stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 24,853 
Likes: 13,235
|
Post by stevep on Jul 13, 2019 9:31:33 GMT
Day 317 of World War II, July 13th 1940Battle of BritainMap showing the RAF squadrons from July to October 1940
 The day started out very much like the day before with morning fog over southern England. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. As in the days previous, targets for the Luftwaffe were shipping and convoys. RAF No. 43 Sqn Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111' over the Channel. At 1114 hours a Heinkel He 111 was shot down over Spithead by Hurricanes from RAF No. 43 Squadron. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Two raids headed for the Isle of Wight. Engaged by Hurricanes of RAF No. 501 Sqd, the formations lost only one Do 17 that crashed west of Southampton. Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and again attacked the convoy "Bread" off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay - RAF No. 56 Sqn North Weald (Hurricanes), RAF No. 64 Sqn Kenley (Spitfires) and RAF No. 238 Sqn (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by RAF No. 238 Sqn while another five were destroyed about 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours The Bf 110s of V./LG 1 flew their first major mission of the war, entrusted to attack a convoy along with a formation of twenty Ju 87 Stuka bombers of II./StG 1 off Portland at 1420 hours. Failing to find the target, the forty twin-engined fighters formed a defensive circle, or 'Abwehrkreis', when Hurricanes of RAF No. 238 Sqd and Spitfires of RAF No. 609 Sqd bounced the formation. One Bf 110 was shot down and three others were badly damaged as the defensive maneuver worked. Two Ju 87s were so badly damaged that they crash landed returning to France - one at Cap Gris-Nez and another at Noorfontes. The British lost two Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Sqd while RAF No. 238 Sqd lost one fighter. Dover Harbour and a convoy south of the city were the target for a mixed flight of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters shortly after 1730 hours. Bounced by Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Sqd, the Jagdflieger suffered several Messerschmitts damaged along with a Ju 87 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The defending anti-aircraft fire also claimed a Spitfire but the plane managed to land safely. Reaching the convoy just off the Straits of Dover at 1800 hours the twelve Ju 87’s from StG 1 along with twelve fighters from II./JG 51 attacked. Eleven Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Squadron attacked the Stukas. The escorting Messerschmitts dove to break up the Hurricanes. The British lost two Hurricanes in the battle along with two more damaged for a cost to Oblt. Fözö's Gruppe of one Bf 109 from 9./JG 51 destroyed. The British fighters also claimed three Stukas shot down. The Kommodore of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp was credited with the destruction of one of the Hurricanes for his sixth and last aerial victory of the war. Sgt J.R.Cowsill of RAF No. 56 Sqn in Hurricane (N2432) was shot down and killed over Calais by a Bf 109 of JG 51 at 16:45hrs. Sgt J.J.Whitfield of RAF No. 56 Sqn was hit by gunfire from another Bf109 of JG51 over the Channel and crashed into sea at 1900hrs. Spitfire R6688 was destroyed. Although two Hurricanes were actually lost, eight JG 51 pilots were given credit for kills including two for Oblt. Josef Fözö and one for Hptm. Horst Tietzen and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz. P/O Michael Robert Mudie from RAF No. 615 Sqn. on convoy patrol off Dover in Hurricane L1584G, was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG51 at 1530 hours. He died the next day. A second attack on the convoy near Dover brought down a Fw 200 four-engined bomber from I./KG 40, for a total of seven German aircraft lost for the day. Several bombs were dropped on the convoy but the attack was unsuccessful. For once during the battle, the evening finds very little activity over England as few raids were conducted by the Luftwaffe. Between 0038-0138 hrs in Co Durham a large number of IBs dropped on railway lines leading to Seaton Snooks, others on west side of Brenda Road, West Hartlepool. No damage. IBs also fell near Graythorp Village. Co Durham.. Shotley Bridge district.. Many IBs dropped in region of Bridgehill near Consett. A cow was killed, a house was slightly damaged by fire. Bombs were dropped in the following areas: - Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove. Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected. Western Front: The Allied Supreme War Council meets on 13 June 1940 for what will turn out to be its last time at Briare near Tours. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud tells British Prime Minister Churchill that France will have to negotiate a separate peace, contrary to the 28 March 1940 agreement of no separate peace agreements. This is something that Churchill adamantly opposes but can do nothing to prevent. Churchill rather lamely suggests that Reynaud appeal to President Roosevelt, which Reynaud of course has been doing all along. Churchill also suggests that resistance can continue in North Africa. Reynaud refuses.
Churchill, Lord Halifax, Lord Beaverbrook and the rest of the British delegation fly back to London. They decide that enough is enough and that another BEF evacuation is necessary. This is the parting of the ways of the British and the current French national government, though everything remains amicable and civil. It is now a question of managing the dissolution of the military alliance. The future of France and its relations with the United Kingdom is extremely uncertain.
German spearheads are crossing the Seine over three bridgeheads. They are attacking towards Pacy-sur-Eure and Evreux. Meanwhile, another dozen German divisions are attacking toward Senlis and Betz. Panzer Group Kleist captures Saint-Dizier and Troyes. The 6th and 8th Panzer Divisions of German 12th Army break through the French 2nd Army line in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc.
French forces are withdrawing all along the line past Paris, which is an open city, to the Loire. Oil tanks in the suburbs are burning. German troops of 18th Army are in the suburbs and moving steadily toward the city center. French troops launch a pointless counter-attack at Persan-Beaumont 17 miles north of Paris. It advances 5 miles, but German troops are streaming in the other direction all around it. There are no troops between the Germans and the entire city of Paris, and they are advancing steadily.
Photo: RAF Supermarine Spitfires in flight
 Battle of the Atlantic
At dawn in the Arctic (02:43), British carrier Ark Royal launches 15 Skua dive-bombers against the German warships in Trondheim. The British lose eight planes (six dead, 10 POWs), and manage to hit the Scharnhorst with one 500 lb bomb that fails to explode. The surviving aircraft return by 03:45. Kriegsmarine battlecruiser Nurnberg arrives in Trondheim later in the day from Germany. U-25 (Kapitänleutnant Heinz Beduhn) torpedoes and sinks 17,046 ton armed merchant cruiser Scotstoun (converted Anchor Line passenger ship Caledonia) about 80 miles off of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The attack lasts all day, but Scotstoun finally succumbs. Seven crew perish, 345 others are picked up by destroyer HMS Highlander (H 44). British tanker Inventor hits a mine and sinks in the English Channel. Escort destroyers HMS Antelope and Electra collide in fog of Norway and both require extensive repair. A German seaplane spots two survivors of the HMS Ardent in the water. They somehow have survived since 7 June. After picking them up, one dies from exposure, malnutrition etc. The other man, able seaman Roger Hooke, is Ardent's only survivor and, in extremely poor condition, is taken prisoner.Convoy OA 167 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 167 departs from Liverpool, Convoy HG 34F departs from Gibraltar, Convoy HX 50 departs from Halifax. Battle of the Mediterranean
Italian destroyers Baleno and Strale sinks Royal Navy submarine Odin. All 56 crew perish. A French cruiser squadron bombards Genoa during the night.Battle of the Pacific
German raider Orion lays mines off of Auckland, New Zealand. Air War over Europe
Italy's Regia Aeronautica raids the French naval base at Toulon. It also raids Aden, but is driven off with losses, and Malta. The RAF raids German bridgeheads on the Seine all along the front to the Maginot Line.The RAF is gradually evacuating its units from France.North Africa Campaign
The British captures 52 Italian soldiers during the night, many of whom have no idea that they are at war.The RAF raids Fort Capruzzo on the Libyan border with Egypt. It also raids Assab in Italian East Africa. South African aircraft chip in with a raid on Kismayo in Italian Somaliland. The Regia Aeronautica hits British vehicles near the Libyan border in Egypt. German occupied Norway
While the Allies have departed and the Norwegians have surrendered, many areas of the large country remain unoccupied by the Germans. Today, some of General Dietl's 3rd Mountain Division troops quietly occupy Tromso.US Military
Rear Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., relieves Vice Admiral Charles A. Blakely as Commander Aircraft, Battle Force, on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV 5) at Lahaina Roads, Maui, Territory of Hawaii. Halsey is given the temporary rank of Vice Admiral. US Government
President Roosevelt signs a $1.3 billion Navy bill, which is unprecedented in amount. The first shipment of surplus artillery, rifles and other smaller weapons leaves the USA on the SS Eastern Prince. To avoid the Neutrality Laws, the arms are first sold to a steel company, which then re-sells them to the British government.Netherlands government-in-exile
The Dutch government-in-exile announces formation of a Netherlands Legion to be composed of all available domestic and overseas troops. Spain Generalissimo Francisco Franco reiterates his policy of non-belligerency, which of course tilts toward Germany. Spain is of vital strategic importance to both sides due to its ability to take Gibraltar and close off the Mediterranean. China The Japanese launch a terror raid on Chungking that starts massive fires. French Homefront
Paris is largely deserted. Jewish citizens in particular have been quick to leave, for obvious reasons. There are oddities of a suddenly abandoned major city: for instance, herds of cattle roam the streets, as the men operating the slaughterhouses have left.British Homefront
The government renews its evacuation plans for schoolchildren, since so many returned home over the winter. Plans are to disperse 120,000 kids from London and other large cities in the south such as Dover. All children are required to carry gas masks at all times. Many of the masks have been brightly colored to make them more attractive to children, and they are carried in ubiquitous boxes. A new law specifies that church bells are to be rung only as a signal of a German invasion. Members of Parliament ask to be issued sidearms, since rumors are flying that they are on German assassination lists. The request is refused.
Lordroel
I think your got a few things from 13th June rather than July here? For instance the highlighted ones above and possibly the entire section starting with the report from the western front?
