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Welcome to the Hidden History Newsletter, your trusted source for daily updates on the pivotal events of the Second World War. Today, on May 26, we explore the battles, strategies, and diplomacy that shaped this global conflict. Join us as we honor the past, shed light on the present, and envision a future without the horrors of war. Welcome to a journey through history.
"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
The Great Evacuation Begins
At Dunkerque, France, British Expeditionary Force commanding general Lord Gort received the formal authorization for a withdraw; Operation Dynamo, the code name of the massive evacuation, was headed by British Admiral Sir Bertram Ramsey. Meanwhile, Adolf Hitler rescinded the order to halt the offensive near Dunkerque. At Calais, after a heavy aerial and field artillery bombardment, German troops crossed the canals and moved toward the Citadel; at 1600 hours, Brigadier Claude Nicholson surrendered. Elsewhere, the French 1st Army was nearly encircled by the Germans, while the Belgians was pushed back to the Leie/Lys River.
Soldiers on the beaches of Dunkerque.
To The Last Shell
Battleship Bismarck was detected by Allied PBY Catalina aircraft 700 miles west of Land's End, England, United Kingdom at 1030 hours, and Royal Navy's Force H was ordered to attack. Carrier-based Swordfish torpedo bombers attacked between 2047 and 2115 hours. Two or three torpedoes hit her, one of which hit the stern and jammed her rudder at 12 degrees to port. At 2140 hours, she radioed in the message "Ship unable to maneuver. We will fight to the last shell. Long live the Führer." Within hours, Allied warships closed in on her.
A Swordfish I during a training flight from RNAS Crail, circa 1939–1945.
The Plan Begins
The Japanese Navy Carrier Striking Force, composed of four carriers and an escort of battleships and lesser ships, sortied from the Inland Sea of Japan for Midway Atoll. In the Aleutian Islands in northern Pacific Ocean, Japanese submarine I-9 launched her floatplane for a reconnaissance mission over Kiska. In Japan, the naval leadership instructed the various fleets and bases to prepare for a new radio encryption scheme that would be deployed very soon.
Akagi
A Clever Trick
A feint was launched by German General Ludwig Crüwell at the center of the Gazala Line in Libya, drawing Allied troops away from the main offensive to be launched on the next day. All available Axis tanks were assigned to the main offensive, and Crüwell's men mounted unused aircraft engines on trucks to create dust clouds similar to those caused by tank movements. .
General Ludwig Crüwell
Photo of the Day
Hornet at Pearl Harbor, seen from Ford Island Naval Air Station, Pearl Harbor, 26 May 1942.
As we draw the curtains on today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we reflect on the significance of May 26, and its indelible impact on the course of the war. Through the stories of heroism, the remembrance of sacrifices, and the exploration of pivotal battles, we hope to have provided a deeper understanding of this monumental chapter in human history. Let us carry the lessons learned from this day forward, fostering a world of peace, gratitude, and an unwavering commitment to preserving the legacy of those who fought for freedom. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to honor the past, shed light on the present, and shape a future founded on the enduring spirit of resilience and unity.
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Have a great weekend :)
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