Today in the Second World War

The 25th of September

Author

Hidden History
September 25, 2023

Greetings to our history aficionados! As we delve into the events of September 25th during the tempestuous era of World War II, we uncover tales of courage, pivotal choices, and episodes that shaped the larger narrative of the war. Join us in today's exploration, where we bridge the annals of the past to the reflections of the present. Let the journey begin.

"We did not intend to fight enemy warships...but we took up the fight. The crew have behaved magnificently. we shall win or die." - Admiral Lütjens - Commander of the Bismarck's Naval Squadron - 25th May 1941

Choosing Your Loot

1939: Warsaw, Poland suffered heavy Luftwaffe bombing and artillery bombardment as Adolf Hitler arrived to observe the attack. To the east, Soviet troops captured Bialystok, Poland. Meanwhile, Joseph Stalin proposed to the Germans that the Soviet Union would take Lithuania which was previously within the German sphere of influence; in exchange, the Soviets would give the portions of Poland near Warsaw which were previously within the Soviet sphere of influence but had already been overrun by German troops

Aerial view of Warsaw, Poland, 25 September 1939; note Vistula River in the center of the photo.

Operation Menace

1940: The British fleet bombarded Dakar in French West Africa in the morning. At 0900 hours, French submarine Beveziers attacked British battleship HMS Resolution, damaging her; she had to be towed back by battleship HMS Barham while the rest of the British warships fell back. The British War Cabinet decided to cancel the operation after all attempts to enter Dakar failed. Meanwhile, Vichy French bombers from Algeria and Morocco again bombed Gibraltar in retaliation to the British and Free French attacks on Dakar, lighting damaging port facilities and sinking British anti-submarine trawler Stella Sirius.

British battleship salvos during Operation Menace.

Alliance

1940: Joachim von Ribbentrop alerted the German embassy in the Soviet Union that Japan was likely to join Germany and Italy in an alliance. Should this happen, the ambassador was to alert the Soviet Union of this news, and to ensure the USSR that this alliance was meant to deter the United States from entering the war and in no way was meant to be formed against Soviet interests.

Ribbentrop in 1938

Change in Strategy

1941: Hitler ordered a halt to attacks on Leningrad in northern Russia, instead ordering that the city be starved into submission.

Of a population of 2.9 million (including 0.5 million children), 630 000 died from hunger-related causes, most during the winter of 1941-2.

Leningrad during the siege.

Escape Attempt

1944: British prisoner of war Lieutenant Mike Sinclair was killed by a German guard while attempting to escape from the Oflag IV-C camp at Colditz Castle in Germany. He had attempted to escape several times prior, and through these attempted had earned the respect of his captors, who allowed the British prisoners to bury Sinclair with full military honors.

Lieutenant Mike Sinclair

No More

1945: The Nazi Party was officially declared illegal in Germany.

Destroyed Nazi eagle.

Photo of the Day

Gun camera footage from a Spitfire Mk I fighter of No. 609 Squadron RAF, showing its tracer ammunition hitting a German He III aircraft over Filton, Bristol, England, United Kingdom, 25 September 1940.

As we conclude our journey through the intricate tapestry of September 25th in World War II, let's pause and honor the countless individuals whose stories we've touched upon today. Their legacy serves as a testament to humanity's resilience and the enduring hope for a peaceful future. We're grateful for your companionship on this historical voyage and eagerly await our next meeting. Until then, cherish the lessons from the past and envision a harmonious tomorrow. Farewell, and see you in our next edition.

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

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

The Rifle: Combat Stories from America's Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand (World War II Collection): Biggio, Andrew

Tales of American combat and comradery in World War II all connected to the iconic rifle of the era, the M1 Garand. An award-winning author puts one such rifle into the hands of a series of vets, records their stories, and gathers their signatures on the rifle, in a pilgrimage and homage to heroism.

The Rifle 2: Back to the Battlefield by Andrew Biggio

In this highly anticipated follow-up to The Rifle, Andrew Biggio brings to light more untold stories from the quickly vanishing ranks of the veterans of World War II.

Over The Top: Veterans of the First World War by David Polk

With the stroke of a pen, the signing of the Armistice on November 11, 1918 promised a World of peace and cooperation. Popularly called "the war to end all wars," the Great War was intended to prevent incidents like the one at Sarajevo in 1914. In general, peace and harmony did continue, at least until Hitler invaded Poland in 1939.This book is written as a tribute to the legacy of the veterans of the Great War. Within these pages are contained eye-witness accounts of these fearless fighters.

Into Enemy Waters: A World War II Story of the Demolition Divers Who Became the Navy SEALS by Andrew Dubbins

With echoes of Unbroken; the derring-do and bravado of The Right Stuff; and the battle-forged camaraderie of Band of Brothers, this is the World War II story of 95-year-old veteran George Morgan and the Underwater Demolition Teams. Forerunners of the Navy SEALs, the elite unit was given nearly impossible pre-invasion missions from D-Day to the most crucial landings in the Pacific Theater.

The War of Words: How America's GI Journalists Battled Censorship and Propaganda to Help Win World War II by Molly Guptill Manning

From New York Times bestselling author Molly Guptill Manning comes The War of Words, the captivating story of how American troops in World War II wielded pens to tell their own stories as they made history.

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