Today in the Second World War

Welcome to your daily dispatch of the Hidden History Newsletter, the premier source of riveting tales and profound insights from the tumultuous era of the Second World War. On this July 5 edition, we journey back into the heart of the 20th century, a period marked by a scale of conflict and transformation unseen before or since. As we traverse these historical landscapes, we continue to illuminate the resilience of the human spirit, providing a beacon of hope in a time that shaped our world's destiny. As always, we are guided by the wisdom of Winston Churchill, who famously said, "The farther back you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see."

"The fate of the Empire rests on this enterprise every man must devote himself totally to the task in hand." - Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto - Commander in Chief of the Japanese Navy - 7th December 1941

Regia Marina Hit

Nine British Royal Navy Swordfish aircraft of 813 Squadron from HMS Eagle flew 100 miles west from Sidi Barrani, Egypt to attack the Italian naval base at Tobruk, Libya. Destroyer Zeffiro was sunk, destroyer Euro's bow was blown off, troop transport Liguria was damaged and was beached to prevent sinking, merchant vessel Manzoni was sunk, and merchant vessel Serenitas was damaged.

Wolfpack

The scattered Allied convoy PQ-17 was hunted down by German submarines and aircraft piecemeal throughout the day; British freighter Empire Byron (by U-703 at 0827 hours; 7 were killed, 63 survived), civilian commodore J. C. K. Dowding's ship River Afton (by U-703 at 2102 hours; 26 were killed, 38 survived)), British ship Earlston (by U-334 at 1747 hours; all 52 aboard survived), Washington, Bolton Castle, Paulus Potter (abandoned after Ju 88 attack; carrying 34 tanks, 15 aircraft, 103 trucks, and 2,250 tons of general goods; 51 crew, 14 gunners, and 11 passengers took to boats), Pan Kraft, US ship Carlton (by U-88 at 1015 hours; 3 were killed, 42 survived), Fairfield City, Daniel Morgan (by U-88 at 2252 hours; 3 were killed, 51 survived), Peter Kerr, British fleet oiler Aldersdale (fatally damaged by aircraft and abandoned), British rescue ship Zaafaran, and Honomu (by U-456 at 1431 hours; 13 were killed, 28 survived) were all destroyed. Meanwhile, Allied convoy QP-13 was sailing in the opposite direction; British minesweeper HMS Niger, in escort, entered a British minefield due to navigation error, struck a mine, and sank 10 miles north of Iceland at 2240 hours, killing 149; the 36 merchant ships of the convoy, following Niger's lead, also entered the minefield; 5 merchant ships would sink, 1 would sustain damage.

Long Strike from Long Lance

The US Northern Landing Group under Colonel Harry Liversedge landed at Rice Anchorage on the northern coast of New Georgia, Solomon Islands. On the same day shortly after midnight, US cruisers USS Honolulu, USS Helena, and USS St. Louis escorted by destroyers USS Nicholas, USS Strong, USS Chevalier, and USS O’Bannon entered Kula Gulf to shell Japanese positions on Kolombangara and New Georgia in support of the landings at Rice Anchorage. At the same time, Japanese destroyers Niizuki, Nagatsuki, Yunagi, and Satsuki arrived at the north end of Kula Gulf loaded with 1,300 reinforcement troops and 180 tons of provisions bound for Vila, Kolombangara at the south end of Kula Gulf. Upon the commencement of the American shelling at Bairoka Harbor, New Georgia, the Japanese commander, Commander Kunizo Kanaoka, aborted the mission and ordered a withdrawal. As they turned, Niizuki, Nagatsuki, and Yunagi launched a spread of 14 Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedoes into the gulf. At a range of 22,000 yards (11 nautical miles), one of the torpedoes struck and sank destroyer USS Strong. This is believed to be the longest successful torpedo attack of the war. The Americans never detected the presence of the Japanese destroyers and believed Strong was torpedoed by a submarine.

Danger Below

After several days on station southeast of Newfoundland without being able to launch aircraft due to persistent fog, escort carrier USS Card and her escorts engaged the submerged German submarine U-233. Destroyer escorts USS Baker and Thomas attacked with depth charges that forced U-233 to the surface. As the crew began abandoning ship, U-233 started her diesels and began making her way out of the engagement. Thomas rammed the U-Boat just abaft the conning tower and U-233 sank quickly by the stern. 30 were rescued from the water and 31 were lost. The USS Card Task Group then began a withdrawal toward Boston.

Liberation

Douglas MacArthur announced that the Philippine Islands had been liberated.

Photo of the Day

Captured Japanese coastal defense gun at Enogai, New Georgia, Solomon Islands, 5 July 1943.

As we close this July 5 edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we hope the stories have deepened your understanding of this defining period. History serves not only as a window to our past but also as a compass guiding us towards the future. As we carry forth the lessons and resilience demonstrated during the Second World War, let's remember that our past continues to shape our path forward. We eagerly await your return for tomorrow's journey back in time. Until then, remember: in understanding our history, we better navigate our present and future.

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Have a great week :)

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