World War II in real time

Day 445 of World War II, November 18th 1940

Italian/Greek Campaign

The Greek offensive continues, but it is not without problems of its own. To the "K" Group of Divisions (OMK), which is III Corps, is now added the 11th Division, so it now has the original III Corps, 11th and 13th Divisions. It is commanded by Lieutenant-General Georgios Kosmas. K Group is advancing on the Korçë plateau against the Italian 9th Army toward the valley of the Devoli river, which would give access to central Albania and ultimately the ports on which the Italians rely for supplies. The main Greek objectives are the city of Korçë and the summit of Morava, which provide the key to the valley.

The K Group's newly added 13th Division has a bad baptism of fire when certain elements within it panic under fire. An attack, poorly coordinated, stalls, and the Italians almost regain the initiative in the sector. Kosmas replaces the 13th Division's commander with Major-General Sotirios Moutousis, who manages to hold the line. The Greek advance continues after this brief interlude.

The Greeks now have captured Kortytsa, but the Italian 9th Army by-and-large has escaped along the roads because the Greeks are travelling on foot and have restricted mobility - though this does help them with their penetrations along the craggy mountains.

Along the coastal Thesprotia sector, the Greek Liuba Detachment levers the Italians out of Igoumenitsa and back across the Kalamas River. The Greek 8th Division continues hammering away at the Kalams Sector.

Air War over Europe

During the night, the RAF raids the Scholven/Buer hydrogenation plant at Gelsenkirchen. This is a key part of the fuel chain for aviation fuel. The bombers also raid the Gelsenberg-Benzin-AG plant, a synthetic oil installation. Another target, hit by 11 bombers, is the Leuna synthetic oil facility in Merseburg.

The Luftwaffe sends 70 bombers against London and other targets during the night.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-65 (K.Kapt. Hans-Gerrit von Stockhausen), on its extended fifth patrol, torpedoes and sinks 5056 ton British tanker Congonian in the mid-Atlantic. The first torpedo hits at about 18:02, the second at 18:12. There is one death and 35 survivors, with British cruiser HMS Devonshire picking up the survivors and taking them to Freetown.

Italian submarine Maggiore Baracca (Entico Bertarelli) torpedoes and sinks 4866 ton British freighter Lillian Moller (Skipper William Fowler), dispersed from Convoy SL 53, west of Ireland at 17:04. There are no survivors among the 49-man crew. Fowler and half a dozen other crew members are commemorated on Tower Hill. The ship is notable for having, aside from officers, an entirely Chinese crew, who are commemorated on the Hong Kong War Memorial.

A Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor (1,/KG 40) bombs and sinks 4274 ton British freighter Nestlea in the Celtic Sea south of Ireland. Everybody aboard survives.

The Luftwaffe bombs and sinks 293 ton British coaster Ability, on its way from London to Great Yarmouth and carrying cement bags, about 5 km off Clacton-on-Sea. Everybody aboard survives.

The Lufwaffe (Heinkel He 115 seaplanes of 506 Küstendliegergruppe) bomb and sink 2569 ton Free French freighter S.N.A. 8 in the North Sea off Barrow Sand (near Swin Light Vessel).

The Luftwaffe also damages 5298 ton British freighter Biela, 4908 ton British freighter Langleetarn, and 2826 ton Norwegian freighter Favorit in various actions.

British 100 ton naval trawler/drifter HMT Go Ahead sinks after a collision at Sheerness, southeast England.

Royal Navy sloop HMS Lowestoft, escorting Convoy FS 336, shoots down a Heinkel He 111 bomber.

The Royal Navy sends five minelayers to extend the SN1 and SN2 minefields in St. Georges Channel. This new effort becomes SN3.

Convoys OB 245 and OG 46 depart from Liverpool, Convoy FN 337 departs from Southend, Convoy FS 338 departs from Methil, Convoy BN 9 departs from Aden, Convoy BS 9B departs from Port Sudan.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The Royal Navy continues shuttling troops between Egypt and Greece. Today, cruiser HMS York departs from Port Said with a battalion of troops to reinforce the British presence at Suda Bay, Crete, and also some anti-aircraft artillery bound for Piraeus to protect RAF airfields near Athens.

The Royal Hellenic Air Force bombs and sinks Italian freighter Ardita IV at Vlorë, Albania.

The Regia Aeronautica attacks Alexandria again and damages 323 ton British tanker El Nawras.

In Operation Rope, heavy cruiser HMS Dorsetshire bombards Dante, Italian Somaliland.

At Malta, the government removes restrictions on shop hours (stores have had to open later and close earlier than they would prefer in honor of the civilian curfew from 20:30-06:00 curfew). However, it retains the civilian curfew. This news is welcomed by shop owners whose customers have had difficulty shopping on their to and from work.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

German raider Pinguin is still travelling in company with captured Norwegian freighter Storstad, which was temporarily renamed Passat during minelaying operations south of Australia. Storstad, acting as a scout ship, spots a large freighter at night. Pinguin comes up and puts a warning shot over its bows, and the men of the Pinguin boards it. The ship is the 7920 ton British freighter Nowshera (named for a city in India) on its way from Adelaide to Durban and thence the UK, and it carries zinc ore, wheat, wool, and similar items.

The Pinguin takes what it needs from the Nowshera - which is armed with a 4-inch gun on its stern and a Lewis gun on its bridge - and then scuttles it. The 113-man crew - 103 Indian crew - is transferred to the Pinguin. The Europeans on board become POWs and ultimately wind up at Stalag XB (Marlag und Milag Nord) near Westertimke, Germany.

