Today in the Second World War

Welcome to the June 11 edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. As we journey back nearly eight decades, we're here to enlighten you with stories from this pivotal day during the Second World War. In this issue, we'll explore strategic operations, human experiences, and political maneuvers that took place on this date, spanning from the fraught battlegrounds of Europe to the vast Pacific theater. Join us as we remember and learn from the past, shining a light on the events that have significantly shaped our world.

“Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with the state’s.” - Benito Mussolini

France on Life Support

German 7th Panzer Division under Rommel captured Le Havre, France, then turned back and drove 30 miles to the northeast to St-Valery-en-Caux, where the German troops succeeded in encircling 46,000 French and British troops. Elsewhere in northern France, troops under Guderian captured Rheims. In the south, Italian troops began crossing the Alps toward the French border. Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Foreign Minister Anthony Eden traveled to France for a Supreme War Council meeting at Chateau du Muguet near Briare. Churchill, detecting feelings of defeat, reminded the French that the 28 Mar agreement noted that none of the two countries could seek a separate peace with Germany without the other country's consent. During this meeting, French Navy Admiral François Darlan assured Churchill that the French fleet would not fall into German hands.

Daring Raid

Before dawn, just hours after Italy had entered the war, a squadron of elderly Rolls-Royce armoured cars from the 11th Hussars, the light cavalry of the British 7th Armoured Division, crossed "the wire", a fence built by Italian engineers along the 400 miles of the border between Libya and Egypt. The cars spread out and the raid penetrated deep into Italian territory attacking Italian frontier positions in Cyrenaica. One troop shot up the Italian camp at Fort Capuzzo, another hit Fort Maddalena, while a third ambushed a small convoy. Although few casualties were inflicted the 11th Hussars returned home jubilant and unhurt. Thereafter the Hussars searched in vain but the Italians preferred to remain behind the barricades of their superbly designed fortresses.

Evacuation

French troops evacuated Bir Hakeim, Libya after 16 days of stubborn defense that incurred 3,330 casualties on the Axis side; the French suffered 1,084 casualties while defending this fort; 500 seriously wounded troops were left behind in the fort. During the evacuation, heavy German artillery bombardment caused a panic and caused several French vehicles to drive off of the cleared path into surrounding minefields, detonating several in the process. The retreating forces made contact with British forces at 0400 hours. With Bir Hakeim secured, the Germans pushed toward El Adem later in the day and Knightsbridge in the evening. After 1900 hours, a few long range shots were exchanged between British and German tanks, but Erwin Rommel chose not to engaged in full combat that night.

Photo of the Day

82nd Airborne load a 75mm howitzer into a CG-4A Troop Glider during training at Oujda, French Morocco, North Africa a month before the Sicily invasion, June 11 1943.

As we close the chapter on this day's exploration of WWII history, we thank you for your continued engagement with our daily digest. We trust that the insights from June 11 during that significant era have enriched your understanding of our shared past. Remember, these stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience serve as profound lessons for our present and guideposts for our future. As we prepare to embark on a new journey tomorrow, we invite your thoughts, inquiries, and reflections on today's issue. Until then, keep the past alive in your hearts and minds.

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

Have a great weekend :)

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