Today in the Second World War

November 7th beckons us with a myriad of tales from the sprawling narrative of World War II. As we stand on this historical threshold, we're reminded of the intertwining destinies, bold stratagems, and countless acts of valor that have defined this particular day. Join us as we delve into the vibrant tapestry of events and stories that the 7th of November has etched into the annals of wartime history.

"Casualties many; Percentage of dead not known; Combat efficiency; we are winning." - Colonel David M. Shoup - (Tarawa) - 21st November 1943

Revenge

1938: French Jew Herschel Grynszpan, whose parents were recently expelled from Germany into Poland, assassinated German consular aide Ernst Vom Rath in Paris.

No Respect

1939: Hermann Göring met with American journalists at the Soviet embassy in Berlin, Germany and mocked the quality and quantity of the US-built aircraft that would soon arrive in Britain.

Which Side?

1940: Vichy French submarine Poncelet fired a torpedo at the Allied invasion fleet sailing for Libreville, French Equitorial Africa 50 miles southwest of Libreville, hitting sloop HMS Milford, but the torpedo failed to explode. Poncelet was forced to surface by Milford's depth charges, and then was damaged by bombs from two Walrus biplanes of HMS Devonshire. All but one of Poncelet's complement of 61 surrendered after scuttling the ship; commanding officer Commander de Saussine decided to go down with the ship.

No Mercy

1941: Soviet hospital ship Armenia departed Yalta, Ukraine at 0800 hours with 7,000 civilians and wounded troops aboard, against orders forbidding sailing during daylight hours. At 1129 hours, despite the red cross marking, she was attacked and sunk by a He 111 bomber of German KG26. Only 8 people survived.

Weakening Morale

1943: Alfred Jodl met with Nazi party Gauleiters in Munich, Germany; he noted that the Allied terror raids on German cities must be stopped, otherwise morale of the German people would be overly damaged, and it would be fertile grounds for subversive activities.

Defection

1944: Colonel Otto Hatz, Hungarian military attaché to Ankara, Turkey, defected to the Soviets, bringing with him documents about the Hungarian Army and fortifications on the Danube River. In retaliation the Germans would put his parents and brother in a concentration camp, where his mother would die.

Photo of the Day

KV-1 tank on a street in Moscow, Russia, 7 November 1941.

As the curtain falls on November 7th's narrative, we're left with a profound appreciation for the intricacies and interplays of World War II's vast saga. The stories we've uncovered today, ranging from grand strategies to personal heroics, reaffirm the inexhaustible depth of this era. We're grateful for your companionship on this day's exploration, and with anticipation, we look forward to the tales that tomorrow will unfold.

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

Have a great week :)

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