Today in the Second World War

The 6th of April

Author

Hidden History
April 06, 2024

On April 6, we commemorate a pivotal moment in the annals of World War II, a conflict that reshaped the world. This date serves as a somber reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience displayed by countless individuals amidst the darkness of global conflict. In today’s edition, we delve into the significant events and unsung heroes of this period, aiming to keep alive the memory of their sacrifices. Join us as we explore the profound impact of these historical moments, ensuring their lessons and legacies are remembered and honored.

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"All right, they're on our left, they're on our right, they're in front of us, they're behind us... they can't get away this time."- Lt. Gen. Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller, at Guadalcanal

Movements

1940: RAF aircraft conducted a photo reconnaissance mission over Kiel, Germany to monitor preparations for the German invasion of Norway. German Kriegsmarine's Marine Gruppe 1 departed Cuxhaven, Germany for Narvik, Norway with 2,000 soldiers on 10 destroyers escorted by battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Marine Gruppe 2 departed Wesermünde, Germany for Trondheim, Norway with 1,700 soldiers on 4 destroyers escorted by cruiser Admiral Hipper. Both departures were made after nightfall to escape British detection.

Heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper embarking German troops for the invasion of Norway, 6 Apr 1940

Brave Flying

1941: RAF Beaufort aircraft torpedoed German battlecruiser Gneisenau at Brest, France. During this attack, Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell of No. 22 Squadron RAF Coastal Command, who scored the hit with an Mk XII torpedo, was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed with the loss of the entire crew. Campbell would be awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his gallantry.

Flying Officer Kenneth Campbell

Invasion

1941: Before dawn, German, Hungarian, and Italian forces invaded Yugoslavia from Austria, Romania, Bulgaria, and Albania. German Luftwaffe swiftly destroyed Yugoslavian Air Force on the ground and devastated Belgrade with aerial bombing between 0700 and 0830 hours, killing 4,000 civilians; on the ground, German forces spearheaded by armor reached the Skopje and Veles areas in southern Yugoslavia. On the same day, German, Hungarian, and Italian forces invaded Greece from Bulgaria. Unlike the success in Yugoslavia, the invasion was slowed by Greek and British troops at the Metaxas Line. After sundown, a Luftwaffe raid on Piraeus, Greece got an unexpected boost when the ammunition ship Clan Fraser was hit, with the resulting blast doing more damage to the port facilities than the aerial bombs dropped by the Germans; the explosion also caused the sinking of 11 other freighters.

Map illustrating the movements of the Axis forces in Yugoslavia and Greece

Mutiny

1945: On the Island of Texel off the Dutch coast, the Georgian troops serving as volunteers with the German army mutinied. Some 246 German troops were killed in their sleep by the Georgians (most of whom had originally been captured on the Eastern Front) and battle broke out which eventually results in about 800 Germans, about 500 Georgian and 117 Texel civilian fatalities. The fighting ended only when the Canadians arrived on 20 May 1945, two weeks after the end of the European war.

Shalva Loladze, the leader of the Georgian uprising

Photo of the Day

M2A3 light tank on parade during the Army Day Parade, Washington, DC, United States, 6 Apr 1939

Bonus Photos

American aircraft carrier USS Wasp (Wasp-class) at anchor in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland, United Kingdom, 6 Apr 1942. Cruiser USS Wichita is seen at right and battleship USS Washington in the center.

Keitel, Hitler, and Speer observing the field during a weapons demonstration, circa 6 Apr 1943

US B-25J (44-29600; 2Lt Francis A. Thompson) of 499th 'Bats Outta Hell' Bomb Squadron of 345th 'Air Apaches' Bomb Group attacking Japanese Type-C Escort Vessel No. 1, in Taiwan Strait south of Amoy (Xiamen), China, 6 Apr 1945

As we conclude this edition of our newsletter, we carry forward the legacy and lessons of April 6, a day marked by historical significance during World War II. It's a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity and the sacrifices made for the freedoms we enjoy today. We hope that our journey through the past has provided you with deeper insights and a renewed appreciation for the complexities of history. Let us continue to honor those who came before us, drawing inspiration from their courage and dedication. Until our next edition, keep the flame of remembrance burning bright, and may we never forget the cost of peace.

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Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

The Ghost That Died at Sunda Strait by W. G. Winslow

Recounting the last stand of the heavy cruiser Houston, this tale of survival brings to life the 1942 battle at Sunda Strait.

Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports by John J. Domagalski

The dramatic account of two American warships in the South Pacific, this book follows the USS Astoria (CA–34) and USS Chicago (CA–29) during the late summer of 1942, when both participated in the early days of the critical battle for Guadalcanal. Drawing on a variety of firsthand accounts, some previously unpublished, the book tells the story from the perspective of the men aboard each ship, transporting readers inside the gun turrets, behind the lookout binoculars, and below deck as the battle rages. Individual stories of heroism, sacrifice and survival unfold as both vessels meet their fates in the South Pacific.

The Sinking of the Bismarck: The History of the Battle that Destroyed Nazi Germany’s Most Famous Battleship by Charles River Editors 

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