Steve
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 13, 2019 10:09:43 GMT
Day 317 of World War II, July 13th 1940Battle of BritainMap showing the RAF squadrons from July to October 1940
The day started out very much like the day before with morning fog over southern England. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. As in the days previous, targets for the Luftwaffe were shipping and convoys. RAF No. 43 Sqn Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111' over the Channel. At 1114 hours a Heinkel He 111 was shot down over Spithead by Hurricanes from RAF No. 43 Squadron. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Two raids headed for the Isle of Wight. Engaged by Hurricanes of RAF No. 501 Sqd, the formations lost only one Do 17 that crashed west of Southampton. Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and again attacked the convoy "Bread" off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay - RAF No. 56 Sqn North Weald (Hurricanes), RAF No. 64 Sqn Kenley (Spitfires) and RAF No. 238 Sqn (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by RAF No. 238 Sqn while another five were destroyed about 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours The Bf 110s of V./LG 1 flew their first major mission of the war, entrusted to attack a convoy along with a formation of twenty Ju 87 Stuka bombers of II./StG 1 off Portland at 1420 hours. Failing to find the target, the forty twin-engined fighters formed a defensive circle, or 'Abwehrkreis', when Hurricanes of RAF No. 238 Sqd and Spitfires of RAF No. 609 Sqd bounced the formation. One Bf 110 was shot down and three others were badly damaged as the defensive maneuver worked. Two Ju 87s were so badly damaged that they crash landed returning to France - one at Cap Gris-Nez and another at Noorfontes. The British lost two Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Sqd while RAF No. 238 Sqd lost one fighter. Dover Harbour and a convoy south of the city were the target for a mixed flight of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters shortly after 1730 hours. Bounced by Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Sqd, the Jagdflieger suffered several Messerschmitts damaged along with a Ju 87 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The defending anti-aircraft fire also claimed a Spitfire but the plane managed to land safely. Reaching the convoy just off the Straits of Dover at 1800 hours the twelve Ju 87’s from StG 1 along with twelve fighters from II./JG 51 attacked. Eleven Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Squadron attacked the Stukas. The escorting Messerschmitts dove to break up the Hurricanes. The British lost two Hurricanes in the battle along with two more damaged for a cost to Oblt. Fözö's Gruppe of one Bf 109 from 9./JG 51 destroyed. The British fighters also claimed three Stukas shot down. The Kommodore of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp was credited with the destruction of one of the Hurricanes for his sixth and last aerial victory of the war. Sgt J.R.Cowsill of RAF No. 56 Sqn in Hurricane (N2432) was shot down and killed over Calais by a Bf 109 of JG 51 at 16:45hrs. Sgt J.J.Whitfield of RAF No. 56 Sqn was hit by gunfire from another Bf109 of JG51 over the Channel and crashed into sea at 1900hrs. Spitfire R6688 was destroyed. Although two Hurricanes were actually lost, eight JG 51 pilots were given credit for kills including two for Oblt. Josef Fözö and one for Hptm. Horst Tietzen and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz. P/O Michael Robert Mudie from RAF No. 615 Sqn. on convoy patrol off Dover in Hurricane L1584G, was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG51 at 1530 hours. He died the next day. A second attack on the convoy near Dover brought down a Fw 200 four-engined bomber from I./KG 40, for a total of seven German aircraft lost for the day. Several bombs were dropped on the convoy but the attack was unsuccessful. For once during the battle, the evening finds very little activity over England as few raids were conducted by the Luftwaffe. Between 0038-0138 hrs in Co Durham a large number of IBs dropped on railway lines leading to Seaton Snooks, others on west side of Brenda Road, West Hartlepool. No damage. IBs also fell near Graythorp Village. Co Durham.. Shotley Bridge district.. Many IBs dropped in region of Bridgehill near Consett. A cow was killed, a house was slightly damaged by fire. Bombs were dropped in the following areas: - Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove. Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected. Western Front: The Allied Supreme War Council meets on 13 June 1940 for what will turn out to be its last time at Briare near Tours. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud tells British Prime Minister Churchill that France will have to negotiate a separate peace, contrary to the 28 March 1940 agreement of no separate peace agreements. This is something that Churchill adamantly opposes but can do nothing to prevent. Churchill rather lamely suggests that Reynaud appeal to President Roosevelt, which Reynaud of course has been doing all along. Churchill also suggests that resistance can continue in North Africa. Reynaud refuses.
Churchill, Lord Halifax, Lord Beaverbrook and the rest of the British delegation fly back to London. They decide that enough is enough and that another BEF evacuation is necessary. This is the parting of the ways of the British and the current French national government, though everything remains amicable and civil. It is now a question of managing the dissolution of the military alliance. The future of France and its relations with the United Kingdom is extremely uncertain.
German spearheads are crossing the Seine over three bridgeheads. They are attacking towards Pacy-sur-Eure and Evreux. Meanwhile, another dozen German divisions are attacking toward Senlis and Betz. Panzer Group Kleist captures Saint-Dizier and Troyes. The 6th and 8th Panzer Divisions of German 12th Army break through the French 2nd Army line in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc.
French forces are withdrawing all along the line past Paris, which is an open city, to the Loire. Oil tanks in the suburbs are burning. German troops of 18th Army are in the suburbs and moving steadily toward the city center. French troops launch a pointless counter-attack at Persan-Beaumont 17 miles north of Paris. It advances 5 miles, but German troops are streaming in the other direction all around it. There are no troops between the Germans and the entire city of Paris, and they are advancing steadily.
Photo: RAF Supermarine Spitfires in flight
Battle of the Atlantic
At dawn in the Arctic (02:43), British carrier Ark Royal launches 15 Skua dive-bombers against the German warships in Trondheim. The British lose eight planes (six dead, 10 POWs), and manage to hit the Scharnhorst with one 500 lb bomb that fails to explode. The surviving aircraft return by 03:45. Kriegsmarine battlecruiser Nurnberg arrives in Trondheim later in the day from Germany. U-25 (Kapitänleutnant Heinz Beduhn) torpedoes and sinks 17,046 ton armed merchant cruiser Scotstoun (converted Anchor Line passenger ship Caledonia) about 80 miles off of the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. The attack lasts all day, but Scotstoun finally succumbs. Seven crew perish, 345 others are picked up by destroyer HMS Highlander (H 44). British tanker Inventor hits a mine and sinks in the English Channel. Escort destroyers HMS Antelope and Electra collide in fog of Norway and both require extensive repair. A German seaplane spots two survivors of the HMS Ardent in the water. They somehow have survived since 7 June. After picking them up, one dies from exposure, malnutrition etc. The other man, able seaman Roger Hooke, is Ardent's only survivor and, in extremely poor condition, is taken prisoner.Convoy OA 167 departs from Southend, Convoy OB 167 departs from Liverpool, Convoy HG 34F departs from Gibraltar, Convoy HX 50 departs from Halifax. Battle of the Mediterranean
Italian destroyers Baleno and Strale sinks Royal Navy submarine Odin. All 56 crew perish. A French cruiser squadron bombards Genoa during the night.Battle of the Pacific
German raider Orion lays mines off of Auckland, New Zealand. Air War over Europe
Italy's Regia Aeronautica raids the French naval base at Toulon. It also raids Aden, but is driven off with losses, and Malta. The RAF raids German bridgeheads on the Seine all along the front to the Maginot Line.The RAF is gradually evacuating its units from France.North Africa Campaign
The British captures 52 Italian soldiers during the night, many of whom have no idea that they are at war.The RAF raids Fort Capruzzo on the Libyan border with Egypt. It also raids Assab in Italian East Africa. South African aircraft chip in with a raid on Kismayo in Italian Somaliland. The Regia Aeronautica hits British vehicles near the Libyan border in Egypt. German occupied Norway
While the Allies have departed and the Norwegians have surrendered, many areas of the large country remain unoccupied by the Germans. Today, some of General Dietl's 3rd Mountain Division troops quietly occupy Tromso.US Military
Rear Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., relieves Vice Admiral Charles A. Blakely as Commander Aircraft, Battle Force, on board the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV 5) at Lahaina Roads, Maui, Territory of Hawaii. Halsey is given the temporary rank of Vice Admiral. US Government
President Roosevelt signs a $1.3 billion Navy bill, which is unprecedented in amount. The first shipment of surplus artillery, rifles and other smaller weapons leaves the USA on the SS Eastern Prince. To avoid the Neutrality Laws, the arms are first sold to a steel company, which then re-sells them to the British government.Netherlands government-in-exile
The Dutch government-in-exile announces formation of a Netherlands Legion to be composed of all available domestic and overseas troops. Spain Generalissimo Francisco Franco reiterates his policy of non-belligerency, which of course tilts toward Germany. Spain is of vital strategic importance to both sides due to its ability to take Gibraltar and close off the Mediterranean. China The Japanese launch a terror raid on Chungking that starts massive fires. French Homefront
Paris is largely deserted. Jewish citizens in particular have been quick to leave, for obvious reasons. There are oddities of a suddenly abandoned major city: for instance, herds of cattle roam the streets, as the men operating the slaughterhouses have left.British Homefront
The government renews its evacuation plans for schoolchildren, since so many returned home over the winter. Plans are to disperse 120,000 kids from London and other large cities in the south such as Dover. All children are required to carry gas masks at all times. Many of the masks have been brightly colored to make them more attractive to children, and they are carried in ubiquitous boxes. A new law specifies that church bells are to be rung only as a signal of a German invasion. Members of Parliament ask to be issued sidearms, since rumors are flying that they are on German assassination lists. The request is refused. Lordroel I think your got a few things from 13th June rather than July here? For instance the highlighted ones above and possibly the entire section starting with the report from the western front? Steve
A damit, will change it, thanks. |
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 13, 2019 18:04:49 GMT
Thanks for stevep noticing it, it seems i posted June 13th instead of July 13th, so here is the correct day. Day 317 of World War II, July 13th 1940YouTube (The Dictator of France)
Battle of BritainMap showing the RAF squadrons from July to October 1940
