Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! We bring you a daily snapshot of the key events that took place during the war, reminding us of the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought and died for freedom. Join us as we explore the people and events that shaped the Second World War.

"Fascism accepts the individual only insofar as his interests coincide with the state's." - Benito Mussolini

Rotterdam Flattened

General Rudolf Schmidt's German 9th Panzer Corps threatened the Dutch city of Rotterdam with aerial bombardment, and the Dutch garrison surrendered; some Luftwaffe aircraft, however, did not get the order to abort; 95 tons of bombs were dropped on Rotterdam, killing 1,000 civilians and rendering 85,000 homeless. Elsewhere in the Netherlands, Dutch Commander-in-Chief General Winkelman ordered his forces to cease fighting as the situation became hopeless. In Belgium, Erwin Rommel personally led a 30-tank charge near Dinant, pushing back French and Belgian forces three miles. Near Sedan, France, Heinz Guderian's three armored divisions crossed the Meuse River. In central Belium, German Gernal Erich Hoepner sent 3rd and 4th Panzer Divisions in pursuit of the French defeated at the Battle of Hannut in the previous two days, but French anti-tank artillery fire destroyed many pursuers.

Daring Fighter Pilot

Aleksey Khlobystov was born on September 8, 1917, in the village of Ostrov, located in the Kirov Oblast of Russia. He began his military career in 1935 when he joined the Soviet Air Force. After completing flight school in 1939, he was assigned to the 83rd Fighter Aviation Regiment.

When World War II broke out, Khlobystov was assigned to the 20th Guards Fighter Aviation Regiment, which was part of the Soviet Air Force's 303rd Fighter Aviation Division. He quickly established himself as a skilled and aggressive fighter pilot, earning the respect of his fellow pilots and superiors.

On May 14, Khlobystov was leading a flight of Kittyhawk fighters on a mission to attack a German airfield near the town of Anapa. During the mission, he spotted a German Bf 109 fighter and immediately engaged it in a dogfight.

After exhausting his ammunition, Khlobystov made the decision to ram his plane into the enemy aircraft. The impact brought both planes down, and Khlobystov was able to deploy his parachute and survive the descent, although he suffered serious injuries.

Khlobystov's actions were not an isolated incident. Soviet pilots were known to use ramming attacks as a last resort when they had no other means of attacking the enemy. These attacks were risky, as they often resulted in the death of both pilots involved.

Despite his injuries, Khlobystov returned to combat in December 1943. He continued to fly missions for the remainder of the war, earning numerous awards and honors for his bravery and skill. In addition to being named a Hero of the Soviet Union, he was also awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Red Banner.

After the war, Khlobystov remained in the Soviet Air Force, rising to the rank of colonel. He retired in 1959 and lived in Moscow until his death in 2000. His actions during World War II remain a testament to the bravery and determination of Soviet pilots in the face of overwhelming odds.

Midway Plans Revealed

Joseph Rochefort was a key figure in the United States Navy's efforts to break the Japanese naval code during World War II. In 1942, he developed a theory that the Japanese were planning an attack on Midway Atoll, a strategic island located in the central Pacific Ocean. Rochefort presented his theory to Lynde McCormick, who was the war plans officer for Admiral Chester Nimitz, the commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

McCormick spent hours at Rochefort's office in the basement of the main navy building in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, reviewing the evidence and discussing the theory with Rochefort. Despite some initial skepticism, McCormick was eventually convinced that Rochefort's theory was likely correct. He returned to Nimitz on May 14 and argued forcefully in favor of adopting Rochefort's theory as the basis for U.S. military strategy in the Pacific.

Nimitz was initially hesitant to accept Rochefort's theory, as it was based on a combination of code-breaking intelligence and informed speculation. However, after reviewing the evidence and hearing McCormick's arguments, he agreed to adopt the theory and ordered his fleet to prepare for an attack on the Japanese fleet at Midway Atoll.

The resulting Battle of Midway, which took place from June 4 to June 7, 1942, was a decisive victory for the United States. The U.S. Navy was able to sink four Japanese aircraft carriers and destroy numerous other ships and planes, while suffering relatively light losses. The battle marked a turning point in the Pacific War and is considered one of the most significant naval battles in history.

Rochefort's code-breaking efforts and his theory about the Japanese attack on Midway played a crucial role in the U.S. victory. The success of his team in breaking the Japanese naval code and his willingness to think creatively and develop informed speculations based on that intelligence helped to shape U.S. military strategy in the Pacific and ultimately contributed to the Allied victory in World War II.

Photo of the Day

German submarine U-858, the first to be boarded by US forces after Germany’s surrender, arriving at the Delaware Capes, Delaware, United States, 14 May 1945. Note Sikorsky HNS-I Helicopter and K-class airship.

As we wrap up today's edition of the Hidden History newsletter, we hope that our coverage has provided you with a glimpse into the important events that occurred on May 14 during the war. From the devastating attack on Rotterdam to the end of the war in Europe, these moments remind us of the incredible sacrifices made by so many to secure peace and freedom.

As we continue to remember the sacrifices of those who served during World War II, let us also look to the future with hope and a commitment to creating a more peaceful and just world. Join us again tomorrow as we explore more of the key events and stories from this pivotal moment in history.

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

Have a great weekend :)

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