Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On May 12th, 1940, German armored columns crossed the Meuse River at Sedan, Monthermé, and Dinant, pushing further into France and signaling the beginning of a rapid advance towards the English Channel. Meanwhile, in Italy, Australian Corporal John Mackey demonstrated incredible bravery and selflessness during the Battle of Tarakan, ultimately paying the ultimate price for his heroism. We'll dive deeper into these and other stories from this day in WW2 history.

"Our losses... have reached an intolerable level." - Grand Admiral Donitz

Tanks Roll

The battle of Hannut was part of the larger Battle of Belgium, which began on May 12, 1940, when German forces launched a surprise attack on Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg as part of their plan to invade France. This was the first European tank battle during the Second World War. The French forces had deployed their 2nd and 3rd DLM armored divisions to the town of Hannut, which was strategically located on a main road network connecting the German forces in the north with those in the south.

The battle began on May 12, when the German 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions launched an attack on the French positions around Hannut. The French tanks, including the S35 and H35 tanks, engaged the German Panzer I and II tanks in a series of fierce tank battles. Despite being outnumbered, the French tanks performed well and were able to inflict significant losses on the German tanks. However, the German forces were able to bring up reinforcements, including more tanks and artillery, which eventually forced the French to retreat.

Although the battle of Hannut was a tactical victory for the Germans, it was not a decisive one. The French had demonstrated the effectiveness of their armored divisions and had inflicted significant losses on the German tanks. However, the battle also highlighted the limitations of the French tanks, which lacked adequate air support and were vulnerable to German anti-tank guns.

The attack on the Albert Canal bridges was part of the larger Allied effort to slow down the German advance and disrupt their supply lines. The Albert Canal was an important transportation route for the German forces, and the Allies believed that destroying the bridges would delay the German advance.

On May 12, five Fairey Battle aircraft of No. 12 Squadron RAF were tasked with attacking the road bridges over the Albert Canal near Maastricht in the Netherlands. The aircraft were flown by volunteer crews, as many of the regular crews were still recovering from the recent evacuation of Dunkirk. The aircraft flew at low altitude to avoid detection by German radar, but they were spotted by German anti-aircraft guns and machine guns as they approached the bridges.

Despite facing heavy ground fire, the aircraft pressed home the attack with considerable gallantry and managed to seriously damage one bridge. However, all five aircraft were lost in the process, with the crews either being killed or captured. The attack did not completely destroy the bridge, but it did delay the German advance and disrupt their supply lines.

In conclusion, the battle of Hannut and the attack on the Albert Canal bridges were significant events during the early stages of World War II. They demonstrated the bravery and determination of the Allied forces in the face of overwhelming odds and highlighted the strengths and weaknesses of the various military tactics and equipment employed during the war.

Mobilization on the Eastern Front

In the months leading up to the German invasion of the Soviet Union, there were numerous intelligence warnings about the impending attack. However, Soviet leader Joseph Stalin was initially skeptical of these warnings and refused to believe that Germany would launch an attack on the Soviet Union. Despite this, Soviet Chief of Staff General Georgy Zhukov, who was one of the most experienced military leaders in the Soviet Union, recognized the danger and took action to prepare for the invasion.

On his own authority on May 12, General Zhukov ordered four Soviet armies to forward positions at the border, with a total of around 800,000 troops. These forces were stationed in the western parts of the Soviet Union, near the border with Germany and its allies. The Soviet forces were equipped with a mix of tanks, artillery, and infantry units, and were tasked with defending the Soviet Union against a potential German attack.

General Zhukov's decision to move the Soviet armies to the border was a bold move, given that Stalin had initially been dismissive of the intelligence warnings about the German invasion. However, General Zhukov's actions proved to be prescient, as Germany launched a massive invasion of the Soviet Union on June 22, 1941.

Despite the initial success of the German forces, which quickly advanced deep into Soviet territory, the Soviet Union was eventually able to mount a successful defense and turn the tide of the war. The Soviet Union's victory in the war was due in no small part to the bravery and determination of the Soviet soldiers, who fought with great courage and sacrifice against a powerful and determined enemy.

Solidarity

Samuel Zygelbojm was a Polish-Jewish socialist leader who served as a member of the National Council of the Polish government-in-exile during World War II. Zygelbojm was deeply involved in Jewish political and social affairs, and he was a passionate advocate for the rights and welfare of the Jewish people.

