Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo. More ?

9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
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Early Ford Military Trucks

Prior to World War II, the vehicles procured by the War Department for military use were based on commercial designs. Military modifications were few, such as de-plating chrome parts and painting the entire vehicle in olive drab. Custom designed military vehicles, the normal practice in WW II and later, were few.

1942 photo of Truck, Pickup, 1/2 Ton, 4x2 Ford.

Motor Pool WAC Auxiliaries Farrelly Glenn (left) and Frances Lanz service a Ford Pickup, Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation, VA, 23 April 1943. [Thanks to Shane for correct ID.]