World War II in real time

Day 299 of World War II, June 25th 1940

Western Front

At half past midnight, the French armistices with Germany and Italy came into effect at 0030 hours and fighting is over in France. French losses totaled 92,000 killed, 250,000 wounded, and 1,500,000 captured. British losses were 68,111 killed, wounded, or captured. German losses were 29,640 killed and 133,573 wounded and missing. Italian losses were 631 killed, 4,782 wounded, and 616 missing. Italians have made virtually no progress in their offensive except at Menton, on French Riviera. Since June 21, Italy has 631 dead, 2,631 wounded, 2,151 hospitalized with frostbite and 616 missing attacking Southern France, while French defenders suffered only 37 killed, 42 wounded and 150 missing. France declared a National day of mourning, while Hitler ordered the flying of flags and pealing of bells in Germany to celebrate "the most glorious victory of all time". To compound French misery, Adolf Hitler ordered the Armistice site at Forest de Compiègne destroyed, including the rail car used for both 1918 and 1940 surrenders. The railway carriage, a massive dedication tablet and the 1918 Alsace-Lorraine Monument (depicting a German eagle impaled by a sword) were removed to Germany. However, Hitler leaves the statue of French WWI victor, Maréchal Foch, watching over this wasteland. With the campaign finally over, the Luftwaffe can sit back and lick its wounds. The top scorer of the campaign is Oblt. Balthasar of I./JG 1 with a total of twenty-two aerial victories against the Allies ahead of several other prominent pilots, including Werner Mölders and Adolf Galland.

Operation Ariel, the evacuation of people from France to England, concludes at 14:00, scattered evacuations, however, continue on the Mediterranean coast into August. There have been 214,000 people taken to England since the commencement of Operation Cycle (evacuations from Le Havre) and Operation Ariel (evacuations from Cherbourg and points south) since they began on June 15th. Among the last refugees evacuated is exiled King Zog of Albania, who departs with his family on British ship Ettrick.

Operation Collar, the commando raid near Boulogne, concludes with no British casualties and two German deaths.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-51 (Kapitänleutnant Dietrich Knorr) stalks Convoy OA-72 and finds some juicy targets starting at 15:45.

First, U-51 torpedoes and sinks 12,049 ton British tanker Saranac 270 miles southwest of Land's End. There are 40 survivors and 4 crew perish.

Then, U-51 torpedoes and sinks 5,395 ton coal freighter Windsorwood. All 40 crew survive.

Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Calcutta in the Gironde estuary accidentally rams and sinks Canadian destroyer Fraser as Operation Ariel winds down. All but 45 of the crew are rescued by nearby ships, including her sister ship HMCS Restigouche.

Royal Navy submarine Snapper sinks Kriegsmarine patrol vessel V-1107 off Stavanger, Norway.

Convoy OA 174 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 174 departs from Liverpool, Convoy SL 37 departs from Freetown, Convoy HX 53 departs from Halifax.

Battle of the Mediterranean

An Italian convoy carrying 1727 Italian troops on the transports Esperia and Victoria departs from Naples for Tripoli. Auxiliary cruiser Ramb and torpedo boats Orsa and Procione form a protective screen.

Air War over Europe 

The Luftwaffe raids the British midlands. The RAF intercepts and loses two fighters.

The RAF sends 25 planes to attack German targets during the day, and 48 aircraft after dark.

Fifteen Bf 109 fighters intercept a Royal Air Force sweep over Abbeville.

US Government

Congress abolishes the Construction Corps of the Navy and gives them line officer status designated for Engineering Duty Only (EDO). In addition, the status of those line officers who had previously had been designated for Aeronautical Engineering Duty Only (AEDO) were also redesignated EDO.

The US begins creating an airborne force, with its first commander Major William Lee.

British Government

Churchill makes a speech to the House of Commons on the Franco-German peace and, specifically, on the disposition of the French battleships and other warships. He notes;

“…the solemn declaration of the German Government that they have no intention of using them for their own purposes during the war. What is the value of that? Ask half a dozen countries what is the value of such a solemn assurance”.

He is clearly worried about the fate of the French fleet, despite the assurances of Admiral Darlan.

Switzerland

Technically neutral, Switzerland's true sympathies are called into question when President Pilet-Golaz broadcasts that he feels "relief" about the "end of the war in Europe." He announces that there a "new order" in Europe and that it is time for Switzerland to join with its own Fuhrer (using the same word as in German). "The people should follow the government as a sure and devoted Fuhrer who will not always be able to explain, elaborate and give the reasons for his decisions." He partially demobilizes the army, since in his view there is no longer a threat to Swiss sovereignty. This speech is usually described as "Petainist" and an example of collaboration by another name.

China

Admiral Decoux, commanding French naval forces in the Far East, replaces Catroux as Governor General of French Indochina (Vietnam). He comes in determined to create infrastructure and make development progress throughout the country.

German Homefront

Adolf Hitler announces more church bell ringing and other "joyous celebrations" for what he modestly characterizes as "the most glorious victory of all time." The bells will ring for a full week, and flags flown for ten days. Many ordinary Germans, including those in the Wehrmacht, believe that this means that the entire war is over.

