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WWII On This Day: September 11

What happened on September 11 during World War II? This date brings together 1 event from 1943, with period photographs and links to the full operations documented across WW2 Theatres.

1943
German Fritz X bomb explodes aboard USS Savannah during fire support off Salerno on 11 September 1943 (NH 95562).
German Fritz X bomb explodes aboard USS Savannah during fire support off Salerno on 11 September 1943 (NH 95562). U.S. Navy / National Archives · Public domain (U.S. Government) Source
The Italian Armistice and the Landings at Salerno

A Fritz X guided bomb devastates USS Savannah

A German Fritz X hit USS Savannah while the cruiser was supporting troops off Salerno on 11 September. The bomb passed through a forward turret and exploded deep inside the ship, killing many of the crew. The cruiser survived but had to withdraw for repair. German guided-bomb aircraft remained a danger to the supporting fleet even while naval gunfire was required to break up land attacks.

Continue in The Italian Armistice and the Landings at Salerno →