positions around Cottbus. The center has been shredded, with the remains of some units trying to make a stand around Spremberg. The southern wing is in retreat.

On 9th Army's Front, today is the day Zhukov's forces finally crack the Seelow position. Ninth Army's four-day stand in this position against heavy odds was remarkable, but the outcome was never really in doubt and the Germans knew it. Now, German LVI Panzer Corps is breaking up and being herded back away from their defensive positions. While the Germans have identified the mass of Soviet units in a line along the Seelow Heights, that information is dated; that's where those units were yesterday. Most of them are now much farther west of that, but the Germans do not know exactly what Soviet units are where. From the looks of the blue question marks next to their own units, it looks like the Germans don't really know where their own units are. Or whether they even exist. No frantic pencil marks today; the map speaks for itself.

On the 3rd Panzer Army front, the flooded Oder is still their best, and only, defense.

[untenured]

Iva Toguri, a Japanese-American marries Felipe D’Aquino, a Portuguese, registering with the Portuguese consulate in Tokyo and Toguri declining to take her husband’s citizenship.

Also known in some circles as Tokyo Rose. A 1949 conviction on 1 of 7 counts of treason in 1977 and a pardon by outgoing Pres. Ford (due to questions about testimony in her trial) both await. According to Wikipedia, she has largely been misunderstood by subsequent generations.

[PapaNew]

Wonderful post. I wish I knew more about the North Bridge, which I believe is still standing and the steeple of Christ Church which I don’t know if still there.

[PapaNew]

He looks to me to be energized by the new job.

Yes he does. A good man on the wrong side of the aisle IMO.

[Tax-chick]

But what about the air cover?!?

[Tax-chick]

He has a Calvin Coolidge-like “nerd” look in this picture.

[PapaNew]

But what about the air cover?!?

They had prayer cover. :)

[ex-snook]

Well done sir!

[Tax-chick]

LOL!

[PapaNew]

We have stopped our advance because of earlier political agreements while the Russians continue theirs. Why does it feel like our war with Germany is all over but the shouting and the conflict and “war” with the USSR is just about to start?

Major events in the near future that I can think of:

- Hitler’s death

- The A & H bombs on Japan

- Events leading up to Israel becoming a nation

[Tax-chick]

Why does it feel like our war with Germany is all over but the shouting and the conflict and “war” with the USSR is just about to start?

Because it is?

Still quite a bit of mayhem to come in the Pacific in the next four months, though, and more death in Europe. The war will be officially over when Patton dies.

Professor Thomas Childers, who lectures on World War II for "The Great Courses," wrote a book on the last bomber shot down in Europe before the war ended. His uncle was one of the crewmen.

[Squawk 8888]

Thanks Homer. Of particular interest here is that Zuider Zee was Canada's last major battle of WWII. Corps Commander Major-General Charles Foulkes (pictured) spoke of his experiences in this battle during an address to the Empire Club in Toronto on October 4, 1945.

Canada Ping!

[fso301]

view this remarkable photograph from Leipzig on April 19th.

No blood, or obvious wound(s). The guy is just a Volkssturm. Volksturm weren't noted for their fanaticism. I wonder if maybe the the caption is incorrect and the guy died of a heart attack, or something similar?

[Lurking Libertarian]

- The A & H bombs on Japan

If by "H" you mean Hydrogen, the hydrogen bomb hadn't been invented yet. The two bombs dropped on Japan were both atom bombs, albeit of different designs (one uranium, one plutonium).

[fso301]

Did a little more digging and the guy may be the politically appointed Volksturm commander Walter Dönicke

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Presidents_of_the_Landtag_of_Saxony

[EternalVigilance]

Thanks!

[PapaNew]

Wasn’t sure. Both were A bombs, then I guess.