Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On April 23rd, we look back at some of the significant events and actions that took place during the war. We remember the bravery and sacrifice of Allied soldiers in North Africa during the Tunisian Campaign, where two soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross for their exceptional heroism. We also reflect on the desperate final days of the Nazi regime in Germany, with Heinrich Himmler attempting to negotiate peace with the Western Allies, and Albert Speer bidding his final farewell to Adolf Hitler before leaving Berlin. Join us as we delve deeper into these historical events and remember the sacrifices made during the war.

“As soon as the idea was introduced that all men were equal before God, that world was bound to collapse." - Adolf Hitler

No War

At the April 23rd America First Committee meeting in New York City, New York, United States, Charles Lindbergh publicly called for the United States to stay out of the war.

The America First Committee (AFC) was a non-interventionist organization that was founded in 1940, before the United States entered World War II. It was opposed to U.S. involvement in the war in Europe and believed that the United States should focus on its own interests and stay out of foreign conflicts. The organization was initially focused on preventing the United States from providing military aid to Britain and other Allied powers, but its position evolved over time to become one of complete non-intervention in the war.

Charles Lindbergh became a leading figure in the AFC and one of its most prominent speakers. He was a national hero, having completed the first solo nonstop flight across the Atlantic in 1927, and was seen as a credible and respected voice on foreign policy issues. Lindbergh believed that U.S. involvement in the war would be disastrous for the country and argued that the United States should remain neutral.

In his speeches, Lindbergh argued that the United States was not well-equipped to fight a war in Europe, and that any involvement would be costly and damaging to American interests. He also suggested that Jewish people were pushing the United States towards war in order to benefit their own interests, a statement that was widely criticized and seen as anti-Semitic. Lindbergh's speeches were controversial and sparked intense debate in the United States, particularly as the war in Europe continued to escalate.

After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the AFC's position became increasingly untenable. The United States declared war on Japan the next day, and Germany and Italy declared war on the United States shortly thereafter. The AFC disbanded in the wake of these events, and Lindbergh's reputation was significantly tarnished by his association with the organization and his controversial statements. However, he continued to be active in public life and remained an influential figure in the aviation industry until his death in 1974.

Bravery in Tunisia

During the Tunisian Campaign, the British and Commonwealth forces fought against the German and Italian armies in North Africa. The campaign began in November 1942 with the Allied landings in Morocco and Algeria, and continued until May 1943, when the Axis forces in North Africa surrendered. The campaign was fought across a harsh and difficult terrain, including mountains, deserts, and coastal areas. It was also characterized by intense and often brutal fighting, with both sides suffering heavy casualties.

Lieutenant Wilwood Sandys-Clarke was an officer in the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment. On April 23, 1943, his battalion was attacked by German forces near the village of Djebel Bou Aoukaz. The attack was fierce and sudden, and Sandys-Clarke's company was almost completely wiped out. Despite suffering head wounds, he refused to abandon his position and instead rallied his remaining men. He then led them in an assault on three German strong-points, personally tackling two sniper posts before being fatally wounded.

Major John Anderson was an officer in the Black Watch regiment. On April 23, 1943, his battalion was tasked with capturing three enemy machine-gun positions near the village of Djebel Bou Aoukaz. The positions were heavily defended, and the enemy's fire was accurate and intense. Anderson led his men in a charge towards the enemy positions, personally shooting two enemy soldiers as he went. He was the first man into each of the three positions, and his bravery inspired his men to follow him. After capturing the positions, Anderson's battalion was able to break the enemy's resistance and secure their objective.

The Tunisian Campaign was a significant victory for the Allies, as it marked the first major defeat of the Axis forces in World War II. The campaign was also notable for the contributions made by soldiers from across the British Empire, including India, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Sandys-Clarke and Anderson's actions were just two examples of the exceptional bravery and sacrifice displayed by Allied soldiers during the campaign. Their heroism and sacrifice continue to be remembered and honored by their respective countries to this day.

Himmler Looks for a Way Out

While it is commonly believed that Himmler contacted the Western Allies through Count Bernadotte on April 23rd, 1945, the exact date of their first meeting is a matter of some debate among historians.

What is known is that Himmler began to explore the possibility of negotiating a separate peace with the Western Allies in the weeks leading up to Germany's surrender in May 1945. He made contact with Bernadotte, who was serving as the head of the Swedish Red Cross, through a mutual acquaintance and expressed his desire to negotiate a peace agreement.

Bernadotte was initially hesitant to get involved, as he had been instructed by the Swedish government to remain neutral in the conflict. However, he ultimately agreed to act as an intermediary between Himmler and the Allies, seeing it as an opportunity to help end the war and save lives.

