Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. We take a look back at significant events that occurred during this period in history. Today, we focus on various events that took place during the war, including naval battles, strategic campaigns, and military operations. We aim to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the events that helped shape the outcome of the war. Let's dive in.

"Today we are crushed by the sheer weight of the mechanized forces hurled against us, but we can still look to the future in which even greater mechanized forces will bring us victory. Therein lies the destiny of the world." - General Charles de Gaulle

France Keeps Fighting

Colonel Charles de Gaulle of the French 4th Armored Division launched a 200-tank counterattack at Montcornet, France; the French forces saw initial success, capturing 500 prisoners, but the momentum quickly waned. Guderian seized upon the opportunity and launched his own counterattack in France, driving the French back several kilometers. In Belgium, British Expeditionary Force commander General Lord Gort, fearful of being surrounded, ordered his troops to fall back to the Scheldt River; this move allowed German General Reichenau to capture Brussels. Meanwhile, Dutch resistance to the German invasion comes to an end with the evacuation, by French destroyers, of the survivors of the Franco-Dutch forces in Zeeland and on the islands of Walcheren and Beverland.

Underwater Warfare

The USS Triton was a Tambor-class submarine that was commissioned in 1940. She was approximately 307 feet long and was armed with ten torpedo tubes, one 3-inch/50-caliber gun, and a machine gun. On her second war patrol, the Triton was tasked with conducting reconnaissance and disrupting Japanese supply lines in the Pacific.

On May 17, 1943, while patrolling in the East China Sea, the Triton detected the Japanese submarine I-64 on her sonar. The Triton's commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Carl Mauney, maneuvered his submarine into position and fired a spread of six torpedoes at the I-64. All six torpedoes hit their target, causing the I-64 to sink rapidly.

The sinking of the I-64 was a significant victory for the Triton and the US Navy. The I-64 was a long-range submarine that was capable of traveling great distances and carrying out reconnaissance and supply missions for the Japanese Navy. Its destruction disrupted Japanese supply lines and caused a significant loss of resources for the Japanese war effort.

The sinking of the I-64 also demonstrated the skill and bravery of the crew of the USS Triton. The submarine was able to detect and engage an enemy target while remaining undetected herself, and the crew successfully executed a coordinated torpedo attack that resulted in the sinking of the enemy vessel.

Overall, the sinking of the I-64 by the USS Triton was a significant achievement for American Submarine warfare.

Audacious Japanese Pilots

Saburo Sakai, Hiroyoshi Nishizawa, and Toshio Ohta were all skilled pilots who flew for the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service during World War II. They were known for their bravery, skill, and willingness to take risks in battle. On one occasion, the three pilots decided to perform a series of aerial stunts over an Allied airfield, demonstrating their flying prowess and showing off their skills to the enemy.

On May 17, 1943 during the early stages of the Pacific War, the three pilots were flying together over an Allied airfield in the South Pacific when they decided to perform a series of aerial maneuvers. They flew in tight formation, executing loops, barrel rolls, and other stunts that were not commonly seen at the time. The Allied pilots on the ground were impressed by the pilots' skill, but also surprised and dismayed by their recklessness.

When their commanding officer, Lieutenant (jg) Junichi Sasai, learned of the incident, he was angry and disappointed. He scolded the pilots for their recklessness, telling them that their actions were unnecessary and put the entire Japanese war effort at risk. He warned them that such behavior could result in serious consequences, including court-martial and even execution.

Despite the scolding, the three pilots continued to fly with great skill and bravery throughout the war. Saburo Sakai, in particular, became one of Japan's top aces, with 64 confirmed kills to his name. He was known for his dogfighting skills and his willingness to take on large numbers of enemy planes at once. Hiroyoshi Nishizawa and Toshio Ohta also had successful careers as fighter pilots, but both were killed in action during the war.

Overall, the incident of the aerial stunts over the Allied airfield highlights the bravery and skill of the Japanese pilots, but also the risks they took in the face of enemy fire. It also shows the importance of discipline and adherence to military protocol, even in the midst of war. Despite their skill and bravery, the three pilots were reminded that they were part of a larger military effort, and that their actions had consequences that could impact the entire war effort.

Bloody Fighting in Italy

The Battle of Monte Cassino was a key campaign in the Italian campaign of World War II. German troops had occupied the town of Cassino and the surrounding hills, which were defended by a series of fortifications known as the Gustav Line. The Allies had been trying to break through this line for months, with little success.

In May 1944, the Allies launched a major offensive against the Gustav Line. The French Expeditionary Corps, under the command of General Alphonse Juin, made a 25-mile penetration of the line, while the Polish II Corps launched what would become the final attack on Monte Cassino. The Poles had been fighting in the area for months, but had been unable to make significant progress against the well-fortified German defenders.

On May 17, 1944, German troops began to evacuate Cassino, as the Allies closed in on their positions. The Germans had suffered heavy losses during the campaign, and their positions were becoming increasingly untenable. The evacuation was conducted under cover of darkness, with the Germans retreating to the next defensive line.

Despite the German withdrawal, the fighting in the area continued. The Poles continued to press their attack on Monte Cassino, finally capturing the hilltop abbey on May 18. This was a significant victory for the Allies, as the abbey had been a key defensive position for the Germans.

The Battle of Monte Cassino continued for several more weeks, with the Allies eventually breaking through the Gustav Line and driving the Germans out of the area. The campaign was a hard-fought and costly one, with both sides suffering heavy losses. However, the Allies' eventual victory was a key step in their campaign to liberate Italy and push the Germans out of Europe.

Photo of the Day

Polish flag on Monte Cassino.

That's all for today's edition of the Hidden History Newsletter. We hope you found the information provided informative and interesting. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the events of the Second World War. Remember to honor and pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.

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