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• The Kingdom of Prussia and the Grand Duchy of Oldenburg signed the Jade Treaty, which saw the transfer of 340 hectares of land on the western shore of the Jade Bight to Prussia for the construction of a naval port. ww2dbase [Kriegsmarinewerft | Wilhelmshaven, Weser-Ems | CPC]

20 Jul 1853 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• George II was born. ww2dbase [George II | CPC]

• Yi Un was made Crown Prince of Korea. ww2dbase [Yi Un | CPC]

• Martin Niemöller married Else Bremer. ww2dbase [Martin Niemöller | CPC]

• Chiaki Matsuda arrived in Japan after completing a cruise. ww2dbase [Chiaki Matsuda | CPC]

• US Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft attacked battleship Ostfriesland at Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, United States in experimental attacks on ships. ww2dbase [AC]

• Major General Kinichi Yasumitsu was named the chief of staff of the Japanese Chosen Army in occupied Korea. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Hiroaki Abe became the commanding officer of destroyer Ushio. ww2dbase [Hiroaki Abe | CPC]
• Lieutenant Commander Norman Reeve Van der Veer was made the commanding officer of USS Stewart. ww2dbase [Stewart | CPC]

• The Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa was killed in an ambush at Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico. ww2dbase [AC]

20 Jul 1931 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• German Chancellor Franz von Papen dissolved the Prussian government. ww2dbase [Franz von Papen | CPC]

• After three months of negotiations Hitler's Government signed a concordat with the Vatican; in return for a Papal agreement not to interfere in German politics, the Germans confirmed all the confessional rights of the Catholic Church and the right to Catholic education. On the same day, the German government abolished the jurisdiction of civilian law over the military. ww2dbase [AC]

• The British Government proposed the expansion of the RAF by 41 squadrons over the next five years. It was considered to be an unnecessary and panic measure by both the Labour and Liberal Parties and was censured by both. ww2dbase [AC]

• The order for the construction of U-12 was issued. ww2dbase [U-12 | CPC]

• When it became apparent that the rising in Madrid, Spain had failed, the Nationalist supporters in Toledo (40 miles to the south-west of the capital) occupied the Military Academy in the Alcazar fortress. The garrison was mainly drawn from the local Guardia Civil and Falange, and was commanded by the Commandant of the Academy, Colonel Jose Moscardo. For two months the defenders held out against the Republican Militia units besieging them, and were finally relieved when troops from the Army of Africa, led by Colonel Jose Varela, stormed into Toledo. The relieve of the Alcazar Academy did much to enhance General Franco’s reputation, but the diversion of Varela’s troops from the advance on Madrid gave the capital’s defenders further time to prepare their defences. On this same date, in Madrid, Spanish Prime Minister Giral appealed to the French Socialist Government (whose Prime Minister was Leon Blum) for arms supplies as the Nationalists appealed to Germany and Italy. Finally, the nominal leader of the rising, General Jose Sanjurjo, was killed when the aircraft bringing him from Portugal to Burgos, Spain crashed on take-off. ww2dbase [The Spanish Civil War | AC]

• Captain Chozo Suzuki was named the commanding officer of Settsu. ww2dbase [Settsu | CPC]

20 Jul 1938 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• The United Kingdom limited Jewish immigration to Palestine. ww2dbase [CPC]
• The keel of British light cruiser HMS Uganda was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Captain Aiji Hashimoto was made the commanding officer of seaplane carrier Kamoi while concurrently holding his previous position as the commanding officer of light cruiser Isuzu. ww2dbase [Kamoi | CPC]

• 2,000 Nazi Party members arrived in the Free City of Danzig from Germany. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Dithmarschen was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Dithmarschen | CPC]

• British Foreign Secretary Halifax met with Swedish businessman Birger Dahlerus in London, England, United Kingdom, telling him to approach Hermann Göring for possible Anglo-German negotiations to avoid war. ww2dbase [Halifax | London, England | CPC]

• The keel of battleship Massachusetts was laid down by the Bethlehem Steel Company in Quincy, Massachusetts, United States. ww2dbase [Massachusetts | Quincy, Massachusetts | CPC]

