Today in the Second World War

Welcome to the Hidden History Newsletter on this date, June 4th. Today, we cast a spotlight back into time, delving into the significant events that took place on this day during the conflict that shaped our world. From strategic maneuvers on the Pacific's vast expanse to the courageous tales from the European front, we'll engage with the past, enlightening, remembering, and learning together. As you navigate through this shared historical tapestry, may you find our chronicle both informative and thought-provoking.

“This is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is, perhaps, the end of the beginning.” - Winston Churchill – 10 November 1942

Dunkirk Conquered

Overnight, 26,175 French troops were evacuated from Dunkirk, France. At 1020 hours, German troops occupied the city and captured 30,000 to 40,000 French troops, 2,000 British field guns, and 60,000 British vehicles. In total, 338,226 Allied personnel were evacuated through Operation Dynamo.

We Shall Never Surrender

IWinston Churchill delivered his famous "We shall fight on the beaches" speech to the House of Commons of the United Kingdom on June 4, 1940, during the early days of World War II. The phrase "We shall never surrender" is one of the most memorable parts of that speech.

This speech was given just after the evacuation of British and French soldiers from Dunkirk, France, a significant event in World War II. Despite the seemingly dire circumstances, Churchill aimed to inspire and prepare the British public for the long war ahead with his stirring rhetoric. Here's a notable passage:

"We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender..."

Mitsuo Fuchida

On 4 June 1942, at the Battle of Midway, Mitsuo Fuchida did not participate due to either appendicitis. He remained at the bridge of carrier Akagi and observed the progress of the battle. After Akagi was hit by American aircraft, large fires were started, eventually leading to the bridge being evacuated. As he was attempting to lower himself down from the bridge with a rope, an explosion threw him to the deck, breaking both ankles. He survived the battle, and would require hospitalization.

On 7 Dec 1941, in command of all attacking aircraft over Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, United States, Mitsuo Fuchida flew a Type 97 Model 3 torpedo bomber with the first attack wave as an air observer. He flew down the eastern coast of the island of Oahu, then turned west into the harbor. At 0740 hours, seeing the Americans were not responding, he slid open his canopy and fired a green flare to signal to all pilots that the attack was to begin as planned. At 0753 hours, Fuchida had his pilot Lieutenant Mitsuo Matsuzaki send the radio signal "Tora! Tora! Tora!" to flagship Akagi, indicating that the attack was to commence with complete surprise to the enemy; Tora was the acronym for totsugeki raigeki, "torpedo attack". Matsuzaki would go on to assist in the attack that would sink battleship USS Arizona with Fuchida on board. The aircraft remained over Pearl Harbor through the end of the second attack in order to observe the degree of damage. Upon his return, he noted that his aircraft had been hit by 21 times by anti-aircraft fire. The success at Pearl Harbor earned him a personal audience with Emperor Showa.

Midway Begins

Akagi launched strikes against Midway Atoll. She was subsequently attacked by numerous enemy land and carrier-based aircraft. At 1026 hours, she was attacked by three aircraft from USS Enterprise, suffering one direct hit amidships in the vicinity of the island, starting a fire in the hangars. A second hit ripped through the fantail and exploded under the port quarter. The third bomb released at her was a near-miss port-side forward. Although normally the damage would had been moderate, the vessel was currently engaged in preparing a strike, with the result that the single bomb hit induced explosions among armed and fueled aircraft within hangars and start a raging aviation gasoline fire. Since she was in a maximum turn at the time, Akagi's rudder was damaged, and soon jammed at 20 degrees to port, leaving her going in wide circles. Unable to command the fleet from her now, at 1046 hours Vice Admiral Chuichi Nagumo transferred flag first to Nowaki, then to Nagara. Akagi's engines worked erratically, with the ship starting and stopping, but she went dead in the water for good at 1350 hours. By 1600 all non-essential personnel had left the ship, though Captain Aoki and a damage control party remained aboard. The vessel burned through the evening and next night, but remained afloat.

Kaga was struck by at least four bombs during the Battle of Midway and suffered a great fire. She was scuttled at 1925 hours by two torpedoes from destroyer Hagikaze. 814 were killed in her loss.

Starting at 0700 hours, US carriers launched torpedo bombers and dive bombers against the Japanese fleet in the Midway region. Japanese carriers wiped out the first few waves of US air attacks, but at about 1030 hours dive bombers were able to hit Soryu, Kaga, and Akagi. USS Yorktown was hit by Japanese dive bombers at about 1200 hours and by torpedo bombers at 1440 hours, forcing Rear Admiral Fletcher to transfer his flag to cruiser Astoria. At 1703 hours, the last undamaged Japanese carrier Hiryu was hit by a dive bomber. Soryu would sink at 1913 hours (711 were killed, 392 survived), and Kaga would be scuttled at 1925 hours (811 were killed, 900 survived).

Photo of the Day

Yorktown's hangar deck just after fire was extinguished, 4 June 1942; note the TBD-1 torpedo bomber hanging overhead.

As we conclude today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we hope the voyage through the events of June 4th has offered you a deeper insight into the complexity of World War II. May these historical narratives serve as a testament to courage, resilience, and unity, reminding us of our potential when we face adversities. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the intricacies of this epoch-defining conflict, remaining ever mindful of the lessons the past holds for our present and future.

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Have a great weekend :)

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