August 1943 in Montana

August 1943

• August 2 – American bombers attacked oil plants at Ploesti, Romania.

• August 4 – Billings Polytechnic celebrated its 35th Anniversary.

• August 5 – A 7th Ferrying group pilot died in a plane crash six miles from Great Falls.

• August 6 – “Pitt” the elephant was killed after being struck by lightning in Dillon.

• August 8 – Great Falls Legion Juniors beat a Miles City team 8–7 to win the state baseball championship. An 18-month-old Chinook boy was found alive after spending three days lost on a ranch.

• August 9 – A Consolidated Freightways warehouse and 25,000 pounds of freight burned in Shelby.

• August 12 – A fighter plane from the 7th Ferrying Group crashed near Belt, killing the pilot.

• August 15 – 34,000 U.S. and Canadian soldiers, including the First Special Service Force, landed on Kiska.

• August 17 – The Montana Flour Mills Co. in Great Falls was destroyed by fire, along with 100,000 bushels of wheat.

• August 25 – Eleven killed in a B-17 crash north of Winnett.

July 1943 in Montana

September 1943 in Montana (coming soon)

Montana History Calendar 1942

Montana History Calendar 1941

Montana History Calendar 1930s

Interested in what was happening in Montana during 1943?  Read More about Montana’s Home Front During World War II

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Just Released: That Beautiful Little Post – the Story of Fort Missoula

The Story of Fort Missoula

Now Available!

The definitive account of Fort Missoula’s long and storied history.

Published by the Friends of the Historical Museum and Big Elk Books.

Look for it in your local bookstore.

ISBN 9780983839026

111 photographs and maps, 144 pages, $24.95

A frontier outpost during the Indian wars, Fort Missoula is best known for the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps and the Alien Detention Center that imprisoned Italian and Japanese citizens during World War II. That Beautiful Little Post: the Story of Fort Missoula tells the story of the infantry units that occupied the post for almost 70 years, and who fought at the Battle of the Big Hole, helped rebuild the Mullan Road, and prevented violence during labor strikes. Fort Missoula also served as district headquarters of the Civilian Conservation Corps, as well as an Army Disciplinary Barracks. Although the military presence has nearly ended, the fort remains a treasured community asset, home to museums, golf courses and parks, a medical center, government offices, and non-profit groups.

“compelling and fast-paced… the only comprehensive history of
this unique and beautiful little post” – Dr. Robert M. Brown, Dir.
Historical Museum at Fort Missoula

Read more about That Beautiful Little Post: the Story of Fort Missoula

Order the book

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July 1943 in Montana

• July 1 – Ernest Melby became Chancellor of the Montana University system. Newsprint production was slashed.

• July 2 – Four were killed in a tanker truck fire at Cut Bank.

• July 4 – Frank O’Neill of Great Falls, a cook during the Civil War, celebrated his 104th birthday.

• July 6 – Struck by three Japanese torpedoes, the light cruiser USS Helena sank during the Battle of Kula Gulf.

• July 10 – British and American soldiers landed in Sicily. Louis Armstrong and his Orchestra entertained servicemen at the Great Falls Civic Center.

• July 17 – 500 delegates attended the 25th annual American Legion convention.

• July 22 – Palermo captured by American forces.

• July 23 – A light bomber crashed at Great Falls, killing two.

• July 25 – Three miners were killed in a cave–in at the Leonard Mine in Butte. Philip Coleman was arrested for the murder of Carl and Roslyn Pearson at Lothrop.

• July 28 – A military plane made a forced landing five miles northwest of Reedpoint. The Japanese successfully evacuated Kiska without being discovered.

• July 31 – Temperature of 106 degrees recorded in Roundup.

August 1943 in Montana

June 1943 in Montana

Montana History Calendar 1942

Montana History Calendar 1941

Montana History Calendar 1930s

Interested in what was happening in Montana during 1943?  Read More about Montana’s Home Front During World War II

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