• German aircraft sank transport Pulborough and damaging destroyer HMS Brazen off Dover, England, United Kingdom at the cost of 3 aircraft, shot down by Brazen's anti-aircraft guns. 10 miles off of the Isle of Wight, destroyer HMS Acheron was bombed and damaged by near misses. The day's actions cost the RAF 5 Hurricane fighters, 1 Spitfire fighter, and 1 Blenheim bomber, while 7 pilots and 1 gunner were killed; the Germans lost at least 6 fighters, 2 bombers, and 1 seaplane. The British government released the report that claimed 40 German aircraft shot down in the past week. ww2dbase [Battle of Britain | CPC]
• During the night, British aircraft from Hemswell-Lincolnshire attacked Tirpitz to little effect. ww2dbase [Tirpitz | CPC]
• Six British Swordfish torpedo bombers from carrier HMS Eagle attacked Tobruk, Libya in search of Italian cruiser Giovanni dalle Bande Nere that escaped the Battle of Cape Spada on the previous day. The cruiser was not found in port, thus destroyers Ostro and Nembo and transport Sereno were attacked and sank instead. ww2dbase [Eagle | CPC]
• Destroyers USS Walke and USS Wainwright departed Rio de Janeiro, Brazil for Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German pilot Werner Streib of the Nachtjagdgeschwader 2 wing achieved the first night kill of the unit by shooting down a British Whitley bomber. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Canadian patrol vessel HMCS Ambler departed Quebec City, Quebec, Canada to patrol Riviere du Loup. ww2dbase [Quebec City, Quebec | CPC]
• The keel of Canadian corvette HMCS Trail was laid down in North Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. ww2dbase [North Vancouver, British Columbia | CPC]
• Canadian patrol craft HMCS Norsal was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]

• British bombers attacked Düsseldorf and Wismar, Germany. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Düsseldorf | CPC]

• British submarine HMS Parthian disembarked a British agent on Crete, Greece. ww2dbase [Crete | CPC]

• Maggiore Baracca departed La Spezia, Italy at 0915 hours for trials, returning at 1615 hours. ww2dbase [Maggiore Baracca | La Spezia, Liguria | CPC]
• Alessandro Malaspina conducted exercises out of La Spezia, Italy between 0800 hours and 1450 hours. ww2dbase [Alessandro Malaspina | La Spezia, Liguria | CPC]

• The British government banned the sale of new cars. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British submarine HMS P612 was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• James Lacey shot down his first enemy aircraft during the Battle of Britain, a Bf 109E fighter of German Jagdgeschwader 27 wing. ww2dbase [James Lacey | CPC]

20 Jul 1940 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• Japanese luxury ocean liner Hikawa Maru arrived at Osaka, completing her 73rd round trip across the Pacific. ww2dbase [Hikawa Maru | CPC]
• The Soviet Union resumed diplomatic relations with the countries occupied by Germany. ww2dbase [TH]
• 6 British Blenheim bombers damaged a tanker off Le Touquet, France with three high explosive bombs and several incendiary bombs, forcing the ship to beach near Berck-sur-Mer to prevent sinking. Two British aircraft and one German Bf 109 fighter were shot down. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Italian torpedo boat Circe sank British submarine HMS Union with depth charges southwest of the Italian island of Pantellaria between Sicily and Tunisia. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German submarine U-126 spotted transport Canadian Star in the Atlantic Ocean at 0100 hours and proceeded to attack at 0242 hours with both torpedoes fired missing; U-126 and Canadian Star engaged in a duel with surface guns, and U-126 was forced to abandon the attack. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German submarine U-95 attacked transport Palma in the Atlantic Ocean at 0505 hours with both torpedoes fired missing. At 0528, U-95 opened fire with her deck gun, hitting Palma three times (though the German lookouts only spotted and recorded one hit), but Palma would be able to escape. ww2dbase [CPC]
• In a broadcast to the people of occupied Europe, Prime Minister Winston Churchill inaugurated the "V" (for victory) campaign. ww2dbase [Winston Churchill | AC]

• Alessandro Malaspina was ordered to change its patrol area in the Atlantic Ocean twice, at 0600 hours and then again at 2200 hours. ww2dbase [Alessandro Malaspina | CPC]
• Alpino Bagnolini sighted Vichy French freighter Île D'Ouessant in the Atlantic Ocean at 0740 hours and did not pursue. ww2dbase [Alpino Bagnolini | CPC]

• The German 2nd Rannikkoiskukompania arrived at Bengtskär island, Finland at the entry of the Gulf of Finland. ww2dbase [Bengtskär | CPC]

• Werner Mölders was promoted to the rank of Oberst and was transferred to the Reich Air Ministry in Berlin, Germany. ww2dbase [Werner Mölders | Berlin | CPC]

