Today in the Second World War

The 8th of September

Hidden History
September 08, 2023

Welcome to the September 8 edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, your go-to source for in-depth analysis, captivating stories, and little-known facts about World War II. On this day in history, monumental events unfolded that reshaped the conflict and influenced global dynamics for generations to come. From pivotal battles to unsung heroes, technological advancements to strategic blunders, we cover it all to offer you a nuanced understanding of this defining period. Thank you for joining us as we journey through the annals of history, one day at a time.

"Czechoslovakia has ceased to exist" - Adolf Hitler - 15th March 1939

War Crimes Begin

1939: German troops burned 200 Jews alive in a synagogue and executed 30 Jews in the public square in Bedzin, Poland.

A synagogue burning in Przemysl, Poland.

Destroy the Capital

1940: At 1200 hours, 20 German bombers escorted by 30 Bf 109 fighters flew for London, England, United Kingdom, but the group was intercepted by British fighters; 3 German bombers and 1 German fighter were shot down at the cost of 4 British fighters. At 1930 hours, 30 German bombers dropped incendiary bombs on London, causing fires for the purpose of marking target zones for bombers that would arrive during the night. The night time raid saw bombs dropped on East End in London once more; 3 of the German night raiders were shot down by anti-aircraft guns. Meanwhile, the British War Cabinet was convinced that the German invasion of Britain would take place very soon. The warnings passed to local Home Forces commanders led to many church bells across England being rung as some commanders thought the invasion had already started; some of them went as far as blowing up bridges. Finally, on this day, the British government declared the National Day of Prayer.

Smoke rising from the Surrey Docks, London, England, United Kingdom, 8 Sep 1940, the morning after the opening night of “The Blitz” bombings as seen from London Bridge. Note Tower Bridge silhouetted against the smoke.

Surrender

1943: The Italians formally announced their unconditional surrender to the Allies, leading to German reserve forces crossing the border into Italy.

Newspaper of Italy’s Surrender

On Target

The third German V-2 rocket fired in anger became the first to successfully hit the intended target, hitting an area in the suburbs of Paris, France. The fourth and fifth rockets, aimed at London, England, United Kingdom, also found their targets. The fourth rocket fired at 1738 hours London time or 1838 hours German time landed in the Borough of Chiswick at 1843 hours London time; it landed on Staveley Road, collapsed three houses, killed 3 civilians and 1 off-duty Royal Engineers soldier, and made a crater 40 feet wide and between 10 and 20 feet deep. The fifth rocket landed 16 seconds later in Epping, which was 18 miles northeast of Whitehall and 20 miles from Chiswick; this rocket destroyed some wodden huts and made a crater 30 feet wide and 16 feet deep. The British government censored all these incidents in fear of potential demoralizing effects.

V2 launch.

Photo of the Day

B-24 Liberators of the 425th Bomb Squadron destroying the Dai Giang Railroad Bridge in French Indo-China (now Vietnam), September 8 1944.

Thank you for joining us for another edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. As we revisit the seminal events and figures that shaped this day in World War II history, we hope you leave with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the complexities of this monumental conflict. Don't forget to tune in tomorrow as we continue our journey through the war that forever changed the course of human history.

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

Have a great weekend :)

PERIL IN THE DEEP: Adventures of the WWII Submarine USS Burrfish: Schultz, David M.

"The first hour of deck watch was spent inside a fog bank with little for the lookouts to see. Then the surfaced submarine USS Burrfish emerged into sunlight just outside the thick wall of mist. Ocean and sky seemed void of activity except for two seagulls flying in the distance far behind. Seagulls? Cardelli focused on the closest bird for a moment but it quickly disappeared into the fog.

The Rifle: Combat Stories from America's Last WWII Veterans, Told Through an M1 Garand (World War II Collection): Biggio, Andrew

Tales of American combat and comradery in World War II all connected to the iconic rifle of the era, the M1 Garand. An award-winning author puts one such rifle into the hands of a series of vets, records their stories, and gathers their signatures on the rifle, in a pilgrimage and homage to heroism.

Cloudbuster Nine: The Untold Story of Ted Williams and the Baseball Team That Helped Win World War II: Keene, Anne R.

In 1943, while the New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals were winning pennants and meeting in that year and apos;s World Series, one of the nation and apos;s strongest baseball teams practiced on a skinned-out college field in the heart of North Carolina. Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky, and Johnny Sain were among a cadre of fighter-pilot cadets who wore the Cloudbuster Nine baseball jersey at an elite Navy training school at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won: Hanson, Victor Davis

A "breathtakingly magisterial" account of World War II by America's preeminent military historian (Wall Street Journal)

MacArthur Reconsidered: General Douglas MacArthur as a Wartime Commander: Ellman, James

James Ellman digs deep, connects the dots, and concludes that General Douglas MacArthur was decidedly not a military genius.

Recommended Books:

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

Was this email forwarded to you? You can subscribe here!