World War II Era Studies, 15 Beach Road, Neptune, NJ (2025)

10/29/2024

Remembering WW II – Kamikaze Attacks Initiated

Having suffered tremendous naval losses throughout the October 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf, the Imperial Japanese High Command initiated striking back at the US Navy by conducting Kamikaze (‘devine wind’) aerial su***de attacks. The first su***de hit was scored when a Kamikaze plane damaged the US cruiser Denver off Leyte on October 28. More damaging and devastating attacks, particularly against US aircraft carriers, were to follow until the end of the war, August 1945.

10/21/2024

Remembering WW II – Greatest Battle in Naval Warfare History, October 1944

Between October 23 and 26, 1944 the greatest battle in naval warfare unfolded. American naval ships and planes under the overall command of US Admiral Chester Nimitz inflicted staggering losses on the Imperial Japanese navy in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, just east of the Philippine Islands. The Imperial Navy lost 34 ships to include 3 battleships, 4 carriers, 10 cruisers, 13 destroyers and 5 submarines. US Navy losses were 1 light carrier, 2 es**rt carriers, 2 destroyers and a destroyer es**rt. In an desperate attempt to counter the US navy thereafter, the Japanese initiated the use of Kamikazes (su***de planes) on October 27.

10/17/2024

Remembering WW II – 80th Anniversary, Ending of the 20th Century’s Most Significant Event

Attached is a listing of the programs the WW II Era Studies Institute has to offer in person or via Zoom. Every program enables one to understand a major development within WW II that ultimately changed the world upon conclusion of the war in 1945. If interested in arranging for a program contact the Institute.

10/15/2024

Remembering WW II – US Forces Return to the Philippines

After two and a half years, US forces returned to the Philippine Islands seized by Imperial Japan in 1942. The US Sixth Army commanded by LTG Walter Krueger stormed ashore on the west coast of Leyte Island on October 20, 1944 facing light opposition. Four hours after the landing, US General Douglas MacArthur waded ashore and broadcast to all Filipinos via loudspeaker “I have returned!”

10/09/2024

Remembering WW II – Antwerp Rocketed by V1, V2 Missiles

The German High Command, anticipating the obliteration of the Belgium port of Antwerp that the Allies were using to supply its military movements into N**i Germany , initiated a massive V1 and V2 missile attack on the Port on October 12, 1944. V1 and V2 missiles totaling 1214 fell continuously without warnings on the Port until the end of March 1945. Over 3000, mostly civilians, were killed due to the unending attacks with over 15,000 being wounded. The Port however continued to function until the end of the war.

10/02/2024

Remembering WW II – 80th Anniversary, Ending of the 20th Century’s Most Significant Event

Attached is a listing of the programs the WW II Era Studies Institute has to offer in person or via Zoom. Every program enables one to understand a major development within WW II that ultimately changed the world upon conclusion of the war in 1945.

09/30/2024

Remembering WW II – Movement to Retake the Philippines Initiated

On September 14, 1944, US Marines began landing on Peleliu Island, 450 miles east of the Philippine Islands. Goal was to seize the island and use it as a base of operations to retake the Philippines. The battle turned into an unexpected bitter, costly month-long effort with the Japanese fighting suicidally to defend the island. It became an example of what was to be experienced upon the invasion of the Philippines initiated by US forces on October 20.

09/23/2024

Remembering WW II – Desperate Move: Volkssturm (People’s Militia) Formed

With a desperate need for more manpower within N**i Germany’s army now fighting the Allies on an eastern front and a western front, the German government formed the Volkssturm (People’s Militia) on September 25, 1944. All German males between 16 and 60 were pressed into service and immediately deployed to defend the homeland.

09/09/2024

Remembering WW II – Institute Programs Available for Presentation

Listed on the attachment are all the WW II Era Studies Institute programs available for presentation during the upcoming 80th Anniversary Year of the End of WW II. Contact the Institute at [email protected] to arrange for any in person or Zoom program arrangement. The Institute is looking forward to being of service.

09/02/2024

Remembering WW II – Imperial Japan Signs Formal Instrument of Surrender

On September 2, 1945, Imperial Japan’s Foreign Minister Mamora Shigemitsu signed a formal instrument of surrender for Japan aboard the US Battleship Missouri in Tokyo Bay. US General of the Army Douglas MacArthur signed for the Allied Powers. Imperial Japan’s effort to establish a new world order throughout the Asia-Pacific region was now over.