• Soviet destroyer Stremitel'ny was sunk by German aircraft in Kolafjord north of Murmansk, Russia. ww2dbase [Murmansk | CPC]
• Vsevolod Merkulov stepped down as the People's Commissar of State Security of the Soviet Union. ww2dbase [Vsevolod Merkulov | Moscow | CPC]

• Brendan Bracken was named the British Minister of Information. ww2dbase [London, England | CPC]
• British destroyer HMS Lively was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]

20 Jul 1941 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• US Marines sailed from New Zealand for exercises at Fiji. ww2dbase [CPC]
• USS S-28 received orders to patrol the area surrounding Sirius Point, Aleutian Islands. ww2dbase [S-28 | CPC]
• The US submarine Scorpion was launched, sponsored by Ms. Elizabeth T. Monagle. ww2dbase [Scorpion | CPC]
• Wilhelm Keitel entertained with the idea of branding Soviet prisoners of war/slave laborers on the buttocks similar to how one would treat cattle. ww2dbase [Wilhelm Keitel | CPC]
• US 1st Marine Division issued the Operation Watchtower plans for the invasion of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. ww2dbase [Guadalcanal Campaign | CPC]
• Japanese submarine I-11 sank Greek ship G. S. Livanos 75 miles south of Sydney, Australia. ww2dbase [CPC]

• 3 B-17 bombers of US 11th Air Force attacked Kiska, Aleutian Islands. At Adak Island, seaplane tender USS Gillis was attacked by Japanese H6K flying boats, received one hit, but sustained no damage as the bomb failed to explode. Finally, on Unalaska Island, the US Navy established Naval Air Facility Dutch Harbor and Naval Operating Base Dutch Harbor. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Morosini was ordered to move to a new patrol area in the Atlantic Ocean at 1900 hours. ww2dbase [Morosini | CPC]
• German 3rd Torpedo Boat Flotilla (T4, T10, T13, and T14) laid two minefields in the English Channel. ww2dbase [Second Happy Time | T4 | T10 | T13 | T14 | English Channel | CPC]

• Douglas MacArthur departed Melbourne, Australia. ww2dbase [Douglas MacArthur | Melbourne, Victoria | CPC]

• Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain for Buna, Australian Papua. ww2dbase [Tenryu | Rabaul, New Britain | CPC]
• USS S-43 embarked Flight Officer Cecil John Trevelyan Mason of the Royal Australian Air Force at New Ireland; Mason had been put ashore to make contact with friendly agents, but had failed to find them. ww2dbase [S-43 | New Ireland | CPC]

• 24 Japanese G4M bombers and 15 A6M fighters attacked Port Moresby, Papua on the island of New Guinea. Meanwhile, at Rabaul, New Britain, 5th Sasebo Special Naval Landing Force of the Japanese Navy and Yokoyama Detachment of the Japanese 17th Army departed on three transports. ww2dbase [New Guinea-Papua Campaign, Phase 2 | Port Moresby | CPC]

• German submarine U-132 damaged transport Frederika Lensen of Allied convoy QS-19 off Anticosti Island in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence in Canada at 1839 hours; 4 were killed, 36 survived. Frederika Lensen would be beached to prevent sinking although she would ultimately be declared a total loss due to extensive damage. ww2dbase [Second Happy Time | U-132 | Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Quebec | CPC]

• While patrolling the southern approaches to Truk Lagoon, submarine USS Thresher fired three torpedoes at an unescorted freighter estimated to be about 5,000 tons. All three passed under the freighter without exploding. ww2dbase [Thresher | Truk | DS]

• Vichy France changed the monthly payments to wives of German-held prisoners of war. Those with one child saw a decrease from 630 francs to 600 frances. Those with two children an increase from 840 to 900. Those with three children an increase from 1,060 to 1,200. ww2dbase [CPC]

• HMS Eagle departed Gibraltar with 31 Spitfire fighters and 4 Swordfish torpedo bombers for Malta in Operation Insect. ww2dbase [Eagle | CPC]

• German armed merchant cruiser Thor sank British ship Indus 1,950 miles west of Australia; 22 were killed, 49 survived. ww2dbase [Raids into the Indian Ocean | Thor | CPC]

• Benito Mussolini arrived in Rome, Italy. ww2dbase [Benito Mussolini | Rome | CPC]

• Zuikaku departed Hashirajima anchorage in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. ww2dbase [Zuikaku | Kure, Hiroshima | CPC]

