Today in the Second World War

October 11th during the turbulent 1940s encapsulates a myriad of pivotal moments and tales from World War II's vast expanse. As we delve into this day, we're met with stories of audacity, strategic turns, and moments that forever etched their mark on the fabric of history. Journey with us as we traverse the narratives of October 11th, shedding light on the legacy of a world at war.

"I'll come back as soon as I can with as much as I can. In the meantime, you've got to hold." - General MacArthur - Speaking to General Wainwright - March 1942

The Fall of Britain

1939: The radio station in Berlin, Germany reported the false rumor of the fall of the British government, and that the new government was to offer Germany peace terms. "Old women in the vegetable markets tossed their cabbages into the air, wrecked their stands in sheer joy and made for the nearest pub to toast the peace", reported journalist William Shirer.

Naval Victory

1941: The Battle of Cape Esperance, also known as the Second Battle of Savo Island, took place on October 11-12, 1942 during World War II in the waters near Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. This naval battle occurred between the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and the United States Navy (USN). Here's an overview of the battle:

Background:

The Solomon Islands campaign had been underway since early August 1942 when U.S. forces landed on Guadalcanal and captured an airfield which they later named Henderson Field. The airfield's presence posed a threat to Japanese supply lines, and its strategic importance led to several naval and ground battles between Japanese and Allied forces.

The Battle:

In October, Japanese Admiral Aritomo Goto was leading a reinforcement and bombardment group to Guadalcanal to support Japanese troops and to bombard the American-held Henderson Field.

Meanwhile, U.S. Rear Admiral Norman Scott had his cruiser and destroyer force patrolling the waters around Savo Island, ready to intercept any Japanese naval forces.

On the night of October 11, the two naval forces encountered each other. What followed was a confused night battle. The U.S. Navy achieved tactical surprise, in part because the Japanese mistakenly believed they had stumbled upon a group of light cruisers and destroyers rather than a force that also included heavy cruisers. The U.S. forces took advantage of the situation and opened fire.

Outcome:

The U.S. Navy emerged victorious, sinking one Japanese cruiser and damaging two others. The Japanese force retreated without achieving its goal of bombarding Henderson Field. For the U.S., it marked one of the first significant naval victories during the Guadalcanal campaign and was an important morale boost.

However, it's worth noting that the Battle of Cape Esperance was just one of several naval engagements during the lengthy Guadalcanal campaign. The struggle for control over the island and its strategic airfield would continue for several more months, with multiple land, sea, and air battles taking place before the U.S. finally secured Guadalcanal in early 1943.

Significance:

The battle was an important event because it marked a shift in momentum in favor of the Allies in the Pacific War. The U.S. Navy was learning from previous mistakes and was beginning to effectively counter Japanese night-fighting tactics, which the IJN had previously dominated in the earlier stages of the Guadalcanal campaign.

Danger off America’s Coast

1942: About 700 miles off the Washington coast, Japanese submarine I-25 observed two submarines running on the surface, apparently on a course toward San Francisco. I-25 fired the last of her compliment of 17 torpedoes and an explosion was heard 30 seconds later, followed by several more heavy explosions. The lead submarine began sinking quickly by the stern with its bow section raised above the water at 45 degrees. Although I-25’s commander had identified the submarines as American boats, they were, in fact, the Soviet minelaying submarines L-15 and L-16. The two were transiting from Petropavlovsk, Russia on the Kamchatka Peninsula to the United Kingdom by way of Dutch Harbor, San Francisco, Panama Canal, and Canada. It had been L-16 that was sunk and all 56 aboard were lost. L-15 returned fire with five rounds from her deck gun but I-25 continued toward Japan without damage.

Heavy Loss

1943: USS Wahoo was sunk by Japanese anti-submarine aircraft in Soya Strait (La Pérouse Strait) between Hokkaido and Karafuto (Sakhalin), Japan. All aboard, including commanding officer Dudley Morton, were killed.

Photo of the Day

Winston Churchill with Stafford Cripps and Admiral John Tovey aboard HMS King George V, Scapa Flow, Scotland, United Kingdom, 11 October 1942.

And so, another day in our exploration of World War II's vast chronicle comes to a close. The tales and tribulations of October 11th serve as poignant reminders of the sacrifices made and the indomitable human spirit. As we bid you farewell today, may the stories we've shared not only inspire reverence for the past but also hope for the future. Join us again tomorrow as we continue our quest to understand and honor history. Until then, let the lessons of yesteryears guide our today and tomorrow.

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