Cat School

The Line of Love, 1915

Today in history, June 6-11, 1944. The Normandy massacres were a series of killings in-which approximately 156 Canadian and two British prisoners of war (POWs) were murdered by soldiers of the 12th SS Panzer Division (Hitler Youth) during the Battle of Normandy in World War II. The majority of the murders occurred within the first ten days of the Allied invasion of France.[1] The killings ranged in scale from spontaneous murders of individual POWs, to premeditated mass executions involving dozens of victims. Colonel Kurt Meyer, a commander in the 12th SS Panzer Division, was the only perpetrator charged for his role in the atrocities.[2]

The massacres are among the worst war crimes committed against Canadian soldiers in Canada's history. One out of every seven Canadian soldiers killed between June 6–11 were murdered after surrendering — a figure that rises to one in five if the range is reduced to June 7–11, when Canadian units started engaging with elements of the 12th SS Panzer Division.[3]

(This unit of Hitler youth fanatics learned their viciousness from officers who served on the eastern front. Soviet soldiers and the civilian population were treated like this. The massacres ended when it became clear the Canadians were holding their ground and allies were advancing. Nazi leaders had a 'holy fuck' moment when they realized their crimes would be discovered and the bodies found. A couple that cared for Ardennes Abbey saw disturbed soil in the courtyard and investigated. 20 Canadian bodies were discovered.

"Whoever wants music instead of noise, joy instead of pleasure, soul instead of gold, creative work instead of business, passion instead of foolery, finds no home in this trivial world of ours."

Happy birthday, Lili St Cyr, June 3 1918.  A goddess on the burlesque circuit and Queen of the city that enthusiastically adopted her, Montreal.  

Her burlesque routines of a beautiful woman doing ordinary things was unmatched on the stage circuit.

philsp.com

June 1, 1935 issue

Carroll John Daly, “Lady of Death” (Mr. Strang)

George Harmon Coxe, “The Seventy Grand Bullet”  

Richard Wormser, “The Babbling Voice”

Paul Berdanier, “Illustrated Crimes: The Gigolo Gunman of Astoria, L.I.”    

Glenn Garrison, “Perjurer’s Vengeance"

Anthony Rud, “Terror Cave” (Part 2 of 4; Jigger Masters)    

William Merriam Rouse, “Pop Witherbee’s Ride”   

H. W. Guernsey, “A Test Tube Full”

Clive Brook and Mary Nolan in a scene from “Charming Sinners” (1929). A film adaptation of Somerset Maugham’s play “The Constant Wife”. It also stars Ruth Chatterton and William Powell.