Today in the Second World War

With the turn of a page, we find ourselves in November, a month replete with its own set of tales and turning points from World War II. November 1st, intertwined with pivotal moments and personal sagas, beckons us to dive into its historical depths. As we navigate this day, we aim to shine a light on the events and narratives that have shaped and been shaped by the grand tapestry of the war. Let's embark on this new chapter together, uncovering the essence of November 1st.

"Soldiers of the Reich! This day you are to take part in an offensive of such importance that the whole future of the war may depend on its outcome." - Adolf Hitler - 5th July 1943

German Air Power

1939: Heinkel demonstrated the first jet aircraft He 178 to the German Air Ministry, but the German officials were not impressed.

In a meeting with General Wilhelm Keitel and Lieutenant Commander Karl-Jesko von Puttkamer, Adolf Hitler's liaison officer with the Naval War Staff in Berlin, Hitler repeatedly told the officers that the name of the cruiser Deutschland should be changed and the ship was to avoid any action the same orders were to be issued to the Scharnhorst and the Gneisenau. Hitler was worried that any action would bring out the British Grand Fleet before air protection was organised. The Graf Spee, on station in the South Atlantic was to be ordered to be ready to sail to the Indian Ocean. Any operations of battleships must be held until Italy entered the war and the British Forces consequently held down. Submarine warfare was to be intensified. Passenger ships could be attacked and neutral ships would be attacked once a state of siege be declared against Britain. Hitler would not give priority to the production of submarines however, as Army equipment and ammunition supplies were of prime importance. Erich Raeder sent a copy to Admiral Karl Dönitz, Commander of the Submarine Arm with a note saying that in order to carry out a large scale submarine war then continuous pressure would be necessary.

US Navy in Action

1943: Men of the US 3rd Marine Division landed at Torokina Point on the northern coast of Empress Augusta Bay, Bougainville, Solomon Islands; the beach was defended only by a small 300-strong garrison, but the effective Japanese defense surprised the attackers. In response of the invasion, Japanese aircraft from Rabaul, New Britain, attacked the US fleet, damaging destroyer USS Wadsworth (killing 2), but at the heavy cost of 16 A6M fighters lost. The Japanese dispatched a counter-invasion force consisted of Cruiser Division 4 (Vice Admiral Takeo Kurita) and transports carrying thousands of troops; the fleet was en route to Rabaul when it was detected by a B-24 Liberator bomber (Lieutenant Robert Sylvernale) while heading toward the western approach of Saint George's Channel between New Britain and New Ireland.

After aircraft from USS Card broke up a rendezvous of German submarines in the mid-Atlantic the day before and sank two, Card detached one of her escorts, USS Borie, to hunt for the remaining submarine(s) by night. Borie reported attacking and sinking one submarine shortly after midnight but U-256 is only damaged. Then just before dawn, Borie shelled, depth charged, and rammed submarine U-405. U-405 sank with all 49 hands.

Kamikazes

1944: A battleship force on station at the northern entrance to Surigao Strait consisting of battleships USS Mississippi, California, and Pennsylvania screened by cruisers USS Phoenix, Boise, Nashville, and HMAS Shropshire along with destroyers Ammen, Bush, Leutze, Newcomb, Bennion, Heywood L. Edwards, Robinson, Richard P. Leary, Bryant, and Claxton came under an intense Japanese air attacking force that included special attack aircraft. USS Ammen sustained a glancing blow from a Yokosuka P1Y 'Francis' that caused considerable topside damage and killed 5 men. An Aichi D3A 'Val' crashed across Abner Read's main deck as it dropped a bomb down one the destroyer's stacks that exploded in the engine room. Abner Read jettisoned her torpedoes which immediately began their runs toward other ships in the group. Abner Read began sinking by the stern and 20 minutes after the attack, she rolled over and sank. 24 were killed. Meanwhile, Mississippi and Nashville had to take emergency evasive actions to avoid the torpedoes.

Finale

1944: The gas chamber at Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland was used for the last time, killing 206 Jews.

Photo of the Day

Machine gunners of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, firing the Vickers machine gun in support of the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers between Meijel and Liessel, Netherlands, 1 November 1944.

With the echoes of November 1st's stories still lingering, we're reminded once again of the intricate weave of history and humanity that defines World War II. The tales we've delved into today span courage, sacrifice, and pivotal decisions, drawing a vivid portrait of this day in the annals of the war. As we transition to the days ahead, may we carry with us the wisdom and reflections from today's chronicles, ever appreciative of the past that shapes our present.

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Have a great week :)

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