The day started out very much like the day before with morning fog over southern England. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. As in the days previous, targets for the Luftwaffe were shipping and convoys. RAF No. 43 Sqn Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111' over the Channel. At 1114 hours a Heinkel He 111 was shot down over Spithead by Hurricanes from RAF No. 43 Squadron. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Two raids headed for the Isle of Wight. Engaged by Hurricanes of RAF No. 501 Sqd, the formations lost only one Do 17 that crashed west of Southampton. Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and again attacked the convoy "Bread" off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay - RAF No. 56 Sqn North Weald (Hurricanes), RAF No. 64 Sqn Kenley (Spitfires) and RAF No. 238 Sqn (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by RAF No. 238 Sqn while another five were destroyed about 15 miles off Calais at 1800 hours The Bf 110s of V./LG 1 flew their first major mission of the war, entrusted to attack a convoy along with a formation of twenty Ju 87 Stuka bombers of II./StG 1 off Portland at 1420 hours. Failing to find the target, the forty twin-engined fighters formed a defensive circle, or 'Abwehrkreis', when Hurricanes of RAF No. 238 Sqd and Spitfires of RAF No. 609 Sqd bounced the formation. One Bf 110 was shot down and three others were badly damaged as the defensive maneuver worked. Two Ju 87s were so badly damaged that they crash landed returning to France - one at Cap Gris-Nez and another at Noorfontes. The British lost two Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Sqd while RAF No. 238 Sqd lost one fighter. Dover Harbour and a convoy south of the city were the target for a mixed flight of Ju 87 dive-bombers and Bf 109 fighters shortly after 1730 hours. Bounced by Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Sqd, the Jagdflieger suffered several Messerschmitts damaged along with a Ju 87 shot down by anti-aircraft fire. The defending anti-aircraft fire also claimed a Spitfire but the plane managed to land safely. Reaching the convoy just off the Straits of Dover at 1800 hours the twelve Ju 87’s from StG 1 along with twelve fighters from II./JG 51 attacked. Eleven Hurricanes from RAF No. 56 Squadron attacked the Stukas. The escorting Messerschmitts dove to break up the Hurricanes. The British lost two Hurricanes in the battle along with two more damaged for a cost to Oblt. Fözö's Gruppe of one Bf 109 from 9./JG 51 destroyed. The British fighters also claimed three Stukas shot down. The Kommodore of JG 51, Oberst Theo Osterkamp was credited with the destruction of one of the Hurricanes for his sixth and last aerial victory of the war. Sgt J.R.Cowsill of RAF No. 56 Sqn in Hurricane (N2432) was shot down and killed over Calais by a Bf 109 of JG 51 at 16:45hrs. Sgt J.J.Whitfield of RAF No. 56 Sqn was hit by gunfire from another Bf109 of JG51 over the Channel and crashed into sea at 1900hrs. Spitfire R6688 was destroyed. Although two Hurricanes were actually lost, eight JG 51 pilots were given credit for kills including two for Oblt. Josef Fözö and one for Hptm. Horst Tietzen and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz. P/O Michael Robert Mudie from RAF No. 615 Sqn. on convoy patrol off Dover in Hurricane L1584G, was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG51 at 1530 hours. He died the next day. A second attack on the convoy near Dover brought down a Fw 200 four-engined bomber from I./KG 40, for a total of seven German aircraft lost for the day. Several bombs were dropped on the convoy but the attack was unsuccessful. For once during the battle, the evening finds very little activity over England as few raids were conducted by the Luftwaffe. Between 0038-0138 hrs in Co Durham a large number of IBs dropped on railway lines leading to Seaton Snooks, others on west side of Brenda Road, West Hartlepool. No damage. IBs also fell near Graythorp Village. Co Durham.. Shotley Bridge district.. Many IBs dropped in region of Bridgehill near Consett. A cow was killed, a house was slightly damaged by fire. Bombs were dropped in the following areas: - Dundee, Warmwell, 4 miles NE Lulworth Cove. Fighters were despatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no interceptions were effected. Photo: RAF Supermarine Spitfires in flight
Battle of the Atlantic
During its attacks on the convoys in the Channel, the Luftwaffe gets near-misses on British escort destroyer HMS Vanessa which badly damage it and require it to be towed back to Sheerness. German raider Widder, 200 miles northeast of Antigua, sinks 5228 ton British freighter King John in the middle of the North Atlantic. The raider rescues five crew and makes them POWs, and also takes aboard 21 survivors of the Panamanian ship Santa Margarita which was sunk by U-29 on 2 July. The Widder is overloaded with prisoners, so some 100 are given lifeboats and allowed to row to nearby islands. The Dutch vessel Kertosono, previously taken by the German raider Thor, arrives in Lorient, France with its prize crew. Convoy OB 183 departs from Liverpool. Battle of the Mediterranean
The Regia Aeronautica attacks Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Eagle. The Eagle responds by launching Sea Gladiators which soot down three of the attacking Italian bombers. There is an air raid alert at 05:45, but it is just an Italian fighter sweep. At 22:10, there is a bomber raid, with bombs dropped on a flying boat base at Marsaxlokk, on Marsamxetto Harbor and on Zeltun. Pilot Officer Burges, who flies a Gladiator in defense of Malta, is awarded the DFC for having shot down six aircraft. His citation: Although normally a flying boat pilot, and only transferred to fighter duties since the commencement of war with Italy, Flight Lieutenant Burges has shot down three enemy aircraft and so damaged three more that they probably failed to reach their base. He has shown great tenacity and determination in seeking combat, usually in the face of superior machines. The authorities on the island ban private cars without a special permit. This includes taxis. The government suggests using the bus. Battle of the Indian Ocean
German raider Atlantis sinks 7769 ton British freighter Kemmendine in the Indian Ocean. Everyone survives and is made a POW, transferred later to the ships Tirranina and Durmitor. The Atlantis is disguised as the Dutch freighter Tarifa. The Atlantis also sinks the City of Baghdad, taken previously. North Africa Campaign
Italian land forces attack the British base at Moyale, Kenya, which is staging a determined resistance against land and air assault. The Italian Regia Aeronautica raids the British base at Sidi Barrani. The RAF raids El Aden, El Gubbi, Bardia, and Tobruk. Peace Talks
German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, in an extremely rare direct communication with a British government official, cables the Duke of Windsor in Lisbon and states that "Hitler wants peace with England. Hold yourself ready for future developments." The Duke of Windsor and American wife have met Hitler and are considered, if not overtly pro-Hitler or pro-Nazi, at least holding some sympathy with the Hitler regime. However, the Germans vastly over-estimate the extent of such feelings, if any. The Duke is in Lisbon for transport to his new posting as Governor of the Bahamas. ![]() ![]() ![]() Map: New York Times, comparison of the territory conquered by two great European dictators- Hitler & Napoleon.
 British Military
The army begins forming a paratrooper force at Ringway Airport, Manchester. Japanese Military
Admiral Kichisaburo Nomura receives a top award, being awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure. US Military
The USS Wichita (CA 45) and USS Quincy (CA 39) reach Santos, Brazil on their "show the flag" mission. German Government
At his meeting at the Berghof, Hitler offhandedly mentions that the UK is only fighting on because of the looming presence of the Soviet Union. While not making any official plans, he suggests that it may first be necessary to eliminate this threat to the German rear to enable a successful prosecution of the war against Great Britain. This is not a frivolous initiative on Ribbentrop's part, because Hitler is said to be extremely confused by England's failure either to respond to previous peace feelers or initiate some of its own. Soviet Government
Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov reveals details of his communications with the British government to Germany. While this might be considered a breach of trust, everyone knows that the USSR and Germany are nominal allies. German occupied Luxembourg
German teacher Damian Kratzenberg, a professor at the Athénée de Luxembourg, organizes the Volksdeutsche Bewegung (VdB) in Luxembourg City. Its mission is to foster Naziism in the populace. The organization uses the standard Nazi phrase Heim ins Reich (roughly, ""Back into the Fatherland"). Italian Homefront
The fascist regime receives reports that some Italians are not taking the war sufficiently seriously and are using the blackouts as an excuse for romantic endeavors that are not designed to aid the war effort. They begin issuing regulations banning certain such activities. British Homefront
British housewives donate piles of aluminum pots as requested to aid in the construction of new fighters. |
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 14, 2019 8:37:36 GMT
Day 318 of World War II, July 14th 1940Battle of Britain
The dawn brings clear weather for the day but the Luftwaffe failed to take advantage of the situation, instead conducting small and scattered raids on shipping and convoys. All through the morning the Luftwaffe tried to either engage in shipping attacks or at least to locate convoys. In almost all cases patrolling RAF fighters chased away the German bombers and fighters. Few, if any, targets experienced bombs dropping on them and it seems as if the Luftwaffe let an opportunity escape them. At approximately 1100 hours a convoy was attacked off Manston by 1 Dornier escorted by 10 Bf109s but in consequence of timely action by two RAF fighter squadrons, the German aircraft were driven off. They suffered losses of 1 Bf109 confirmed and 4 Bf109s probable. The only large scale raid of the day was made at about 1500 hours when a formation of about forty Ju 87s of II./LG 1, escorted by a number of Bf 109s from III./JG 3 and JG 51 headed towards Dover and the Channel looking for shipping convoys. As the convoy "Bread" continued its journey in the Channel, it again became the target for the Luftwaffe. More than 20 Do17s from KG 2 with a heavy fighter escort of Bf 109s from JG 51 and Bf 110s of ZG 26 were engaged by Spitfires and Hurricane's from Biggin Hill, Croydon and Manston. Over 100 aircraft were engaged. Most of the bombs missed the merchant ships although the bombers succeeded in damaging two of the merchant vessels and a naval unit. The SS Island Queen' (779t) cargo ship in convoy 'CW 5" was sunk by German aircraft off Dover. The Norwegian vessel 'Balder' and the British ship SS 'Mons' were damaged in the same convoy. Three RAF fighter squadrons converged on the formation and a great dogfight ensued. Three Ju 87s and three Bf 109s including one from 8./JG 3, were shot down. Another Bf 109 from 8./JG 3 was severely damaged during the fight. The British lost one Hurricane from RAF No. 615 Sqd to Hptm. Horst Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his ninth victory. P/O Michael. Robert Mudie of RAF No. 615 Sqn flying a Hurricane (L1584) was shot down at 15:30hrs. He baled out badly injured and was rescued by Navy, but died the next day. Towards the evening, owing probably to worsening weather, activity then decreased. 1 Ju88 was shot down by AA fire. In the east, casual shipping was attacked and a few localities bombed including Raynham Aerodrome. During the course of these attacks 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were shot down and 1 Do17 and 1 He111 were probable casualties. RAF No. 242 Sqn took part and accounted for one certain and one unconfirmed (included in the above). A few sporadic raids took place over the Scottish coast, none of these were intercepted. Shortly before midnight, He 111s of I./KG 55 attacked the oil tanks at Avonmouth and searchlight placements at Bristol along with raids on the Isle of Wight, Kent and Suffolk. The attack on Avonmouth wrecked the railway line and dock's line along with a signals box. The National Smelting Works suffered a bomb dropped on them during a second raid. Losses for the day were 2 machines for the Luftwaffe while the RAF lost 4 aircraft. In reviewing the episode which brought down the He 59 floatplane on 11 July, the British took notice of how German search and rescue aircraft tended to circle above British convoys for no apparent reason. Believing that these planes were either shadowing convoys or guiding bomber formations to the ships, the RAF issued the following communiqué; “Enemy aircraft bearing civil markings and marked with the Red Cross have recently flown over British ships at sea and in the vicinity of the British coast, and they are being employed for purposes which His Majesty’s Government cannot regard as being consistent with the privileges generally accorded to the Red Cross. His Majesty’s Government desire to accord ambulance aircraft reasonable facilities for the transportation of the sick and wounded, in accordance with the Red Cross Convention, and aircraft engaged in the direct evacuation of the sick and wounded will be respected, provided that they comply with the relevant provisions of the Convention. His Majesty’s Government are unable, however, to grant immunity to such aircraft flying over areas in which operations are in progress on land or at sea, or approaching British or Allied territory, or territory in British occupation, or British or Allied ships. Ambulance aircraft which do not comply with the above requirements will do so at their own risk and peril.”
Air War over Europe
The RAF sends 9 Whitley bombers of No. 102 Squadron against Paderborn and also a dozen Whitley bombers of No. 10 Squadron and EAF No. 51 Squadron against Diepholz. Vichy France sends bombers against Gibraltar, without result. Battle of the Atlantic
U-52 (Kapitänleutnant Otto Salman) torpedoes and sinks 4111 ton Greek freighter Thetis A. off Brest, France at 18:18. There are 20 survivors and 9 crew perish. U-A (Kapitänleutnant Hans Cohausz) sinks 5824 ton Norwegian tanker Sarita 100 miles west of Cape Verde at 11:45. All 29 on board survive, spend four days at sea, and then are taken on board the freighter Dunstan on the 18th. German raider Thor sinks British freighter Gracefield off Brazil after taking the 36 crew prisoner. Convoy OA 184 departs from Methi. Battleship “Bismarck” departed the drydock after completing the propeller and MES magnetic system installation. Photo: The Bismarck in dry dock June-July 1940.
