Today in WW II: 6 Jul 1939 All remaining Jewish enterprises in Germany are closed by the Nazis.  More ↓
6 Jul 1942 Anne Frank's Jewish family goes into hiding in an attic above her father's office in an Amsterdam warehouse.
6 Jul 1942 Flying Tigers in Burma and China integrated into the US Army Air Forces as the China Air Task Force with Gen. Claire Chennault commanding the new unit.
6 Jul 1943 US and Japanese naval forces fight the Battle of Kula Gulf off Kolombangara, in the New Georgia Islands group of the Solomon Islands.
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Piper L4 Grasshopper

The Piper J2 and J3 Cub light airplanes were the predecessors of the military L4 Grasshopper. About 5500 L4s were delivered to the U.S. Government, starting early in World War II (adding to the 3000 or so civilian Piper Cubs already in the air). They were classified as Liason and designated OG-59 originally, then known as the TG-8 trainer or AE-NE1/NE2 (Navy) in addition to L-4A for Army use. Varients during the war were designated L-4B through L-4G. They saw combat as observation, courier and general light transportation in the North African landings of November 1942 and went on to serve in all theaters of World War II. During the Korean war, an improved L-4 returned designated the L-18.

The engine was a Continental 65 hp O-170-3 flat-four. Wingspan was 35 feet (10.8 m) and length was 22 feet (6.8 m).

Piper L-4, CAF Highland Lakes Squadron, 12 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit
Piper L-4, CAF Highland Lakes Squadron, 12 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit.

Piper L-4, CAF Highland Lakes Squadron, 12 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit
Piper L-4, CAF Highland Lakes Squadron, 12 October 2005. Photo courtesy Bob Pettit.

Piper L-4A on USS Ranger during WW II. US Navy Photo.
Piper L-4A on USS Ranger during WW II. US Navy Photo.