Day 301 of World War II, June 27th 1940

Air War over Europe

Tthe Luftwaffe's Junkers Ju 88s from I and III./KG 51 raid dockyards at Avonmouth and Portishead and the airfield at Bristol.

RAF Bomber Command sends a dozen bombers to attack German targets during the day, and more at night. Bomber Command also attacks Dutch targets, primarily airfields, and French targets along the coast.

Another fighter Geschwader leaves France and the Low Countries. The fighters of II./JG 52 moves from Luxemburg / Sandweiler to Nordholz where the Gruppe repairs and refits its Messerschmitt Bf 109E fighters. One of the units moving to new airfields has a surprise when they arrive. The whole of JG 2 are ordered to a new airfield at Beaumont-le-Roger only to find instead of an operating airbase they are confronted with a wheatfield with stalks one and a half meters high. The first pilot to land uses the propellers of his plane to cut a lane through the wheat. When he is finished the rest of the Geschwader lands, following his tracks only to find they can't take off again. The rest of the evening is spent rolling the wheat flat so that by morning the Geschwader is operational along with the field.

Battle for Malta

The Governor and Commander in Chief today turned down an offer from the Foreign Legion to bring French forces to Malta to fight against the Italians. The offer came from Captain Robert, based in Sousa, who arrived yesterday (Wednesday) by submarine from Tunis, which he had left on 24 June. This was before the French signed an armistice with Germany, but after Tunisian troops had received instructions to obey orders from a Bordeaux government.

According to Captain Robert, the French Army in Tunis (and across North Africa) wishes to fight on, either in Tunis or outside, in Egypt or elsewhere. He believes they should continue to fight the Italians and maintain North African ports against the Axis fleets but, if that is not possible, he proposes they fight from another Allied base.

It is understood that Foreign Legion officers plan to seize local boats at Sousa and transport 1800 troops with armoured cars to Malta, escorted by two French submarines. Lt General Dobbie believes that, although additional troops on Malta would be useful, a French unit here might produce more problems than it would solve. However, he put forward the possibility that the French might replace an Allied battalion in Egypt, which could then perhaps be spared to assist Malta.

The War Office has confirmed that the Foreign Legion personnel will be accommodated in Egypt if possible. However, even if that happened, it was made clear that the situation in the Middle East there does not allow for a British battalion to be sent from Egypt to Malta.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-47 (Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien) spots 4,005 ton Norwegian freighter "Lenda" at 04:00 off southwest Ireland. U-47 sinks it with gunfire, there is 1 death and 27 crew survive.

At 17:00, U-47 does the same thing to 2,580 ton Dutch tanker Leticia. Three of the crew from the Leticia wind up in the water, and U-47 rescues them, gives them food and wine, and takes them to the lifeboats. Two crew perish and 28 survive.

The British War Cabinet orders the Royal Navy to seize or destroy all French warships in British and North African ports. The newly formed Royal Navy's Force H under Vice Admiral Sir James Somerville is sent to Algeria pursuant to this directive, which suggests there could be naval combat brewing between the Royal Navy and the French fleet. The French battleship Jean Bart has been moved from St. Nazaire to Casablanca, Morocco and its guns are ready for action.

Convoy OA 175 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 175 departs from Liverpool, Convoy OG 35 forms off Gibraltar.

The keel for battleship USS Iowa is laid at the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

U-138 (Oberleutnant zur See Wolfgang Lüth) is commissioned.

Western Front

German forces are still occupying French towns in the south. There are still some British evacuations pursuant to Operation Ariel along the French Mediterranean coast.

British and French POWs are being marched back to Germany through Holland. They are not treated with much kindness, though the Dutch civilians try to help by giving water.

North Africa Campaign

An Italian convoy reaches Tripoli.

British destroyers HMS Dainty, Defender and Ilex sink Italian submarine Console Generale Luizzi south of Crete.

Two submarines reported are confirmed lost. HMS Odin disappeared in the Gulf of Taranto. The cause is unknown. HMS Orpheus is believed torpedoed by an Italian submarine en route between Malta and Alexandria.

British destroyers HMS Kandahar and Kingston shell beached Italian submarine Macalle on the Eritrean coast near Port Sudan, destroying it.

Italian bombers attack Sidi Barrani and Buq Buq.

Soviet/Romanian Relations

King Carol has a meeting with German and Italian representatives about the Soviet ultimatum. They encourage him to give in. Accordingly, Romania accedes to the Soviet ultimatum of 26 June and cedes 17,000 square km of land in Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina to the Soviet Union. The USSR rudely and peremptorily replies to his diplomatic note agreeing to "immediate negotiations" with a precise timetable on when the Romanians should evacuate the territory. The Romanians must be out completely within four days. There will be no "negotiations" when the USSR delivers an ultimatum.

Hungarian/Romanian Relations

The Hungarian government demands the return of Transylvania from Romania and masses nine battalions on the border.

US/Australian Relations

Australian representatives hold a secret meeting with US Secretary of State Cordell Hull. They are worried about growing Japanese aggressiveness and want a bigger US presence in the western Pacific. No agreement is reached.