• Suzanne Walker became the first enlisted member of the Women's Royal New Zealand Naval Service. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Soviet troops retook the German bridgehead at Voronezh, Russia. ww2dbase [Caucasus Campaign | Voronezh | TH]
• Nikolai Kamanin received orders to travel to Moscow, Russia to take command of the newly formed 292nd Ground Attack Air Division. ww2dbase [Nikolai Kamanin | CPC]
• British steam merchant Empire Tide arrived at Arkhangelsk, Russia and disembarked the survivors of Dutch merchant steamer Paulus Potter and US merchant steamer Washington. ww2dbase [Arctic Convoys | Arkhangelsk | HM]

• USS R-1 arrived at New London, Connecticut, United States. ww2dbase [R-1 | New London, Connecticut | CPC]
• The US Army officially activated the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, Georgia, United States. ww2dbase [Toccoa, Georgia | CPC]
• The first members of the US Women's Army Auxiliary Corps began training at Fort Des Moines, Iowa, United States. ww2dbase [Des Moines, Iowa | CPC]
• The keel of US destroyer escort Moore was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
• The keel of US destroyer Prichett was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
• The keel of US submarine Ray was laid down by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, United States. ww2dbase [Ray | Manitowoc, Wisconsin | CPC]
• US minesweeper Chickadee was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• US submarines Scamp was launched. ww2dbase [Scamp | CPC]
• Destroyer USS Chevalier was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]

20 Jul 1942 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• Ameer was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [Ameer | CPC]
• The US Joint Chiefs of Staff ordered Chester Nimitz to begin planning operations in the Ellice and Gilbert Islands. ww2dbase [Gilbert Islands Campaign | CPC]
• The National Committee for a Free Germany made a broadcast of its manifesto to Germany from the Soviet Union. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British and US bombers sank German submarine U-558 in the Bay of Biscay northwest of Cape Ortegal, Spain with depth charges; 45 were killed, 5 survived. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Allied aircraft attacked German submarine U-195 in the Bay of Biscay, killing 1. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Captain Hyoe Minakuchi was made the commanding officer of Katori, relieving Takeji Miyazaki. ww2dbase [Katori | CPC]
• As cruisers HMAS Australia and HMAS Hobart with destroyers USS Nicholas, USS O’Bannon, USS Radford, and USS Lamson, HMAS Arunta, and HMAS Warramunga were retiring toward Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, Hobart was struck by a torpedo in her port quarter, reducing her speed to 7 knots. ww2dbase [Nicholas | DS]

• US destroyers USS Aylwin and USS Monaghan bombarded Kiska, Aleutian Islands. ww2dbase [Monaghan | Kiska | CPC]

• After five patrols, LtCdr C.C. Burlingame was relieved of command of the Gato-class submarine USS Silversides at Brisbane, Australia. LtCdr J.S. Coye assumed command. ww2dbase [Silversides | Brisbane | DS]

• In the Solomon Islands, US 13th Air Force launched 18 B-24 bombers against Kahili Airfield, Bougainville Island and other targets on Ballale Island. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Kahili Airfield | Buin, Bougainville | CPC]
• On New Georgia in the Solomon Islands, the Northern Landing Group (1st Marine Raider Regiment, 4th Raider Battalion, and 3rd Battalion of the US Marine Corps and the 148th Division of the US Army) attacked Bairoko Harbor. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Bairoko Harbor, New Georgia | CPC]
• At 0010 hours, a US TBF aircraft equipped with radar detected the Japanese Night Battle Force between Vella Lavella Island and Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands. Multiple waves of aircraft were launched to attack. At 0034 hours, Yugure was hit by a 2,000-poung bomb amidships (sinking within minutes), followed by a hit on Kumano in the starboard quarter. Additional attacks scored no hits; two TBF and two B-25 aircraft were shot down during the attacks. Kiyonami picked up about 20 of Yugure's survivors at about 0200 hours. At 0521 hours, eight US B-25 bombers tasked with finding the damaged Kumano found Kiyonami instead, scoring a hit that detonated a magazine, and Kiyonami sank within two minutes. Only one of Kiyonami's crew survived (not found until 4 Aug 1943); all of Yugure's survivors were killed. At 1108 hours, the destroyer transports, having successfully delivered 300 men and supplies to Vila, Kolombangara, Solomon Islands before dawn, joined the surviving ships of the Night Battle Force, and they would arrive at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands at 1730 hours. ww2dbase [Solomon Islands Campaign | Kumano | Yugure | CPC]

