Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today's edition of the Hidden History newsletter. On this day, May 16, in various years throughout the war, many events took place that shaped the course of the Second World War. From military operations and battles to political developments and social changes, each event had a unique impact on the war effort and the world at large. Today, we take a closer look at the historical significance of these events and their impact on the outcome of the Second World War.

"There is nothing preventing the enemy reaching Paris. We were fighting on our last line and it has been breached. I am helpless, I cannot intervene." - French General Maxime Weygand

Situation in France Becomes Dire

German 6th Army broke through the Dyle Line; British troops withdrew west of Brussels and the Belgian government evacuated to Ostend. From its Meuse River bridgeheads, German Army Group A tanks broke through the French lines, capturing thousands of surrendering French troops. Guderian's units reached Montcornet, while Rommel's units reached Avesnes-sur-Helpe. Fearful that this advance into France would expose the invasion's flanks, the German High Command ordered Army Group A to halt its spearheads so that the infantry could catch up.

British Prime Minister Winston Churchill flew to Paris, France to meet with his French counterpart Paul Reynaud; witnessing the burning of government archives, he inquired about the strategic reserve, and received the answer "Aucune" ("There is none"). On the same day, Churchill also sent his Italian counterpart Benito Mussolini a message, urging him to keep Italy out of the European War.

A Valiant Fight Ends

The Warsaw Ghetto was established by the Nazis in November 1940, following the occupation of Poland. The ghetto was an area of the city of Warsaw that was designated for the confinement of the city's Jewish population, which at the time was around 400,000 people. The ghetto was sealed off from the rest of the city by a wall, and conditions within the ghetto were terrible. The residents were overcrowded, underfed, and lacked basic necessities such as medicine and clean water.

As time went on, the conditions within the ghetto deteriorated even further. The Nazis began deporting Jews from the ghetto to concentration camps, and by the spring of 1943, the population of the ghetto had been reduced to around 50,000 people. In April of that year, the Nazis launched a final campaign to liquidate the ghetto and deport the remaining residents to concentration camps.

In response, a group of Jewish fighters organized themselves into a resistance movement. Led by Mordechai Anielewicz, the fighters were determined to resist the Nazis and to show the world that the Jews were not going to be passive victims of Nazi atrocities. The resistance fighters were armed with a few weapons that they had smuggled into the ghetto, but they were vastly outnumbered and outgunned by the Nazis.

Despite the overwhelming odds against them, the Jewish fighters put up a fierce resistance. They launched surprise attacks on Nazi patrols and ambushed German soldiers as they entered the ghetto. The Nazis responded with brutal force, using tanks, artillery, and flamethrowers to attack the ghetto and to root out the resistance fighters.

The fighting lasted for almost a month, with the Jewish fighters using a network of tunnels and bunkers to evade the Nazis. However, the Nazis eventually gained the upper hand, and on May 16, 1943, the resistance came to an end with the destruction of the Warsaw synagogue. Jürgen Stroop, the commander of the German forces in Warsaw, reported that the final battle had taken place at the Warsaw synagogue and that 180 Jewish fighters had been killed on that day alone.

The aftermath of the uprising was devastating for the Jewish community. Most of the remaining residents of the ghetto were either killed or deported to concentration camps, and the Nazis destroyed much of the ghetto's infrastructure and cultural heritage. The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising has become a symbol of Jewish resistance and courage in the face of Nazi oppression, and it remains a powerful reminder of the horrors of the Holocaust.

Daring British Raid

The Dambusters raid was a significant milestone in the history of the Second World War and one of the most daring and audacious missions ever undertaken by the RAF. The mission was carried out by the newly formed 617 Squadron, which had been specifically created for the purpose of attacking Germany's dams.

The mission was planned and led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson, an experienced bomber pilot who had already completed numerous operations over Germany. The plan was to attack three dams on the Ruhr River: the Möhne, the Eder, and the Sorpe. The dams were heavily defended by anti-aircraft guns and fighter aircraft, and the mission required a high degree of precision and skill.

The key to the success of the mission was the development of a new type of bomb, the bouncing bomb. The bomb was designed by British engineer Barnes Wallis, who had been working on the idea since 1940. The bomb was designed to skip along the surface of the water before hitting the dam and exploding at a specific depth, thereby breaching the dam and causing a catastrophic flood.

The development of the bouncing bomb was a remarkable engineering feat, and the bomb had to be dropped with great precision. The aircraft had to fly at an extremely low altitude to avoid enemy defenses and to ensure that the bomb bounced correctly. To achieve this, the bombers were equipped with special spotlights and aiming devices.

On the night of May 16, 1943, the 19 Lancaster bombers took off from RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, England. The mission was carried out in two waves, with the first wave attacking the Möhne and the second wave attacking the Eder and the Sorpe.

The first wave of bombers attacked the Möhne dam, and after several attempts, the dam was breached, causing a catastrophic flood that destroyed bridges, roads, and buildings in the surrounding area. The second wave of bombers attacked the Eder and the Sorpe dams, but only the Eder dam was successfully breached.

Despite the success of the mission, it came at a great cost. Eight of the 19 aircraft were lost, and 53 of the 133 airmen were killed. Wing Commander Gibson was awarded the Victoria Cross for his leadership during the raid, and the story of the mission has become a symbol of the bravery and ingenuity of the RAF.

Photo of the Day

A Belgian civilian and a German soldier looking at an abandoned French Char B1 heavy tank, Ermeton-sur-Biert, Belgium, May 16 1940.

As we reflect on the events that took place on this day throughout the Second World War, we are reminded of the immense sacrifices made by countless individuals to secure freedom and democracy around the world. The bravery and resilience of those who fought and lived through this tumultuous time will never be forgotten, and their legacy continues to inspire us to this day. Join us again tomorrow for more insights into the history of the Second World War.

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Have a great week :)

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