Today in the Second World War

Welcome to the July 22nd edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. Today, we delve into the narratives of the same date but in the backdrop of the 1940s, seeking to commemorate and learn from the heroism, the hardships, and the humanity that prevailed in the face of global conflict. From the gritty realities of the frontline to the often unsung experiences of the home front, we aim to foster an understanding of the vast tapestry of WWII's history. Thank you for joining us on this daily journey into the past.

"We must be very careful not to assign to this deliverance the attributes of a victory. War's are not won by evacuations." - Winston Churchill

No Surrender

British Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Lord Halifax rejected Adolf Hitler's proposal for peace of 19 July 1940. "No one here wants the war to go on for a day longer than is necessary. But we shall not stop fighting until freedom, for ourselves and others, is secure." This was a departure from his previous stance, urging Winston Churchill to negotiate a peace with Germany.

A Serious War

Italian Count Galeazzo Ciano noted in his diary that Benito Mussolini had staged a mock air raid over Rome, Italy on this date, with anti-aircraft positions firing. The purpose of this production was to give the citizens the impression that a serious war was going on.

Moscow Bombed

The Soviet Information Bureau reported that Moscow, Russia experienced its first air raid of the war during the previous night by over 200 German bombers. The report claimed that Soviet nightfighters and anti-aircraft weapons forced the bulk of the Germans to turn back before reaching Moscow; those that broke through the defenses destroyed a number of civilian dwellings, missing key military targets. 17 German aircraft were reportedly shot down.

Death

At a meeting of the Judenrat, the Jewish Council which the Germans had set up to relay their orders to the people of the ghetto, SS Sturmbannführer Hermann Höfle, the Resettlement Commissar, announced that all Jews living in Warsaw, Poland, regardless of age or sex, were to hold themselves in readiness for "resettlement on the east", ie. deportation. It was an order without appeal. For nine weeks the Ghetto Jews were herded onto cattle trucks and transported to Belzec and Treblinka Concentration Camps, where, on arrival, they were marched to the gas chambers and killed in their thousands.

Local Hero

Pilot Officer Ken Foskett became a local hero after bringing down a V-1 flying bomb onto the railway lines near Ashford in Kent, England, United Kingdom. Seeing a train approaching the damaged track at speed, Fosket made low passes over the locomotive, lowering his wheels and dipping his wings. The engineers in the engine got the message and stopped the train.

Photo of the Day

Matilda I tank of British Royal Tank Regiment being transported by rail, United Kingdom, 22 July 1940.

As we wrap up this July 22nd edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we hope the stories we've shared today have deepened your understanding and appreciation of the human spirit during one of history's most tumultuous periods. We thank you for your ongoing engagement and for keeping the lessons of the past alive with us. Until tomorrow's edition, we encourage you to reflect on the courage, resilience, and sacrifices made, always remembering that these historical narratives have shaped the world we live in today.

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

Have a great weekend :)

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