 Battle of the Mediterranean
The Italians send a fighter sweep over Grand Harbor at 06:45. Otherwise, the day is fairly quiet. The British are expanding Luga Airfield. The defending fighter force, vital for chasing away hesitant Regia Aeronautica bombers, is down to two Gladiators and one Hurricane of the Hal Far Fighter Flight. There is a myth of just three Gladiator biplanes named Faith, Hope and Charity defending the island, but that is never the case. This is as close as it gets. Western Front
During the night, Operation Ambassador takes place. This is a landing on the islands of Guernsey and Little Sark (accidentally) by Col. Gubbins' new commando force. The 140 men, taken from H Troop of No. 3 Commando (John Dumford-Slater) and No. 11 Independent Company, follows reconnaissance on Guernsey by Channel Islands native 2nd Lieutenant Hubert Nicolle on 6 July. Landed by destroyers HMS Scimitar and HMS Saladin, the men wander about for a while, cut some telegraph lines, find some empty German barracks, and leave at 03:00 on the 15th. Three commandos are left behind and become POWs, as is one of the destroyer men thrown from a dinghy that sinks. The enemy is never sighted. Overall, the operation is a fiasco that is perhaps of some use for training purposes and as a "dry run" for later endeavors. North Africa Campaign
The British 1st King's African Rifles garrison at Moyale, Kenya withdraws under pressure by the Italians. South Africa sends its Ist Infantry Brigade for Kenya. General Wavell begins an inspection of British bases in Sudan and Kenya. Baltic States
The Soviets hold phony elections in occupied Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania. The results are published "by accident" in London before the actual elections. CubaFulgencio Batista is elected President with support from, among many others, the small communist party. US Government
William Donovan - later known as "Wild Bill Donovan" - leaves New York for London for consultations. British Government
Operation Fish continues when British cruiser HMS Esperance Bay leaves Plymouth with £10,000,000 in gold bound for Halifax. Unlike previous shipments, however, this one runs into problems. About 100 miles out to sea, the Luftwaffe finds and bombs the ship. While 7 crew perish, the Esperance Bay makes it back to port with the gold. Prime Minister Winston Churchill gives a BBC radio address in which he references the "war of the unknown warriors." Britain will fight on alone, he vows: "be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parley; we may show mercy - we shall ask for none."
He also describes the Royal Navy destruction of the French fleet in North Africa as having "come to an end" - as long as they don't try to go back to German-controlled ports in Europe. YouTube (Churchill Radio Broadcast July 14th 1940)
 Free French government
Free French leader Charles de Gaulle celebrated Bastille Day at the Cenotaph in London, England, United Kingdom. YouTube (France's National Day)
|
|
stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 24,853
Likes: 13,235
|
Post by stevep on Jul 14, 2019 10:01:03 GMT
Thanks for stevep noticing it, it seems i posted June 13th instead of July 13th, so here is the correct day. Day 317 of World War II, July 13th 1940Western Front: The Allied Supreme War Council meets on 13 June 1940 for what will turn out to be its last time at Briare near Tours. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud tells British Prime Minister Churchill that France will have to negotiate a separate peace, contrary to the 28 March 1940 agreement of no separate peace agreements. This is something that Churchill adamantly opposes but can do nothing to prevent. Churchill rather lamely suggests that Reynaud appeal to President Roosevelt, which Reynaud of course has been doing all along. Churchill also suggests that resistance can continue in North Africa. Reynaud refuses. Churchill, Lord Halifax, Lord Beaverbrook and the rest of the British delegation fly back to London. They decide that enough is enough and that another BEF evacuation is necessary. This is the parting of the ways of the British and the current French national government, though everything remains amicable and civil. It is now a question of managing the dissolution of the military alliance. The future of France and its relations with the United Kingdom is extremely uncertain. German spearheads are crossing the Seine over three bridgeheads. They are attacking towards Pacy-sur-Eure and Evreux. Meanwhile, another dozen German divisions are attacking toward Senlis and Betz. Panzer Group Kleist captures Saint-Dizier and Troyes. The 6th and 8th Panzer Divisions of German 12th Army break through the French 2nd Army line in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc. French forces are withdrawing all along the line past Paris, which is an open city, to the Loire. Oil tanks in the suburbs are burning. German troops of 18th Army are in the suburbs and moving steadily toward the city center. French troops launch a pointless counter-attack at Persan-Beaumont 17 miles north of Paris. It advances 5 miles, but German troops are streaming in the other direction all around it. There are no troops between the Germans and the entire city of Paris, and they are advancing steadily. Italian Homefront
The fascist regime receives reports that some Italians are not taking the war sufficiently seriously and are using the blackouts as an excuse for romantic endeavors that are not designed to aid the war effort. They begin issuing regulations banning certain such activities.
Lordroel
Sorry but your still got a section from the previous month here. 
Love that bit from Italy. 
Steve
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 14, 2019 10:04:25 GMT
Thanks for stevep noticing it, it seems i posted June 13th instead of July 13th, so here is the correct day. Day 317 of World War II, July 13th 1940Western Front: The Allied Supreme War Council meets on 13 June 1940 for what will turn out to be its last time at Briare near Tours. French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud tells British Prime Minister Churchill that France will have to negotiate a separate peace, contrary to the 28 March 1940 agreement of no separate peace agreements. This is something that Churchill adamantly opposes but can do nothing to prevent. Churchill rather lamely suggests that Reynaud appeal to President Roosevelt, which Reynaud of course has been doing all along. Churchill also suggests that resistance can continue in North Africa. Reynaud refuses. Churchill, Lord Halifax, Lord Beaverbrook and the rest of the British delegation fly back to London. They decide that enough is enough and that another BEF evacuation is necessary. This is the parting of the ways of the British and the current French national government, though everything remains amicable and civil. It is now a question of managing the dissolution of the military alliance. The future of France and its relations with the United Kingdom is extremely uncertain. German spearheads are crossing the Seine over three bridgeheads. They are attacking towards Pacy-sur-Eure and Evreux. Meanwhile, another dozen German divisions are attacking toward Senlis and Betz. Panzer Group Kleist captures Saint-Dizier and Troyes. The 6th and 8th Panzer Divisions of German 12th Army break through the French 2nd Army line in the vicinity of Bar-le-Duc. French forces are withdrawing all along the line past Paris, which is an open city, to the Loire. Oil tanks in the suburbs are burning. German troops of 18th Army are in the suburbs and moving steadily toward the city center. French troops launch a pointless counter-attack at Persan-Beaumont 17 miles north of Paris. It advances 5 miles, but German troops are streaming in the other direction all around it. There are no troops between the Germans and the entire city of Paris, and they are advancing steadily. Italian Homefront
The fascist regime receives reports that some Italians are not taking the war sufficiently seriously and are using the blackouts as an excuse for romantic endeavors that are not designed to aid the war effort. They begin issuing regulations banning certain such activities. Lordroel Sorry but your still got a section from the previous month here. Love that bit from Italy. Steve
A thanks again for the notice, seems i failed to removed that piece of text when i placed July 13th. |
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 15, 2019 3:42:31 GMT
Day 319 of World War II, July 15th 1940Battle of Britain
Increasingly bad weather restricted air operations over the Channel and England as cloud cover was very low. Not the most ideal weather conditions for flying, and neither side saw, or undertook much activity. The Luftwaffe made a few reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and the English Channel. Very few raids were conducted with some occurring in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth and Southampton areas. Convoys on the south and east coast were also targets for the Luftwaffe bombers. The convoy "Pilot" was making its way through the Thames Estuary when spotted by a German reconnaissance aircraft and its position and course were radioed back to German HQ. By late-morning the weather had broken up enough for fifteen Do17 bombers of KG 2 to take off for an intended attack on the convoy. However, the attack was turned back by a force of Hurricanes, but which did not manage to score. Further to the west a small force of Luftflotte 3 aircraft attacked. At 1130 hours a number of He 111 bombers were attacking industrial and dock areas along the Scottish coast. LG 1 bombed the Westland Aircraft works and the runway at Yeovil. St Athan R.A.F. Station was attacked and the airfield cratered. The railway lines near Avonmouth were also damaged. This raid dropped four unexploded bombs on St Athan. RAF No. 603 Sqd intercepted and avoided any major damage. A He 111 of 2./KG 26 was shot down at 1212 hours which crashed into the sea. The first raid on Brighton came on 15th July when Kemp Town was bombed, and was followed by several others that month, mainly over Whitehawk and Kemp Town. In the afternoon at 1355 hours, a number of German bombers made an attack on the Naval Air Station at Yeovil in Somerset in the west of England. One of the runways received slight damage, as did one of the hangars and a number of craters appeared, but damage was kept to a minimum. RAF No. 213 Sqd (Hurricanes) intercepted and one Hurricane was shot down although the pilot baled out. Interception was also made by RAF No.92 Sqd (Spitfires) in which the Luftwaffe lost one Ju 88 from II./LG 1 and another damaged. Through broken cloud and rain squalls the Dornier formation from KG 2 arrived over the convoy "Pilot" at 1413 hours but Fighter Command had 'seen' them coming and scrambled RAF No. 56 Sqd (Hurricanes) and RAF No. 151 Sqd (Hurricanes) to meet them before the Dorniers had time to attack the convoy. Although some German bombers attempted an attack, they were turned around without causing any damage. Once the attack was aborted, the Hurricanes returned to base. One Dornier was shot down. Very slight activity was encountered during the night, the weather still being very bad. Despite the weather, the Luftwaffe conducted several small raids and minelaying operations over Liverpool Bay along with a few attacks in the Avonmouth area. The scoreboard by the end of the day was four fighters lost by the RAF while the Luftwaffe lost three aircraft. Photo: Hurricane Mk I of 17 Squadron, crashed at RAF Debden
 Air War over Europe
The RAF sends Hampden bombers from Hemsworth airfield to raid Wilhelmshaven. The targets are the battleship Tirpitz, still under construction, and the Admiral Scheer. The raid faces fierce anti-aircraft fire and the British lose four bombers, with many of the rest damaged, while missing the ships. The Italians raid Gibraltar with S.82 bombers. Battle of the Atlantic
U-34 (Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rollmann) torpedoes and sinks Greek freighter Evdoxia about 40 miles southwest of Ireland at 03:21. There are 22 survivors, and one crewman perishes. British 1199-ton freighter Bellerock hits a mine and sinks in the Bristol Channel. There are 17 crew that perish. 184-ton German (formerly Norwegian) tug Draugen hits a mine and sinks off Salhus, north of Bergen. The Luftwaffe, apparently a Focke Wulf Fw 200 Condor, attacks and sinks 1282-ton Panamanian freighter Fossoula about 240 nautical miles northwest of Cape Finisterre, Spain. There are 32 survivors and 4 perish. The Luftwaffe also bombs and sinks 2088-Polish freighter Zbaraz in the North Sea about 10 miles north of the Aldeburgh lightship. Everybody aboard survives. The Luftwaffe catches 2855-ton British freighter Heworth about 10 miles south of Aldeburgh Light Vessel. The Heworth later sinks while under tow. Four crew perish. The Luftwaffe bombs and sinks 1359-ton Irish freighter City of Limerick about 100 nautical miles west of Cape Finisterre, Spain. Of the crew, two perish. The 2136-ton Estonian freighter Merisaar, which had been stopped and captured by U-99 (Kapitänleutnant Otto Kretschmer) on 12 July and sent to St. Lorient, is bombed and sunk by the Luftwaffe off Queenstown. The German prize crew winds up as POWs. The 833-ton freighter Alpha is bombed and sunk southwest of Cornwall. Everybody aboard survives. Minesweeper HMS Burlington is damaged by a mine at Aultbrea. Royal Navy submarine Tetrarch misses with three torpedoes sent against U-57 near Bergen, Norway. British cruiser HMS Esperance Bay, badly damaged by the Luftwaffe, makes it back to Plymouth Harbor with its cargo of gold being sent to Canada pursuant to Operation Fish. The Luftwaffe lays mines in the Thames estuary. Convoy HX 58 departs from Halifax, Convoy OB 184 departs from Liverpool. French battleship Richelieu is commissioned. Soviet submarine K-22 is commissioned. British corvette HMS Godelia (K 72, Lt. Commander George V. Legassick) is commissioned. Battle of the Mediterranean
