#march 1944

[theworldatwar]

US B-25 medium bombers on their way to pound German units dug in amid the ruins of Monte Cassino - March 1944

[aci25]

Uncovering a Tragedy: Meet George Stinney Jr., an innocent life snatched by the US at the age of 14.

At just 14, George Stinney Jr., an African American boy, faced an unjust fate. He was wrongly convicted and executed for the murders of two young white girls in 1944, later proven to be an unfair trial.

Stinney's conviction and death sentence by electric chair made him the youngest American in the 20th century to be executed with an exact birth date. The trial, lasting only 2 hours, had an all-white jury and denied his parents entry to the courtroom.

Throughout the trial, George Stinney Jr. steadfastly maintained his innocence, clutching a Bible in his hands. To make him fit the electric chair, they used the very Bible he held as a booster seat. An unimaginable injustice.

Executing Stinney with 5,380 volts, the truth of his innocence remained buried for 70 years until a South Carolina judge finally exonerated him. The murder weapon's weight, over 19.07 kilograms, made it physically impossible for Stinney to wield it.

George Stinney Jr.'s tragic story inspired Stephen King's "The Green Mile," shedding light on the deep-rooted flaws in the justice system. May we never forget this innocent life taken too soon.

[hjmarseille]

Pilot pass the time in the 334th FS dispersal at Debden in March 1944. The board in the centre of the room kept a running tally of the squadron’s victories, with each kill being listed by type and date (National Museum of the USAF)

Photo and caption featured in Osprey Aviation Elite Units • 30 4th Fighter Group ‘Debden Eagles’ by Chris Bucholtz

[theworldatwar]

A British Bren gun team look for signs of the next Japanese attack - Imphal, March 1944

[theworldatwar]

A mortar team from the US 34th Division shells German held positions - Monte Cassino, March 1944

[hjmarseille]

Pilots from the 341st Kokutai’s Sento 401st Hikotai brave the snow at Tateyama for a group photograph in March 1944. The unit had only a handful of Shidens at this time due to myriad technical problems delaying the fighters’ delivery from Kawanishi. The individual in the centre of the group not wearing flying gear is ace Lt Ayao Shirane, CO of Sento 401st Hikotai

Photo and caption featured in Osprey Aircraft of the Aces 129 J2M Raiden and N1K1/2 Shiden/Shiden-Kai Aces by Yasuho Izawa with Tony Holmes

[hjmarseille]

Major Richard Bong, America’s top Ace in the cockpit of his P-38 March 1944. Bong

Photo and caption featured in The 421st Night Fighter Squadron: In World War II (Schiffer Military History) by Jeff Kolln

[hjmarseille]

A collection of notable 4th FG pilots relax at Debden after a mission in this labelled photograph, taken in the early spring sunshine in March 1944. Of special note is the inclusion of the Alsatian ‘Duke’ at the right of the scene (Jack Raphael via Wade Meyers)

Photo and caption featured in Osprey Aviation Elite Units • 30 4th Fighter Group ‘Debden Eagles’ by Chris Bucholtz