World Events in 1943
German Surrender at Stalingrad
On 2 February, Field Marshal Paulus surrendered the German 6th Army at Stalingrad. Around 91,000 German soldiers were taken prisoner, marking a catastrophic defeat and the war's decisive turning point on the Eastern Front.
Allied Invasion of Sicily
In July, British and American forces launched Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily. The campaign led to the fall of Mussolini and Italy's eventual surrender in September.
Dambusters Raid
On 16 May, RAF 617 Squadron used Barnes Wallis's bouncing bombs to breach the Möhne and Eder dams in Germany's Ruhr Valley. The daring raid became one of the most famous operations of the war.
Warsaw Ghetto Uprising
In April, Jewish residents of the Warsaw Ghetto mounted an armed revolt against Nazi deportations to extermination camps. The uprising was crushed after nearly a month of fierce fighting, but became a powerful symbol of resistance.
Tehran Conference
In November, Churchill, Roosevelt, and Stalin met for the first time together in Tehran, Iran. They discussed the planned invasion of France and the post-war reorganisation of Europe.
Music in 1943
"Coming in on a Wing and a Prayer"
Anne Shelton
A wartime morale song about a damaged bomber limping home, it captured the spirit of courage and hope that sustained the nation.
"I've Heard That Song Before"
Harry James and His Orchestra
This big band hit featuring Helen Forrest spent 13 weeks at number one and was one of the biggest-selling records of the year.
#1 Film of 1943
Casablanca
Box Office: $10.5 million
Starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, this wartime romance set in Morocco won Best Picture and became one of the greatest films ever made.
Born in 1943
Mick Jagger
Lead singer of The Rolling Stones
Robert De Niro
Academy Award-winning actor known for Taxi Driver and Goodfellas
George Harrison
Lead guitarist of The Beatles
Lech Wałęsa
Polish trade union leader, Nobel Peace Prize winner, and President of Poland
Keith Richards
Guitarist and co-founder of The Rolling Stones
Lost in 1943
Beatrix Potter
English author and illustrator who created Peter Rabbit
Age 77
Nikola Tesla
Inventor and electrical engineer who pioneered alternating current
Age 86
Sergei Rachmaninoff
Russian composer and virtuoso pianist
Age 69
Leslie Howard
English actor known for Gone with the Wind, killed when his plane was shot down
Age 50
Technology in 1943
Wartime necessity drove innovation at an extraordinary pace. Penicillin mass production began. The Colossus computer became operational at Bletchley Park to crack German codes. Synthetic rubber production scaled up in the US to offset supply shortages from Japanese-occupied Southeast Asia.
- ● Colossus, the first programmable electronic computer, became operational at Bletchley Park
- ● Mass production of penicillin began in the US
- ● Synthetic rubber production ramped up dramatically in America
- ● Jacques Cousteau and Émile Gagnan developed the Aqua-Lung (modern scuba equipment)
Cost of Living in 1943
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £575 | $3,600 |
| Average salary | £250 | $2,000 |
| Pint of milk | 2½d | $0.14 |
| Loaf of bread | 4½d | $0.09 |
| Dozen eggs | 1s 8d | $0.51 |
| Pint of beer | 8d | $0.16 |
| Cinema ticket | 10d | $0.27 |
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The Zeitgeist of 1943
Optimism slowly replaced despair as the Allies won key battles. The German surrender at Stalingrad was a seismic psychological blow to the Axis. Rationing was a way of life and 'make do and mend' was the motto in Britain. American war production reached staggering levels, with factories running around the clock.
In the News in 1943
The Pentagon was completed, becoming the world's largest office building. The Jefferson Memorial was dedicated in Washington, D.C. The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was founded. Sliced bread returned to American shops after a brief wartime ban.