Spy Stuff

The Wehrmacht sets up radio stations at Brest and Cherbourg using the Enigma machine. The stations are designed in part to direct Luftwaffe bombers to their England targets using, among other things, the Knickebein radio system. These stations are manned by Luftwaffe personnel who are not very security conscious, committing such obvious blunders as sending the identical messages ("Skies clear today") on a daily basis using changed codes. The Allied code-breaking operation at Bletchley Park begins intercepting messages, which they call Ultra.

Applied Science

The US National Defense Research Committee is set up under chairman Vannevar Bush. It is under the Council of National Defense. This follows up on discussions held on June 12th 1940.

French Government

The Pétain government, currently at Bordeaux, is considering relocating to Clermont-Ferrand.

The French forces in the Levant announce their (continued) allegiance to the Petain regime.

US Government

President Roosevelt declares a national emergency and invokes the Espionage Act of 1917. He is worried about shipping that passes through the strategic Panama Canal.

General Walter Krueger takes command of US VIII Corps. He is an innovator along the lines of General Guderian in Germany. In fact, his troops call themselves "Blitzkruegers."

German Government

Hitler moves to his Tannenberg headquarters in the Black Forest.

Latin America

Heavy cruiser USS Wichita (CA 45), with Commander Cruiser Division Seven (Rear Admiral Andrew C. Pickens) embarked, departs Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, en route to join the heavy cruiser USS Quincy (CA 39) at Montevideo, Uruguay. This is part of the "show the flag" operation to pry South American sympathies away from Nazi influence.

Iceland

The British 146th Infantry Brigade arrives.

Canadian Homefront

The Government announces that it is taking in 10,000 refugee children ages 5-15. The plan is for them to remain with host families until the war is over.

British Homefront

The British are frantically beefing up their beach defenses with whatever is available. These defenses include pillboxes, tank traps and barbed wire.

Day 303 of World War II, June 29th 1940

YouTube (Hitler in Paris)



Western Front

Wehrmacht forces are relinquishing some areas allocated to the French government pursuant to the Armistice Agreement of June 22nd 1940.

In the demilitarized Channel Islands, the remaining islanders are instructed to paint white crosses on the aerodromes and fly white flags. Five thousand children and their schools have been evacuated to England, in places such as Marple in Cheshire. Many of the children have been individually sponsored by wealthy American, such as Eleanor Roosevelt, who sponsors a girl named Paulette. They also have received clothing and school supplies. England itself, of course, may not be much safer for long.

Newspapper: Derby Daily Telegraph



The Germans ready two battalions for an assault on the Channel Islands. The BBC has broadcast that the islands are "open towns," but the Wehrmacht is taking no chances.

Air War over Europe 

After a Heinkel He 111 of Aufklarungsgruppe Oberbefehlshaber der Luftwaffe (AufklGr. Ob.d.L.) (German air force high command) performs reconnaissance over the Bristol dockyards, several others from I/KG27 attack the port facilities at 01:00.

The RAF attacks various points in Holland and western Germany, including the harbour at Willemsoord, a chemical factory at Hochst near Frankfurt, and the Dortmund-Ems Canal. A dozen planes of Bomber Command attack the airfield at Abbeville during the day.

Battle for Malta

GOVERNOR MAKES URGENT PLEA FOR REINFORCEMENTS

The Governor and Commander in Chief has told the War Office in London that Malta’s air defences must be strengthened if the Island is to survive. In an urgent cipher telegram he wrote that, following the fall of France, he anticipates an increase in Italian attacks on Malta, as Mussolini seeks complete control of the Mediterranean.

Malta currently has only four serviceable Hurricanes along with the two Gladiators which have been in action since the onset of hostilities and are fast wearing out. Lt General Dobbie stated that only by inflicting significant damage enemy attackers can he foresee deterring further heavy air raids. To achieve this, Malta needs more fighter aircraft and personnel to service them.

He added that the arrival of additional air forces would strengthen the morale of the civilian population who have already been placed under a considerable strain by the bombing of the past three weeks.

MALTA AIR FORCES PLAN ATTACK ON ENEMY CONVOY

Aircraft stationed in Malta are standing ready to attack an enemy convoy in the Mediterranean, it was reported today. Seven enemy cruisers and five merchant ships have been observed assembling at Port Augusta and are expected to follow a route along the east coast of Sicily, providing an excellent opportunity for attack. The Vice Admiral Malta has ordered Malta’s Swordfish to stand by.

The Chief of Intelligence staff has confirmed that further important merchant and troopship movements are expected between Italy and North Africa.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-51 (Kapitänleutnant Dietrich Knorr) sends 3 torpedoes into 4,724 ton Royal Navy decoy ship (special service vessel) HMS Edgehill (X 39) southwest of Ireland and sinks it. There are 24 survivors, 15 perish. The ship takes some time to sink and requires three torpedoes because these ships are packed with buoyant material ("ping pong balls," as the US Navy would say half-jokingly about similar Japanese ships) to prevent sinking.

U-47 ((Kapitänleutnant Günther Prien) torpedoes and sinks British freighter Empire Toucan southwest of Ireland. There are 31 survivors, 3 crew perish.