• The keel of Canadian frigate HMCS Prestonian was laid down at Lauzon, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Lauzon, Quebec | CPC]
• The keel of Canadian frigate HMCS Sea Cliff was laid down at Lauzon, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Lauzon, Quebec | CPC]
• The keel of Canadian corvette HMCS Asbestos was laid down at Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Quebec City, Quebec | CPC]
• The keel of Canadian corvette HMCS Hawkesbury was laid down at Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Quebec City, Quebec | CPC]
• Canadian tug HMCS Glenlea was launched at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. ww2dbase [Owen Sound, Ontario | CPC]

• German government reports dated this date indicated that, since 2 Mar 1943, there had been 20 transports of Jews from the Netherlands to Sobibór Concentration Camp, totaling over 34,000 persons; only 19 of these deportees survived the Holocaust. ww2dbase [Discovery of Concentration Camps and the Holocaust | CPC]
• German submarine U-242 was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German submarine U-292 was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German submarine U-1165 was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]

• USS Pollack departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for her eighth war patrol. ww2dbase [Pearl Harbor Navy Base and Ford Island Naval Air Station | Pollack | Honolulu, Oahu | CPC]
• The underground oil storage facility at Red Hill, Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii was completed. ww2dbase [Pearl Harbor Navy Base and Ford Island Naval Air Station | Honolulu, Oahu | CPC]
• Barbers Point Naval Air Station: Part of Marine Fighting Squadron 222 (VMF-222) arrived on board. ww2dbase [Barbers Point Naval Air Station | Ewa, Oahu | DS]

• Italian troops surrendered en masse to US troops in Sicily, Italy as US 82nd Airborne Division captured Sciacca and Menfi, US 9th Infantry Division captured Santo Stefano Quisquina and the heights north of Mussomeli, US 2nd Armored Division with British troops in support captured Enna, Canadian 1st Division reached Leonforte, and British 51st Division attacked the Sferro airfield. In the air, Allied Northwest African Strategic Air Force fighter-bombers attacked various targets in western Sicily while medium bombers struck Montecorvino Airfield. ww2dbase [Invasion of Sicily and Italy's Surrender | Sicilia | TH, CPC]
• About 150 aircraft of Allied Northwest African Strategic Air Force and over 100 aircraft US 9th Air Force attacked Rome, Italy for a second day in a row, targeting rail marshalling yards and the Ciampino Airfield. When the US 9th Air Force returned from Rome, they dropped their remaining bombs on targets at Anzio and Sicily. The city of Naples was also bombed by US bombers on this day. ww2dbase [Operation Avalanche | CPC]

• Crown Prince Yi Un was made the commanding officer of Japanese 1st Air Army. ww2dbase [Yi Un | CPC]

• Naka arrived at Mili Atoll, Marshall Islands. ww2dbase [Naka | Mili | CPC]

• Destroyer USS Saufley and the evacuation transport USS Tryon arrived at Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides. ww2dbase [Saufley | Segund Channel, Espirtu Santo | DS]

• USS Permit entered the Sea of Japan. ww2dbase [Permit | Sea of Japan | CPC]

• USAAF 851st Bombardment Squadron, operating B-18 Bolo bombers, departed Edinburgh Field in Trinidad. ww2dbase [Carlsen Field | Chaguanas | CPC]

• German troops evacuated Mtensk, Russia. ww2dbase [Battle of Kursk | Mtensk | CPC]
• The Soviet STAVKA ordered all partisans in German-occupied Europe to attack German rail traffic. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Heinrich Prinz zu Sayn-Wittgenstein shot down seven Soviet aircraft in one single night mission near Oryol, Russia, increasing his victories to 41. ww2dbase [Heinrich | Oryol | CPC]
• Vsevolod Merkulov was named the People's Commissar of State Security of the Soviet Union. ww2dbase [Vsevolod Merkulov | Moscow | CPC]

• British submarines HMS Spirit was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British submarines HMS Vampire was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]

• USS Enterprise arrived at Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, Washington, United States for an extensive overhaul. ww2dbase [Puget Sound Navy Yard | Enterprise | Bremerton, Washington | CPC]
• The keel of US escort carrier Nehenta Bay was laid down. ww2dbase [Nehenta Bay | CPC]
• US escort carrier Natoma Bay was launched. ww2dbase [Natoma Bay | CPC]
• Franklin Roosevelt ordered that information regarding atomic research was to be shared with the British. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | CPC]
• Minesweeper USS Sway was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• US frigate Sausalito was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Destroyer escort USS Burke was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Destroyer escort USS Scott was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Lockheed and USAAF began a three day evaluation of a full scale mock up of a XP-80 jet fighter. ww2dbase [P-80 Shooting Star | Burbank Lockheed Aircraft Factory | Burbank, California | CPC]
• USS Wahoo completed a period of trials and training off California, United States. After returning to Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States, squadron commander Captain John B. Griggs, Jr. came aboard to present awards. ww2dbase [Mare Island Navy Yard | Wahoo | Vallejo, California | CPC]

