Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On this day in 1941, the German Naval Attaché in Moscow reported to German Navy headquarters that the British had deduced the German invasion of the Soviet Union to take place around June 26th, 1941, and had shared this information with the Soviet Union. Also, on this day in 1944, British bombers attacked Munich, Germany, destroying the only Spinosaurus fossil specimen BSP 1912 VIII 19 at the Paläontologische Staatssammlung München. Read on for more details and insights about these events and their impact on World War II.

"No enemy bomber can reach the Ruhr. If one reaches the Ruhr, my name is not Hermann Goering. You may call me Hermann Meyer." - Hermann Göring

German Plans Leaked

The report from the German Naval Attaché in Moscow on April 24th, 1941 was a significant intelligence development in the lead-up to the German invasion of the Soviet Union, known as Operation Barbarossa. The invasion was one of the largest military operations in history, involving millions of soldiers and complex logistics across thousands of miles of terrain.

The British intelligence service had indeed learned about the impending invasion of the Soviet Union, and had passed this information on to the Soviet Union in an effort to strengthen their alliance against Germany. The British had obtained the information through a variety of sources, including intercepted communications, spies, and aerial reconnaissance.

The report from the German Naval Attaché in Moscow was significant because it confirmed that the Germans had become aware of the British intelligence efforts, and were likely to adjust their plans in response. The Germans had already begun to prepare for the invasion, but the intelligence leak gave them reason to accelerate their preparations and launch the attack sooner than originally planned.

On June 22nd, 1941, the German invasion of the Soviet Union began. The surprise attack caught the Soviet Union off guard, despite the warning they had received from the British intelligence service. The invasion was initially successful, with German forces advancing deep into Soviet territory and capturing large numbers of prisoners and supplies.

However, the invasion ultimately proved to be a costly mistake for the Germans. The vast distances and harsh terrain of the Soviet Union made it difficult to sustain their advance, and Soviet resistance proved to be much stronger than anticipated. The invasion ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, and led to years of brutal fighting and suffering on both sides.

America’s New Weapon

The delivery of the first M3 tank from the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant on April 24th 1941 was a significant event in the history of American military technology and production. The M3 tank, also known as the Stuart tank, was a light tank that played an important role in World War II. It was designed to be fast and maneuverable, and was used primarily for reconnaissance and support roles.

The Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant, located in Warren, Michigan, was built in 1940 as part of the United States' preparations for World War II. The plant was designed to produce tanks and other armored vehicles in large quantities, using assembly line techniques that had been developed in the automobile industry. The construction of the plant was a massive undertaking, involving thousands of workers and requiring the clearing of large areas of land.

The delivery of the first M3 tank from the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant represented a major milestone in the American war effort. The production of tanks and other armored vehicles was a crucial component of the US military's strategy, and the ability to produce these vehicles in large quantities was seen as essential to the Allied victory in World War II.

The M3 tank itself was a highly successful design, and over 13,000 were produced during the war. It was used by the US Army and its allies in a variety of roles, and was especially effective in the Pacific Theater, where its speed and maneuverability were highly valued. The M3 was also widely exported to other countries after the war, and saw action in conflicts around the world for many years.

Today, the Detroit Arsenal Tank Plant is still in operation, and continues to produce advanced armored vehicles for the US military. Its legacy as a symbol of American industrial might and technological innovation remains an important part of American military history.

The Cost of War

The bombing raid on Munich that destroyed the Spinosaurus fossil specimen BSP 1912 VIII 19 was part of a larger campaign of strategic bombing carried out by the Allied powers during World War II. The bombing campaign aimed to cripple German industry and infrastructure, disrupt communications, and demoralize the German population.

The raid on Munich took place in the early hours of April 24th, 1944. The city was heavily defended by anti-aircraft guns and fighter planes, but the Allied bombers managed to penetrate the defenses and drop their payloads. The attack caused extensive damage to the city, including many historic buildings, cultural treasures, and civilian homes.

One of the buildings damaged in the raid was the Bavarian State Collection of Paleontology, which was located in a complex of museums and galleries in the city center. The collection housed thousands of fossils from all over the world, including many rare and important specimens. The Spinosaurus fossil BSP 1912 VIII 19 was one of the most prized and valuable specimens in the collection, and its loss was a significant blow to paleontologists and natural history enthusiasts. It was the only specimen known to humanity at the time. Until the 1990s there were only monographic descriptions of this reptile made by Stromer.

The bombing raid on Munich was just one of many similar attacks carried out by the Allied powers during the war. These attacks often caused significant damage and loss of life, and were controversial both at the time and in later years. Some critics argued that the bombing campaign was indiscriminate and immoral, as it often targeted civilian populations and cultural treasures. Others argued that it was a necessary and effective means of weakening the German war effort and shortening the war.

Despite the loss of BSP 1912 VIII 19 and other fossils during the war, paleontologists have continued to make important discoveries and advances in the field of dinosaur research. New technologies and techniques have enabled scientists to study fossils in unprecedented detail, and new specimens continue to be discovered all over the world. Today, the study of dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals remains a thriving and vibrant field of scientific inquiry.

Dachau Evacuated

The evacuation of Dachau concentration camp began on April 24th, 1945, as the Allied forces were rapidly advancing towards the heart of Nazi Germany. The Nazi officials feared that the prisoners would be liberated by the Allied forces, and thus decided to evacuate the concentration camps. The evacuation of Dachau was part of this effort, and the camp's prisoners were forced to march southward.

The death march from Dachau was a harrowing experience for the prisoners. They were forced to walk for days without food or water, in brutal conditions, under the constant threat of being shot or beaten by their guards. Many prisoners were too weak to keep up and were executed on the spot. Some of them managed to escape or hide, but most of them continued on the march.

The prisoners were marched southward towards the Alps, with the destination being the town of Tegernsee. The march was supposed to take only three days, but due to the chaotic and disorganized nature of the evacuation, it took much longer. The prisoners were subjected to constant abuse by their guards, and many of them died from exhaustion or exposure.

As they passed through towns and villages, the prisoners were often subjected to the taunts and jeers of the local population, who were either unaware of or indifferent to the horrors that were being perpetrated by the Nazis. Some people, however, did try to help the prisoners, despite the risk of being punished or killed by the Nazis.

After six days of marching, the prisoners finally reached Tegernsee on April 30th, 1945. The survivors were liberated by American troops, who had just arrived in the area. The prisoners were in a state of shock and disbelief, having survived one of the most brutal experiences of their lives.

The evacuation of Dachau and the other concentration camps in the final days of World War II was a desperate attempt by the Nazi regime to hide the evidence of their atrocities. However, the liberation of the camps and the survivors of the death marches brought the horrors of the Holocaust to light and served as a reminder of the inhumanity that can be perpetrated by human beings. Today, the Dachau Concentration Camp Memorial Site stands as a testament to the victims of the Nazi regime and as a warning against the dangers of hatred, intolerance, and prejudice.

Photo of the Day

Fighting till the end, HMS Warspite grounded at Mounts Bay on her way to the breakers in April 1947.

As we conclude today's newsletter, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought during World War II. We honor those who fought and died to protect the freedoms and values we hold dear, and we recognize the importance of remembering their sacrifices. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the events and individuals that shaped the course of World War II. Thank you for reading.

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Have a great week :)

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