Today in the Second World War

The 30th of January

Hidden History
January 30, 2024

In today's edition of our World War II Daily newsletter, we explore January 30, a day marked by strategic military and diplomatic events during the war years. We aim to provide a brief yet informative overview, focusing on the day's significant operations and decisions that shaped the course of World War II. Join us as we delve into the key events of January 30 and their lasting impact on the war.

“Without ships, we cannot live.” – on the importance of winning the War in the Atlantic – British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

The Future

1939: In a Reichstag speech, Adolf Hitler spoke of German-Polish peace and warned that if the "international Jewish financiers" threatened the world with another war, he would embark on eliminating the Jews to rid the world of this threat.

Hitler giving a speech at the Reichstag

Sailing Blind

1944: In the mid-Atlantic, planes and escorts from escort carrier USS Card encountered an unidentified ship refusing all challenges and making erratic course changes. After numerous challenges and even firing on the ship by means of an aircraft dropping two bombs off the ship’s bow with no acknowledgement, escorting destroyer USS Livermore came close aboard and made direct contact. Only then did the ship respond correctly to all challenges and identify herself as the Canadian merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry. The communications difficulty was attributed to poor weather and rough seas.

HMCS Prince Henry

Photo of the Day

Schlesien in the western Baltic, late Jan 1940

Bonus Photos

Lancaster bomber of No 1 Group, RAF Bomber Command over Hamburg, Germany, night of 30-31 Jan 1943

German Volkssturm troops with Panzerfäuste at Königsberg, Germany, Jan 1945

As we conclude today's edition of our World War II Daily newsletter for January 30, we thank you for joining us in exploring these pivotal moments in history. Our aim has been to provide insights into the strategic and personal narratives of this significant day during the war. We hope that our coverage has deepened your understanding of the events and their impact. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to bring more stories and perspectives from World War II. Until then, let us keep the lessons of history in mind, allowing them to inform our present and future decisions.

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

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

At Dawn We Slept by Gordon W. Prange

Revisit the definitive book on Pearl Harbor in advance of the 78th anniversary (December 7, 2019) of the "date which will live in infamy".

Judgement at Tokyo by Gary J. Bass

A landmark, magisterial history of the trial of Japan’s leaders as war criminals—the largely overlooked Asian counterpart to Nuremberg.

The Things Our Fathers Saw by Matthew A. Rozell

How soon we forget. Or perhaps, we were never told. That is understandable, given what they saw. But, it happened.

Operation: Snare Drum: A WWII Submarine Adventure Novel by Scott W. Cook

December 7, 1941 - America is attacked by the Japanese and dragged into a worldwide struggle for power unlike anything ever seen on Earth.

Pacific Sniper: A World War II Thriller by David Healey

In December 1941, the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor plunges the United States into war. Fresh from the hardscrabble mountains of Appalachia, Deacon Cole joins the fight against Imperial Japan.

Today’s email was brought to you by Hidden History.

Was this email forwarded to you? You can subscribe here