Today in the Second World War

Welcome to another issue of your go-to World War II daily digest, dated June 20, 2023. Today, we embark on a journey back to the pivotal events that marked this day during the years of 1939-1945, exploring riveting stories of bravery, strategic maneuvers, unsung heroes, and the profound lessons they continue to impart. As we delve into the unfolding narratives from the turbulent fronts of Europe to the remote islands of the Pacific, we invite you to join us in paying homage to those who shaped history on this day, forever echoing their valor in our collective memory.

"Goddamn it, you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!" - Captain Henry P. "Jim" Crowe, USMC, Guadalcanal, 13 January 1943

Kriegsmarine Can’t Catch a Break

German battlecruiser Gneisenau and heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper departed Trondheim, Norway for operations near Iceland as a diversion for battleship Scharnhorst's cruise to Kiel, Germany for repairs. British submarine HMS Clyde detected Gneisenau and hit her with a torpedo 80 miles northwest of Trondheim and forced her to return for repairs.

No Mercy

In the early hours, lookouts on German submarine U-202, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Walter Kell, spotted the lifeboat containing the survivors of British motor merchant Cathrine, which was sunk by U-43 west of Cape Clear, Ireland three days earlier. The survivors asked for water but were told that they would not give water to Britishers. Seven of the ten men would soon die from starvation and exposure. In the subsequent days, a convoy passed close by, but the last three men were too weak to get any attention.

Canada Attacked

Japanese submarine I-26 surfaced off the Estevan Point light, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada with the intent of shelling the nearby Hesquiat radio direction finding station. The submarine fired 17 shells (including two exercise rounds filled with sand) but rough seas reduced the accuracy. None of the shells landed near the radio station with most falling short into the sea and some landing around the lighthouse. This bombardment was the first enemy attack on Canadian soil since 1870.

The Fall of Tobruk

Axis troops launched what would be the final attack on Tobruk, Libya, preceded by a heavy artillery and air bombardment at 0530 hours. At 0700 hours, 100 German and Italian tanks rushed through a gap in Tobruk's southeastern lines. The port facilities were captured by 1900 hours, and British troops destroyed stocks of fuel and supplies to prevent capture.

Daring Escape

On June 20, 1942, four prisoners - Kazimierz Piechowski, Stanisław Gustaw Jaster, Józef Lempart, and Eugeniusz Bendera - managed to escape from the Auschwitz concentration camp, which was one of the most notorious and deadly Nazi concentration camps.

Their escape was meticulously planned. They broke into the camp's SS storeroom and stole uniforms and weapons. They also managed to steal a Steyr 220, one of the fastest cars of its time and one reserved for high-ranking officials. Wearing the stolen SS uniforms and driving the SS car, they drove to the main gate. Bendera was driving, while Piechowski was in the passenger seat impersonating an SS officer.

When they reached the gate, it was closed. Piechowski, in his SS officer's guise, angrily demanded that the gate be opened. The guards, believing him to be a real officer, opened the gate and the four men drove out of Auschwitz to freedom.

After the escape, the men went their separate ways. Despite a huge manhunt, the Nazis were unable to recapture any of them. Their successful escape was an extraordinary feat given the extremely tight security at Auschwitz. This act of bravery has been commemorated as a symbol of resistance against the Nazi regime.

Nazis in America

Acting on information given by defected saboteur George Dasch, United States Federal Bureau of Investigation agents captured three German saboteurs in New York, New York, United States.

This event is part of the infamous Operation Pastorius, a failed German intelligence plan for sabotage inside the United States during World War II. The operation was staged in June 1942 and was named after Francis Daniel Pastorius, the leader of the first organized settlement of Germans in America.

Eight German agents, including George John Dasch, were involved. They had been given extensive training on sabotage techniques and were transported across the Atlantic via submarine. Their mission was to sabotage key infrastructure targets, including hydroelectric plants, factories, and railways.

However, Dasch had misgivings about the operation from the beginning. Shortly after landing on American soil, he turned himself in to the FBI, confessing the plan and providing crucial information about the other agents and their objectives.

With this information, the FBI was able to capture the remaining saboteurs, including those found in New York. The men were tried by a military tribunal and six were executed. Dasch and another saboteur, Ernst Burger, were sentenced to lengthy prison terms but were released and deported to Germany after the war.

The event led to significant legal precedent regarding the rights of enemy combatants and the use of military tribunals to try suspected terrorists. The case was revisited in the 21st century in relation to the trials of suspected terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay.

Photo of the Day

Survivors of Hiryu disembarking USS Ballard at Midway, 20 June 1942. Ballard rescued 35 Japanese sailors the previous day after two weeks in an open boat. One died while en route Midway and was buried at sea.

As we conclude this June 20th edition of the Hidden History Newsletter, we thank you for journeying with us through the echoes of history, for acknowledging the courage, the sacrifice, and the resilience etched in the narratives of this day in the era of 1939-1945. Our pursuit to keep these memories alive continues tomorrow with more profound insights and riveting stories. Until then, may we carry with us the spirit of valor from our past, influencing our present and shaping our future.

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Have a great week :)

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