Today in the Second World War

Welcome to the September 15th edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. As we navigate the annals of this day, we encounter a myriad of tales that define the very essence of a world at war. From valiant stands to clandestine operations, today offers a glimpse into the intricate dance of history. Join us in illuminating the stories that shaped this poignant day in the vast tapestry of WWII.

"Mussolini is quite humiliated because our troops have not moved a step forward. Even today they have not succeeded in advancing and have halted in front of the first French fortification which put up some resistance." - Count Ciano - Italian Foreign Minister (written in his diary) - 21st June 1940

Sudetenland

1938: Neville Chamberlain visited Adolf Hitler at Berchtesgaden in southern Germany to discuss German demands on Czechoslovakia. Chamberlain expressed his personal approval for Germany's previous demands for Sudetenland, but would need to discuss further with his cabinet and the French. Hitler expressed his appreciation and promised that no military action would be taken.

Surrounded

1939: German troops captured Gdynia, Poland. Meanwhile, Polish troops failed to break out of the Kutno Pocket. At Warsaw, with it surrounded by German troops, the Polish Army was ordered to the Romanian border to hold out until the Allies arrive; the Romanian government offered asylum to all Polish civilians who could make it across the border; Polish military personnel who crossed the border, however, would be interned. In Berlin, Germany, German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop asked the Soviet Union for a definite date and time when Soviet forces would attack Poland.

Bad Omen

1940: Battleship Bismarck departed Hamburg, Germany for the first time. At 1658 hours, while steaming down the Elbe River, she collided with bow tug Atlantik without damage. At 1902, she anchored in Brunsbüttel roads. During the night, she fired 13 10.5cm, 136 3.7 cm, and 191 2cm shells during a British air raid, without any hits.

Devastating Salvo

1942: While supporting the forces on Guadalcanal on September 15, 1942, USS Wasp (CV-7) was torpedoed by Japanese submarine, I-19, later scuttled by USS Lansdowne (DD-456). Also damaged by I-19 were USS O'Brien (DD-415) and USS North Carolina (BB-55). O'Brien sank on September 19, but North Carolina was able to make to the Solomon Islands for repair. USS Radford (DD-446) sank I-19 on November 25, 1943.

USS Helena rescued nearly 400 survivors of sunken USS Wasp in the Solomon Islands.

Destroy Tirpitz

Operation Paravane was one of several British attempts during World War II to neutralize the German battleship Tirpitz, the heaviest battleship ever built by a European navy. Anchored in Norwegian waters, the Tirpitz posed a formidable threat to Allied convoys en route to the Soviet Union. Although previous missions like Operations Source, Tungsten, Mascot, and Goodwood had damaged the vessel, none had managed to sink it. By late August 1944, the Germans relocated the Tirpitz further north to Tromsø, both for repairs and to use it as a floating battery. This move allowed the battleship to be within striking distance of long-range bombers from Scotland. On 15 September 1944, the Royal Air Force's Avro Lancaster bombers, armed with massive "Tallboy" bombs, launched Operation Paravane, dealing significant damage and causing the ship to list heavily to port. While this operation critically weakened the battleship, it was a subsequent mission, Operation Catechism in November 1944, that finally sank the Tirpitz, alleviating a major naval concern for the Allies.

Intelligence Failure

The US Marines invaded Peleliu in the Palau islands believing that the island was only lightly defended. In fact, there were some 12,000 Japanese concealed on the island waiting to reveal their hand. In a week the Marines would suffer terrible casualties. The 1st Marines ended up at half their combat strength and, in the 5th and 7th Marines more than four out of every ten men sent ashore were either killed or wounded. For the record Peleliu measured just six miles long and two miles wide and was of questionable strategic value.

Photo of the Day

French civilians watching regimental colors being transferred onto ships bound for French Algeria, La Canebière, Marseille, 15 September 1940.

As the pages of today's dispatch draw to a close, we reflect on the profound imprints of September 15th during the war's tumultuous course. The narratives from this day serve as enduring testaments to humanity's fortitude and the complexities of our shared history. We appreciate your commitment to honoring and understanding these memories with us. Until tomorrow, may we carry forth the lessons and stories of yesteryears with reverence and reflection.

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Have a great weekend :)

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