Meanwhile, the Royal Navy, knowing that the Ole Jacob has been sunk by a surface raider, has been searching for the Pinguin. However, the Indian Ocean is vast, and the Pacific even vaster. With no leads to go on, Australian heavy cruiser Canberra returns to port.

Applied Science

A Sunderland flying boat fitted with experimental Air-to-Surface-Vessel (ASVI) radar equipment uses it to locate a U-boat approaching a convoy. This is a first for the equipment.

German/Italian Relations

Italian Foreign Minister Count Ciano travels to the Obersalzberg for a meeting with Adolf Hitler. It is not a happy meeting. Hitler is irate that the Italians have invaded Greece and thus brought that country into the war. His real concern, though, is always the British.

The problem for Hitler with the invasion of Greece is not the failed Italian offensive itself; it is that the Italian/Greek war now has given the British a reason to set up air bases in Greece. This Hitler cannot abide, because they are within range of the Romanian oil fields. Hitler's absolute priority at all times is the protection of the oil fields centered around Ploesti, Romania, because they essentially fuel the entire Wehrmacht and are irreplaceable. The new RAF presence on mainland Greece threatens those oil installations, he tells Ciano.

Hitler at this point still is uncertain what to do about Greece: either pledge neutrality, or invade. In particular, he hopes to avoid invading Yugoslavia. However, something will have to be done eventually. Planning for Operation Marita, the invasion of Greece from Bulgaria, continues in the OKW.

German/Spanish Relations

Hitler, who likes to combine diplomatic events in one or two days, also meets with Spanish Foreign Minister Serrano Suner. As usual, Suner is noncommittal about Spain entering the war on the side of Germany.

German/Bulgarian Relations

Hitler also meets with King Boris. Bulgaria is a somewhat shaky ally of Germany, but Hitler needs Bulgarian cooperation for Operation Marita.

US/Vichy French Relations

The US is displeased with Vichy France's refusal to sell its battleships. Acting Secretary of State Sumner Welles asks Chargé d'Affaires ad interim H. Freeman Matthews to reiterate the US concerns about the battleships - the Jean Bart and Richelieu - and that the US would be willing to buy them "as well as any other vessels of the French Navy."

Day 447 of World War II, November 20th 1940

Italian/Greek Campaign

The battle for the summit of Morava continues. The Italians are holding on fiercely, because the mountains control the key valleys below that lead toward the coast. The Greek Group under Lieutenant-General Georgios Kosmas, however, is tenacious and has the benefit of local knowledge of the mountains.

Elsewhere, the Greek Liuba Detachment attacks across the Kalamas River in the Thesprotia sector, the Greek 8th Infantry Division takes Vissani in the Kalamas sector, and the Greek 2nd Infantry Division advances in the direction of Aidonochori and Drymades in Negrades sector.

Air War over Europe

The Luftwaffe (I,/KG 55) bombs Birmingham for the second night in a row. The 116 bombers add another 132 tons of high explosives and 296 incendiary bombs. The Germans lose one bomber. The Luftwaffe does little during the day, and the short daylight hours make such missions unnecessary anyway.

The Corpo Aereo Italiano chips in by sending a dozen bombers against Harwich again during the night. It is unclear why the Italians always attack Harwich, perhaps because it is easy to find from the air and they do not have the sophisticated guidance beams used by the Luftwaffe bombers.

RAF Bomber Command raids Duisburg with 43 aircraft, and U-boat base Lorient with 8 bombers, overnight.

Oberleutnant Josef "Pips" Priller" joins 6,/JG 26 as Staffelkapitän of 1st Staffel.

Without much fanfare, Reichsmarschall Göring rescinds his order of 31 July in which the emblem of JG 53 was to be removed from all the Geschwader's aircraft and replaced by a red band. The response to this malicious command was an order by the Kommodore of JG 53, Hptm. Wolf-Dietrich Wilke, to remove the Swastika from the tailfins of the aircraft along with the Geschwader emblem. With the removal of Göring's order, the Swastika slowly begins reappearing on the "Pik As" fighters. As if in celebration, the Geschwader shoots down its 500 aircraft of the war.

Battle of the Atlantic

German coaster Snorre I hits a mine and sinks off Kjøkkelvik, Hordaland, Norway.

The Supermarine Walrus amphibious biplane from Royal Navy light cruiser HMS Manchester capsizes and sinks at Sullom Voe, Shetland, Scotland.

The Luftwaffe bombs and damages 8955 ton British tanker Chesapeake off the Lizard.

Convoy OB 246 departs from Liverpool, Convoy OB 247 is held in port, Convoy FN 338 departs from Southend, Convoy FS 340 departs from Methil, Convoy HG 47 departs from Gibraltar (30 ships).

The Kriegsmarine begins converting cruiser liner Wilhelm Gustloff, which has been acting as a hospital ship, into a floating barracks at Gotenhafen (Gdynia). The ship will retain its engines and be capable of troop transport as the need arises.

Battle of the Mediterranean

As part of the RAF shakeup that has removed Air Marshal Dowding from his position, Air Marshal Owen Tudor Boyd (formerly Air Officer Commanding, Balloon Command, and only recently promoted to Air Marshal) has been appointed Deputy to the Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Middle East Command. To take up that post in Cairo, Boyd flies in a Blenheim bomber across the Mediterranean en route to refueling point Malta. This is a more-or-less normal route, but Boyd's bomber goes far off course. It winds up far to the north over Sicily. Italian fighters scramble and force it to land in a field, where Boyd and six others are taken prisoner.