U-26 (Kptl. Heinz Scheringer) sinks 6,701 ton Greek freighter Frangoula B. Goulandris southwest of Ireland. There are 32 survivors, 6 crew perish.

Unlucky U-boat U-99 (Otto Kretschmer), which had been attacked by Luftwaffe planes off Norway and then while heading to Wilhelmshaven for repairs, once again is attacked while leaving the port. It avoids the three bombs dropped at it, but damages itself on the ocean floor.

British submarine HMS Talisman (N 78, Lt. Commander Philip S. Francis) is commissioned.

Troop Convoy WS 1 departs for Suez, Convoy OA 176 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 176 departs from Liverpool, Convoy HX 54 departs from Halifax.

29 June 1940 worldwartwo.filminspector.com Short Sunderland

Battle of the Mediterranean

Royal Navy destroyers Dainty, Defender, Voyager and Ilex sink Italian submarine Uebi Scebeli southwest of Crete. Before it sinks, they recover valuable Italian naval codes. The destroyers also sink Italian submarine Argonauta and damage Italian submarine Salpa.

A Short Sunderland of RAF Group No. 201 sinks Italian submarine Rubino in the Ionian Sea. The flying boats land and take off some survivors.

Short Sunderlands of RAF 230 Squadron damage Italian submarine Sirena off Tobruk.

Admiral Somerville of Force H prepares to neutralize the French fleet anchored at Mers-el-Kébir, Algeria under Operation Catapult. He has several different methods to do so, but the French ships must not remain afloat under French control. He has battleships HMS Valiant and HMS Resolution, battlecruiser HMS Hood, aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, cruisers HMS Arethusa and HMS Enterprise, and 11 destroyers. This is a "by any means necessary" operation.

Malta, under daily air attack, has only four flyable Hurricanes with two Gloster Gladiators. Governor and Commander in Chief Lt. General William Dobbie requests more planes and ground support. He also requires planes if the island is to serve as a point of interdiction of Axis convoys from Sicily to North Africa.

North Africa Campaign

An Italian attack across the Eritrean border is repelled by two British light tanks.

The RAF attacks Tobruk.

India

Victor Hope, 2nd Marquess of Linlithgow, Governor-General and Viceroy of India, meets with Mohandas Mahama Gandhi and Muhammad Ali Jinnah of the Indian National Congress in an effort to build support for the British war effort. While Gandhi is no fan of Hitler and Nazi Germany, and in fact sent a letter to Hitler in 1939 pleading with him not to start a war, Gandhi is uninterested in cooperating with the Allies until India is granted full independence. Great Britain has no intention of doing that, so negotiations are at a standstill.

China

At the Battle of South Kwangsi, the Japanese 22nd Army advances toward Lungchin.

Japanese troops are on the outskirts of Hong Kong, effectively blockading it from the landward side.

German Military

In the first of a parade of promotions and awards for the recent campaign, General Maximilian von Weichs is awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross (Ritterkreuz). He has commanded Army Corps Weichs during the Polish campaign and 2nd Army during the Battle of France. He also receives a promotion to Colonel-General.

German Government

The Germans release a "white paper" outlining Allied plans to occupy the Low Countries. This is another in a long line of such white books accusing the "other side" of nefarious plans.

French-Vichy Government

The government transfers from Bordeaux to Clermont-Ferrand, evacuated by the Wehrmacht on 28 June.

Japanese Government

Japan continues its gradual campaign to assert dominion over the entire western Pacific. Japan's Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita broadcasts that there is a "new order in Asia: unity into a single sphere revolving harmoniously around Japan." This language echoes the future Japanese colonial organization, the "Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere."

Romanian Government

The government is mobilizing the armed forces because of new threats posed by Hungary and Yugoslavia, which smell weakness due to Romania's quick capitulation to the Red Army.

Romanian Homefront

Another wave of refugees hits Europe, as inhabitants of Eastern Romania flee westward to avoid living under the occupying Soviets. The number of refugees is estimated at 100,000.

German Homefront

Berlin travel agents begin offering tours of the newly conquered Maginot Line.

British Homefront

The authorities arrest Diana Mitford, the wife of jailed fascist leader Oswald Mosley, under Defence Regulation 18B. She had escaped jail to date due to giving birth to son Max. Unity Mitford, Hitler's former girlfriend, has recovered somewhat from her attempted suicide on 3 September 1939, but the bullet remains lodged in her brain. While mobile, she acts somewhat erratically.

War hysteria is in full swing throughout southern England. Aside from constructing military installations and erecting beach obstacles, the authorities are filling open fields such as cricket pitches with old cars which can prevent glider landings.

Day 305 of World War II, July 1st 1940

Western Front

In the Channel Islands, Jersey surrenders and is occupied. The occupation of Guernsey continues. Albrecht Lanz is confirmed as the military governor. Communications between the Channel Islands and England are severed.

Photo: German marching band troops marching into the Channel Islands.



French Marshal Philippe Pétain reaffirms to US Ambassador William C. Bullitt that French ships will be scuttled before they are handed over to the Kriegsmarine. Admiral Darlan later says that the ships have been ordered to sail to the Mediterranean if placed in jeopardy from the Germans, or scuttled if necessary.