RAF Blenheim bombers attack Gazala. At Malta, there is an air raid alert at first light, but it is just reconnaissance. The Admiralty considers options for resupplying Malta, which has been isolated since France signed its armistice on 22 June. There are no good options, the best being the long way around the Cape of Good Hope and back up through the Suez Canal. Western Front
Destroyers HMS “Scimitar” and HMS “Saladin” delivered 140 British commandos to the Channel Island of Guernsey. 40 men from the No. 3 Commando reached the shore on launches, but found their target barracks actually not used by Germans. 37 men returned to the destroyers, leaving 3 who could not swim behind to later become prisoners of war. Elsewhere, some of the launches landed at the Channel Island of Sark by mistake. German/French Relations
Germany demands unrestricted military access through Vichy France. It also requests use of French bases in Vichy North Africa. The French reject the requests. German/Romanian Relations
Hitler offers King Carol German protection only if it remains flexible about its frontiers. Soviet/Baltic Relations
Pursuant to the vote administered by Soviet officials, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania join the Soviet Union. All of the votes are near-unanimous, of course. British Military
Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders RAF pilot training cut from three months to one, reasoning that the pilots can get their final training against the Luftwaffe. This flies against military orthodoxy, and the order stands despite protests by General Sir Alan Brooke. Italian Military
The Duce Benito Mussolini orders his new Libyan commander Marshal Rodolfo Graziani to prepare an attack into Egypt on 8 August. US Military
The US Marine Corps sends the 12th Marine Company to London to establish a Marine Detachment. First flight of the Stinson L-1 Vigilant observation aircraft. The aircraft is capable of flying at the extremely low speed of 31 mph and in fact, is said by pilots to sometimes fly backward in a headwind. Colonel George S. Patton, Jr., one of the original tank innovators of World War I, is part of the newly formed US 2nd Armoured Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. The overall division is under the command of Major General Charles L. Scott, and Patton commands a brigade in addition to being in charge of training. PalestineSome bombs, presumably Italian, drop in the Haifa area. This is the area's first air raid and is aimed at a key oil pipeline from Iraq. Luxembourg In Exile
The royal family sets sail from Lisbon on light cruiser USS Trenton (CL 11). British Government
The government announces that unemployment was 827,766 in June, up 60,431 from May. The unemployment levels remain at historically low levels despite the increase. German Government
The Reich informally annexes the province of Alsace-Lorraine, always a point of contention between France and Germany. German radio agrees with Winston Churchill's 14 July speech that London indeed is now a legitimate military target. British Homefront
The British Home Office banned fireworks, flying kites, and flying balloons. The rector of Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom is sentenced to four weeks in prison for ringing his church bell, which violated the 14 Jun 1940 restriction.
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 16, 2019 3:47:43 GMT
Day 320 of World War II, July 16th 1940
Battle of Britain
A quiet day little activity due to bad weather. Continuing Luftwaffe operations were according to the weather pattern, but a few were conducted. Throughout the morning small formations of German bombers were sent to the Bristol area. The responding RAF fighters failed to make contact and the bombers failed to find many of their targets. Again the east coast of Scotland came under attack and bombing occurred at Fraserburgh and Peterhead between the hours of 1300 and 1600. RAF No. 603 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted and shot down a He 111 from III./KG 26 near Kinnaird’s Head. Two survivors were seen to take to a rubber raft.
Late in the afternoon when clearing conditions prevailed, RAF No. 601 Sqd (Spitfires) intercepted a German formation at 1700 hours and a Ju 88 was shot down over the Isle of Wight. Only one crew member survived the crash into the Solent and was seen taking to a dingy.
Activity during the night remained very quiet. Dundee, Middlesborough, Hull and Grimsby were given red warnings. One raid was plotted over Duncansby Head and two in the Aberdeen area. There were no reports of any bombs having been dropped. Five or six raids were plotted between Newcastle and the Humber, some of which were minelaying, and a few crossed the coast. One of these, after cruising around for over an hour off the Humber, was first given as being friendly owing to its having fired the correct signal, but was later stated to be hostile, as it disappeared towards Germany.
The loss totals for the day were two fighters lost by the RAF while the Germans counted five aircraft as being lost. Thus ended the first week of the Battle. The RAF had performed reasonably well in combat against their adversary.
In addition to the weather problems and without any support from other fighting units on the coast, Hptm. Trautloft’s III./JG 51 was down to fifteen serviceable aircraft, 40 % below establishment and seriously hampering his Geschwader’s operations over the Channel. But relief was on the way as several Geschwaders were done with their rest period and were soon ordered to the Channel coast.
Whilst returning to Scapa Flow in thick fog, Destroyer HMS 'Imogen' collides with the cruiser HMS 'Glasgow' off Duncansby Head at 58 34N 02 54W. 'Imogen' catches fire and is abandoned.
RAF No. No 232 Hurricane Squadron was formed on this day.
Battle of the Atlantic
U-61 (Oberleutnant zur See Jürgen Oesten) torpedoes and sinks (on the 17th) 6998 ton British tanker Scottish Minstrel about 130 miles north of Bloody Foreland on the Irish Coast. It is a victory against Convoy HX-55. There are 32 survivors, and 9 crew perish.
Royal Navy cruiser HMS Glasgow collides with 1335 ton destroyer HMS Imogen in thick fog, sending the destroyer to the bottom (apparently - nobody can see in the fog) and killing 17 sailors. The Glasgow suffers two deaths and makes it back to Scapa Flow with a 6' (2 meter) gash in her port side.
HMS Phoenix (Lt Cdr Gilbert Hugh Nowell), a Parthian-class Royal Navy submarine, attacks Italian torpedo boat Albatross off the coast of Augusta unsuccessfully and is sunk in turn. All 55 aboard perish. This is an echo of the Battle of Calabria of a few days ago, since Phoenix is positioned where she is to attempt to cut off the Italian retreat.
German raider Thor sinks 5487 ton British freighter Wendover in the South Atlantic. There are 37 survivors who become POWs, and 4 crewmen perish.
The Luftwaffe lays mines in the Thames estuary.
Convoy SL 40 departs from Liverpool.
The Admiralty reports that thirteen British merchant ships were lost during the week ending 7 July 1940.
Battle of the Mediterranean
The RAF intercepts a formation of Fiat CR42s. Flight Lt. Peter Keeble goes up in his Hurricane to intercept as usual but is shot down and killed. Keeble is the first RAF pilot to lose his life in the Mediterranean and his death leaves the island's slight fighter defenses gravely weakened.
Italian bombers attack Haifa in Palestine again.
A dozen Italian S-81 bombers attack the British base at Alexandria.
Italian bombers attack British bases at Matruh and Sidi Barrani with 30 SM-79 bombers.
Spanish/Chilean Relations
Generalissimo Francisco Franco breaks off relations with Chile.
New Zealand Government
Prime Minister Fraser forms a new War Cabinet.
Dutch Government in East Indies
The Dutch Army forms local guard units in the Netherlands East Indies.
Japanese Government
Japanese Prime Minister Yonai Mitsumasa resigns after only a few months in office under military pressure (War Minister General Hata Shunroku's resignation - a show of lack of confidence by the military - causes the government to fall). The entire cabinet resigns, and a new government must be formed. Prince Konoye Fumumaro begins forming a new government. This is a major step toward a much more militaristic Japan (not that it already hasn't been militaristic for the past decade).
German occupied Poland
Liquidations by the Germans continue in Poland.
British Homefront
London increasingly is taking on the appearance of an armed camp, with sandbags, barbed wire and street barriers. So far, though, Luftwaffe attacks on the city itself have been minimal in relation to what might be happening.
Not only is public opinion on the war not as monolithic in England as later accounts would suggest, a sense of fatalism is descending in some quarters which rather welcomes a good fight. Novelist George Orwell sends a letter to James Laughlin today which encapsulates such thinking:
We are all on our toes waiting for an invasion which quite possibly won’t happen. Personally I am much more afraid of Hitler mopping up north Africa and the near East and then making a peace offer. I actually rather hope that the invasion will happen. The local morale is extremely good, and if we are invaded we shall at any rate get rid once and for all of the gang who had got us into this mess.
Labour Minister Hugh Dalton also is thinking along such lines, but with a different outlook. He is forming a new secret anti-Nazi British guerilla organisation somewhat similar to the SS organization Werwolf of later years. Dalton himself likens it to Irish terrorist group Sinn Fein.
German military
Adolf Hitler issued Führer Directive 16 for the preparation of an invasion plan for southern Britain in mid-Aug:
Directive No. 16 -- On Preparations For A Landing Operation Against England
Since England, in spite of her hopeless military situation, shows no signs of being ready to come to an understanding, I have decided to prepare a landing operation against England, and, if necessary, to carry it out.
The aim of this operation will be to eliminate the English homeland as a base for the prosecution of the war against Germany and, if necessary, to occupy it completely.
I therefore order as follows:
1. The landing will be in the form of a surprise crossing on a wide front from about Ramsgate to the area west of the Isle Of Wight. Units of the Airforce will act as artillery, and units of the Navy as engineers.
The possible advantages of limited operations before the general crossing (for example, the occupation of the Isle Of Wight or of the county of Cornwall) are to be considered from the point of view of each branch of the Armed Forces and the results reported to me. I reserve the decision to myself.
Preparations for the entire operation must be completed by the middle of August.
2. These preparations must also create such conditions as will make a landing in England possible, namely:
(a) The English Airforce must be so reduced morally and physically that it is unable to deliver any significant attack against the German crossing.
(b) Minefree channels must be cleared.
(c) The Straits Of Dover must be closely sealed off with minefields on both flanks; also the western entrance to the Channel approximately on the line Alderney-Portland.
(d) Strong forces of coastal artillery must command and protect the forward coastal area.
(e) It is desirable that the English Navy be tied down shortly before the crossing, both in the North Sea and in the Mediterranean (by the Italians). For this purpose we must attempt even now to damage English homebased naval forces by air and torpedo attack as far as possible.
3. Command Organisation And Preparations.
Under my overriding command and according to my general instructions, the Commanders In Chief will command the branches of the Armed Forces for which they are responsible.
From 1st August the Operations Staffs of Commander In Chief Army, Commander In Chief Navy, and Commander In Chief Airforce are to be located at a distance of not more than 50 kilometres from my Headquarters (Ziegenberg).
It seems to me useful that the inner Operations Staffs of Commander In Chief Army and Commander In Chief Navy should be placed together at Giessen.
