German prisoners are led away after their
surrender on D-Day

American troops march through bomb-damaged
Carentan, the first French city to fall to
the invaders after D-Day

June 9-10
Eastern Front, Finland
The Soviets, in an effort to drive the Finns back to the 1940 Frontier and compel them to make peace, launch a major offensive with two armies. The offensive is preceded by a sustained barrage from 5500 guns and 880 rocket-launchers. The attack shatters the Finnish Front and, on the 10th, Marshal Karl von Mannerheim, Finland's military leader, orders a retreat to a stronger defensive line.

June 10
Western Front, France
The 2nd SS Panzer Division Das Reich, moving from its base at Toulouse to Normandy, has been the constant target of members of the French Resistance. In retaliation, the small town of Oradour-sur-Glane is chosen as the target for a brutal reprisal, one intended to be a lesson to the people of France. The men of the village are herded into barns, the women and children into the church, and the whole town is set on fire. Those who flee are machine-gunned. In total, 642 people are killed, with only 10 able to feign death and escape.

June 11
Pacific, Marianas
US Task Force 58 begins a heavy bombardment of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Rota, and Pagan prior to an assault on the islands, the occupation of which will allow the US forces operating in the area to sever the lines of communication to Japan's units operating in the southern Pacific.

June 13
Western Front, France
Lieutenant Michael Wittmann, company commander of the SS 501st Heavy Tank Battalion, destroys 27 tanks and armoured vehicles of the British 4th Country of London Yeomanry in a tank battle around the village of Villers-Bocage, Normandy.

Pacific, Japan
The Japanese Combined Fleet is alerted to prepare for Operation A-Go, which is intended to lure the US Pacific Fleet to one of two battle areas - either the Palaus or the Western Carolines - where it can be destroyed. These areas are chosen because they are within range of the greatest possible number of Japanese island air bases, thereby counterbalancing US aircraft carrier superiority.

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