Today in the Second World War

The 15th of July

Author

Hidden History
July 15, 2024

Welcome to our July 15 edition, where we delve into the significant events and personal stories of World War II. In this issue, we highlight the bravery, strategic decisions, and sacrifices that defined this monumental period in history. Our goal is to bring these moments to life, offering you a deeper understanding and appreciation of the past. Thank you for joining us on this journey of discovery and remembrance, and for your dedication to preserving these important stories.

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“A victory at Kursk would shine like a beacon to the world!” – to Hitler’s Generals - Adolf Hitler

Operation Ambassador

1940: Destroyers HMS Scimitar and HMS Saladin delivered 140 British commandos to the Channel Island of Guernsey. 40 men from the No. 3 Commando reached the shore on launches, but found their target barracks actually not used by Germans; 37 men returned to the destroyers, leaving 3 who could not swim behind to later become prisoners of war. Elsewhere, some of the launches landed at the Channel Island of Sark by mistake.

German proclamation of measures against Nicolle, Symes, Sherwill, and others following the raid

Unique

1942: Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham, wounded during the fighting at Ruweisat Ridge in Egypt, refused to be evacuated and chose to lead his men in combat until he was unable to move. He would survive the battle and would become the only man in WW2 to be awarded the Victoria Cross and Bar decoration.

Captain Charles Hazlitt Upham

Almost

1944: Claus von Stauffenberg met with Adolf Hitler at Rastenburg, East Prussia, Germany at 1300 hours. General Friedrich Olbricht activated Valkyrie in Berlin, Germany two hours prior to the meeting, expecting his troops to be in position to seize key positions in the capital at about the same moment Hitler was to be killed by a bomb that Stauffenberg brought into the meeting. Hitler departed the meeting early unexpectedly, and Olbricht hastily called off the operation, announcing that the troop movement was simply a drill.

Stauffenberg, left, with Hitler (centre) and Wilhelm Keitel, right, in an aborted assassination attempt at Rastenburg on 15 July 1944

Photo of the Day

US tanker Pennsylvania Sun burning after being torpedoed by German submarine U-571 in the Gulf of Mexico, 15 Jul 1942

Bonus Photo

Japanese-American troops of 100th Infantry Battalion of US 442nd Regimental Combat Team leaving for regimental reserve after 16 days of fighting, Castellina Sector, near Livorno, Italy, 15 Jul 1944

As we conclude our July 15 edition, we hope the stories and insights shared have deepened your appreciation for the remarkable events and individuals of World War II. Your continued support and interest are essential in keeping these memories alive. Thank you for joining us in honoring and remembering the past. We look forward to bringing you more compelling narratives in our future issues. Until then, let's continue to reflect on the lessons of history and celebrate the resilience and bravery of those who shaped our world.

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

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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