Commander In Chief Army will detail one Army Group to carry out the invasion.
The invasion will bear the covername Seelöwe -- Sea Lion.
In the preparation and execution of this operation the following tasks are allotted to each Service:
(a) Army:
The Army will draw up the operational and crossing plans for all formations of the first wave of the invasion. The antiaircraft artillery which is to cross with the first wave will remain subordinate to the Army (to individual crossing units) until it is possible to allocate its responsibilities between the support and protection of troops on the ground, the protection of disembarkation points, and the protection of the airfields which are to be occupied.
The Army will, moreover, lay down the methods by which the invasion is to be carried out and the individual forces to be employed, and will determine points of embarkation and disembarkation in conjunction with the Navy.
(b) Navy:
The Navy will procure the means for invasion and will take them, in accordance with the wishes of the Army, but with due regard to navigational considerations, to the various embarkation points. Use will be made, as far as possible, of the shipping of defeated enemy countries.
The Navy will furnish each embarkation point with the staff necessary to give nautical advice, with escort vessels, and with guards. In conjunction with air forces assigned for protection, it will defend the crossing of the Channel on both flanks. Further Orders will lay down the chain of command during the crossing. It is also the task of the Navy to coordinate the setting up of coastal artillery -- that is, all artillery, both naval and military, intended to engage targets at sea -- and generally to direct its fire. The largest possible number of extraheavy guns will be brought into position as soon as possible in order to cover the crossing and to shield the flanks against enemy action at sea. For this purpose railway guns will also be used (reinforced by all available captured weapons) and will be sited on railway turntables. Those batteries intended only to deal with targets on the English mainland (K5 and K12) will not be included. Apart from this the existing extraheavy platform gun batteries are to be enclosed in concrete opposite the Straits Of Dover in such a manner that they can withstand the heaviest air attacks and will permanently, in all conditions, command the Straits Of Dover within the limits of their range. The technical work will be the responsibility of the Organisation Todt.
(c) The Task Of The Airforce Will Be:
To prevent interference by the enemy Airforce.
To destroy coastal fortresses which might operate against our disembarkation points, to break the first resistance of enemy land forces, and to disperse reserves on their way to the front. In carrying out this task the closest liaison is necessary between individual Airforce units and the Army invasion forces.
Also, to destroy important transport highways by which enemy reserves might be brought up, and to attack approaching enemy naval forces as far as possible from our disembarkation points. I request that suggestions be made to me regarding the employment of parachute and airborne troops. In this connection it should be considered, in conjunction with the Army, whether it would be useful at the beginning to hold parachute and airborne troops in readiness as a reserve, to be thrown in quickly in case of need.
4. Preparations to ensure the necessary communications between France and the English mainland will be handled by the Chief, Armed Forces Signals.
The use of the remaining eighty kilometres of the East Prussia cable is to be examined in cooperation with the Navy.
5. I request Commanders In Chief to submit to me as soon as possible:
(a) The plans of the Navy and Airforce to establish the necessary conditions for crossing the Channel (see paragraph 2).
(b) Details ff the building of coastal batteries (Navy).
(c) A general survey of the shipping required and the methods by which it is proposed to prepare and procure it. Should civil authorities be involved? (Navy).
(d) The organisation of Air Defence in the assembly areas for invasion troops and ships (Airforce).
(e) The crossing and operation plan of the Army, the composition and equipment of the first wave of invasion.
(f) The organisation and plans of the Navy and Airforce for the execution of the actual crossing, for its protection, and for the support of the landing.
(g) Proposals for the use of parachute and airborne troops and also for the organisation and command of antiaircraft artillery as soon as sufficient English territory has been captured.
(h) Proposals for the location of Naval and Air Headquarters.
(i) Views of the Navy and Airforce whether limited operations are regarded as useful before a general landing, and, if so, of what kind.
(k) Proposal from Army and Navy regarding command during the crossing.
Adolf Hitler.
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 17, 2019 3:56:07 GMT
Day 321 of World War II, July 17th 1940
Battle of Britain
The bad weather continued along with rain. The few raids that did occur were against shipping and convoys. Scotland's industrial east was bombed, as was the city of Bristol. Four Luftwaffe raids were plotted off the Scottish Coast and Orkneys. One crossed from Peterhead to the west Coast and dropped bombs at Ardeer ICI factory doing little damage. Of the remainder two carried out a reconnaissance of the Orkneys at 0721 hours and were intercepted by RAF fighters but without successful results. At 1136 hours a Do 17 flew as far as Kenley but was then intercepted by fighters and chased out to sea, slightly damaged. Three German bombers raided Ashford and Lydd at 1515 hours and another three He 111s dropped their loads on the Mere Oil Fuel Depot at Portland around 1540 hours. Intercepted by British fighters, one He 111 was shot down along with a RAF fighter, a Spitfire. The Spitfire was shot down by Lt. Helmut Wick of 3./JG 2 for his fourteenth victory. At the same time a British ship was attacked thirteen miles from Dartmouth. Off the Isle of Wight a single Ju 88 came across two Hurricanes who then attacked the bomber. The twin-engined bomber escaped and the Hurricanes returned to base, damaged. The blockade of Britain was now tightened, and following the closure of much of the East Coast to British shipping, aerial minelaying operations were extended to cover the important shipping lanes and harbour entrances on the western side of the country. In order to maintain the pressure on the defenses, and to interrupt vital war production, these missions were usually flown on nights when no harassing attacks were taking place, thereby extending the amount of time an area remained under Red Alert, and on occasions, as with the reconnaissance aircraft, small bombs were carried, these often being aimed at searchlights or anti-aircraft gun sites. Losses; Luftwaffe 2 - Fighter Command 1 At 2232 hours nine raids, which first of all proceeded towards Cherbourg, having come over the coasts of Northern France, Belgium and Holland, turned northwards heading towards south-west England. Some of the raids crossed the coast covering the Bristol Channel area. At 0026 hours a further number of raids approached South West England, some again crossing to the Bristol Channel area. Bombs were dropped at Port Talbot, and near Swansea and near Radstock. Mine laying was in the Bristol Channel and off the Plymouth coast. Between 2200 and 0235 hours some nineteen raids were operating off the east coast, of which seven were minelaying including He 111s of I./KG 4, based in Holland, minelaying the Bristol Channel and Severn Estuary. None went further north than the Wash. A few crossed the coast and bombs were dropped at Queenborough near Rochester, Felixstowe, Harwich, Chatham, near Barking and at Gillingham. Not more than forty aircraft in all operated during the night. Original Photo and caption released by the Germans on July 17th 1940
The British even shot at the Red Cross! The Red Crosses at the fuselage and wings can be seen from a large distance. Despite this the British again shot a German rescue seaplane while trying to rescue British crewmembers who made an emergency landing at high seas. A rescue seaplane at the start.  Battle of the Atlantic
U-34 (Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rollmann) surfaces and uses its deck gun against the 3531 ton Greek freighter Naftilos in the southwest approaches at 01:10. The 28 crew get away, one many later perishes. U-43 (Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Ambrosius) torpedoes and sinks British 3509 ton freighter Fellside 135 nautical miles northwest of Bloody Foreland, Ireland. There are 21 survivors and 12 perish. The Fellside is a straggler from Convoy OA 184. U-57 (Oberleutnant zur See Erich Topp) torpedoes and sinks 8652 ton British tanker Manipur about 10 miles northwest of Cape Wrath, Scotland. There are 65 survivors, while 14 perish. U-57 also sinks 1960 ton Swedish freighter O.A. Brodin off the Orkneys. There are 21 survivors and 3 perish. British submarine HMS H31, an old Great War sub, torpedoes and sinks Kriegsmarine anti-submarine trawler Steiermark near Holland. The 758 ton tug RFA Steady hits a mine and sinks at Newhaven. All thirteen aboard survive. The Luftwaffe bombs and sinks 435 ton freighter Leola about 50 miles east of the Scillies. There are two dead. The Luftwaffe attacks and damages Dutch freighter De Zeester 15 miles southwest of Bishop Light. Convoy OA 186 departs from Methil, OG 38 departs from Liverpool. Destroyer USS Plunkett (DD 431, Lt. Commander Peter G. Hale) is commissioned. Battle of the Mediterranean
The Regia Aeronautica bombs and sinks 3525 ton freighter Wiiri about 30 miles from Malta. All 26 crew survive. In North Africa, the RAF bombs Tobruk harbor, El Gubbi, Libya, and Assab and Agordat, Eritrea. At Malta, the Admiralty considers using a fast ship of the Glen Line to supply the island. The RAF also assigns 3 Wellington bombers to the island, which Governor Dobbie does not find a particularly good idea. He tells Whitehall that unless better defenses can be sent to the island, a bomber force would just be a liability. Anglo/Japanese Relations
The British accede to Japanese pressure and agree to close the Burma Road route into China over the Himalayas. Supposedly, this is just for three months while the British government "focuses on other things." The Japanese believe, with some justification, that the road is being used to supply Chiang Kai-shek with military supplies. Massed Japanese troops on the Hong Kong border, threatening to invade the British colony, amplify their concerns. British MPs are unimpressed by the decision, which they feel is cowardly, and yell at the government. The Japanese try to make it look as if they also gave up something by "promising" to seek peace with China. Now that the Japanese have closed the supply routes to Chiang both through French Indochina and over the Burma Road, the Chinese Nationalists are isolated. Soviet/Baltic State Relations
Antanas Merkys, who has been acting as President of Lithuania, is deported to Saratov in Siberia. There are "spontaneous" worker demonstrations throughout the area "demanding" that the formerly independent nations become Soviet republics. Applied Science
German physicist Baron Carl Friedrich von Weizsacker proposes to the German Army Weapons Bureau that reactors can be used to create neptunium for the construction of atomic bombs. Italian Military
Mussolini tells Hitler that he is willing to contribute aerial forces to the Battle of Britain. British Indian Military
The Central India Horse is ordered to Egypt. About 100 men refuse, are arrested, and are subsequently court-martialed. Sixteen are ultimately executed Vichy-French Government
Employment is barred to anyone not born of French parents - which effectively forces refugees to either return to their homes or go somewhere else. Japanese Government
Prince Konoye appoints his new war cabinet. The most important post, Foreign Minister, is Matsuoka. General Tojo becomes Minister of War. German occupied Norway
German forces, unhindered, complete the total occupation of Norway.
