Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, your daily journey into the past where we remember and reflect upon the pivotal events of the Second World War. On this date, May 29, we turn our spotlight to the remarkable tales from the home front to the battlefront, illuminating the brave acts, strategic decisions, and significant moments that have shaped our world. So, let's delve into the annals of history and continue to honor the indomitable spirit of those who endured this transformative era.

"Soldiers of the West Front! Dunkirk has fallen … with it has ended the greatest battle in world history. Soldiers! My confidence in you knows no bounds. You have not disappointed me." - Adolf Hitler

Evacuation Continues

Allies evacuated 33,558 men from the harbor at Dunkirk, France and 13,752 from the nearby beaches. German aircraft interfered, attacking ships in the sea as well as men waiting on the docks. Destroyer HMS Grenade was hit by three bombs, one of which went down her funnel, in Dunkirk harbor and sank, killing 19. Destroyer HMS Jaguar was badly damaged by a bomb, killing 13 and wounding 19. Minesweeper HMS Waverley, with 600 troops already aboard, was sunk by a bomb, killing 350. Elsewhere in France, German troops captured Lille, Ostend, and Ypres. Also on the same day, French auxiliary cruiser Ville d'Oran took on 200 tons of gold from the French reserve for shipment to Casablanca, French Morocco

Evacuation Harassed

German torpedo boat S-30 sank British destroyer HMS Wakeful 13 miles north of Nieuwpoort, Belgium at 0040 hours, killing 97 crew and 640 solders rescued from Dunkirk, France. 25 crew and 1 soldier were rescued by minesweepers HMS Gossamer and HMS Lydd, destroyer HMS Grafton, and armed trawler HMS Comfort. Later in the day, German submarine U-62 torpedoed HMS Grafton, killing 4; destroyer HMS Ivanhoe scuttled HMS Grafton after rescuing the survivors. Nearby, HMS Comfort was mistaken for another German torpedo boat and was rammed by HMS Lydd, killing 4 crew and 2 soldiers. 

Aleutians Conceded

Colonel Yasuyo Yamasaki was the commander of the Japanese forces on the island of Attu, which is part of the Aleutian Islands in the U.S. Territory of Alaska, during World War II. The Battle of Attu, which took place in May 1943, was a significant battle in the Pacific theatre of the war.

The Japanese forces were greatly outnumbered and outgunned by the American troops, and despite this, they fought a fierce and determined battle. After weeks of heavy combat, when defeat seemed inevitable, Yamasaki led one of the largest banzai charges of the Pacific War in a final counterattack against the U.S. forces.

After the failure of this counterattack, Yamasaki, along with many of his remaining soldiers, is believed to have committed seppuku, a form of ritual suicide practiced by samurai and military officers in Japan to avoid dishonor such as capture by the enemy.

However, some details can vary depending on the sources, as much of the specific information from that time was lost or is conflicting. For instance, not all sources agree on the manner of Yamasaki's death, with some suggesting he died in combat during the banzai charge. Furthermore, the cultural practice of seppuku was generally less common during World War II compared to earlier periods in Japanese history, which adds some uncertainty to the matter.

Japanese War Crime

14 of the 25 captured US Army and US Navy airmen imprisoned at the Taihoku Prison in Taihoku (now Taipei), Taiwan were sentenced to death by firing squad; the execution was to be carried out on 19 June 1945.

Photo of the Day

Quincy's conning tower, 29 May 1942

As we conclude this edition of the Hidden History Newsletter for May 29, we hope the stories and events brought to light today deepen your understanding and appreciation of this pivotal time in our shared history. The courage, resilience, and sacrifice displayed during the Second World War continue to resonate and shape our world today.

Thank you for joining us on this journey back in time. As we remember and honor the past, we also take away invaluable lessons for the future. We hope you found today's edition both enlightening and inspiring.

Until tomorrow, as we unveil another day's worth of history, let's continue to reflect on the enduring spirit of humanity that shone through even in the darkest hours.

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

Have a great week :)

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