08/26/2024

Remembering WW II – Paris Liberated on August 25, 1944

On the morning of August 25, 1944, the French capital Paris was liberated by the Allies as tanks of the French 2nd Armored Division began rolling into the city followed by U.S forces. Overwhelmed, the German commander in Paris, General Choltitz, surrendered to French Brigadier General Jaques Philippe Leclerc at 3:15 pm that day. On August 26, French leader, General Charles de Gaulle led services in the Notre Dame Cathedral commemorating the liberation.

08/19/2024

Remembering WW II – Operation DRAGOON: Allied Invasion of Southern France

Under the command of US Lt. General Alexander Patch, U.S. and French forces landed in southern France in the Cannes - Toulon Area on August 15, 1944. Codenamed Operation Dragoon the landing forces faced weak opposition because most German forces were coping with the Allied forces in Northern France. The Allied forces established within two days a 50 mile bridgehead. On August 22 the crucial port of Marseilles was captured.

08/15/2024

Remembering WW II – V-J Day, August 15, 1945

08/13/2024

Remembering WW II – Japan Agrees to Surrender

On August 14, 1945, Imperial Japan agreed to surrender unconditionally to the Allies. Emperor Hirohito went on the radio for the first time ever to order all Japanese ” to lay down their arms.” V-J Day was proclaimed by the Allies on August 15. All offensive actions were ended against Japan and US General Douglas MacArthur was informed he would become the Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers. World War II was over!

08/07/2024

Remembering WW II – Advent of Nuclear Warfare

On August 6, 1945, a 9000 pound atomic bomb with destructive power completely unimaged was dropped by the U.S.A.F. bomber B-29 Enola Gay on Imperial Japan’s city Hiroshima. The center of the city was seared with a heat of 300,000 centifgrade resulting an immediate death of some 78,000. Hearing no response from the Imperial Japanese government about surrendering, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki on August 9 resulting an immediate death of 35,000.

07/29/2024

Remembering WW II – Next Move to Ultimately Defeat Imperial Japan

Having succeeded in seizing and securing from Imperial Japan the islands of the SW Pacific and capturing the Mariana Islands in the Central Pacific, US President Franklin Roosevelt decided to meet with his Pacific commanders to determine what’s next. On July 26, 1944, President Roosevelt flew to Honolulu, Hawaii to meet with US General Douglas MacArthur and US Admiral Chester Nimitz to discuss the next move. Ultimately it was decided to invade and reoccupy the Philippine Islands. This decision would enable General MacArthur to make good on his promise “I shall return!”

07/24/2024

Remembering WW II – Allied Breakout into Heart of France

After the successful invasion by the Allies across the French Normandy coastline on June 6, 1944, the German military did manage to counter the Allied advance from the coast thereafter. Allied command after seizing the port of Cherbourg on the Cotentin peninsula, quickly formed and successfully launched Operation Cobra. Under the command of US General George S. Patton, US forces moved through St. Lo and down the Cotentin Peninsula into the heart of France. The success of the operation ultimately leads to the collapse of N**i Germany eleven months after D-Day.

07/22/2024

REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II

August 6 Battle for Guadalcanal: 7:00 pm Turning Point in the South Pacific
August 15 Victory Over Japan - 10:30 am How It Was Achieved
August 21 Failure In American 7:00 pm Diplomacy: Summer 1941
October 16 Woodrow Wilson’s 10:30 am Attempt at Achieving A New World Order
November 7 WW II – The 20th 1:30 pm Century’s Most Significant Event Upcoming WW II Era Studies Institute Upcoming Programs
Barnegat Library David Bobrowicz
112 Burr Street Adult Services
Barnegat, NJ 08005 609 698 3331
Monroe Township Jeannine Fama
Senior Center Program Supervisor
12 Halsey Reed Road 609 448 7140
Monroe Township, NJ
08831
Jackson Branch Marguerite Dugas
Ocean County Library Jackson Librarian
2 Jackson Drive 732 928 4400
Jackson, NJ 08527
Monroe Township Jeannine Fama
Senior Center Program Supervisor
12 Halsey Reed Road 609 448 7140
Monroe Township, NJ
08831
Freehold Township Vera Ceravolo
Senior Center Program Coordinator
116 Jackson Mills Road 732 294 2196
Freehold, NJ 07728

World War II Era Studies