[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile. Also visit our general discussion thread.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
Southwest Russia, 1942: German Counteroffensive, Operations, 19 February-18 March 1943
Tunisia, 1942: Situation 22 April and Operations Since 26 February 1943
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941: Status of Forces and Allied Theater Boundaries, 2 July 1942
India-Burma, 1942: Allied Lines of Communication, 1942-1943

[goldstategop]

Mention should be made of Alexander Pokryshkin - generally considered the greatest military pilot of all time. Today is the 100th anniversary of his birth and three times Hero Of The Soviet Union.

Generally accredited with -

560 combat missions
156 air-to-air engagements
Official score: 59 enemy aircraft shot down personally, and 6 together with other pilots

He claimed more but his bravery is not in doubt and if you read the history books, he stands out as the kind of man who put his country first at extreme risk. People can argue passionately about it means to be a patriot. Today we look at a man whose skills and what he taught his fellow airmen helped to turn the tide of a war.