20 Jul 1943 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap

• Ludwig Beck passed away. ww2dbase [Ludwig Beck | CPC]
• French troops began withdrawing from Italy in preparation for the invasion of southern France. ww2dbase [Invasion of Southern France | TH]
• The British Operation Goodwood in France was stalled by heavy weather; thus far, over 400 tanks were lost. ww2dbase [Normandy Campaign, Phase 1 | TH]
• USS Hoe fired 4 torpedoes at a Japanese freighter, scoring no hits. ww2dbase [Hoe | CPC]
• USS Astoria arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia, United States. ww2dbase [Astoria (Cleveland-class) | CPC]
• Benito Mussolini met with Adolf Hitler at Rastenburg, East Prussia, Germany shortly after the failed assassination attempt on Hitler. ww2dbase [Benito Mussolini | CPC]
• The US Army formed the Pearl Harbor Board to analyze the Japanese attack of Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii of 7 Dec 1941. ww2dbase [Attack on Pearl Harbor | Detailed Timetable | CPC]
• Allied aircraft attacked German submarine U-965 in the Atlantic Ocean, killing 1 and wounding 1. ww2dbase [CPC]
• German submarine U-861 sank Brazilian troop transport Vital de Oliviera off Brazil. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Austrian-born Oberfeldwebel Hermann Buchner was awarded the Knight's Cross medal for 600 combat sorties and 456 aerial victories. Buchner would survive the war with a combined total of 58 kills (four of these whilst flying Me 262 jet fighters), plus 46 tanks and one armoured train destroyed. ww2dbase [AC]

• Flight Officer Micheal Williams and the Navigator Flight Officer Arthur Waples failed to return to their base at Castle Camps. The last report from their Mosquito XVII aircraft was over the sea near Dover, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [English Channel | HM]

• Canadian corvette HMCS Cobalt completed its forecastle extension work at Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [CPC]

• US Far East Air Force B-24 bombers attacked Yap, Caroline Islands. ww2dbase [Yap | CPC]

• Togo departed Nötö, Finland. ww2dbase [Togo / Coronel | Nötö | CPC]

• 6 US B-17 bombers were launched after sundown to drop propaganda leaflets over France while 12 B-24 bombers dropped supplies to resistance fighters. ww2dbase [The French Resistance | CPC]
• British destroyer HMS Isis was sunk, either by a German naval mine or by a German Neger manned torpedo off Normandy, France. ww2dbase [Basse-Normandie | CPC]
• Canadian frigate HMCS Matane was damaged by a glider bomb off Brest, France, killing 2. ww2dbase [Bombing of Cities in France and Low Countries | Brest, Bretagne | CPC]
• Bombers of British No. 617 Squadron attacked the German V2 rocket site at Wizernes, France. ww2dbase [V-Weapons Campaign | La Coupole | Wizernes, Nord-Pas-de-Calais | AC]

• Operation Valkyrie was launched to assassinate Hitler and to overthrow the Nazi German government. It failed, leading to the arrest and execution of many who became implicated in the plot. ww2dbase [July Plot | TH]
• Bombers of US 8th Air Force in Britain and US 15th Air Force in Italy attacked Dessau, Kothen, Leipzig, Nordhuasen, Rudolstadt, Merseburg, Bad Nauheim, Koblenz, and many other targets across Germany. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | RAF Thurleigh | CPC]
• German submarine U-3001 was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• The keel of German submarine U-2335 was laid down. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Francis Gabreski completed a bomber escort mission to Russelheim, Germany. On the return trip, he observed He 111 aircraft on an airfield at Niedermendig, Germany and decided to strafe them. His first pass failed to achieve the results he wanted, and dove for a second pass. During the second pass, he flew far too low, causing his propellers to hit the ground, thus forcing him to crash land. He ran into nearby woods and eluded immediate capture. ww2dbase [Francis Gabreski | Niedermendig, Mosselland | CPC]
• The USAAF 306th Bomb Group flying from RAF Thurleigh launched a bombing raid against the Junkers aircraft engine factory at Köthen, Germany but factors required striking a target of opportunity instead, a railway bridge at Rudolstadt, Germany. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | RAF Thurleigh | Rudolstadt | DS]

