Today in the Second World War

Welcome to another edition of our journey through the annals of World War II, as we focus on November 22. Today, we uncover the pivotal events and untold stories from this date, revealing the complex tapestry of strategy, sacrifice, and resilience that marked this day in history. Join us in exploring these defining moments that continue to shape our understanding of the world, as we pay tribute to the enduring lessons and legacies of one of the most significant periods in modern history.

"I have always considered Saipan the decisive battle of the Pacific offensive…(it was) the naval and military heart and brain of the Japanese defence strategy." - Lieutenant General Holland M. Smith - Commander of the US Fleet Marine Force in the Pacific - July 1944

Raiding

1940: The German merchant raider, Atlantis, was scuttled by her crew in the South Atlantic after receiving a salvo from the 8-inch guns of the British cruiser Devonshire. Captain Bernhard Rogge and his crew took to the boats and survived the war. The position given to Atlantis to make a refueling rendezvous with the submarine U-126 in the South Atlantic had been revealed through an Enigma intercept by the Bletchley Park codebreakers. After the fall of Singapore Rogge was presented with a Samurai sword by the Japanese Emperor (Hermann Göring and Erwin Rommel were the only other German recipients of this wartime honour).

Failure

1941: On 22 November 1941, Mölders travelled as a passenger in a Heinkel He 111 of Kampfgeschwader 27 "Boelcke" from Crimea to Germany to attend the funeral of his superior, Ernst Udet, who had committed suicide. Attempting to land at Breslau during a thunderstorm, the aircraft crashed. Mölders, pilot Oberleutnant Kolbe and flight engineer Oberfeldwebel Hobbie were killed. Major Dr. Wenzel and radio operator Oberfeldwebel Tenz survived the crash landing. Dr. Wenzel sustained a broken arm and leg as well as a concussion, and Tenz a broken ankle. Mölders' fatal injuries included a broken back and a crushed ribcage. Accident investigators then and since have speculated whether Mölders would have survived the crash if he had used his seat belt. Hours later, Jagdgeschwader 51 was christened "Mölders" in his honor. He was the first pilot in aviation history to shoot down 100 enemy aircraft and was highly decorated for his achievements. Mölders developed fighter tactics that led to the finger-four formation.

Photo of the Day

Men of Leibstandarte 'Adolf Hitler' at the Lichterfelde barracks in Berlin, Germany, 22 November 1938.

Bonus Photo

B-24 Liberators of the 460th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force flying from Spinazzola, Italy bombing the railroad yards in Salzburg, Austria, 22 Nov 1944. The smoke is from smudge pots lit to obscure the target.

As we conclude today's edition, we reflect on the rich history of November 22 in the context of World War II. Our exploration today has taken us through a journey of understanding the complexities and the human dimensions of this global conflict. We hope these stories have not only informed you but also provided a deeper appreciation for the events that have shaped our world. Thank you for joining us in keeping the memory and lessons of this pivotal time in history alive. Until our next edition, may these historical insights continue to inspire and inform your perspectives.

If you ever have any recommendations feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

Today’s email was brought to you by Hidden History.