Boyd's loss, while most unfortunate, is not what really worries the uppermost echelons of the British government; it is what he knows that causes concern. Boyd is carrying confidential papers, which he destroys by setting alight the downed bomber; and he also knows about the Top Secret Ultra project. Boyd, to his credit, does not reveal what he knows about that potentially war-winning decoding operation, and the Italians and Germans, of course, have no idea that he is hiding such information. Boyd spends his captivity in the Castle Vincigliata (Castello di Vincigliata) camp near Florence, Italy.

This is a puzzling incident which may tie in with the loss of the 8 Hawker Hurricane fighters flying to Malta on the 18th. While it is unproven why the plane wound up over Sicily, some accounts state that the bomber was short of fuel. That is the same reason the fighters failed to make land at Malta. Boyd, incidentally, escapes from Axis control in December 1943 and finally takes up his command - three years late.

Elsewhere, RAF aircraft bomb and sink 57 ton Italian coastal freighter Ardita III off Assab, Italian Somaliland.

Italian torpedo boat Confienza collides with 2321 ton AMC Capitano A. Cecci off Brindisi, Italy and sinks.

Royal Navy cruiser HMS York continues its delivery service in the eastern Mediterranean, dropping off its shipment of anti-aircraft artillery at Piraeus before heading back to Alexandria for another cargo.

At Malta, the issue of troop morale is a major concern. Mail deliveries have not improved. Accordingly, the island command grants all ranks the opportunity to send one private telegram per month to the United Kingdom. There are strict limitations placed on the content of such messages, which are only to relate to matters of importance (which do not include terms of endearment).

RAF No. 261 Squadron departs from Luqa and takes up operations at RAF Station Takali, or Ta'Qali (Maltese), on Malta. Wing Commander J R O'Sullivan is in command of the squadron of fighters.

The Kriegsmarine commissions captured Norwegian submarines B-5 and B-6 as training U-boats UC-1 and UC-2.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

German auxiliary cruiser Pinguin, operating in the Indian Ocean a thousand kilometers west of Australia, is heading southward when it spots smoke is on the horizon from a large westbound freighter. The crew of the Pinguin launches its seaplane, which buzzes the ship and drops a message instructing it to stop and maintain radio silence. The freighter gets off a distress call anyway before the seaplane can disable the wireless. The freighter then shoots down the seaplane, which the crew of the freighter chooses to ignore while trying to escape from the fast-approaching Pinguin.

The Pinguin has a hard time catching up with the freighter. Finally, after a long chase, and after two long-range (22 km) salvos from the German ship, the freighter heaves to and waits for the Pinguin. It turns out upon inspection to be British refrigeration ship Maimoa, en route from Fremantle to Durban. After taking what it needs from the ship (which is full of meat and dairy products), the Pinguin sinks the freighter and takes its 87 crew prisoner. The downed seaplane crew, meanwhile, has to wait until the next morning to be picked up with their damaged plane.

The distress call from the Maimoa reaches Royal Navy officers in Fremantle. They immediately dispatch heavy cruiser HMAS Canberra to the ship's reported position. While the ships have moved on from there during the chase, the downed seaplane is still at that position.

Separately, 223 ton Royal Australian Navy auxiliary minesweeper/trawler HMAS Goorangai (D. McGregor, RANVR) collides with 10,346 ton British passenger MV Duntroon as it is exiting Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne. The warship, which is blacked-out, sinks. It is the Royal Australian Navy's first loss of the war. All 24 aboard the Goorangai perish. The Duntroon tries to pick up any survivors, but only finds six bodies. The Duntroon returns to Melbourne for bow repairs which last until 18 December. A court of enquiry finds no fault on the part of the skipper of the Duntroon.

Hungarian/German/Italian/Japanese Relations

Hungary adds its name to the Tripartite Pact of September 27th 1940 (which makes it a quadripartite pact, but as other nations start adding their names, people just call it the Axis for convenience). This makes Hungary a nominal ally of Germany, Japan and Italy (though with some key reservations on its obligations thereto). The country that Hitler really wants to sign the pact is the Soviet Union, but that appears unlikely after the disastrous Molotov mission to Berlin earlier in the month. Hungarian Prime Minister Teleki and Foreign Minister Csaky sign the pact.

Hungary has benefited from the First and Second Vienna Awards (which gave it Romanian territory) and historically sides with Germany. Despite its recent acquisitions from Romania, Hungary still feels itself slighted by the Treaty of Trianon which ended World War I in the region. This is not the first entanglement that Hungary has entered into with Hitler: on 24 February 1939, it joined the Anti-Comintern pact after sharing in the spoils from the dismemberment of Czechoslovakia. Admiral Miklós Horthy rules the country with an iron fist and is united with Hitler in a fierce hatred of Communism. However, his alliance is based more on a shared fear of the Soviet Union than it is on a love of Germany.

China

In what will become known as the "100th Regiment Offensive," Chinese Communists stage guerrilla raids against Japanese forces. They succeeded in blowing up bridges and tunnels and ripping up track, and went on to attack Japanese garrisons frontally. About 600 mi (970 km) of railways were destroyed, and the Jingxing coal mine—which was important to the Japanese war industry—was rendered inoperative for six months. It was the greatest victory the CCP fought and won during the war.

From this great site called Malta War Dairy i got more information about November 20th 1940 which says: 

TELEGRAM SERVICE INTENDED TO MAKE UP FOR MAIL DELAYS

In view of what have been described as ‘abnormal delays’ in the mail service, a new scheme has been agreed with the Air Ministry to provide cheap means of communication for all ranks. It will come into effect immediately.

All ranks may send one private telegram per month to the United Kingdom according to the following conditions:

1. Only applies to addresses in the United Kingdom.

2. Messages must relate to urgent private affairs.

3. Text should not exceed twelve words.

4. Addresses must be as short as possible.

5. Charge for text will be one penny per word.

6. Charge for address will be one penny per word. If the address exceeds five words the excess words over five will not be charged for.

