Today in WW II: 12 Sep 1943 Germans attack the entire Allied front at the Salerno beachhead, an attempt to force the Allies off the beach, back to the sea, but Allies hold [12-14 Sep].  More 
12 Sep 1944 Second Quebec Conference [OCTAGON] begins between the British, Canadian and American military leaders [12-16 Sep].
12 Sep 1945 Japanese forces in southeast Asia surrender in ceremony at Singapore.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

German Schwimmwagen Amphibious Vehicle

Schwimmwagen was mainly used by the Waffen SS in the roadless wastelands of Russia.

Volkswagen Type 166 Waffen SS Schwimmwagen. Pictured unit built in 1944 as marked on Volkswagen factory data plate (last year of production). Photo: Courtesy Leon DeSpain
Volkswagen Type 166 Waffen SS Schwimmwagen. Pictured unit built in 1944 as marked on Volkswagen factory data plate (last year of production). Photo: Courtesy Leon DeSpain.

Hawaii-American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 34th Division, move up in the battle for Leghorn, Castellina Sector, Italy using a captured German Schwimmwagen, 12 July 1944
Hawaii-American soldiers of the 100th Infantry Battalion, 442nd Regimental Combat Team, 34th Division, move up in the battle for Leghorn, Castellina Sector, Italy using a captured German Schwimmwagen, 12 July 1944.