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Welcome to the August 31st edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, where we take a momentous look back at this date's significance during World War II. From pivotal battles to unsung heroes, today's issue delves into the events and stories that shaped the destinies of countless lives on this very day across different war theaters. As always, we aim to offer a comprehensive perspective that honors the sacrifices made and the lessons learned during this transformative period in history. Thank you for joining us on this historical journey.
"I speak in the name of the entire German people when I assure the world that we all share the honest wish to eliminate the enmity that brings far more costs than any possible benefits... It would be a wonderful thing for all of humanity if both peoples would renounce force against each other forever. The German people are ready to make such a pledge." - Adolf Hitler - 14th October 1933
No to War
1936: The United States passed a neutrality bill according to popular isolationist sentiment. The slogan "schools, not battleships" was used by supporters of this bill.
Battleship USS Missouri
War Inevitable
1939: The formal order for the German invasion of Poland was given; specific instructions were made for German troops on the western border to avoid conflict with the United Kingdom, France, and the Low Countries.
Adolf Hitler offered the United Kingdom that Germany would not risk war if Poland was willing to turn over Danzig and a small section of the Polish Corridor, and that Poland was to allow a plebiscite for the remainder of the Polish Corridor in the near future; British Ambassador in Germany Nevile Henderson expressed that the United Kingdom, while desiring peace, could not sacrifice Poland to achieve that goal. Meanwhile, Henderson continued to press Poland to send a delegation to Germany in a last attempt to negotiate peace over Danzig and the Polish Corridor. When Polish Ambassador in Germany Józef Lipski attempted to send Henderson's message to Poland later in the evening, he found that Germany had cut telephone and telegraph communications to Poland.
In Italy, Galeazzo Ciano sent the United Kingdom and France a secret message noting that Italy would not fight should Germany start a war over Poland.
German official Hermann Göring hosted British Ambassador Nevile Henderson and Swedish businessman Birger Dahlerus at his home in Berlin, Germany for tea between 1700 and 1900 hours, during which the latter two made a last attempt to broker peace.
Evacuation order for London civilians orders given by the United Kingdom Ministry of Health, to be executed on the next day, with special note stressing that it did not necessarily meant war was inevitable.
Adolf Hitler performs a Nazi salute as he stands next to his generals and surveys German troops parading.
Closing In
Tanks of the German 4th Panzer Army reached the Stalingrad-Morozovsk railway on the outskirts of Stalingrad, Russia.
A Panzer IV and infantry of the 4th Panzer Army reach the Stalingrad-Morozosvk railway outside Stalingrad, Aug. 1942.
Design Flaw
Under the direction of the irascible Commander Charles "Swede" Momsen and acting on orders from US Commander of Submarines Pacific Area Rear Admiral Charles Lockwood, submarine USS Muskellunge fired three Mark XIV torpedoes at the underwater cliffs of Kahoolawe Island, Hawaii to test the torpedo’s contact exploders. Two exploded and one did not. Momsen himself dove on the damaged but unexploded torpedo and rigged it for recovery. He then delicately dismantled the exploder device and revealed the design defects that had caused it to fail.
Charles Momsen
Photo of the Day
US Navy pilot Lieutenant Commander James H. Flatley's F6F-3 Hellcat fighter warming up on the deck of USS Yorktown, preparing to attack Marcus Island, 31 August 1943.
As we wrap up this August 31st edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we hope you’ve gained a deeper understanding of the day's historical significance during World War II. Thank you for joining us in honoring the courage and sacrifices made on this day across different war theaters. Your engagement keeps the memory and lessons of this pivotal era alive. Until our next edition, take care and continue to explore the intricate tapestry of history.
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Have a great week :)
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