7. Telegrams are to be written on ordinary service message forms to be obtained from Battalion HQ.

8. The message will be censored and approved by an officer for transmission in plain language. Careful censoring is essential as it must be borne in mind that it will almost certainly be intercepted by the enemy.

9. Records are to be maintained by Companies showing the names of senders and payments made.

10. Companies will pay into the Command Cashier at the end of each month the total cash received in respect of messages sent. A statement will accompany the remittance showing the number of messages sent and the Fortress Headquarters authority for the service.

The success of the scheme depends on the careful control of the number of messages transmitted. Contents of messages must relate to essential business of an urgent nature and must not contain terms of endearment, congratulations or greetings.

Day 448 of World War II, November 21st 1940

Italian/Greek Campaign

The Greek K Group of Divisions in the Korçë plateau sector capture the summit of Morava. It continues attacking in the direction of Darza Pass. This forces the defending Italian IX Army to withdraw during the night, opening up the Devoll valley. This makes the city of Korçë itself vulnerable, and that is the next Greek objective in the area.

Greek II Corps captures Ersekë.

Greek I Corps is reinforced with the 3rd Division. It is moving forward along the Gjirokastër–Tepelenë–Valona axis. Its objective is Valona, a major Italian supply port. Once the Greek K Group captures the city of Korçë, the main weight of the Greek offensive will shift to this line of attack.

German fake invasion

German 6th Army stages a simulated invasion of Ireland.

Air War over Europe

The Luftwaffe stages only minor operations during the day. However, in what appears to have been an oddly lucky hit, a bomber hits Bletchley Park. This is the home to the Ultra Operation, otherwise known as the British Government Code and Cypher School at Buckinghamshire. While there are no casualties, the diplomatic section, telephone exchanges, typists' room and other areas are damaged. The damage could have been much greater, as three of the bombs are duds. The somewhat inexplicable incident - nobody is supposed to know about Bletchley Park - is likely due to a Luftwaffe bomber returning from Coventry and dropping unreleased bombs at random, as bombers are not supposed to land with any bombs.

I,/JG 77 is redesignated IV,/JG 51 at Marquise.

Battle of the Atlantic

German cruisers Gneisenau, Scharnhorst, Köln and Leipzig leave port for a breakout into the Atlantic shipping lanes.

German 375 ton coaster Birgitte Raabe collies with another ship about 33 km south of Utklippan, Sweden in the Baltic. The damage is too great, and the crew scuttles the ship.

British 6426 ton freighter Dakotian hits a mine and sinks off Milford Haven, Pembrokeshire. Everybody aboard survives.

U-103 (Kplt. Viktor Schütze) is on its second patrol out of Lorient. At 07:40, it spots Convoy OB 244 in the shipping lanes northwest of County Donegal, Ireland and fires three torpedoes. U-103 torpedoes and sinks 4768 ton British freighter Daydawn. There are 37 survivors and 2 deaths. The survivors are picked up by HMS Rhododendron.

U-103 also torpedoes and sinks 6085 ton Greek freighter Victoria in Convoy OB 244. Everybody survives, rescued by escort destroyer HMS Castleton.

U-103 attacks another freighter which tries to ram it, but the torpedo glances off the ship and does not explode. U-103 then has to break off the attack due to escort activity.

Corvette HMS Rhododendron responds to the U-103 attacks with a depth charge attack and claims to have sunk the U-boat. However, in fact the submarine is undamaged - and apparently isn't even the U-103, but another U-boat stalking the convoy, U-104.

German 125 ton Kriegsmarine whaler Wespe NB17 sinks today of unknown causes.

Royal Navy 96 ton drifter Xmas Rose hits a mine and sinks in the Thames Estuary. There are four deaths.

Greek 4695 ton freighter Peleus hits a mine and is damaged at Milford Haven.

Convoy FN 339 departs from Southend, Convoy FS 341 departs from Methil, Convoy HX 90 departs from Halifax, Convoy BHX 90 departs from Bermuda, Convoy SL 56 departs from Freetown.

U-110 (Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp) is commissioned.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Royal Navy anti-submarine trawler HMS Lydiard attacks a submarine near Port Said, but is damaged by its own depth charges and returns to port.

The RAF bombs Benghazi.

At Malta, there are two air raid alerts in quick succession early in the morning. In the darkness, a lone Italian bomber flies across Malta and bombs the vicinity of the RAF airfield at Ta Qali. The night is cloudy, and the plane gets away.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

German armed merchant cruiser “Pinguin” attacked British freighter “Port Brisbane” in the southern Indian Ocean. “Port Brisbane”, carrying a cargo of 5000 tons of frozen meat, 3000 tons of wool, butter and cheese from Adelaide to Britain, is armed with two 6-inch guns. Well after dark, "Pinguin" approaches "Port Brisbane" and, seeing her armaments, shells her to a standstill (killing the radio operator). 67 were taken prisoner and 27 escaped in a lifeboat. “Port Brisbane” was sunk by torpedo after scuttling charges failed to sink her. 27 crew escape in a lifeboat and are picked up by Australian cruiser HMAS “Canberra”, which has been sent to locate “Pinguin”. However, “Pinguin” gets away.

Australian 5826 ton passenger liner Orungal runs aground at Barwon Heads, Victoria. The ship is salvageable.

Convoy US 7, carrying the Australian 26th Infantry Brigade, departs from Australia bound for Egypt.

German/Romanian Relations

Adolf Hitler continues his succession of diplomatic meetings, meeting Romanian leader Ion Antonescu at the Reich Chancellory. Hitler apparently gives Antonescu a preview of Operation Barbarossa, still in its early planning stages.