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 18, 2019 3:47:47 GMT
Day 322 of World War II, July 18th 1940Battle of BritainAlthough heavy rain continued to fall, with improved flying conditions, a number of channel ports came under attack and things started to 'heat up' off the coast near Dover. Between 0740 and 0830 hours, 4 raids crossed the coast between Portland Bill and Bournemouth, penetrating inland to railway junctions at Castle Cary and Bruton (Somerset), Netheravon, Upavon, Abingdon and Upper Heyford. Two of these raids returned via Ventnor and Shoreham. No bombs were dropped. At 0930 hours a formation of thirty Bf 109s of JG 51 assembled and headed out into the Channel to attack shipping near Deal. What could be described as a major dog-fight off the coast at Beachy Head, occurred when fifteen Spitfires of RAF No. 152 Sqd and RAF No. 610 Sqd made contact with the Bf 109s over the channel. The RAF lost 3 aircraft but failed to shoot down any of the Jagdflieger. RAF No. 152 Sqd had two aircraft damaged, but RAF No. 610 Sqd lost one Spitfire over Calais, shot down in the heavy clouds by Hptm. Tietzen of 5./JG 51 for his tenth kill. P/O P.Litchfield of RAF No. 610 Sqn in Spitfire P9452 was killed. Early that afternoon the coastguard station at St Margaret’s Bay was bombed and the Goodwin Lightship was sunk. 4 houses were destroyed during an afternoon attack on Gillingham. Twelve Hurricane's of RAF No 43 Sqn intercepted twenty-eight Ju 87's forming up to attack the radar station at Poling. At 0942 hours a Heinkel 111 bombed Montrose Aerodrome, diving as low as 500 feet. Some aircraft received slight splinter damage and five casualties, two fatal, were suffered by RAF personnel. A single Ju 88 bombed Cardiff and Penarth at 1145 hours but was bounced by RAF fighters. Although slightly damaged, the medium bomber managed to escape over the southern coast. At 1300 hours the Luftwaffe sent two formations of bombers off the Isle of Wight and Selsey Bill. The Selsey Bill formation lost a He 111 to fighters from RAF No. 145 Sqd while the Isle of Wight formation shot down two Spitfires from RAF No. 609 Sqd, one being credited to Oblt. Karl-Heinz Greisert of 2./JG 2. Another Spitfire from RAF No. 152 Sqd was also lost in combat. F/Lt Frank J Howell of RAF No. 609 Sqn in Spitfire R6634 was on patrol in near Poole in Dorset when at 15:15hrs he was in combat with a Ju 88, he baled out and was picked up by the Navy. RAF No. 111 Squadron probably brought down one Henschel 126 over the Channel at about 1520 hours. Shipping reconnaissance took place off the East Coast and fifteen Luftwaffe aircraft were reported east of Bawdsey at about 1500 hours. There were unconfirmed reports of dive-bombing on trawlers. In the course of the day, two Ju 88s , one Do 17, one He 111 and a Bf 109 were lost to the Germans while the British lost three fighters. German activity at night began at about 2350 hours and was directed mainly North of a line Humber to Liverpool. Ten to twelve raids at least were in this area. Several crossed the coast proceeding westward and fading off the West coast. Minelaying was off Cumberland, Westmoreland and Lancashire as far south as Liverpool. Several of the raids were picked up by the British returning eastwards. Some raids did not cross the coast and minelaying was off the Yorkshire coast and Southwards. Map of Phase 1 of the battle of Britain July 10th to Augusts 18th 1940
 Air War over Europe
RAF Bomber Command raids the Essen Krupp arms factory. It also sends raids against the Bremen and Hamm railway yards, losing one bomber. Coastal Command participates with a raid against the Kriegsmarine base at Emden. The RAF also strikes against the invasion barges being collected at various English Channel ports. Attacks of 18 Blenheim escorted by 24 fighters are launched against Rotterdam, Boulougne, Le Havre and St. Omer. The British lose three Blenheim bombers. Adolph Galland of JG26 receives a promotion to Oberst (Major). Battle of the Atlantic
British submarine H.31 sinks 446 ton German trawler UJ.126 northwest of Terschelling. U-58 (Oberleutnant zur See Heinrich Schonder) torpedoes and sinks independent 1591 ton Norwegian freighter Gyda northwest of Ireland. There are 9 survivors and 11 perish. U-99 (Kapitänleutnant Otto Kretschmer) torpedoes and sinks 4434 ton British freighter Woodbury in the southwest approaches about 500 miles west of Land's End. All 35 aboard survive. The Luftwaffe catches freighter Generton and trawler Loddon in the North Sea and damages them. British destroyers HMS Express and Impulsive lay a minefield in the North Sea. German raider Pinguin rendezvouses with U-UA in the Atlantic off Dakar to replenish the U-boat. Convoy OA 186 departs from Methil. Heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland, based at Simonstown, South Africa, sets out to search for the German raider Thor, known to be operating in the vicinity. The Cumberland heads north in the direction of Dakar. The raiders Pinguin and Thor in fact are both in that general area. The Admiralty announces that it is taking over all French ships interned in English ports and putting them under joint French/British flags. Battle of the Mediterranean
The RAF raids various Italian bases in Libya, Eritrea and Abyssinia. These include Tobruk, Neghelli and Agordat. The Italians respond with a raid against Mersa Matruh. Vichy France sends bombers from Morocco against Gibraltar, killing three and injuring 11. There are reports that many of the bombers drop their loads in the nearby sea because they have nothing against their former allies. German Propaganda
Radio Caledonia, directed at Scotland, urges the Scots to support independence. US/Latin America Relations
Heavy cruisers USS Wichita (CA 45) and Quincy (CA 39) depart Santos, Brazil on their "Show the flag" mission. Their next port of call is Rio de Janeiro. On the opposite coast, light cruiser USS Phoenix (CL 46) departs from Valparaiso, Chile for for Callao, Peru. China Monsoon season is beginning, which will curtail military operations and make supply from the outside difficult. This makes the closing of the Burma Road supply route of less consequence than if it happened at another time of year. German Homefront: There are major celebrations in Germany in honor of the country's victorious soldiers. Photo: General Fromm with Propaganda Minister Goebbels beside him, takes the salute.
 American HomefrontNewspapper: Los Angeles Times
The Democratic Party nominates Franklin D. Roosevelt for an unprecedented third term at its convention. The Vice Presidential nominee is Henry Wallace of Iowa. Roosevelt's decision defies the tradition in US politics that no President serve more than two terms, as had first President George Washington, and this violation of precedent becomes a major campaign issue. He, in turn, runs as a strict non-interventionist. He defends his decision to run by citing the current turmoil in the world: It is not an ordinary war. It is a revolution imposed by force of arms, which threatens all men everywhere. It is a revolution which proposes not to set men free but to reduce them to slavery—to reduce them to slavery in the interest of a dictatorship which has already shown the nature and the extent of the advantage which it hopes to obtain.
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 19, 2019 7:37:30 GMT
Day 323 of World War II, July 19th 1940Battle of Britain
The 19th was a disastrous day for the RAF. The weather over the British Isles improved slightly and the Luftwaffe took advantage of this with an increase of raids. The airfield at Norwich was bombed at 0603 hours with a hangar destroyed. At 0730 hours a Do 17 that was conducting a reconnaissance over Croydon was shot down by a RAF Hurricane off Shoreham. The city of Glasgow in Scotland was the target of two Do 17s at 1030 hours in the morning. 42 people were injured. A raid attacked some naval units 40 miles off Clacton and several reconnaissances were reported. The first major action of the day occurred off Dover. A formation of thirty Luftwaffe aircraft headed out from Cap Griz Nez and made for Dover. One squadron of Hurricanes (RAF No.111) and a second of Spitfires took off to intercept the flight. RAF No.141 Squadron (Defiants) - twelve of which had just recently arrived within 11 Group from Turnhouse and on this day had flown from West Malling to operate out of Hawkinge - took off on a routine flight at 1232 hours and were ordered to patrol a line just south of Folkestone at 5,000 feet. Three of the aircraft eventually aborted the patrol because of engine malfunctions. At 1300 hours, as the nine Defiants were patrolling in the middle of the English Channel, they were unaware of sixteen Bf 109s from III./JG 51 led by Hptm. Hannes Trautloft and II./JG 2 led by Hptm Wolfgang Schnellmann, flying "up sun" and were unexpectedly jumped on by the Bf 109s. Recognizing the rear turret fighters for what they were - Defiants had no forward armament, the Bf 109s attacked from below and astern. One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109. Six Defiants were shot down in rapid succession, including four in less than a minute, before JG 51 was broken up by the Hurricanes of RAF No. 111 Squadron. Three Defiants just managed to make it back to Hawkinge, thanks to the intervention of RAF No. 111 Squadron while one Bf 109 was severely damaged and crashed on landing back at its base. Three Defiants were credited to Lt. Pichon-Kalau vom Hofe of the Stab flight of III./JG 51 for his first three kills. The fourth Defiant was given to Oblt. Walter Oesau of the 7th Staffel and another went to Hptm. Hannes Trautloft of the Stab flight of III./JG 51. Two other Bf 109s were shot down and anti-aircraft fire destroyed a Do 215. The Spitfire Squadron failed to make contact with the Germans. A second engagement occurred at 1600 hours when thirty-six Luftwaffe bombers and fighters again headed for Dover. Two Squadrons of RAF Spitfires and one of RAF Hurricanes (RAF Nos. 64, 32 and 74 Sqdrns) were dispatched to intercept the formation. Clashing over Folkestone six Messerschmitts and one Ju 87 were shot down and three Messerschmitts of 9./JG 51 and III./JG 27 were badly damaged with two of the pilots seriously wounded. Two Spitfires of RAF No. 64 Squadron were shot down by Lt. Hans Kolbow of III./JG 51 and Oblt. Arnold Lignitz of 3./JG 51. Oblt. Walter Oesau of 7./JG 51 claimed his second victim of the day – a Hurricane – while another Hurricane of RAF No. 32 Squadron fell to Uffz. Leander Mayer of III./JG 51. F/Sgt G.Turner of RAF No. 32 Sqn in Hurricane P3144 was in combat with a Bf 109 over Dover at 16:25hrs. He baled out but was badly burned. The aircraft crashed at Hougham. Earlier at 1431 hours, twelve Bf 109s engaged RAF Hurricanes off Selsey Bill and shot down one Hurricane for a loss of one Bf 109. Another RAF Hurricane was shot down in flames at 1735 hours over West Grinstead. F/Lt J.W.C.Simpson from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3140 was on patrol when was shot down by a Bf 109 of JG 27. He baled out near Selsey at 17:15hrs slightly wounded. J.A.Buck from RAF No. 43 Sqn in Hurricane P3531 was shot down by a Bf 109 he baled out wounded, but drowned near Selsey .At 1803 hours a lone Heinkel He 111 was destroyed off Shoreham. In addition one section of Spitfires shot down 2 Luftwaffe seaplanes (unconfirmed) near Calais. One Hurricane crashed (pilot safe). D.O.M.Browne from RAF No. 1 Sqn in Hurricane P3471 was on patrol when his aircraft was set on fire in an attack on a He 111. He crash landed at 18:15hrs but was unhurt. The increase in operations continued into the night. Bombers from KG 55 raided Southampton. One He 111 from 7 Staffel was shot down by fighters of RAF No. 145 Squadron and crashed into the sea off Sussex. Minelaying was conducted between 2330 and 0230 hours over the Thames Estuary, the Hull area, Firth of Forth and the Firth of Clyde. The RAF airfield at Manston was also attacked. Shortly after midnight a RAF Blenheim on patrol encountered a Luftwaffe seaplane and shot it down in flames near Harwich. Losses: Luftwaffe 16 - Fighter Command 10. German Government
In a speech made to the Reichstag but intended for international distribution, Adolf Hitler confirms the doubts expressed in his July 16th 1940 Directive No. 15 regarding Operation Sea Lion. As stated in the directive, he would prefer not to have to invade England. What he has in mind as a settlement is unknown, but he is the only one making peace offers - the British are adamantly opposed to even considering the idea. Photo: Hitler's Victory – A Final Appeal For Peace and Sanity
 In this hour, I feel it to be my duty before my own conscience to appeal once more to reason and common sense in Great Britain as much as elsewhere. I consider myself in a position to make this appeal, since I am not a vanquished foe begging favors, but the victor, speaking in the name of reason. I can see no reason why this war need go on. I am grieved to think of the sacrifices it must claim.
