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1939 - The Japanese army retreats from its Soviet conflict with heavy losses.

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1940 - Diplomatic relations broken between Great Britain and Vichy government in France.

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1943 - German Central Army Group and Southern Army Group, about 900,000 troops, begin Operation Citadel, an attack around the Kursk salient in the Ukraine. Size of the opposing forces at the start of the battle: German: 900,000 men, 10,000 cannons, 2000 aircraft, 2000 tanks; Soviet: 1.9 million men, 20,800 cannons, 2000 aircraft, 5100 tanks.

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1944 - Birth of Jamie Robertson; guitarist (The Band).

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1944 - Birth of Robbie Robertson; writer (Carny).

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1944 - Harry Crosby takes first rocket airplane, MX-324, for maiden flight.

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1945 - British election for Prime Minister; Clement Attlee defeats Winston Churchill.

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1945 - Birth of Curtis Blefary; baseball player (1965 American League rookie of year).

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1945 - Birth of Jeffrey Kramer in New York City, New York, USA; actor (Ted Stein - Struck by Lightning).

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1945 - American General Douglas MacArthur announces the liberation of the Philippines.

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