Today in the Second World War

Welcome to your daily dose of World War II history. On this day, eight decades ago, the world was entrenched in a conflict that would reshape its very fabric. Every September 12th story, whether of valor or tragedy, provides insight into the human spirit and the tides of war. Today, we unearth these tales, connecting past events with the present, to ensure we remember and learn.

"My strength has now been reduced to the equivalent of 36 squadrons...we should be able to carry on the war single-handed for some time if not indefinitely." - Sir Hugh Dowding - RAF Fighter Command - May 1940

Standing Tall

1940: In a report to his superiors dated this day regarding German aerial attacks on Britain, Keith Park wrote "confidence is felt in our ability to hold the enemy by day and to prevent his attaining superiority in the air over our territory, unless he greatly increases the scale or intensity of his attacks."

The German Navy noted that British naval shelling and air bombing were significantly undermining the German efforts to gather naval forces for the planned invasion of Britain.

Bad weather restricted German activity to small reconnaissance flights over Britain during the day. Overnight, 50 bombers attacked London, England, United Kingdom. St. Paul's Cathedral was hit by a bomb which failed to detonate; Royal Engineers Lieutenant R. Davies and Sapper J. Wylie were later awarded the George Cross for defusing this bomb. On this night when two of the German bombers were shot down, London searchlight and anti-aircraft gun crews attempted to improve their coordination.

Lord Haw-Haw

1942: During the day, USS Wasp delivered aircraft to Henderson Field on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands. After dark, the three-day Battle of Bloody Ridge on Guadalcanal began as 6,200 Japanese troops attacked positions held by 12,500 Americans; faulty Japanese intelligence reported that the American strength was only about 2,000. The Japanese attack was supported in the air by aircraft and from the sea by cruiser Sentai and three destroyers.

Renewed Offensive

1942: General Friedrich Paulus began a fresh offensive toward Stalingrad, Russia with artillery and aerial bombardments. His ground troops then reached the strategically vital hill 102 of Mamayev Kurgan which overlooked the city. This hill, an important line of defence for centuries, would now see a bloody struggle by both sides as its loss would allow the Germans to control the entire river, across which all Soviet supplies had to travel. By the end of the day, the Soviet 62nd Army had been reduced to 90 tanks, 700 mortars and 20,000 men.

Expert Flying

1942: Prince Emanuel Galitzine, great grandson of Russian emperor Paul I, in a specially modified Spitfire IX fighter, intercepted a high-flying pressurized Junkers Ju 86 over the Solent in southern England, United Kingdom at an altitude of over 42,000 feet, far higher than any other RAF fighter could attain. After evading four attempts by Galitzine to shoot down the intruder, the German bomber, expertly flown by Oberfeldwebel Horst Goetz, jettisoned its 550-pound bomb and escaped to land at Caen, France with only one cannon hole in its wing.

Foolish Arrogance

1943: Adolf Hitler missed a chance to end the war in the Soviet Union when he refused to allow Ribbentrop to travel to Stockholm to meet with Soviet Minister Vladimir Dekanozov who was willing to negotiate. On the same day, the last of the German armies which took part in the drive to the Caucasus retreated to the Crimea. In total 240,000 troops, 16,000 wounded and 27,000 civilians were evacuated along with 75,000 horses and vast numbers of vehicles and supplies.

Escape

By 1943, Italy's war situation had deteriorated, and Benito Mussolini faced growing discontent at home. On 25 July 1943, Mussolini was arrested after the Fascist Grand Council passed a vote of no confidence against him. Post-arrest, Mussolini was moved to several locations for security, with the final site being the Campo Imperatore Hotel situated on the Gran Sasso massif.

Adolf Hitler, intent on rescuing his ally, assigned the task to SS-Obersturmbannführer Otto Skorzeny. Collaborating with Luftwaffe officials, namely General Kurt Student and Major Harald Mors, a rescue plan was crafted. On 12 September 1943, Skorzeny and a team of German troops utilized 12 DFS 230 gliders, towed by Heinkel He 111 bombers, to approach the hotel. These gliders landed near the hotel, and the troops, benefiting from the surprise factor, faced minimal resistance from the Italian guards.

Mussolini was quickly located and informed of the rescue. Although the initial plan was to extract using the gliders, the terrain proved problematic. As a solution, a Storch aircraft was used. The pilot, Captain Heinrich Gerlach, successfully flew Mussolini and Skorzeny to Rome.

Following the rescue, with German support, Mussolini established the Italian Social Republic in Northern Italy. However, this entity was largely under German influence. By April 1945, Mussolini's fate was sealed when he was captured and executed by Italian partisans. The Gran Sasso operation remains a significant military event, highlighting the German military's capability during World War II.

Photo of the Day

German Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers flying over German troops, Poland, September 1939.

Bonus Photo

German Ju 87 Stuka dive bombers flying over German troops, Poland, September 1939.

As we wrap up today's journey through the annals of September 12th, let's hold close the enduring lessons and memories from World War II. These stories not only remind us of the past but also guide our future. Thank you for sharing this moment of reflection with us. Until our paths cross again in history's vast tapestry, remain curious and ever vigilant.

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