WWII On This Day: September 27

British troops unloading from landing ship LST 383 on the Salerno coast on 9 September 1943. — Imperial War Museums NA 6630 · British official photograph · Public domain (UK Government)

September 27, 1943 The Italian Armistice and the Landings at Salerno

The Allies secure the Foggia airfield complex

Eighth Army formations advanced into the Foggia area in late September, bringing important airfields under Allied control. These sites would become bases for aircraft reaching northern Italy and targets farther into central Europe. The eastern advance complemented Fifth Army’s movement toward Naples, but the terrain and road network kept the Allied fronts widely separated as they climbed the peninsula.

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September 27, 1943 · 15:00 The Italian Armistice and the Landings at Salerno

Neapolitans revolt against German occupation

Civilians in Naples fought German troops during the final days of September in the uprising known as the Four Days of Naples. Fighting developed at several sites in the city while German forces made preparations to withdraw. German demolitions and damage to utilities left the port in poor condition. The fighting affected the condition of the city Fifth Army was approaching and the urgent task of restoring a supply harbour.

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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

September 27, 1944 The Battle of the Scheldt

Simonds takes over First Canadian Army

Crerar left for medical treatment on 27 September and Lieutenant-General Guy Simonds assumed temporary command of First Canadian Army. He inherited responsibility for the Channel coast, the Scheldt approaches and formations already weakened by the summer campaign. Simonds refined the plan for clearing both banks of the estuary and for isolating Walcheren, combining conventional attacks with amphibious operations and the deliberate flooding of the island.

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An insurgent from Mokotów emerges from a sewer into German-held territory and surrenders on 27 September 1944 as the district collapses. August Ahrens · Public domain (Poland) Source

September 27, 1944 · 12:00 The Warsaw Rising

Mokotów capitulates

A renewed German assault began at 08:00 on 27 September against the remaining Mokotów positions. After the defence had been compressed to a small area, Polish representatives opened negotiations and the district capitulated around midday under assurances that the Geneva Convention would apply to the insurgents. The collapse followed a confused sewer evacuation begun the previous day. Some men who emerged in German-held territory near Dworkowa Street were murdered despite the surrender arrangements, including a large group of insurgents who had tried to return toward Mokotów.

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