The negotiations between Himmler and Bernadotte were conducted in secret, and involved a series of meetings and exchanges of letters over the course of several weeks. Himmler proposed a number of terms for a separate peace agreement, including the withdrawal of German forces from Western Europe, the preservation of the German state, and a pledge to fight against the Soviet Union.

However, the negotiations ultimately failed to produce a viable peace agreement, due in part to the Allies' unwillingness to negotiate with high-ranking Nazis and their suspicions about Himmler's true motives. The negotiations also came to an abrupt end when Himmler was arrested by the British on May 23rd, 1945, and subsequently committed suicide while in Allied custody.

Despite their ultimate failure, the Himmler-Bernadotte negotiations remain an intriguing and controversial episode in the history of World War II, and offer a unique window into the complex and often contradictory motivations of the key players involved in the conflict.

Bormann Betrays Göring

On April 23, 1945, the Göring-Hitler crisis reached a critical turning point. Earlier that day, Hitler had learned that Göring had sent him a telegram in which he asked for permission to take over the leadership of Germany. Hitler was furious, as he saw this as a direct challenge to his authority and a betrayal by one of his closest associates.

Hitler responded by issuing a decree that stripped Göring of all his positions and expelled him from the Nazi Party. He also ordered his arrest and demanded that he be tried for treason.

However, the situation was complicated by the fact that Göring was not in Berlin at the time. He had been in Bavaria, trying to negotiate a separate peace with the Allies, and was not aware of Hitler's decree until later that day.

When Göring did learn of Hitler's decision, he immediately realized that he was in danger and began to take steps to protect himself. He contacted Hans Lammers, the head of the Reich Chancellery, and other senior officials, and argued that, according to a decree issued by Hitler himself in 1941, he was next in line to assume power if Hitler became incapacitated.

This argument was based on the "Nacht und Nebel" decree of June 29, 1941, which had established a line of succession in case of Hitler's death or incapacity. According to this decree, if Hitler was unable to act, power would pass to Göring, provided he was able to take control of the situation within 24 hours.

Göring's argument was met with some sympathy from Lammers and others, who saw it as a potential way to resolve the crisis and avoid further bloodshed. However, Martin Bormann, Hitler's private secretary and a rival of Göring's, immediately began to undermine his position and convince Hitler to issue an arrest order.

By the end of the day, Hitler had issued a formal order for Göring's arrest and ordered the SS to carry it out. Göring was now a wanted man, and he realized that his only option was to surrender to the Americans, who he hoped would treat him more leniently than the Nazis.

The Göring-Hitler crisis of April 23, 1945, marked a critical turning point in the final days of the Nazi regime. It highlighted the internal divisions and power struggles within the regime, as well as the extent to which Hitler's cult of personality had undermined the institutional structures of the state. It also showed the degree to which some senior officials were willing to challenge Hitler's authority and act independently in order to save themselves and their country.

Speer Says Goodbye

Albert Speer was a prominent member of the Nazi Party and served as Hitler's chief architect and later as the Minister of Armaments and War Production. He was one of the few high-ranking officials in the Nazi regime to publicly acknowledge responsibility for the atrocities committed by the regime, including the Holocaust.

In the final days of the war, as the Allied forces closed in on Germany, Speer began to distance himself from Hitler and his policies. He saw the writing on the wall and realized that Germany was headed for defeat, and he began to think about how to minimize the damage and suffering caused by the war.

Speer became increasingly disillusioned with Hitler's scorched earth policies, which called for the destruction of Germany's infrastructure and resources to prevent them from falling into Allied hands. He saw the policies as needlessly destructive and believed that they would only prolong the war and cause more suffering.

On April 23rd 1945, Speer met with Hitler and admitted to him that he had deliberately slowed down the implementation of the scorched earth policies, hoping to minimize their impact. According to Speer, Hitler forgave him for his disobedience and even praised him for his courage.

After his meeting with Hitler, Speer toured the Chancellery in Berlin one last time before leaving for Hamburg. There, he hoped to offer his services to the Allies in negotiating a peaceful surrender, but he was arrested by the British and later tried and convicted at the Nuremberg Trials.

Speer's actions in the final days of the war remain a subject of controversy and debate. Some historians view him as a principled opponent of Hitler's destructive policies, while others argue that he was simply trying to save his own skin and avoid punishment for his crimes. However, there is no doubt that Speer played a significant role in the Nazi regime and his actions had a profound impact on the course of the war and its aftermath.

Photo of the Day

German Colonel General Erhard Milch inspecting Luftwaffe pilots, Trondheim, Norway, 23 Apr 1940; note Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers in background.

As we conclude today's newsletter, we reflect on the bravery and sacrifice of the soldiers who fought during World War II. We honor those who fought and died to protect the freedoms and values we hold dear, and we recognize the importance of remembering their sacrifices. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the events and individuals that shaped the course of World War II. Thank you for reading.

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

Have a great weekend :)

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