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.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

Wrecker, MK36 Medium Tactical Vehicle

The MK36 7 ton Wrecker variant replaces the M816, M936 and the M936A1 5 ton wreckers. This truck, manufactured by Oshkosh, uses state of the art commercial technology including an independent suspension system, electronically controlled engine and transmission and a central tire inflation system, which increases the off-road maneuverability and mobility of the vehicle. The 7 ton wrecker variant is compatible with all tactical vehicles in its weight class as well as the vehicles in the light tactical fleet. The MK36 is able to lift and tow or flat tow 7 ton size vehicles and smaller (HMMWV, light strike vehicle, etc) with trailers without damage to either the towed or towing vehicle.

The Mk36 Wrecker is part of the US Navy & USMC Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement (MTVR) 7 ton 6x6 family of vehicles.

A group of Marines learn about the MK36 in an operators' license course for the MK36 Medium Tactical Vehicle Replacement wrecker at 3rd Transportation Support Battalion's motor pool on Camp Foster, Okinawa, 18 March 2005.

A USMC MK36 recovery truck from the wrecker section of Combat Logistics Battalion 8, 2nd Force Service Support Group (Forward), stages with a convoy preparing to depart Camp Fallujah, Iraq, 2 August 2005.