Today in the Second World War

Welcome to our June 21 edition. As we continue to commemorate the events of World War II, this issue brings you closer to the pivotal moments and unsung heroes of this historic conflict. Today, we explore the strategies, sacrifices, and stories that defined the era, offering fresh perspectives and deeper insights. Join us in honoring the resilience and courage that shaped our world, as we remember the past to inform our future. Thank you for your dedication to preserving the legacy of WWII.

Today’s Video: https://youtu.be/sRkDjLhFmrw

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“The Red Army and Navy and the whole Soviet people must fight for every inch of Soviet soil, fight to the last drop of blood for our towns and villages…onward, to victory!” – July 1941 - Joseph Stalin

Final Embarrassment

1940: French and German representatives met to negotiate peace at the 1918 Armistice site at Compiègne, France, using the very same rail carriage where the WW1 armistice, brought from a French museum, for the negotiations. Hitler personally attended the negotiation, but at 1530 hours abruptly left the meeting to show disrespect for the French. At 2030 hours, French General Huntzinger called his government and informed that the Germans allowed no room for negotiations and demanded harsh terms; he was told to accept the German terms. Meanwhile, in southern France, the 32 Italian divisions deployed on the French border marched through the Little Saint Bernard Pass in the Alps and along the French Riviera; some of the Italians were met with a heavy snow storm and the latter halted by a very small group of French troops at Menton, which was about 5 miles from the border. According to the diary of Galeazzo Ciano, Benito Mussolini was extremely embarrassed by the inability of his troops to break through the French lines.

Refusal

1941: Soviet military attaché to France Major General Ivan Sousloparov warned his superiors in Moscow, Russia of a potential German invasion, which Joseph Stalin immediately disregarded as British provocation. Stalin's opinion was agreed by head of Soviet State Security Lavrentiy Beria, who told Joseph Stalin that Germany would not attack the Soviet Union in 1941. Georgy Zhukov disagreed, but it would not be until 1905 hours when the military attaché to Germany Mikhail Vorontsov provided concrete evidence of German movement when Stalin and the Politburo were finally convinced to organize two new wartime fronts (rather than peacetime military districts) to prepare the defenses. By the time the telegrams were deciphered many units would already be bombed by German aircraft. Elsewhere, in the evening, Soviet Foreign Minister Vycheslav Molotov met with German Ambassador Friedrich Werner von der Schulenburg and asked him regarding the rumors of invasion, which Schulenburg denied as false. Within hours, however, to Schulenburg's surprise, he would receive orders from his superiors to destroy documents, code books, ciphers, and communications equipment, and he would receive a declaration of war to be delivered to Molotov in the morning.

No Stopping

1941: Over France, Oberstleutnant Adolf Galland was shot down for the first time after scoring his 68th and 69th victories, both of which were British Blenheim aircraft; the fighters that shot him down were British Spitfire fighters from No. 145 Squadron RAF; Galland crash landed his fighter in a grassy field, returned to base, and took off from another mission by the afternoon. After achieving his 70th kill in the afternoon, he was shot down again. This time he ditched the aircraft, his parachute barely opening before reaching ground, and was brought to a first aid station by French civilians using a horse-drawn cart. When he returned to base that evening, he found that he had been awarded Swords to his Knight's Cross for achieving 69 kills.

To Our Shores

1942: Japanese submarine I-25 approached close to the Oregon shoreline, careful to avoid any minefields by following some fishing boats. I-25 arrived within 1,100 yards of the mouth of the Columbia River. Intending to shoot over the Clatsop Spit and shell the Navy’s Tongue Point seaplane base at Astoria, Oregon, I-25 fired 17 rounds from her deck gun, but the shells fell well short and landed in undeveloped areas of Fort Stevens. This was Japan’s second and last naval bombardment of the continental United States during World War II. [Apparently, I-25's navigator was relying on an antiquated map of the area which showed a submarine and destroyer base on Tongue Point. Such a base was completed in 1924, but never used. In 1942, the military presence on Tongue Point was as a Navy seaplane base servicing a squadron of PBY Catalina patrol planes.

Photo of the Day

Carrier Graf Zeppelin under construction, Kiel, Germany, 21 Jun 1940

Bonus Photo

Troops of the Indian 4th Division decorating the side of their truck with 'Khyber pass to Hellfire Pass', noting their service in South Asia and North Africa, 21 Jun 1941

Thank you for joining us in this edition. As we reflect on the extraordinary events and individuals that shaped our history, we hope these stories have provided you with new insights and a deeper appreciation for the resilience and courage displayed during World War II. Your continued support and interest are vital in keeping these memories alive and honoring the legacy of those who lived through this tumultuous period. Stay tuned for our next issue, where we will continue to explore and uncover the rich tapestry of our shared past.

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Have a great week :)

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