Anglo/US Relations

The sixth and final tranche of US destroyers arrives at Halifax for transfer to the Royal Navy pursuant to the September destroyers-for-bases deal. The ships are:

USS Bailey
USS Meade
USS Shubrick
USS Swasey
USS Claxton
USS Fairfax
USS Robinson
USS Ringgold
USS Sigourney
USS Tillman.

The destroyer handover is made by the Commander Destroyer Squadron 33, Captain Schuyler F. Heim.

US/Vichy French Relations

Pursuant to acting US Secretary of State Sumner Welles' instructions, US Chargé d'Affaires ad interim H. Freeman Matthews meets again with Vichy French leader Marshal Henri Philippe Pétain. Matthews again asks Petain if he would be willing to part with his two battleships, and perhaps other warships. The US is concerned that the warships will fall into German hands. Petain responds:
Then why not leave those vessels at Dakar and Casablanca where they now are? I shall keep them there and if there should be any change in this plan I will give you previous notice.
This closes attempts by the Americans and the British (who are following along intently behind the scenes) to take possession of the ships.

British Military

British No. 2 Commando Battalion becomes the 11th Special Air Services Battalion. It now undergoes training as paratroopers.

British Government

It is the opening day of new session of Parliament, and the King gives an address. He confirms that the Crown and its allies are committed to fight against the aggressor nations until freedom is safe. Prime Minister Winston Churchill also gives remarks, revealing that the Greeks have pushed the Italians back across the Albanian border (though not everywhere yet). He also expresses confidence in the security of Egypt and the Suez Canal.

US Government

US Secretary for the Interior Harold Ickes gives a speech in New York which he excoriates national hero Charles Lindbergh, calling him:

One of America's leading fifth columnists, apparently representing small but dangerous groups of American-born Fascists.

Lindbergh is a leading figure in the America First Committee, a peace group organized at Yale University. The America First position is that the US should stay out of foreign wars. The official US position also remains one of neutrality, making Lindbergh's stance in accordance with the government's own policies. However, Ickes reflects widespread sentiment in Democratic Party circles in favor of intervention, and they brand those advocating peace as traitors and foreign agents. Ickes' speech appears to be related to the release of the Dies White Paper which is a 500-page White Paper done by the US House of Representatives' "Investigation of Un-American Propaganda Activities in the United States," better known as the Dies Committee after its chairman, Rep. Martin Dies, Jr. The Dies White Paper examines Nazi activities in the United States. It reveals that Manfred Zapp, head of the German Trans-ocean News Service, had been working to poison US/Japanese relations. The purpose was to divert US attention from the war in Europe in order to help the Nazis. Another finding of the White Paper is that Germany has been engaging in a "Damned clever scheme" involving commercial relations in both North and South America.

There is an element of paranoia and overkill in this committee and its reports, as subversive Nazi activities in the US actually are quite minimal. However, stoking such fears works in favor of increased assistance to Great Britain in its war against Nazi Germany, a covert policy of the Roosevelt administration (as exemplified by today's transfer of the final tranche of destroyers to Great Britain pursuant to the destroyers-for-bases deal). The Dies Committee remains in existence until 1944, never really accomplishing much of use beyond propaganda value of its own, when it morphs into another, broader investigative committee.

Day 449 of World War II, November 23rd 1940

YouTube (Cracks in the Soviet-Nazi Alliance)



Italian/Greek Campaign

With the fall of Korçë on the 22nd, Italian leader Benito Mussolini is pressured on by Marshal Badoglio and General Mario Roatta to reverse an order he had given in early October for partial demobilization of the Italian military. In fact, this need for additional troops not only in Albania but in North Africa is not only necessary, it is becoming overwhelming. While the Egyptian front has settled down into a garrison routine, there is no guarantee that it will stay that way.

Greek I and II Corps complete the removal of the remaining troops from Greek territory today. The Greek K Group on the Korçë plateau continue moving forward in an effort to capture the entire plateau, which opens the way to central Albania via the valley of the Devoll River. However, the main axis of advance now begins to shift from this area to the left flank, where the important Italian supply port of Valona appears vulnerable. The Greeks conduct some small amphibious landings behind the Italians which add to their confusion. The Italians in that sector retreat in a disorganized fashion, losing equipment.

The Greek Liuba Detachment captures Megali Rahi in the Thesprotia sector, and the Greek 2nd Infantry Division reaches the Albanian border in the Negrades sector.

Photo: a wireless operator/air gunner mans his Vickers K gun in the turret of an RAF Bristol Blenheim Mk I at Menidi/Tatoi, Greece



Air War over Europe

The Luftwaffe sends 120 bombers against Southampton, causing fires all across the city. Some bombers also make it to London. The Germans lose four planes. The Italians contribute with an attack by Caproni BR 20M bombers. The RAF has no difficulty with the Italian CAI, shooting down seven of the lumbering bombers.

RAF Bomber Command raids railway installations in Berlin, Dortmund and Leipzig, the inland port at Duisburg-Ruhrort, canal installations at Cologne, the Krupp factory at Essen, oil installations at Dortmund and Wanne Eickel, and various Luftwaffe airfields in northwest Europe. Coastal Command chips in with attacks on seaplane bases.

The RAF also raids Turin in northern Italy, apparently involving planes from Malta. Nine Wellington bombers arrive in Malta today, so possibly it is a shuttle raid from England. The RAF is quite tight-lipped about the use of Malta for offensive operations, not wishing it to rise on the Axis priority list.

Battle of the Atlantic

It is a bad day for the Allie at sea, and not just because of the numerous sinkings. There are two convoy attacks that are notable for the number of ships sunk, and other ships damaged.

