This Day in History: 1942-11-23

The 3rd & 5th Romanian Army Corps surrenders to the Soviets.  President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed a measure establishing the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve, or SPARS (an abbreviation of the Coast Guard motto “Semper Puratus”-“Always Ready”).  Colonel-General Von Paul asks Hitler to surrender.  German 4th & 6th Army surrounded at Stalingrad.  Japan’s bombing of Port Darwin, Australia.  Chinese steward Poon Lim begins 133 days adrift after his British ship is torpedoed and he is the sole survivor.  Soviet 21st Army recaptures Kalatsj at Don.