Today in the Second World War

On this day in World War II, a series of pivotal events unfolded that significantly influenced the course of the conflict. From strategic military engagements to the acts of bravery that defined individual lives, May 28th stands as a testament to the complexity and intensity of the war. In this issue, we explore these critical moments and the decisions that shaped them. Join us as we dive into the historical depth of May 28th, uncovering the stories of valor and sacrifice that continue to resonate today.

Today’s Video: https://youtu.be/WJApuH63fl8

Want U-Boat or Warship models? Go here: https://hiddenhistoryyt.myshopify.com

Want to learn more about Submarines? Click here: https://hiddenhistoryyt.com

“The only thing that ever really frightened me during the war was the U-Boat peril…It did not take the form of flaring battles and glittering achievements, it manifested itself through statistics, diagrams, and curves unknown to the nation, incomprehensible to the public.” - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

Betrayal?

1940: King Leopold III of Belgium officially surrendered unconditionally to Germany at 0400 hours; he made this decision without consulting his government nor the Allied nations.

Evacuation

1940: In France, 11,874 Allied personnel were evacuated from Dunkerque harbor and 5,930 from the nearby beaches; the latter was possible due to the arrival of many small fishing boats and pleasure craft. At Lille, seven German Divisions trapped the 40,000-strong French First Army. At Abbeville, the crew of French Char B1 Bis tank "Jeanne d'Arc" gallantly fought on against a German attack despite receiving 90 hits. Across the front lines, between eighty and ninety British prisoners of the 2nd Warwickshire Regiment, the Cheshire Regiment, and the Royal Artillery were murdered by members of No. 7 Company, 2nd Battalion SS Liebstandarte at Wormhoudt, France.

More Evacuation

1941: The evacuation of British and Commonwealth troops from Crete, Greece began before dawn; the evacuation centered around Sphakia on the southern coast of Crete, while Colonel Laycock commanded a rearguard force to guard the evacuation. British cruisers HMS Ajax, HMS Orion, and HMS Dido and destroyers HMS Decoy, HMS Jackal, HMS Imperial, HMS Hotspur, HMS Kimberly, and HMS Hereward departed Alexandria, Egypt for Heraklion, Crete to help with the evacuation; German aircraft damaged HMS Ajax (killing 6, wounding 18, and forcing her to turn back) and HMS Imperial (wounding 1); the force, less Ajax, arrived at Heraklion at 2330 hours.

Deception

1942: Seaplane tender USS Tangier conducted a small raid on Tulagi in the Solomon Islands; during the attack, she transmitted radio messages that were purposefully composed as if she was a fleet carrier, thus giving the Japanese a false impression that the US was still operating fleet carriers in the South Pacific when in actuality all fleet carriers had been shifted back to the Hawaiian Islands.

Photo of the Day

Kittyhawk fighters of the American Volunteer Group flying near the Salween River Gorge on the Chinese-Burmese border, 28 May 1942

Bonus Photo

French soldiers firing 75mm cannon against German armor at Dunkirk, late May 1940

As we wrap up today's exploration of the pivotal events of May 28th during World War II, we hope that the stories and insights have enriched your understanding of this significant day. Your interest in the depths of history helps keep the legacy of these times alive and relevant. We eagerly anticipate delving deeper into the past with you in our next edition, where we will continue to uncover and honor the enduring lessons of the war. Until then, remain curious and reflective about the past and its profound impact on our lives today.

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Have a great week :)

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