RMS Llandovery Castle (10,640 tons) is being converted to become a hospital ship - like her namesake who featured in a notorious incident during World War I - in Southampton Harbor. During the fierce Luftwaffe attacks during the day, the Llandovery Castle is badly damaged. Also damaged is 302 ton freighter Duchess of Cornwall, which is tied up at Royal Pier. The latter ships is rejected for Royal Navy service as a minesweeper due to her bomb damage. (Some accounts place the Llandovery Castle incident on the 24th).

The Luftwaffe attack on Southampton also sinks 38 ton tug Bonaparte, near Northam Bridge.

While there no wolfpacks in operation, two separate U-boat attacks net a total of eleven Allied ships.

U-123 (Kptlt. Karl-Heinz Moehle) continues its successful second patrol out of Lorient. She is in the shipping lanes west of Ireland and sinks four ships of Convoy OB 244 in quick succession. Convoy OB-244 already has lost two ships to Viktor Schütze's U-103 on 21 November, and today's losses make the grand total of losses for that convoy six ships of 31,738 tons.

U-123, however, is itself seriously damaged during the attack by hitting something - possibly one of the ships that it had sunk, as a common (and risky) tactic to avoid detection by escorts is to sail under torpedoed ships - and needs to return to Lorient after this.

U-123 torpedoes and badly damages 5135 ton Swedish freighter Anten. There are 32 survivors and one death. The ship remains afloat until the 25th, an obstruction in the sea lanes, at which point it sinks. This may be the ship that U-123 hits, as the U-boat may be trying to hide near it.

U-123 also torpedoes and sinks 5228 ton British freighter Tymeric. There are 5 survivors and 71 deaths.

U-123 also torpedoes and sinks 5115 ton British freighter King Idwal. There are 28 survivors and 12 deaths.

U-123 also torpedoes and sinks 5407 ton British freighter Oakcrest. There are 6 survivors and 35 deaths.

Greek 2219 ton grain freighter Kolchis, sailing in Convoy SC 13, sinks for unknown reasons. All 23 crew perish, thus giving rise to the mystery of its loss. There is speculation that it was another of U-123's victims, but most believe that it simply sank due to bad weather.

Separately, U-100 (Kptlt. Joachim Schepke) is on its fourth patrol. It has been shadowing Convoy SC-11 about 310 km north of Ireland. It finally today gets into position to attack just after midnight. In a wild night of action, Schepke sinks an incredible six ships and then, after continuing to shadow the convoy throughout the day, adds a seventh victim around 21:00.

The seven ships sunk by Schepke today:

- 4562 ton British freighter Justitia (13 dead 26 rescued).

- 4740 ton British freighter Bradfyne (39 dead 4 rescued).

- 3628 ton Dutch freighter Ootmarsum (all 25 perish).

- 2205 ton Norwegian freighter Bruse (16 dead 6 rescued, ship full of lumber and towed to port, then scrapped).

- 2694 ton Norwegian freighter Salonica (9 dead 25 rescued).

- 3136 ton British grain freighter Leise Mærsk (17 dead 7 rescued).

- 3636 ton Dutch freighter Bussum (all 29 survive).

The escorts depth-charge Schepke's boat after he gets his final victim, but U-100 gets away with minor damage.

Elsewhere, 46 ton Royal Navy patrol trawler HMT Good Design hits a mine off Inchkeith and breaks in two. Four men survive, two perish. The two halves are later salvaged and towed to Granton.

British 245 ton drifter New Comet hits a mine off the mouth of the Tyne and is close enough to shore for the crew to beach it. The ship is later refloated and returned to service.

British 41 ton drifter Sailor King hits a mine and sinks off Brightlingsea, Essex in the North Sea.

British 310 ton collier Thomas M hits a mine and sinks off Lowestoft. There are two deaths.

US 73 ton tug Mary Arnold is towing the 117 ton dredge Progress at the eastern end of Long Island Sound when both ships sink. It is unclear what happened, perhaps a weather-related event.

Convoy OB 248 departs from Liverpool, Convoy FS 343 departs from Methil, a Greek convoy departs from Candia for Piraeus, Convoy BN 9A departs from Aden.

U-70 (Kapitänleutnant Joachim Matz) is commissioned.

Battle of the Mediterranean

The Royal Navy's Mediterranean Fleet based at Alexandria sorties in Operation MB 9. Force C is led by battleships HMS Malaya and Ramillies and aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, while Force D covers Convoy MW 4. This is another Malta convoy with related operations. Fast transport Breconshire and freighters Clan Ferguson, Clan Macaulay and Memnon are bringing men and supplies.

At Malta, the Italians stage two major air raids on the island's RAF airfields. During the morning, five Italian bombers attack the new RAF field at Ta Qali. The second raid, in the afternoon, hits Luqa airfield and the nearby Marsa area.

RAF Air Vice-Marshal John H. D'Albiac is in command of strong forces in Greece now. His mission for the time being is to protect Greece from Italian air attacks.

Battle of the Pacific

Cruiser USS Augusta departs from Honolulu to scout in the northern Hawaiian chain of islands (which extends all the way to Midway) due to reports of Japanese activity in the area. Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet Admiral Thomas C. Hart remains at Pearl Harbor and shifts his flag to the USS Houston.