In 1942, the German authorities in Poland began to systematically deport Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to concentration camps, where they were often subjected to brutal treatment and ultimately murdered. Zygelbojm was horrified by these actions, and he became increasingly frustrated with the inaction of the international community in response to the genocide.

In May 1943, Zygelbojm traveled to London to meet with British leaders and plead for greater support for the Jewish resistance fighters in Warsaw. However, his efforts were largely unsuccessful, and he became increasingly despondent about the fate of the Jewish people.

On May 12, 1943, Zygelbojm took his own life in his London apartment. In a suicide note that he left behind, he expressed his despair and frustration at the lack of action from the international community. "I cannot continue to live and to be silent while the remnants of Polish Jewry, whose representative I am, are being murdered", he wrote. "My comrades in the Warsaw Ghetto fell with arms in their hands in their last heroic battle. I was not permitted to fall like them, together with them, but I belong with them, to their mass grave."

Zygelbojm's suicide was a powerful statement of protest against the passivity and inaction of the international community in the face of the Holocaust. His death served as a reminder of the urgent need for action to protect and defend the rights of vulnerable populations, and it helped to galvanize support for the Jewish resistance fighters in Warsaw and other parts of Europe.

Victoria Cross

The Battle of Tarakan was a significant battle in the Allied campaign to retake Borneo from the Japanese during World War II. Tarakan Island, located off the eastern coast of Borneo, was an important oil-producing center that the Japanese had captured in 1942. The Allies recognized the strategic importance of retaking Tarakan, and in May 1945, they launched a major assault on the island.

Corporal John Mackey was a member of the Australian 2/48th Battalion, which was part of the Allied force tasked with capturing the island. The battalion faced heavy resistance from well-entrenched Japanese troops armed with machine guns and other weapons. The Japanese were able to hold up the Australian advance, causing heavy casualties and delaying the operation.

During the battle, Corporal Mackey's unit came under heavy fire from three Japanese machine gun nests that were preventing their advance. In the face of this danger, Corporal Mackey displayed remarkable courage and leadership. He charged forward, firing his Bren gun and throwing grenades, managing to destroy all three machine gun nests. His actions allowed his fellow soldiers to advance and achieve their objective, but he was fatally shot during the assault.

Corporal Mackey's bravery and selflessness in the face of danger were recognized by the award of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valor in the British and Commonwealth armed forces. The Victoria Cross is awarded only for the most exceptional acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, and Corporal Mackey's actions at Tarakan exemplified this standard.

Corporal Mackey's sacrifice remains an inspiration to generations of Australians and others around the world. His name is enshrined in the annals of military history as an example of the heroism and selflessness that can be found in the face of adversity.

Indian Bravery

Kamal Ram was born on 15 May 1915 in the village of Dhudike in the Punjab region of British India (now part of Pakistan). He joined the British Indian Army in 1941 and was deployed to North Africa as part of the 8th Punjab Regiment. He later fought in the Italian campaign, where he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

On May 12, 1944, Kamal Ram's battalion was tasked with crossing the Gari River and assaulting the German defenses on the other side. Kamal Ram was a member of a small reconnaissance team that was sent ahead to scout the enemy positions. As they approached a German machine gun post, Kamal Ram charged forward, firing his Bren gun and throwing grenades. He succeeded in killing or capturing the entire enemy team, enabling his battalion to cross the river and continue their advance.

Later in the day, Kamal Ram and his team were ordered to clear a group of houses that were being used as a German stronghold. Kamal Ram charged at the house, firing his Bren gun and throwing grenades. He managed to capture two Germans and kill another, effectively neutralizing the enemy position.

Kamal Ram's actions that day demonstrated exceptional courage and leadership in the face of danger. His bravery inspired his fellow soldiers and helped to secure a crucial victory for the Allied forces. He was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions, becoming one of only a few Indian soldiers to receive the honor during World War II.

After the war, Kamal Ram returned to India and settled in his hometown of Dhudike. He passed away in 1968, but his legacy as a hero of World War II lives on. He remains an inspiration to people in India and around the world, a symbol of the bravery and selflessness that can be found in the face of adversity.

Photo of the Day

German SdKfz. 10/4 half-track vehicles with 2-cm flak guns driving through the village of Gourgançon, Marne, France, May 1940.

As we wrap up today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we are reminded of the many sacrifices made by brave men and women during this tumultuous period in world history. From the swift advance of German forces in France to the heroism of Corporal John Mackey in Borneo, the events of May 12th, 1940 serve as a poignant reminder of the courage and resilience that defined the war effort. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the stories and events that shaped the course of World War II.

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