Today in the Second World War

October 26th, amidst the vast expanse of World War II's timeline, offers a tapestry of pivotal moments, valorous acts, and the ever-resounding heartbeat of human resilience. As we navigate the tales and intricacies of this day, our mission is to shed light on both monumental events and the quieter stories that together shaped this unique chapter of history. Join us as we journey through the annals of October 26th, unearthing lessons and memories that continue to resonate.

"The troops of the Don Front at 4pm on the 2nd February 1943 completed the rout and destruction of the encircled group of enemy forces in Stalingrad. Twenty two division have been destroyed or taken prisoner." -Lieutenant General Rokossovski - February 1943

Blows to Carriers

1942: US Navy Ensign George L. Wrenn of VF-72 from the USS Hornet engaged Japanese aircraft attacking the US fleet. He shot down five Nakajima B5N torpedo bombers during the sortie. The Hornet was sunk during the battle and Wrenn had to be recovered aboard the USS Enterprise.

Shokaku was heavily damaged by bombs during the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands. Four to six bombs struck the flight deck; one struck aft of the island and the rest were grouped around the amidships and aft elevators. Large fires were started, and the flight deck was completely buckled by the blasts. Though sixty officers and men were killed, since no aircraft were aboard, no fuel was active and damage control was able to extinguish the fires and save the ship. Admiral Nagumo transferred his flag to destroyer Arashi. Then, with the damaged light carrier Zuiho, Shokaku was detached and ordered home to Truk escorted by Hatsukaze and Maikaze.

At the Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, US forces achieved victory but saw USS Enterprise, USS South Dakota, and USS San Juan damaged. Aircraft carrier USS Hornet (Yorktown-class) was badly damaged from aerial bombs and torpedoes and then finally hit by three Type 93 torpedoes launched from Japanese destroyers Akigumo and Makigumo which caused her to sink 30 minutes later. On the Japanese side, carriers Shokaku and Zuiho were damaged by dive bombers from USS Hornet and USS Enterprise, respectively.

Destroyer USS Shaw went to assist destroyer USS Porter that had been struck by a runaway American aerial torpedo. Shaw took Porter's crew aboard and then scuttled Porter.

Destroying Evidence

1943: The human collection at the University of Strasbourg in Strasbourg, Alsace, France was destroyed, as reported by the scientists who performed research on them for the Nazi regime. In actuality, there was not enough time to destroy the entire collection, and a few cadavers were hidden, to be found later.

Well Placed

1943: USAAF 14th Air Force deployed naval mines at the entrance of Haiphong harbor in northern French Indochina. US Navy Sino-American Special Technical Cooperative Organization (SACO) intelligence officers Raymond Kotrla, Ralph DuBois, and Duncan McCann were aboard to provide naval expertise. As they departed, the lead ship of a Japanese convoy struck a mine, blocking the harbor entrance for the rest of the war. The remainder of the convoy fled toward Hainan island, China to the east, but they would be discovered by a second wave of B-24 bombers, which sank six of the ships.

Photo of the Day

Japanese troops in the suburbs of Hankou (now part of Wuhan), Hubei Province, China, late October 1938.

As we conclude our journey through October 26th, we're reminded once more of the myriad faces and facets of World War II. The events of this day, both grand and personal, weave a tale of perseverance and strategy, evoking a profound sense of historical continuity. Your engagement ensures these narratives remain vibrant, bridging the gulf between past and present. As we await tomorrow's tales, may the memories of October 26th linger, fueling reflection and reverence.

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Have a great week :)

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