Romanian/German/Italian/Japanese/Hungarian Relations

In Berlin Marshal Antonescu, the leader of Romania, agrees to join the Axis powers. The Romanian government followed the Hungarians in joining the Rome-Berlin-Tokyo Axis as they threw their lot in with the Germans as the Soviets threatened their borders. There are also talks on preparation for a German attack on Greece by the forces based in Romania. Germany is putting pressure on all the Balkan states since the Italian invasion of Greece in an attempt to ensure the stability of food and oil supplies. Originally formulated in Berlin on September 27, the pact formally recognized an alliance between Germany, Italy, and Japan, termed the “Axis.” As more European nations became subject to fascist domination and invasion, they too were drawn into the pact, albeit as unequal partners (Hungary was made an Axis “power” on November 20). Now it was Romania’s turn.

Photo: In Hitler's presence, Romanian ruler Ion Antonescu signs the Three-Power Agreement



US/Vichy French Relations

The US State Department, perhaps displeased with the negative outcome of its attempt to obtain the French battleships based in North Africa, replaces ambassador William Bullitt with Admiral William Leahy.

Anglo/US Relations

British Ambassador Lord Lothian returns to New York from a spell in London. At a press conference, he warns the US government that Great Britain's gold and dollar reserves are not limitless, and that the UK may require some kind of financial assistance as soon as the coming year. So far, US assistance to Great Britain has been on a "cash and carry" basis, but that cannot last forever because wars are expensive, and even England's bank accounts are not limitless.

It is not so much what Lord Lothian has to say, but how he says it, that makes news. Not always the most tactful fellow, Lord Lothian simply tells the assembled journalists: "Well, boys, Britain's broke; it's your money we want." This causes turmoil in the financial markets (the pound sterling drops), and the remark is trumpeted by the Nazi media. However, what he says essentially is accurate, and getting it out in the open may create some short-term headaches, but it also "clears the air" and sets in motion serious planning in Washington for how to carry England financially for the remainder of the war.

Separately, President Roosevelt cables British Prime Minister Winston Churchill about the unsuccessful negotiations for the French battleships which Petain refuses to sell to the US.

British Military

Churchill confers with the First Lord of the Admiralty and the First Sea Lord. They reach a decision to maintain a strictly defensive posture at Singapore and Hong Kong.

China

Japanese 11th Army is organized into five groups. Lieutenant General Waichiro Sonobe commands. The intention is to attack Hubei Province.

German occupied Netherlands

The Nazi authorities order all Jewish professors and civil servants to be fired.

Day 451 of World War II, November 25th 1940

Italian/Greek Campaign

The Greek offensive continues. Greek I Corps continues moving into Albania along the Drinos River, and Greek II Corps continues in the direction of Frashër. The Italians are forming a new defensive line east of Berat on the Tomorr Mountain range. Greek 1st Infantry Division takes Mali Piscalit and Gostivisti.

Air War over Europe

Weather is poor, so flying operations are reduced. RAF Bomber Command sends out 36 bombers to bomb Kiel and Wilhelmshaven. Other attacks are made against Willemsoord, Hamburg, and the former Dutch seaplane base at De Mok, Texel. Five British bombers attack the Tirpitz, with no success.

The Luftwaffe engages in light day raids due to the weather against targets in southern England, losing four aircraft. It only launches a few isolated attacks after dark.

The official handover from Air Marshal Dowding to Air Officer Commanding, RAF Fighter Command Sholto Douglas takes place.

Soviet/German Relations

Soviet Minister Molotov summons German Ambassador Count von Schulenburg to the Kremlin and presents him with the official Soviet reply to German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop's October proposal of a "New World Order." The Molotov reply states that the USSR would be willing to sign the Tripartite Pact, but only under certain conditions which are:

(1) The area of south of Batum and Baku - the Persian Gulf - is recognized as within the Soviet sphere of influence.

(2) The Soviets require a naval base in the Dardanelles.

(3) Turkey must either join the Tripartite Pact willingly or be subject to "the necessary military and diplomatic steps" to remove it as a hindrance.

(4) Germany must withdraw all troops from Finland.

(5) Japan must renounce her rights to energy resources in Northern Sakhalin,

(6) Bulgaria must be recognized as lying within the Soviet sphere of influence, with a separate Soviet/Bulgarian pact to be negotiated.

The Germans quickly discount the entire Soviet counterproposal. It flies in the face of current German activities. In particular, German troops are standing by to pour into Bulgaria in order to invade Greece (and Bulgaria already would have joined the Tripartite Pact except for Bulgarian hesitancy, see below). Revealing this to the Soviets might, in light of Molotov's demands, provoke an open breach. The Germans consider any Soviet infringement on the Baltic - which is an obvious implication of German troop withdrawals from Finland - as quite out of the question (this point, in fact, seems to be the Germans' main objection to the Molotov proposals).

The Germans never reply to this Molotov letter, despite repeated Soviet requests for such. This represents the final attempt at an agreement between the two powers before Operation Barbarossa.

Battle of the Atlantic

Royal Navy 225 ton trawler HMT Kennymore (T/Skipper J. W. Greene RNR) hits a mine and sinks in the Thames Estuary. There are four deaths and Greene is wounded.

While rescuing people from the Kennymore, 224 ton British naval trawler HMT Conquistador (T/Skipper J. Paterson (act) RNR) collides with a passenger vessel and sinks in the Thames Estuary. The Conquistador is carrying survivors of HMT Kennymore.

Royal Navy Fairmile A motor launch HMS ML 111 (Lt A. V. C. Hoadley RNR) hits a mine and sinks off the mouth of the Humber. There are two deaths, and Lt. Hoadley is wounded.

British 698 ton hopper barge Tees Hopper No. 3 hits a mine and sinks off Stockton on Tees, County Durham. Everybody survives.

Royal Navy submarine HMS Talisman reports torpedoing a German tanker off of Lorient in the Bay of Biscay. It is unclear what ship this is or what happened to it. The Talisman reports that a trawler was taking off the crew.

