Today in the Second World War

The 31st of January

Hidden History
January 31, 2024

Welcome to the January 31st edition of our WWII Chronicles. Today, we delve into the pivotal events and untold stories from this date in the annals of the Second World War. Join us as we explore the strategic decisions, heroic deeds, and the profound human experiences of a world at war. As we commemorate the past, our newsletter aims to keep the legacy of this global conflict alive, providing insights and reflections relevant to our times.

All propaganda has to be popular and has to accommodate itself to the comprehension of the least intelligent of those whom it seeks to reach. ” - From Mein Kampf

Mistaken Identity

1942: The German support ship Spreewald, disguised as British Royal Mail steamer Brittany, was carrying 200 British seamen captured from sunken merchantmen when German submarine U-333 found her. Believing she was indeed a British ship, Spreewald was torpedoed and sunk off Bordeaux, France. Only 24 crewmen and 58 POWs were rescued. The U-boat captain, Peter Cremer, was exonerated by a Royal Navy inquiry because he identified the ship as the Royal Mail steamer, Brittany, which was precisely what the Spreewald's captain had disguised his ship to resemble.

German support ship Spreewald

No More

1943: Out of food and ammunition, the southern half of the German 6.Armee in Stalingrad, Russia surrendered; the final radio message coming out of this pocket was made at 1945 hours, which closed with the Morse abbreviation "CL", short for "Clear (I am closing my station)". Shortly after, 110 German transport aircraft take off for the northern pocket with supplies; more than 90 of the aircraft found the illuminated triangular drop zone and released their loads.

German Field Marshal Friedrich Paulus, Major General Arthur Schmidt, and Paulus' adjutant Colonel Wilhelm Adam after their surrender, Stalingrad, Russia, 31 Jan 1943

Photo of the Day

Frozen dead Russian soldier in Finland, 31 Jan 1940

As we close today's edition, we thank you for joining us in retracing the pivotal events of January 31st during World War II. Your continued interest helps keep the lessons and stories of this significant era alive. Tune in tomorrow for more insights and tales of bravery and strategy from the past, as we strive to preserve the legacy of those who shaped our world. Remember, history is not just about the past; it's a beacon guiding us into the future.

If you ever have any recommendations feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

At Dawn We Slept by Gordon W. Prange

Revisit the definitive book on Pearl Harbor in advance of the 78th anniversary (December 7, 2019) of the "date which will live in infamy".

Judgement at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass

A landmark, magisterial history of the trial of Japan’s leaders as war criminals—the largely overlooked Asian counterpart to Nuremberg.

The Things Our Fathers Saw by Matthew A. Rozell

How soon we forget. Or perhaps, we were never told. That is understandable, given what they saw. But, it happened.

Operation: Snare Drum: A WWII Submarine Adventure Novel by Scott W. Cook

December 7, 1941 - America is attacked by the Japanese and dragged into a worldwide struggle for power unlike anything ever seen on Earth.

Pacific Sniper: A World War II Thriller by David Healey

In December 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor plunges the United States into war. Fresh from the hardscrabble mountains of Appalachia, Deacon Cole joins the fight against Imperial Japan.

Today’s email was brought to you by Hidden History.

Was this email forwarded to you? You can subscribe here