This Week in WWII - by Tom "Crash" Davis

September 19, 1944: 

• The Soviet Union and Finland formalize their armistice.
• American troops liberate Nancy.                          

September 20, 1943: 

• Allied forces approach the city of Naples.

September 20. 1944:  

• The Battle of San Marino ends.
• The government of Estonia seizes government buildings from German forces.  Government leaders appeal to the Soviet Union for the independence of Estonia.  Although Stalin allows a nominally independent Estonia, Estonia serves as a vassal state and does not realize true independence until the late 20th century.
• US XVI Corp arrives in Europe.

September 21, 1943: 

• British midget submarines steal into a Norwegian fjord and attack the German battleship Tirpitz lying at anchorage.  The attacks knock the Tirpitz out of action for six months
• The Battle for the Solomon Islands (Guadacanal, etc.) is officially declared to be over
• Italian troops of the Acqui Division on the island of Cephallonia revolt against the Germans.  The battle rages for a week after which the Italians surrender.  After their surrender, 4500 Italians are executed.  an additional 3000 troops die at seas while being transported.

September 21, 1944:  

• British troops take Rimini, Italy.
• The second Dumbarton Oaks conference begins, laying the groundwork for the United Nations.
• San Marino declares war on the Axis.
• The government of Estonia prints a few hundred copies of the State Gazette and then is made to flee under Soviet pressure.

September 22, 1942: 

• Australian troops land at Finschhafen, a small port in New Guinea.  Japanese resistance continues into October.

September 22, 1944:  

• The port of Tallinn falls to the Soviets.  It is the first port of the Baltic outside of the minefields of Finland to fall to the Soviets. 
• German forces in Boulogne surrender.

September 22, 1944: 

• 1400 French paratroopers are released from POW camps around Saigon.  They go on a rampage in the city, killing Viet Minh and civilians including many children.  They are aided by French civilians, an estimated 20,000 of whom live in and around Saigon.