Today in the Second World War

Welcome to another issue of the Hidden History Newsletter, this July 25. As we traverse the timelines of history, today, we'll be shedding light on the pivotal events, courageous individuals, and transformative narratives of this very day from the epoch of the Second World War. This daily journey isn't merely a history lesson; it's a testament to human spirit, a reflection on our present, and an influence on our future. Stay tuned as we delve into the stories that shape our shared past and continue to echo in our collective consciousness.

"With Malta in enemy hands, the Mediterranean route would be completely closed to us...this tiny island was a vital feature in the defence of our Middle East position." - General Hastings Ismay

No Surrender

On 25 July 1940, General Henri Guisan delivered a historic address to the entire Swiss Officer Corps assembled on the Rütli, a location charged with symbolism in Swiss Romantic nationalism by virtue of being identified as the site of the legendary Rütli Oath. He made it very clear that Switzerland would resist any Nazi invasion. If they ran out of bullets they were to resort to the bayonet. He said that Switzerland would defend itself against any invader and would never surrender. Guisan became a symbol of resistance to Nazism that was widespread amongst the Swiss public. At a time when military commanders remained distant, he rejected formalities and maintained contact with civilians and soldiers.

Reassurances

Benito Mussolini was arrested for the first time on July 25, 1943 after the Grand Council of Fascism passed a vote of no confidence against him, which led to his arrest and the formation of a new government under Marshal Pietro Badoglio. The fall of Mussolini's fascist government marked the beginning of the end of Italy's involvement as part of the Axis powers in World War II.

After Mussolini's arrest, the new government started secret peace negotiations with the Allies. On September 8, 1943, Badoglio announced an armistice with the Allies, which prompted immediate German military action.

The German high command had anticipated this possibility and had developed a plan known as Operation Achse for such a scenario. German forces quickly disarmed the Italian military and took control of key positions throughout the country. They also freed Mussolini, who then established the Italian Social Republic, a German puppet state in northern Italy.

Despite these efforts, the Italian campaign continued for the rest of World War II as Allied forces slowly pushed the German and remaining fascist Italian forces back until they surrendered in May 1945.

Operation Cobra

Operation Cobra was a key military operation launched by the United States Army seven weeks after the D-Day invasion during World War II. The operation was intended to create a breakout from the Normandy region, where Allied forces had been engaged in a stalemate with German forces. The operation was launched on July 25, 1944, and was a significant success for the Allies, leading to the collapse of the German front line in Normandy.

At the same time, British and Canadian forces were involved in intense fighting around the city of Caen, in operations such as Operation Goodwood and Operation Atlantic. These operations aimed to secure the city and the surrounding area, which was a key objective of the overall Normandy campaign. The attacks by the Canadian troops south of Caen were a crucial part of these efforts.

Both Operation Cobra and the operations around Caen played significant roles in the overall success of the Normandy campaign, which was a turning point in the Western Front of World War II, leading to the eventual defeat of Germany.

To Their Knees

While at Potsdam, Germany, US President Harry Truman issued instructions for the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Kokura, Niigata, or Nagasaki in Japan; the target date was set for some time after 3 August.

Photo of the Day

Head on view of a Douglas BTD Destroyer showing some of its unusual shapes during a test flight in the Chesapeake Bay area, United States, 25 July 1944.

As we close the pages of the Hidden History Newsletter for this day, July 25, we thank you for accompanying us on this journey through time. Each story we've shared not only commemorates the past, but also holds lessons for our present and insights for our future. Your continuous engagement helps keep these narratives alive, enabling a deeper understanding of our shared history. Let's meet again tomorrow to explore another chapter from the annals of the Second World War. Until then, may the lessons of today inspire thoughtful reflections and meaningful conversations.

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

Have a great week :)

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