stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 7, 2020 12:47:13 GMT
On the USN thread today there is a number missing on the date of the 1st entry, well at least unless the USCW was being fought in 186AD.  I checked and it was actually 1861 so quite early in the conflict.
Comments on WWII thread. I'm not surprised that people don't believe Stalin's figures as their pretty much the reverse of the actual loses. Interesting that the thread reports 80 divisions opposing the German advance on Moscow as on another site I'm being told that there were only 90,000 men opposing the advance on Moscow.
Peirse being replaced by Harris isn't necessarily an improvement as Harris was equally committed to throwing bombers at Germany regardless of the costs. 
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 7, 2020 12:51:09 GMT
On the USN thread today there is a number missing on the date of the 1st entry, well at least unless the USCW was being fought in 186AD. I checked and it was actually 1861 so quite early in Thanks will edit it. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 8, 2020 10:19:27 GMT
A couple of comments on interesting points.
On the USN thread:
That just sounds very weird?? as well as quite a mouthful.
On the WWII thread
Interesting that not only were the Flippino army willing to use women in combat roles but the Guerrilla tag suggests they were expecting a Japanese attack to have some effects at least and the force to be operating in occupied territory.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 8, 2020 10:37:01 GMT
In a change of tradition, the rank of Commodore is changed to Rear Adm. Lower Half. The rank of Commodore had been in use since the beginning of the United States Navy. That just sounds very weird?? as well as quite a mouthful. And all it seems that rear admirals (lower half) wear one star while rear admirals wear two; verbal address remains "rear admiral" for both ranks. On correspondence, where the rear admiral's rank is spelled out, the acronym (LH) and (UH) follows the rear admiral's rank title to distinguish between one and two stars. You get all of it. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 9, 2020 10:34:25 GMT
Small typo at the start of the WWII thread with the "T" missing from the The at the start of the 1st paragraph.
A reminder that whether by luck or good planning some convoys were able to avoid attack. Although unfortunate for the whales and blackfish.
Gods that was a hell of a performance! I knew about force K but didn't realise how lethal it was in encounters like this. The advantage of code breaking and radar as well as good training for night combat - an important lesson learnt at Jutland. The entire convoy sunk along with two escorts and two more damaged. I was a bit concerned given how powerful the two big Italian cruisers were but an excellent operation for the RN and the allies as a whole with the destruction of those supplies. Interesting that Ciano attributes the disaster to Malta based a/c, although admittedly they enable enough defence of the harbour that force K can operate from Malta, which as future events show can't be relied on to continue.
Must admit my 1st thought on reading Rabat was the city in Morocco and 'why the hell is Britain attacking Vichy'  but obviously a location in Malta as well. Fortunately a lot of brave men managed to prevent further damage and even more importantly no one was injured or killed. Coupled with the attack on the sub base at Augusta and the operations by Force K definitely a good day for the allies in the Med.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 9, 2020 16:04:11 GMT
Small typo at the start of the WWII thread with the "T" missing from the The at the start of the 1st paragraph. Thanks will edit it. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 10, 2020 10:52:42 GMT
Well only three days left of the USN day by day.
In the WWI thread I think
The Russian demonstration from Kazvin on the 7th highlighted to the German ambassador at Teheran the precariousness of his position and the Persian government if it can be convinced to side with Germany. With a sense that time is running out, Ambassador Reuss, without reference to Berlin, offers a twenty-year defensive treaty in an effort to win the commitment of the Persians before the Russians can intervene. He also suggests that the Persian government should abandon Teheran, given its proximity to Russian forces to the north, and relocate to Isfahan to the south.
That could backfire against Germany as it wouldn't sound very reassuring to me, ' please abandon you capital so you can continue talking with me about going to war with Russia and Britain'.
Higher up Cadorna is persistent. But unfortunately for the Italians very thick headed. There were things that Italy could do, possibly asking for some naval support for an amphibious attack somewhere on the Dalmatian coastline to turn the Austrian defences, or simply preparing properly for a large scale attack, with sufficient artillery and shells and trying to train the men for such warfare.
In the WWII thread: Interesting display of American 'neutrality' and I had never heard of this operation before. Would they, since their coming from Halifax, be Canadians rather than Brits? Also given the suggestion their not going to end up in Basra mean they will end up further east? I have no idea what might cause that? 
Also
There were daylight Luftwaffe attacks on Saltburn on Sea, Durham and Bampton (Bempton), where the Bridlington to Scarborough train was hit. Just before dark, the Flying Scotsman was machine-gunned by enemy aircraft at Berwick. Edinburgh reported that the fireman of the train passing Marshall Meadows at the time received a slight machine-gun bullet wound in the arm. A German plane dropped two HEs then machine-gunned the train. Numerous bullets struck the train and several glass panels were smashed in the carriages. None of the passengers injured but the fireman of the second engine was grazed on the left arm by a machine-gun bullet.
You have a bit of a duplication here.
Hope I'm not being too chatty? If being rather distracted let me know.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 10, 2020 14:57:46 GMT
Hope I'm not being too chatty? If being rather distracted let me know. I am happy that you comment, it makes it worth for to keep posting the updates. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 11, 2020 12:04:11 GMT
Hope I'm not being too chatty? If being rather distracted let me know. I am happy that you comment, it makes it worth for to keep posting the updates.
OK thanks. Will keep rabbiting.
One thing I will say today
The battle to push the Italians out of east Africa begins. Allied forces with support from local guerillas attack Chilga to the west and Kulkaber to the south east of the main Italian position at Gondar. The Italians repel the attacks.