Hitler adds that if Churchill ignores him, "I shall have relieved my conscience in regard to the things to come." He somewhat dilutes the "peace" offer, though, with some rather fanciful trash talk: Fighting alone all these weeks on the Channel front, Jagdgeschwader 51 has already shot down 150 of the enemy's aircraft, quite enough to weaken him seriously. Think now of all the bombers we can parade in the English sky. The few R.A.F. fighters will not be able to cope.
The timing of the speech suggests that the start of the true Battle of Britain is not July 10th, as the British claim, but August as the Germans maintain. The British date is somewhat arbitrary, as the Luftwaffe had been staging raids during late June. US journalist William Shirer considers the speech a "masterpiece," though of little value as a basis of peace. He considers Hitler the "finest liar in History." The British government takes its time refusing the peace offer, but the BBC - on its own initiative - immediately rejects it. The Germans use the speech as the basis of a propaganda campaign, dropping leaflets with that theme on London. This is the last open peace proposal of any kind between the UK and Germany before the closing days of the Reich, though there are various half-hearted attempts by the Germans to start some kind of negotiations along the way. It is easy to dismiss Hitler's proposal. However, to him, it is quite serious - he does not want to invade and probably knows that he can't launch a successful invasion. As for the British, while Churchill is adamantly opposed to the mere idea of negotiations, there is a large faction headed by Lord Halifax within the British War Cabinet that believes there is no harm with at least discussing the matter with the Germans even if nothing comes of it. Of more importance to the future conduct of the war, Hitler stages the 1940 Field Marshal Ceremony at the Kroll Opera House. For the first time, he elevates Generals to the rank of Field Marshal, a rank banned under the Treaty of Versailles: Hermann Goering, Hitler's chosen successor, receives the new ranks of Reich Marshal of the Greater Reich, or Reichsmarschall. This maintains his status as a sort of Vice President of the Reich. As a special gesture toward one of his favorite Generals, Hitler bestows the first Oak Leaves to the Knight's Cross upon Eduard Dietl, who managed to avoid either being defeated or forced to flee into internment in Sweden during the Battle of Narvik. There are other awards, such as the award of the Knight's Cross to Major Michael Pössinger. While military rank of course is always important, the huge separate track of medals created by the Wehrmacht is often more important in terms of how a soldier is perceived. A major with a Ritterkreuz has infinitely more status in the eyes of his comrades, for instance, than a mere office General. Rank confers power, but top medals grant unique status. Photo: Hitler posing with his field marshals at the ceremony. Göring wears the white uniform.
 Air War over Europe
The RAF Bomber Command makes night raids on northern German ports and on Channel ports where barges are being assembled for an invasion. Coastal Command attacks naval bases at Emden and Harlingen. Among the targets is the battleship Tirpitz, still under construction at Wilhelmshaven, and the Admiral Scheer. Battle of the Atlantic
U-62 (Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Bernhard Michalowski) torpedoes and sinks 4581 ton British iron freighter Pearlmoor in the Western Approaches. There are 26 survivors and 13 perish. The ship is a straggler from Convoy Sl-38. German raider Thor sinks Dutch freighter Tela off Brazil after taking the 33 crew prisoner. The Kriegsmarine lays mines in the North Sea. Convoy HX 59 departs from Halifax. British corvette HMS Bluebell (K 80, Lt. Commander Robert E. Sherwood) is commissioned. Battle of the Mediterranean
The Australian cruiser HMAS cruiser Sydney, escorted by five destroyers, intercepts Italian cruisers Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere off Crete. In the Battle of Cape Spada, the Colleoni sinks and the Sydney and Bande Nere are damaged. Sydney retreats under pressure from Regia Aeronautica bombers, Bande Nere to Benghazi. Royal Navy destroyers pick up 525 survivors from the Bande Nere. RN destroyer Havock is badly damaged by air attack but makes it back to Alexandria. At Malta, there is an air raid shortly after noontime. Two Gloster Gladiators defending the island are damaged by air raids, but they prevent any bombs from being dropped. There is now only one serviceable aircraft left, aptly nicknamed "Faith." The other two Gladiators and a Hurricane can be repaired with a little time, but reinforcements from Egypt or England are difficult. Applied Science The British radar research centre (TRE) at Swanage receives its first prototype cavity magnetron. US/Latin American Relations
Cruisers USS Wichita (CA 45) and Quincy (CA 39), meeting by destroyers Wainwright and Walke, arrive at Rio de Janeiro on their "show the flag" mission. The destroyers transfer a marine contingent to the cruisers. Soviet/Baltic States Relations
The Soviets continue their purge of former Baltic States leaders. They deport Estonian General Johan Laidoner to Siberia. Others, of course, are simply being shot with little fanfare. Denmark The government, under Nazi domination, withdraws from the increasingly irrelevant League of Nations. British Government
There is a major shakeup of the military. General Sir Alan Brooke, former commander of the BEF, is appointed Commander in Chief, Home Forces. He replaces General Edmund Ironside. Churchill makes the change because he gets along better with Brooke, who secretly feels that Churchill has a wobbly sense of military strategy. This completes Ironside's dramatic fall from grace since the Battle of France, but at least he is promoted to Field Marshal as he retires. General Claude Auchinleck, who has been in charge of British Egyptian forces, becomes the commander of Southern Command. The The British Army Intelligence Corps forms. Churchill also wishes for commando operations to be centralized and coordinated in a Special Operations Executive (SOE). He also suggests forming a foreign legion, like the French Foreign Legion. Canadian Government
The new commander of Canadian 1st Corps. is General Andrew McNaughton. Japanese Government
The new government is much more militaristic and looks toward nearby French possessions as possible targets. American Government
President Roosevelt receives and quickly signs the Vinson-Walsh Act (the Two-Ocean Navy Act). There are 1,325,000 tons of ships and 15,000 naval aircraft authorized in order to create two separate navies on both coasts. The ambitious plan is for 35 battleships, 20 carriers and 88 cruisers. Roosevelt accepts the Democratic nomination for President. British Homefront
The British are setting up internment camps on the Isle of Wight for German and Italian nationals caught up in the war. Conditions are quite poor, with not enough food or shelter. Many of those imprisoned actually are anti-Nazi refugees, but their official documents just list them as German.
|
|
stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 24,853
Likes: 13,235
|
Post by stevep on Jul 19, 2019 7:53:01 GMT
Lordroel
A couple of quibbles.
a) "One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109". I think the source is getting confused with the Defiant being two seated, with pilot and gunner but its a single engined fighter. See Boulton_Paul_Defiant for details.
b) "The Australian cruiser HMAS cruiser Sydney, escorted by five destroyers, intercepts Italian cruisers Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere off Crete. In the Battle of Cape Spada, the Colleoni sinks and the Sydney and Bande Nere are damaged. Sydney retreats under pressure from Regia Aeronautica bombers, Bande Nere to Benghazi. Royal Navy destroyers pick up 525 survivors from the Bande Nere. RN destroyer Havock is badly damaged by air attack but makes it back to Alexandria." - Should this be survivors from the Bartolomeo Colleoni as that cruiser was sunk while the other was only damaged?
Otherwise thanks for the continued work on what's a massive project and will be useful for future reference, both in terms of history and as a source for AH scenarios. 
Steve
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 19, 2019 8:05:35 GMT
Lordroel A couple of quibbles. a) "One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109". I think the source is getting confused with the Defiant being two seated, with pilot and gunner but its a single engined fighter. See Boulton_Paul_Defiant for details. b) "The Australian cruiser HMAS cruiser Sydney, escorted by five destroyers, intercepts Italian cruisers Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere off Crete. In the Battle of Cape Spada, the Colleoni sinks and the Sydney and Bande Nere are damaged. Sydney retreats under pressure from Regia Aeronautica bombers, Bande Nere to Benghazi. Royal Navy destroyers pick up 525 survivors from the Bande Nere. RN destroyer Havock is badly damaged by air attack but makes it back to Alexandria." - Should this be survivors from the Bartolomeo Colleoni as that cruiser was sunk while the other was only damaged? Otherwise thanks for the continued work on what's a massive project and will be useful for future reference, both in terms of history and as a source for AH scenarios. Steve
No problem stevep, like this also and as always, thanks for spotting the mistakes ore quibbles as you call them. I do hoop nobody is offended with me posting pictures of him ore Nazis symbols. |
|
stevep
Fleet admiral
Posts: 24,853
Likes: 13,235
|
Post by stevep on Jul 19, 2019 8:12:04 GMT
Lordroel A couple of quibbles. a) "One by one the twin engined RAF fighters fell from the sky into the channel, being no match for the far superior Bf 109". I think the source is getting confused with the Defiant being two seated, with pilot and gunner but its a single engined fighter. See Boulton_Paul_Defiant for details. b) "The Australian cruiser HMAS cruiser Sydney, escorted by five destroyers, intercepts Italian cruisers Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni delle Bande Nere off Crete. In the Battle of Cape Spada, the Colleoni sinks and the Sydney and Bande Nere are damaged. Sydney retreats under pressure from Regia Aeronautica bombers, Bande Nere to Benghazi. Royal Navy destroyers pick up 525 survivors from the Bande Nere. RN destroyer Havock is badly damaged by air attack but makes it back to Alexandria." - Should this be survivors from the Bartolomeo Colleoni as that cruiser was sunk while the other was only damaged? Otherwise thanks for the continued work on what's a massive project and will be useful for future reference, both in terms of history and as a source for AH scenarios. Steve
No problem stevep , like this also and as always, thanks for spotting the mistakes ore quibbles as you call them. I do hoop nobody is offended with me posting pictures of him ore Nazis symbols.
In an historical summary of WWII its pretty much unavoidable. This includes things like their victory parades and awards in that that displays the arrogance of the regime. Also without showing how successful they were militarily it wouldn't make clear how big a threat they were at the time and hence the need to stamp on such ideas early.
|
|
lordroel
Administrator
Posts: 68,023
Likes: 49,424
|
Post by lordroel on Jul 19, 2019 8:13:26 GMT
No problem stevep , like this also and as always, thanks for spotting the mistakes ore quibbles as you call them. I do hoop nobody is offended with me posting pictures of him ore Nazis symbols. In an historical summary of WWII its pretty much unavoidable. This includes things like their victory parades and awards in that that displays the arrogance of the regime. Also without showing how successful they were militarily it wouldn't make clear how big a threat they were at the time and hence the need to stamp on such ideas early.
Okay, so it seems we now have several new Field marshals and a guy in white who of course wanted to be higher in rank than them. |
|