The Petain French government, after a brief stop-over in Clermont-Ferrand, moves to the spa town of Vichy. This is due to the town's nearness to Paris on the railway and because it has a lot of free hotel space. It also has the advantage of a modern telephone exchange for its upscale visitors, which come in handy for controlling the government. This move is the origination of the term Vichy France, which has become a sort of synonym for traitorous and repressive collaboration. The town is immediately swarmed with visitors and Frenchmen looking for jobs.

Battle for Malta

To conserve fuel for essential supply and public transport services, Private cars have been banned from use after midnight unless carrying a special permit. The measure has been brought in to conserve fuel for essential supply and for public transport services.

The British Ambassador at Cairo has made a request to the Admiralty in London that Malta’s wireless telegraph station should be used to jam German propaganda broadcasts to the Near East. However, the Commander in Chief Mediterranean has raised concerns that this might provoke a counter action against Naval wireless telegraph communications.

Air War over Europe

The Luftwaffe bombs Wick and Hill during the day. There are 12 killed, 22 injured. This is strategic bombing of industrial centers.

The RAF sends a dozen Hampden bombers against Kiel naval base. One of the pilots is Guy Gibson, who gets a near-miss against the Scharnhorst with a 2,000 lb bomb. Two small bombs hit the Prinz Eugen.

More transfers of Luftwaffe units for rest and refit. There also are several moves of elite units since the French threat has disappeared. The Luftwaffe is reshuffling and reorganizing in order to prepare for the test that Air Minister Hermann Goering already has set out for it.

III/JG26 moves from Monchen-Gladbach to Doberitz to protect Berlin while victory celebrations are in progress.

II/JG2 moves to Frankfurt/Rhein-Main.

Erprobungsgruppe (Epr.Gr) 210 (Test Wing 210) forms at Köln-Ostheim. It is formed using Bf 109s and Bf 110s from other units.

Stab/KG 40 forms at Bordeaux-Merignac to operate Fw 200 4-engine bombers.

Formation of night-fighting units continues at Deelen-Arnhem and Monchen-Gladbach airfields.

Battle of Britain

General Jodl of the General Staff (OKW) discusses the possibility of an invasion of England. This is projected Operation Sealion (Seelöwe).

Battle of the Atlantic

Several U-boats have congregated in the same general area about 300 miles west of France. They spot the same convoy and achieve numerous victories today. However, it turns into a bad day for the U-boats as two of them go under.

U-30 (Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp) sinks 5,218 ton British MV Beignon at 04:00. There are six deaths and 111 survivors in total; the Beignon had rescued some of the crew from the sunk Avelona Star, and 3 of them are killed and 81 survive this second sinking.

U-102 (Kapitänleutnant Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt) torpedoes and sinks 5,219 ton British freighter SS Clearton, with 8 crewmen perishing and 26 surviving.

British destroyer HMS Vansittart then sinks U-102 with depth charges, with all 43 hands lost.

U-65 (Kapitänleutnant Hans-Gerrit von Stockhausen) sinks 8,156 ton Dutch freighter SS Amstelland, with one crewman perishing and 39 surviving.

U-29 (Kapitänleutnant Otto Schuhart) sinks 7,466 ton Greek freighter Adamastos. All 25 aboard survive.

U-26 (Kapitänleutnant Heinz Scheringer) torpedoes and damages 4,871 ton British freighter Zarian.

British corvette Gladiolus then depth charges U-26 and forces it to the surface, where RAAF Flight Leader W.N. Gibson (no relation to Guy) bombs it from a Short Sunderland Flying Boat. Heavily damaged, the U-boat is scuttled and all 48 crew survive and become POWs. Gibson receives the DFC for this action.

German raider Thor captures Dutch freighter Kertosono, then sends it to France with a prize crew.

Convoy OA 177G departs from Southend, Convoy OB 177 departs from Liverpool, Convoy SL 38 departs from Freetown.

Destroyer HMS Garth (L 20, Lt. Commander Eric H. Dyke) and Minesweeping trawler HMS Deodar (T 124, G. Mair) are commissioned.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Admiral Somerville in command of Force H receives orders to commence Operation Catapult, the destruction of the French fleet, on 3 July.

The British War Office sends Governor Dobbie a telegram:

Regret impossible at present to send any fighters but consideration is being given.

In its message, the Admiralty admits that the Mediterranean is now off-limits to Royal Navy carriers.

North Africa Campaign 

Rodolfo Graziani is formally named the new Italian Governor-General of Italian Libya, replacing the deceased Italo Balbo.

The RAF launches raids against Abyssinia, particularly the airfield at Gondar.

The British move the 2nd Battalion of the Black Watch Regiment from Egypt to Aden.

Italian forces in Abyssinia attack the 1st Battalion of the King's Africa Rifles in Moyale.

Romanian/Hungarian Relations

The two countries mass troops along their borders as tensions heighten over Hungarian demands for Romanian territory. Hungary, in an echo of past allegations of "provocations" by Germany and the Soviet Union, claims border violations by Romania.

Anglo/German Relations

The British Foreign Office warns Germany about occupying Syria. British troops are prepared to invade Syria from Palestine and Egypt due to the local commander's vow to remain loyal to Vichy France.