• Destroyer USS Saufley departed the Saipan-Tinian area and moved south to cover the invasion of Guam, Mariana Islands. ww2dbase [Saufley | Guam | DS]

• Light carrier Ryuho completed her flight deck repairs and exited the drydocks at Kure, Japan. ww2dbase [Kure Naval Arsenal | Ryuho | Kure, Hiroshima | CPC]
• PB4Y-1 Liberator bombers of US Navy Patrol Bomber Squadron 109 from Saipan, Mariana Islands attacked Iwo Jima, Haha Jima, and Chichi Jima in the Bonin Islands. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Landing ship No. 107 was completed and was transferred to the Japanese Army as SB No. 123. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | CPC]
• Landing ship No. 137 was launched. ww2dbase [No. 101/103-class | CPC]

• P-47 aircraft of US 7th Air Force continued to attack Japanese positions on Tinian while US Navy warships bombarded Guam in the Mariana Islands. Meanwhile, underwater demolition teams conducted their final missions to remove obstacles on the invasion beaches at Asan and Agat on Guam. ww2dbase [Mariana Islands Campaign | CPC]

• British destroyer HMS Crescent was launched at Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [Glasgow, Scotland | CPC]
• British minesweeper HMS Jewel was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British boom defense vessel HMS Precise was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British submarine HMS Vengeful was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British destroyers HMS Whirlwind was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British destroyers HMS Zest was commissioned into service. ww2dbase [CPC]
• A farmer was surprised when a V-1 bomb impacted in woodland by his house in Gipping, Suffolk, England, United Kingdom. It was thought that the automatic pilot system had failed to make the bomb go so far off course. ww2dbase [V-Weapons Campaign | Vergeltungswaffe 1 | Gipping, England | HM]

• The staff at the Los Alamos site of the Manhattan Project shifted focus to work on the implosion mechanism for the atomic bomb. ww2dbase [Operation Trinity and Manhattan Project | Los Alamos, New Mexico | CPC]
• US escort carrier Gilbert Islands was launched. ww2dbase [CPC]
• US submarine USS Tigrone was launched. ww2dbase [Tigrone | CPC]
• USS Marcus Island embarked US Navy squadron VC-21 at San Diego, California, United States. ww2dbase [Marcus Island | San Diego, California | CPC]

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• The US Army Air Force began launching B-29 bomber raids, each with very few planes, against Japanese cities. The goal of such missions was to make such small raids a frequent occurrence to increase the success rate of the planned atomic bomb missions. ww2dbase [Atomic Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki | CPC]
• Achille Van Acker recommended abdication for King Leopold III of Belgium. ww2dbase [Leopold III | CPC]
• USS Nicholas and the replenishment group she was escorting rendezvoused with carrier Task Force 38 northeast of Chichi Jima for refueling and replenishment. ww2dbase [Preparations for Invasion of Japan | Nicholas | DS]

• Canadian corvette HMCS Oakville was decommissioned off Sorel, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Sorel, Quebec | CPC]
• Canadian corvette HMCS Prescott was decommissioned off Sorel, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Sorel, Quebec | CPC]
• Canadian corvette HMCS St. Lambert was decommissioned off Sorel, Quebec, Canada. ww2dbase [Sorel, Quebec | CPC]
• Canadian patrol vessel HMCS Ambler was decommissioned off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [Sydney, Nova Scotia | CPC]
• Canadian patrol vessel HMCS Reindeer was decommissioned off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [Sydney, Nova Scotia | CPC]
• Canadian patrol vessel HMCS Caribou was decommissioned off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [Sydney, Nova Scotia | CPC]
• Canadian patrol vessel HMCS Moose was decommissioned off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [Sydney, Nova Scotia | CPC]
• Canadian motor launch HMC ML 078 was decommissioned off Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada. ww2dbase [Sydney, Nova Scotia | CPC]

• British carrier HMS Reaper departed Cherbourg, France with a captured German Ar 234 aircraft aboard. ww2dbase [Ar 234 Blitz | Cherbourg, Basse-Normandie | CPC]

• At Potsdam, Germany, Harry Truman declared that the Allies would demand no territory upon victory. ww2dbase [Potsdam Conference | Potsdam, Mark Brandenburg | CPC]