Had forgotten there was still an Italian hold-out in Ethiopia! Thought they were all mopped up or had surrendered by now.
Steve
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 12, 2020 12:17:17 GMT
lordroel , On today's WWII post what is the source your using for your eastern front figures please? Is there one general one your being using. Only been having a discussion on the Sietch and would be useful if I could cite a source.
Also interesting the promises that Finland made to the US. A bold move on their part as if that was the reason they didn't push further they could have really hurt the Soviets in the far north. Possibly not enough to change the war in the east but might have been an opportunity for them to secure their independence. Instead they got screwed over by Stalin in 44.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 12, 2020 13:59:07 GMT
lordroel , On today's WWII post what is the source your using for your eastern front figures please? Is there one general one your being using. Only been having a discussion on the Sietch and would be useful if I could cite a source. Also interesting the promises that Finland made to the US. A bold move on their part as if that was the reason they didn't push further they could have really hurt the Soviets in the far north. Possibly not enough to change the war in the east but might have been an opportunity for them to secure their independence. Instead they got screwed over by Stalin in 44. Steve
Not a scource but also a confirmation of what I posted, Zhukov’s Fresh Reserves
Guderian prepared to renew his assault on Tula by bringing up the rest of his army in a flanking movement to the east, but by early November Second Panzer Army had bypassed so many smaller Soviet units that Guderian’s right flank was seriously exposed. He posted his LIII Corps on the right to deal with threats to his line of communications, but spoiling attacks by the Soviet Third and Fiftieth Armies set off a 10-day running battle that further delayed Guderian’s drive on Tula until November 18 and forced Second Panzer Army to consume vital ammunition and fuel stocks.
By the end of October, the vast human resources of the Soviet empire had begun collecting on the Moscow axis. That month, Zhukov received 10 rifle divisions, 19 armored units, a cavalry division, five divisions of militia, and one airborne corps. During November, he would receive another 22 rifle divisions, 17 rifle brigades, 14 cavalry divisions, four armored units, and 11 ski battalions. By November 15, Zhukov and Koniev (whom at Zhukov’s request had been given command of the armies fighting at Kalinin) had assembled 38 infantry divisions, three tank divisions, and a dozen cavalry divisions, plus another 14 tank brigades. While many of Zhukov’s units would be thrown into combat with little or no training, he now had sufficient numbers to make a decent stand around his capital. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 12, 2020 14:06:22 GMT
lordroel , On today's WWII post what is the source your using for your eastern front figures please? Is there one general one your being using. Only been having a discussion on the Sietch and would be useful if I could cite a source. Also interesting the promises that Finland made to the US. A bold move on their part as if that was the reason they didn't push further they could have really hurt the Soviets in the far north. Possibly not enough to change the war in the east but might have been an opportunity for them to secure their independence. Instead they got screwed over by Stalin in 44. Steve
Not a scource but also a confirmation of what I posted, Zhukov’s Fresh Reserves
Guderian prepared to renew his assault on Tula by bringing up the rest of his army in a flanking movement to the east, but by early November Second Panzer Army had bypassed so many smaller Soviet units that Guderian’s right flank was seriously exposed. He posted his LIII Corps on the right to deal with threats to his line of communications, but spoiling attacks by the Soviet Third and Fiftieth Armies set off a 10-day running battle that further delayed Guderian’s drive on Tula until November 18 and forced Second Panzer Army to consume vital ammunition and fuel stocks.
By the end of October, the vast human resources of the Soviet empire had begun collecting on the Moscow axis. That month, Zhukov received 10 rifle divisions, 19 armored units, a cavalry division, five divisions of militia, and one airborne corps. During November, he would receive another 22 rifle divisions, 17 rifle brigades, 14 cavalry divisions, four armored units, and 11 ski battalions. By November 15, Zhukov and Koniev (whom at Zhukov’s request had been given command of the armies fighting at Kalinin) had assembled 38 infantry divisions, three tank divisions, and a dozen cavalry divisions, plus another 14 tank brigades. While many of Zhukov’s units would be thrown into combat with little or no training, he now had sufficient numbers to make a decent stand around his capital.
Many thanks. Will take a look.
Steve
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 13, 2020 12:26:53 GMT
Is today the last entry for the USN one as it started on the 14th Nov last year? Think you said that would be the case.
On the WWI thread today's entry has two sections on the "Italian Front: Fourth Battle of the Isonzo". May I suggest merging them unless there's a reason for this.
Steve
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lordroel
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Post by lordroel on Nov 13, 2020 12:30:27 GMT
Is today the last entry for the USN one as it started on the 14th Nov last year? Think you said that would be the case.
On the WWI thread today's entry has two sections on the "Italian Front: Fourth Battle of the Isonzo". May I suggest merging them unless there's a reason for this. Steve
First, yes, the This Day In United States Naval History is now complete, no more entry to come. Second, thanks will edit it. |
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stevep
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Post by stevep on Nov 14, 2020 10:11:18 GMT
With the WWI thread I'm getting a strong deja vu as most/all of today's post I remember from yesterday. Did you accidentally post it yesterday by mistake and today is a correction?
Steve
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I checked and it was actually 1861 so quite early in the conflict.
but obviously a location in Malta as well. Fortunately a lot of brave men managed to prevent further damage and even more importantly no one was injured or killed. Coupled with the attack on the sub base at Augusta and the operations by Force K definitely a good day for the allies in the Med.