Anglo/Soviet Relations

Sir Stafford Cripps delivers a message to Stalin from Winston Churchill which expresses a desire for closer relations. The USSR remains a nominal ally of Germany, and Stalin has been pursuing an expansionist foreign policy himself lately.

Anglo/US Relations

US Ambassador to the Court of St. James Joseph Kennedy warns Winston Churchill that the feeling is that Great Britain is beaten and that Hitler will be in London by 15 August.

Anglo/Italian Relations

Mussolini warns the British about using Greek waters for the Royal Navy and demands that this stop or he will invade Greece from Albania.

German/US Relations: The German Foreign Ministry responds to the US diplomatic note of 18 June warning against interference in the Americas:

"The German Reich . . . has given no occasion whatever for the assumption that it intends to acquire such possessions, . . . the nonintervention in the affairs of the American Continent by European nations which is demanded by the Monroe Doctrine can in principle be legally valid only on condition that the American nations for their part do not interfere in the affairs of the European Continent."

The German Foreign Ministry requests that the US withdraw its ambassadors from Belgium, the Netherlands, Norway, and Luxembourg. Ambassadors to Berlin will suffice now.

US Government

The US Navy issues $30 million in contracts for construction of 44 new ships and naval facilities.

The Headquarters Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force comes into being in San Diego. First commander is Brigadier General Ross E. Rowell.

Retired officer James H. Doolittle is recalled to service with US Army Air Corps. His new rank is Major. Major Doolittle's first mission is to help US car manufacturers switch over to aircraft production.

Romania

The Soviet Union completes its occupation of areas demanded from Romania.

The government renounces its defense treaties (April 13, 1939) with England and France, which it believes are worthless guarantees, particularly after the recent Soviet occupation of its territory. Henceforward, its allegiance is with a country that can actually make a difference: Germany.

Soviet Union

Joseph Stalin tells his ambassador to Tokyo that the 23 August 1939 Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact was dictated by the desire to unleash war in Europe." If so, he certainly succeeded.

Japanese Military

The first Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighters (pre-series of 15 A6M2) become operational with the 12th Rengo Kōkūtai in July 1940.

China

At the Battle of South Kwangsi, the Japanese 22nd Army continues moving toward Lungchin.

Evacuations of British non-essentials is in progress from Hong Kong.

Australia

General Sturdee assumes command of the Australian 8th Infantry Division.

Japanese Homefront

Rationing of sugar and matches.

French Homefront

The farming area north of Paris, which is occupied by the Wehrmacht, has lost most of its inhabitants to the south. Crops are said to be untended and farm animals loose. There remain many unburied corpses

Day 307 of World War II, July 3rd 1940

Battle of the Mediterranean

Admiral James Somerville of Force H executes his orders to neutralize the French fleet at Mers El Kébir, Oran Province, northwest Algeria on 3 July 1940. He gives the French commanders the options to surrender the fleet, scuttle it, sail it to the Carribean, or be interned. French Admiral Marcel Gensou remains loyal to the Vichy government. He tells Captain Holland, sent to negotiate, that any attack will be a declaration of war. He refuses to act in concert with the Royal Navy, but drags things out. By 13:00, Somerville tires of Gensou's obstinacy and mines the harbor but continues talking.

At 16:46, the Admiralty sends Somerville an order "to settle matters quickly." Somerville gives Gensou until 17:30 to choose an option. With no response, Somerville's force opens fire at 17:56. The gunfire continues for 15 minutes, including 15-inch shells. 23,936 ton French battleship Bretagne is sunk, with 977 killed. Battlecruiser Dunkerque is heavily damaged, with 210 killed, and also battleship Provence. The French lose 1,297 killed and 350 wounded.

Photo: Battleship Dunkerque, under fire during Operation Catapult 



Battlecruiser Strasbourg, aircraft carrier Commandant Teste and four destroyers that survive the battle later cross the Mediterranean to the naval base at Toulon under pressure from RAF attacks launched from the Ark Royal. Other ships follow. Both sides launch ineffective air attacks against the other's ships.

Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Cunningham conducts negotiations in Alexandria with French Admiral René-Émile Godfroy about his battleship Lorraine and four cruisers. Godfroy is much more reasonable and not as much of a Vichy supporter. The situation is not as critical there because France is much further away and British power much stronger. The day ends with no conclusion there and negotiations continuing, but prospects are good.

Photo: Destroyer Mogador running aground after having been hit by a 15-in round



Prime Minister Churchill regrets the whole affair, which is the first Anglo-French naval conflict since the Napoleonic wars, and later says that he carries its "scars," but considers it absolutely necessary. He rejects a suggestion by First Lord of the Admiralty Dudley Pound that the Royal Navy abandon the eastern Mediterranean altogether.

YouTube (Vichy Newsreel - Mers el-Kébir)



Battle for Malta

At Malta, the day begins with another air raid alert at 09:45, right on schedule. However, this is just a reconnaissance mission. The Italians lose a SM 79 bomber, while the British lose a Hurricane whose pilot is unhurt. Another raid at 17:55 causes no damage.

