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WWII On This Day: October 20

What happened on October 20 during World War II? This date brings together 2 events from 1943 and 1944, with period photographs and links to the full operations documented across WW2 Theatres.

1943
A destitute mother and child on a Calcutta pavement during the Bengal famine of 1943-44.
Kalyani Bhattacharyee and Manoj Sarbadhikar / Bengal Speaks, Servants of Bengal Society · Public domain
World War II Famines

Wavell takes office and presses for imports and relief

Archibald Wavell was sworn in as Viceroy on 20 October 1943, after famine mortality had already reached catastrophic levels. He pressed London for substantial grain imports and pushed the administration toward more active relief. Military transport and organisation were increasingly used to improve distribution. Mortality declined as the 1943 harvest arrived, imports increased and relief improved, so no single intervention can be credited with ending the famine.

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1944
LVT-4 Alligator amphibious vehicles pass Terrapin amphibious vehicles near Terneuzen during the Battle of the Scheldt, 13 October 1944.
Department of National Defence / Library and Archives Canada · 13 October 1944 · Public domain in Canada · Source
The Battle of the Scheldt

Operation Suitcase

The 4th Canadian Armoured Division and British 49th Division attacked north of the Scheldt sector on 20 October to widen the corridor and force the Germans away from the eastern flank of the Beveland approach. The operation connected with the broader British offensive in North Brabant and reduced pressure on the 2nd Canadian Division before its advance onto South Beveland.

Continue in The Battle of the Scheldt →