Today in the Second World War

The 27th of August

Author

Hidden History
August 27, 2024

As we step into August 27th, we take a moment to explore the intricate threads of history that weave together our collective past. In this edition, we uncover stories that have shaped our world, offering insights and reflections on the events that continue to influence our lives today. Each narrative, whether well-known or obscure, adds a layer of understanding to the complex tapestry of human experience. Join us as we delve into these historical moments, seeking to learn from the past and gain a clearer perspective on the present.

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“Fuehrer, we are on the march! Victorious Italian troops crossed the Greco-Albanian frontier at dawn today!” – (to Adolf Hitler) October 28th, 1940 - Italian Dictator Benito Mussolini

Scheming

1939: German leader Adolf Hitler responded to the message from French Prime Minister Édouard Daladier from the previous day, noting that Germany had no intention of fighting France, so if France was to attack Germany due to the German-Poland situation, it would be a war initiated by France, and Germany could not be faulted for such a conflict; additionally, Hitler stressed that Germany had no territorial demands on the German-French border. Meanwhile, Hermann Göring's friend Birger Dahlerus, a Swedish national, attempted a parallel route to negotiate for peace.

Adolf Hitler responded to Benito Mussolini's message from the previous day, noting that he accepted Italy's inability to participate in direct fighting should a German-Polish war broke out, but he would very much appreciate political (by means of threatening to entering the war, thus tying down French troops on the French-Italian border) and economic (by offering Italian workers for German industry and agriculture) support.

Hitler & Mussolini

History

1939: German Air Force Captain Erich Warsitz successfully took the prototype He 178 jet aircraft into the air, thus making it the first aircraft to fly using a turbojet engine. The test flight was conducted out of Rostock-Marienehe Airfield on the Baltic Sea coastGerman Air Force Captain Erich Warsitz successfully took the prototype He 178 jet aircraft into the air, thus making it the first aircraft to fly using a turbojet engine. The test flight was conducted out of Rostock-Marienehe Airfield on the Baltic Sea coast.

He 178

V-1

1944: A total of 18 V-1 flying bombs were brought down within an hour by the anti-aircraft batteries at Folkstone and Hythe in Kent, England, United Kingdom. Flight Lieutenant Francis "Togs" Mellersh of 96 Squadron flying out of RAF Ford shot down a V-1 flying bomb as it passed the anti-aircraft guns at Dungeness on the Kent coast; this bomb brought his score to 43 and the squadron's to 176. Flight Lieutenant Gordon Bonham RNZAF of 501 Squadron brought down 4 bombs on his patrol and found he had to land on a farm as his Tempest V fighter had run dry of fuel; the farmer's son watched him land and took him to have lunch at the farm after telephoning for fuel to be brought in; the process of refuelling was slow as 4-gallon drums had to be carried over the field; after taking off, Bonham treated the family to a show of aerobatics.

A Tempest V, NV696, during a test flight, November 1944

Photo of the Day

Polish resistance fighters with a captured German MG 34 machine gun on a balcony on Aleje Jerozolimskie Street, Warsaw, Poland, 27 Aug 1944

Bonus Photo

US and British warships in Sagami Bay, Japan, 27 Aug 1945; note Mount Fuji with setting sun behind it in background; photo taken from USS South Dakota

As we close this edition, we reflect on the rich tapestry of history we've explored together. Each story and event we've uncovered serves as a reminder of the enduring impact of the past on our present and future. By understanding where we've come from, we equip ourselves with the knowledge and perspective needed to navigate the challenges ahead. Thank you for joining us on this journey through time. Until our next edition, may the lessons of history continue to guide and inspire us.

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

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

The Ghost That Died at Sunda Strait by W. G. Winslow

Recounting the last stand of the heavy cruiser Houston, this tale of survival brings to life the 1942 battle at Sunda Strait.

Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports by John J. Domagalski

The dramatic account of two American warships in the South Pacific, this book follows the USS Astoria (CA–34) and USS Chicago (CA–29) during the late summer of 1942, when both participated in the early days of the critical battle for Guadalcanal. Drawing on a variety of firsthand accounts, some previously unpublished, the book tells the story from the perspective of the men aboard each ship, transporting readers inside the gun turrets, behind the lookout binoculars, and below deck as the battle rages. Individual stories of heroism, sacrifice and survival unfold as both vessels meet their fates in the South Pacific.

The Sinking of the Bismarck: The History of the Battle that Destroyed Nazi Germany’s Most Famous Battleship by Charles River Editors 

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