A gunner with the King’s Own Malta Regiment is to be recommended for a Military Medal for his actions during an air raid today. Corporal Arthur Kitney, of 3rd Bn KOMR was manning a twin Lewis gun at Hal Far when the aerodrome was subjected to a low level attack by enemy aircraft. Cpl Kitney was hit when the raiders dropped bombs over his gun position and strafed the area with machine gun fire. Despite his injuries he remained in position manning his gun against the enemy until the raid was over. Recognising his actions, his senior officers decided to recommend him for the Military Medal, which is awarded for bravery in battle on land.

From: War Office To: Gov C in C Malta; GOC Commanding Hong Kong & Malaya

Efforts are being made to collect a force of French officers and soldiers who volunteer to go on with the war either as British nationals or as French. This force under General de Gaulle may play an important part in operations outside the Mediterranean. Do not repeat not therefore on any account discourage owing to considerations local to your own command the rallying of good men to our cause.

Battle of the Atlantic

Operation Grasp is implemented. At dawn, the British seize 59 large French warships in British harbors at Plymouth and Portsmouth. Among these are battleships Courbet and Paris, submarine Surcouf and destroyer Mistral. In all, 2 battleships, 4 cruisers and 8 destroyers are taken. There is scattered French resistance, including some minor casualties on the latter two vessels. In all, three British and 1 French sailors perish.

The Admiralty suspends all shipping in the British Channel due to Luftwaffe attacks.

U-29 sinks British freighter Athelaird in the North Atlantic.

British submarine HMS Snapper sinks Norwegian freighter Cygnus.

HMS Coquetmouth (447t), which is used to keep Amble Harbor dredged, strikes a mine and sinks. Three crew perish.

German raider Komet departs Gdynia for Bergen. Its ultimate destination is the Pacific.

Convoy OA 178 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 178 departs from Liverpool, Convoy OG 36 forms off Gibraltar, Convoy HX 55 departs from Halifax.

USS Tatog (SS 199, Lt. Commander Joseph H. Willingham, Jr.) is commissioned.

Air War over Europe 

The Royal Air Force redirects its priorities from German industrial targets such as oil installations and airplane factories to German shipping and ports along the Channel coast.

The Luftwaffe raids Cardiff, Wales for the first time.

At around 15:00, three Ju 88s of I/KG51 attack the Portishead docks in Bristol, and some Dornier Do 17s from KG77 bomb the Kent area. Seven Dorniers go down.

At Maidenhead, a lone Dornier 17 attacks the aerodrome and destroys half a dozen Tiger Moths on the ground and damages 25 others.

The RAF's Fighter Command institutes standing patrols over the Channel.

The Regia Aeronautica has lost 60 aircraft to date.

North Africa Campaign 

Acting Brigadier Ralph A. Bagnold, pursuant to previous orders from General Wavell, commences his long range reconnaissance patrols with the Long Range Patrol Unit (LRP) in the desert with his "desert rats." They operate under 8th Army and have two officers and 85 men, mainly volunteers from 2nd New Zealand Division.

Exiled Abyssinia leader Haile Selassie, who had been in England, arrives in Khartoum to participate in the reconquest of his country from the Italians who have occupied it since 1935.

The Regia Aeronautica bombs a British base in Aden.

German/Romanian Relations

The Germans reject a Romanian request for a full military alliance. This would be an obvious provocation to the Soviet Union. However, the Wehrmacht has a free hand and is uncertain what to do next, and this draws their attention to the area. General Franz Halder of OKW asks his staff as a desk exercise to consider military alternatives in the East.

US/Latin American Relations

Heavy cruisers USS Wichita (CA 45) and Quincy (CA 39) complete their visit to Montevideo, Uruguay and head back to Brazil.

British Government

The Duke of Windsor, who has fled France, arrives in Lisbon from Madrid. He is widely believed to be pro-Nazi.

Norway

The Norwegian parliament places pressure on King Haakon to abdicate, but he refuses.

Argentina

Presidente Roberto Maria Ortiz falls ill and delegates power to VP Ramon Castillo.

China

At the Battle of South Kwangsi:, the Japanese halt their offensive and both sides adopt a defensive posture.

Day 309 of World War II, July 5th 1940

Air War over Europe 

The RAF stages daylight raids on shipping off the Dutch coast and on Waalhaven airfield. The British lose two Blenheim bombers, both over Senden, victories of 4/JG51 and 5/JG26.

After dark, the RAF raids German shipping at Kiel and Wilhelmshaven.

Vichy French torpedo bombers raid Gibraltar without causing any damage.

The Luftwaffe damages Royal Navy Corvette HMS Calendula in the Channel and damages it with near misses, sending the ship back to Plymouth.

There are dogfights over the Channel near the Pas-de-Calais. The Luftwaffe downs three Spitfires, and one Bf 109 is damaged.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-34 (Korvettenkapitän Wilhelm Rollmann) torpedoes and sinks British destroyer HMS Whirlwind about 125 miles west-southwest of Land's End at 18:26. This followed a long chase in which the U-boat missed with two torpedoes. The destroyer remains afloat long enough for destroyer HMS Westcott to rescue the crew before scuttling it. There are 59 deaths, and 51 survive (sources vary).