• USS Ticonderoga re-joined Task Group 38.3; Air Group 87 aircraft struck Nagoya, Osaka, and Miko in Japan. ww2dbase [Ticonderoga | DS]
• HMS Indefatigable joined UK Task Force 37 and US Task Force 38.2 for an attack on the Japanese home islands. On the same day, an US Army B-29 bomber failed to attack the Imperial Palace in Tokyo with a large "Pumpkin" bomb. ww2dbase [Preparations for Invasion of Japan | Imperial Palace Complex | Tokyo | CPC]
• US 11th Air Force launched 8 B-24 bombers against Matsuwa Airfield, Matsuwa, Hokkaido, Japan in the Kurile Islands. Meanwhile, 94 Iwo Jima-based US P-51 fighters strafed airfields at Kamezaki, Meiji, Okazaki, Nagoya, Kagamigahara, Hamamatsu, and Komaki; 3 fighters were lost. ww2dbase [Bombing of Tokyo and Other Cities | CPC]

• USS Sea Robin fired a torpedo at a Japanese ship in the East China Sea; the torpedo missed. ww2dbase [Sea Robin | East China Sea | CPC]
• USS Baya attacked a Japanese patrol craft in the South China Sea with her deck gun. ww2dbase [Baya | South China Sea | CPC]

• Casablanca-class escort carrier USS Sargent Bay departed San Pedro Bay, Leyte Gulf, Philippines bound for Guam, Mariana Islands. ww2dbase [Sargent Bay | San Pedro, Leyte | DS]

• The US Congress ratified the Bretton Woods monetary agreement. ww2dbase [Washington | CPC]

20 Jul 1945 Interactive Map

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• Pogy was decommissioned from service. ww2dbase [Pogy | CPC]
• Tirante was decommissioned from service. ww2dbase [Tirante | CPC]

• Pechora arrived at the Soviet Navy base near Polyarny, Murmansk Oblast, Russia. ww2dbase [Otto Wünsche | Polyarny, Murmansk | CPC]

20 Jul 1946 Interactive Map

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• The Dutch authorised a "Police Action" involving three divisions on Java and three Brigades on the larger, but less populated, Sumatra in the Dutch East Indies. The Dutch forces managed to capture most towns and interned the Nationalist insurgents, but most insurgents fled to the hills where they continued to mount guerrilla raids. ww2dbase [AC]

• Israel signed an armistice with Syria to de-escalate the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Israeli Independence War. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Frederic R. Harris died in New York City, New York, United States. He is buried alongside his first wife, Dena (Sperry) Harris, in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ww2dbase [Frederic Harris | New York | CPC]

• Filipp Golikov was awarded the Order of Lenin for the third time. ww2dbase [Filipp Golikov | CPC]

• Sondrestrom Air Base in Greenland was reassigned to the US Northeast Air Command after Denmark returned control of the base to the United States. ww2dbase [Bluie West Eight | South Greenland | CPC]

20 Jul 1951 Interactive Map

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• Norwood Campbell became the commanding officer of USS Hornet, relieving Frank Brandley. ww2dbase [Hornet (Essex-class) | CPC]

• USS Wasp launched US Marine transport helicopters while off Lebanon; the helicopter brought US Marines to Beirut International Airport. ww2dbase [Wasp (Essex-class) | Beirut, Lebanon | CPC]

• William Leahy passed away at the US Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Maryland, United States. ww2dbase [William Leahy | Bethesda, Maryland | CPC]

20 Jul 1959 Interactive Map

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• Capitaine de vaisseau Storelli was named the commanding officer of Jeanne d'Arc. ww2dbase [Jeanne d'Arc | CPC]

• Light cruiser Miami was sold to Nicholai Joffe Corporation of Beverly Hills, California for scrapping. ww2dbase [Miami | CPC]

• Captain John Philip Weinel was named the commanding officer of USS Ticonderoga. ww2dbase [Ticonderoga | CPC]

• Louis Mountbatten was made the Governor and Captain of the Isle of Wight. ww2dbase [Louis Mountbatten | CPC]

• Masanobu Tsuji was declared dead after having disappeared in Laos. ww2dbase [Masanobu Tsuji | CPC]

• Joseph Rochefort passed away after a heart attack at the Little Company of Mary Hospital in Torrance, California, United States. ww2dbase [Joseph Rochefort | Torrance, California | CPC]

20 Jul 2006 Interactive Map

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20 Jul 2010 Interactive Map

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Leaflet | © OpenStreetMap