HMS Talisman also captures a French fishing vessel, the 40 ton Le Clipper, in the same general area. The British later use this as a spy ship.

Convoy HX 91 departs from Halifax, a Greek convoy (seven freighters) departs from Suda Bay for Piraeus.

Canadian corvettes HMCS Cobalt and Orillia are commissioned, along with antiaircraft ship HMS Springbank (converted freighter).

The Germans are stepping up their U-boat construction. They lay down U-92 and U-177 today.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Operation Collar, a supply run to Malta with associated subsidiary operations, continues. Force H (Admiral Somerville) from Gibraltar is led by battlecruiser HMS Renown and aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Force F is led by two cruisers, HMS Southampton and Manchester and is heading for Alexandria. The Mediterranean Fleet also is at sea for Operation Collar, led by battleships HMS Warspite and Valiant and aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. The overall plan is for Force H to escort Convoy ME 4 to the area of Sardinia/Sicily, at which point the Mediterranean Fleet will escort them to Malta. The handoff is scheduled for 27 November.

The British Western Desert Force is preparing in great secrecy an offensive in Egypt. Under Operation Compass, British Troops Egypt (Lieutenant-General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson) is planned as a five-day raid, with extensions based on the progress of the attack. Today, the British forces involved undergoing training exercises.

The RAF bombs Assab and performs reconnaissance missions over Sicily, Bari and Taranto.

On Malta, the government bans the operation of motorcycles without a special permit. There are three air raid alerts, and the first two accomplish nothing, as the planes turn back quickly. During the third raid, the Italians lose a CR 42 fighter and the British lose a Hurricane, with both pilots perishing.

Battle of the Pacific

German raiders Komet and Orion (with tanker/supply ship Kulmerland) are operating about 400 miles (650 km) east of New Zealand (about 40 km southwest of Chatham Island) when they spot a ship at 07:20. The Germans stop it and identify it as 546 ton New Zealand coastal freighter/passenger ship Holmwood. The Germans take off the 29/30 people on board (including four women and four children) and 1370 sheep, two dogs and a horse and distribute them among the three ships (they kill the horse). The Germans then sink the ship.

German/Bulgarian Relations

Hitler and Ribbentrop have been trying to get Bulgaria to sign the Tripartite Pact. If they had their way, the Bulgarians would be present in Berlin right now with the representatives of Romania, Hungary and Slovakia to add their signature. However, Bulgarian minister in Berlin Parvan Draganov scotches these plans, at least for the time being. Bulgaria fears reprisals from both the Soviet Union and Turkey. Draganov also explains that Bulgaria has a natural affinity for the peoples of Russia and its associated republics which might make an agreement now politically unpopular at home. However, Draganov is clear on one point: Bulgaria may be ready to sign at a later date.

Things are very confused about the Soviet/German/Bulgaria issue at this time. Both sides may be making somewhat overstated promises to the Bulgarians in exchange for short-term concessions. For instance, today the Soviet Secretary-General of Soviet Foreign Ministry, Arkadi A. Sobolev, arrives in Sofia to confer with Bulgarian Prime Minister Bogdan Filov. Sobolev requests permission for Soviet troop transfers across the country - for what purpose is unclear - in exchange for the Soviets dropping their objections to Bulgaria joining the Tripartite Pact. Sobolev broadly hints that with just a little cooperation from Bulgaria, both Bulgaria and the USSR might join the Tripartite Pact. These discussions appear tightly coordinated with Foreign Minister Molotov's letter to Ribbentrop.

Anglo/Italian Relations

The London press is full of speculation about the course of the war against Italy. The current rumor is that Mussolini would be willing to conclude a peace deal with the Allies. There is nothing concrete to prove this - yet. However, Mussolini indeed is having serious anxiety attacks about his failed offensive in Greece and the stalled offensive in North Africa.

British Military

Geoffrey de Havilland and John E. Walker, Chief Engine Installation designer, take the new serial number E0234, msn 98001, prototype of the De Havilland D.H. 98 Mosquito bomber on its maiden flight at Hatfield, England. The flight goes smoothly, and the plane reaches 220 mph (350/km). The only issues spotted are a problem with the undercarriage doors and a tendency of the left wing to drag slightly. Both problems are fixed eventually, though the undercarriage problem takes some time.

US Military

Glenn L. Martin Company test pilot William K. "Ken" Ebel at Martin Airport in Middle River, Maryland takes the new serial number 40-1361, msn 1226 B-26 MA Marauder on its first flight. It goes smoothly, and deliveries to the US Army Air Corps at Wright-Patterson field in Ohio are scheduled to begin in February 1941.

The US Army calls up two more National Guard units to active duty, Alabama's 31st and Texas' 36th.

Heavy cruiser USS Louisville departs Santos, Brazil for Rio Grande du Sol, Brazil as part of its continuing "Show the Flag" operation in Latin America.

Palestine

At Haifa, the 11,885 ton SS Patria is loaded with about 1800 Jewish refugees from Occupied Europe. The British authorities have denied entry to the refugees due to their lack of entry permits. The ship is to be sent to Mauritius. Zionist paramilitary group Irgun aka Irgun Zvai Leumi, a subsidiary of Haganah, decide to bomb the ship in order to disable it and prevent its departure (but not necessarily kill anyone, though that seems unavoidable). Miscalculating the force required (the ship is old and fragile), the Zionists plant a bomb that blows a huge hold in the side, causing the Patria to sink within 16 minutes. There are 267 dead and 172 injured.

China

The Japanese 11th Army attacks the Chinese in Hubei Province. This is known variously as the Han River Operation and the Central Hupei Operation. The Japanese send five separate columns to attack the Chinese 5th War Area.