U-99 (Kptl. Otto Kretschmer) torpedoes and badly damages convoy straggler Canadian freighter MV Magog at 12:51. The torpedo explodes prematurely, so Kretschmer surfaces and uses his deck gun. Kretschmer questions the 23 crew in lifeboats before allowing them to wait for a rescue vessel, which arrives shortly. The wreck remains afloat due to its cargo of timber and does not sink for several days.

German S-boats (Fast torpedo boats) sink British freighter Hartlepool in the English Channel off Portland.

Vichy French ships out of Dakar capture three British freighters (Argyll, Gambia, and Takoradian) and three Danish vessels (Haraid, Tacoma, and Ulrich).

British submarine HMS Shark is badly damaged by attacks from German auxiliary minesweepers M1803 (trawler Spitzbergen), M1806 (trawler Cuxhaven), and M1807 (trawler Mulsum) in Boknafjord near Stavanger, Norway.

Lorient on the Bay of Biscay is now set up for U-boat operations, though as of yet no U-boats have been there. Basing U-boats on the Atlantic coast magnifies the perceived size of the fleet by cutting travel time to stations and reducing fuel required to get there.

Royal Navy ship HMS Plover and Royal Netherlands ship HNLMS Willem van der Zaan lay mines in the North Sea.

Newspapper: Los Angles Times



Convoy OB 179 departs from Liverpool.

U-103 (Korvettenkapitän Victor Schütze) is commissioned.

North Africa Campain

The RAF sends nine Swordfish of No. 813 Squadron based on HMS Eagle at Sidi Barrani to attack Tobruk. They sink Italian destroyer Zeffro, badly damage destroyer Euro, force troop transport Liguria to beach itself, sink freighter Manzoni and damage freighter Serenitas.

Photo: Damaged Italian destroyer Euro after the RAF attack on Tobruk.



In addition, the RAF sends Blenheim bombers against Italian vehicles at Bardia and El Gubbi.

At Malta, a French Latecoere seaplane crewed by two French non-commissioned officers lands after a flight from Bizerta, Tunisia. They want to join the Royal Air Force. They are arrested for questioning. Otherwise, it is a fairly quiet day.

Anglo/Franco Relations

The French government remains furious at the British for attacking the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir. It breaks off all diplomatic relations. Truthfully, there has not been much communication at all between the two governments since the Armistice of June 22nd 1940. French Prime Minister Pétain speaks out about declaring war on the UK, but cooler heads prevail.

Anglo/Irish Relations

Britain proposes uniting the two countries to present a united front against Germany. The Irish government rejects this proposal.

German/Franco Relations

The Germans suspend Article 8 of the Armistice Agreement of June 22nd 1940 which requires the demobilization and disarming of the French fleet. This may be due to the recent conflict between Vichy France and the British.

German/Turkish Relations

Haj Amin, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, sends a minion to meet with German ambassador von Papen in Istanbul. The Arabs are looking for closer relations.

German/Swedish Relations

The railway line that runs to Narvik originates in Sweden and is vital for any military presence there. Today, the Germans reach an agreement with Stockholm for the transport of Wehrmacht personnel "on leave" to transit through Sweden, along with military supplies.

German/Romanian Relations

The new Romanian government touts its good relations with Germany - which is silent on the matter.

US/Japanese Relations

President Roosevelt uses his new powers under the recently passed Export Control Act to restrict sales of multitude of items to Japan without a specific license. These goods include, but are not limited to, strategic minerals, strategic chemicals, aircraft engines, and aircraft engine parts.

US/Latin American Relations

Heavy cruisers USS Wichita (CA 45) and Quincy (CA 39) arrive at Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil on their "show the flag" expedition. Meanwhile, on the Pacific coast, light cruiser USS Phoenix (CL 46) departs Balboa in the Panama Canal Zone for a similar mission to Valparaiso, Chile.

US Military

The basing of the US Pacific fleet in Hawaii remains a bone of contention within the US Navy. Admiral James O. Richardson visits Washington to meet with President Roosevelt and others to see what plans are.

British Government

Operation Fish, the transfer of British gold to Canada, continues. At 0545 hours, British battleship HMS Revenge, cruiser HMS Bonaventure, destroyer HMS Garth, and troop transports Monarch of Bermuda, Sobieski, and Batory depart Greenock, Scotland. The ships carry a cargo of US$1,750,000,000 worth of gold and securities from the Bank of England. The destination is the Bank of Canada's vault in Ottawa, via Halifax.

The government declares the southern coast to be a Defence Area to a depth of 20 miles inland. War jitters are at an extreme high, and a report of parachutists near Pegswood Drift turns out to be nothing but a barrage balloon.

Iraq

The Iraqi government cuts off the flow of oil to Tripoli in Syria, showing its increasing Axis leanings. Iraq, of course, is technically governed by the British but has little control over the government due to its troops being in only a few large bases.

French Homefront

Albert Einstein's nephew, Carl Einstein, commits suicide in France. He faced deportation to Germany.

The Nazis ban all symbols of the French state, including the tricolor flag.

British Homefront

The government bans high heel shoes to free up scarce cargo space for other items.

   Lordroel