German Gebirsjagers (Light infantry trained in mountain warfare), Narvik 1940
Battle Context: Operation Alphabet
The Allied evacuation from Norway, Operation Alphabet, concluded as British, French, and Norwegian forces completed their withdrawal from Narvik. The British 24th Guards Brigade (under Brigadier William Fraser) and French 13th Foreign Legion Demi-Brigade evacuated under pressure from German Mountain Corps Norway (led by General Eduard Dietl).
German forces, including the 3rd Mountain Division, solidified control, supported by Luftwaffe Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers from Sturzkampfgeschwader 1.
Units and Actions:
British cruiser HMS Devonshire, evacuating Norwegian King Haakon VII and government officials, maintained radio silence, unaware of the previous day’s sinking of HMS Glorious until German radio broadcasts revealed the loss on June 9.
Norwegian 6th Division (under General Carl Gustav Fleischer) formally ceased resistance, ending organized fighting in Norway.
Key Personalities:
General Eduard Dietl: Secured Narvik, ensuring German control of strategic Norwegian ports.
King Haakon VII: Fled to Britain, establishing a government-in-exile to continue Norway’s resistance.
Outcome:
Germany’s occupation of Norway secured vital iron ore supplies and Atlantic bases, while Allies shifted focus to defending Britain.
June 9, 1941: Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter)
Australians from 21st Brigade, 7th Division in ruins near Sidon, 1941
Battle Context:
The Allied invasion of Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon, Operation Exporter, progressed. Forces included the British 7th Division, Australian 7th Division (under Major General John Lavarack), Free French 1st Division (under General Paul Legentilhomme), and 5th Indian Brigade, facing Vichy troops under General Henri Dentz.
Units and Actions:
Australian 21st Brigade advanced toward Sidon, clashing with Vichy 22nd Algerian Tirailleurs at the Litani River. Free French 1st Marine Infantry Battalion engaged Vichy 6th Foreign Legion near Damascus.
Allied air support from No. 3 Squadron RAAF (Hawker Hurricanes) countered Vichy Morane-Saulnier MS.406 fighters, with naval gunfire from HMS Glengyle aiding coastal operations.
Key Personalities:
Major General John Lavarack: Directed Australian advances, navigating challenging terrain.
General Henri Dentz: Led Vichy defences, delaying Allies despite being outnumbered.
Outcome:
Incremental Allied gains laid groundwork for capturing Damascus and Beirut by July, securing the Middle East.
June 9, 1942: Pacific Reorganization and North Africa
German Panzer III passes burning truck, 1942
Pacific Theater: Post-Midway Planning
Following the U.S. victory at Midway (June 4–7), Admiral Chester Nimitz’s U.S. Pacific Fleet regrouped. Task Force 16, including carriers USS Enterprise and USS Hornet (under Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance), returned to Pearl Harbor for refitting.
The 1st Marine Division (under Major General Alexander Vandegrift) prepared for the Guadalcanal Campaign, with PBY Catalina aircraft conducting reconnaissance over Japanese-held Solomon Islands.
North Africa: Gazala Line Clashes
General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps (15th Panzer Division, 90th Light Division) pressed the British Eighth Army (under General Neil Ritchie) at the Gazala Line, targeting the 1st South African Division and 50th (Northumbrian) Division near Knightsbridge.
Key Personalities:
Admiral Chester Nimitz: Capitalized on Midway to plan Pacific offensives.
General Erwin Rommel: The “Desert Fox,” whose tactics threatened British control of Egypt.
Outcome:
U.S. preparations strengthened Pacific strategy; Rommel’s advance set the stage for Tobruk’s fall (June 21).
June 9, 1943: Air Raids and Pacific Preparations
Pilot next to tail section of a 384th B-17 after damage from 20mm cannon fire, location unknown.
European Theatre: Combined Bomber Offensive
RAF Bomber Command (under Air Marshal Arthur Harris) and U.S. Eighth Air Force (under Major General Ira Eaker) bombed German targets. No. 5 Group RAF (Avro Lancasters) struck Münster, while 384th Bomb Group (B-17 Flying Fortresses) hit Wilhelmshaven’s U-boat pens.
Pacific Theater: New Georgia Buildup
U.S. 43rd Infantry Division (under Major General John H. Hester) and 4th Marine Raider Battalion finalized plans for the New Georgia invasion (launched June 30). P-38 Lightning fighters of 347th Fighter Group provided air cover.
Key Personalities:
Air Marshal Arthur Harris: Drove RAF’s night bombing to disrupt German production.
Major General John H. Hester: Led planning for the Solomon Islands campaign.
Outcome:
Allied air raids weakened German infrastructure; New Georgia preparations advanced island-hopping efforts.
June 9, 1944: Normandy Campaign (Post-D-Day)
Soldier of the 709 Infantry Division (Georgische Legion) surrendering to Americans in Normandy, 1944
Battle Context: Operation Overlord
Three days after D-Day, Allied forces expanded Normandy beachheads. The British 51st (Highland) Division and Canadian 3rd Infantry Division (under General Bernard Montgomery) fought the German 21st Panzer Division near Caen. The U.S. 4th Infantry Division (under Major General Raymond Barton) secured Utah Beach against German 709th Static Division.
Units and Actions:
British 7th Armoured Division clashed with Panzergruppe West (under General Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg) at Villers-Bocage. U.S. 101st Airborne Division reinforced Carentan against 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division.
Air support from RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (Supermarine Spitfires) and U.S. Ninth Air Force (P-47 Thunderbolts) targeted German supply lines.
Key Personalities:
General Bernard Montgomery: Focused on capturing Caen, a critical objective.
General Erwin Rommel: Led German Army Group B, counterattacking with limited resources.
Outcome:
Allies strengthened beachheads but faced delays at Caen, extending the Normandy campaign.
June 9, 1945: Pacific Theatre and Occupation Planning
US forces in action near Oruku, 1945
Pacific Theatre: Battle of Okinawa
The U.S. 10th Army (under Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.) pressed the Battle of Okinawa against Japanese 32nd Army (under Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima). The 6th Marine Division and 96th Infantry Division assaulted Oroku Peninsula defences.
B-29 Superfortress bombers of XXI Bomber Command (under Major General Curtis LeMay) firebombed Nagoya, weakening Japanese morale.
Post-War Planning:
Allied leaders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Marshal Georgy Zhukov, finalized Germany’s occupation, dividing Berlin among the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, British 7th Armoured Division, and Soviet 8th Guards Army, per Yalta Conference agreements.
Key Personalities:
Major General Curtis LeMay: Led devastating air raids on Japan.
Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.: Commanded U.S. forces in Okinawa, facing intense resistance.
Outcome:
Okinawa’s high casualties underscored the challenges of invading Japan; occupation plans shaped post-war Europe.
Each Day in World War II – 9 June
June 9, 1940: Norway Campaign Conclusion
June 9, 1941: Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter)
June 9, 1942: Pacific Reorganization and North Africa
June 9, 1943: Air Raids and Pacific Preparations
June 9, 1944: Normandy Campaign (Post-D-Day)
June 9, 1945: Pacific Theatre and Occupation Planning