Today in the Second World War

September 11th stands as a date of significance in both World War II annals and modern times. As we dive into today's edition, we aim to shed light on the pivotal moments of the 1940s, while acknowledging the broader historical context this date holds. Journey with us as we explore the events and narratives from World War II that shaped this fateful day.

"This is a sad day for all of us, and to none is it sadder than to me. Everything that I have worked for, everything that I have believed in during my public life, has crashed into ruins. There is only one thing left for me to do: That is, to devote what strength and powers I have to forwarding the victory of the cause for which we have to sacrifice so much... I trust I may live to see the day when Hitlerism has been destroyed and a liberated Europe has been re-established."- Neville Chamberlain - 3rd September 1939

Battle of the Atlantic Begins

1939: The Battle of the Atlantic officially began. On the very same day, the British Admiralty began organizing a convoy system.

HMS Oxley became the first Royal Navy submarine to be lost in the war when she was either torpedoed or rammed in error off the Norwegian coast by another Royal Navy submarine. Only two of the fifty-three crew survived.

Lord Haw-Haw

1939: "Lord Haw-Haw", began broadcasting his "Germany calling" programme on Radio Hamburg. The name was eventually linked to William Joyce, a US citizen who had spent some time in Ireland, had been Propaganda Director of Oswald Moseley's (qv) British Union of Fascists and who had fled to Berlin a week before the outbreak of war. By 1940 30 per cent of the British population would be regularly tuning in to Radio Hamburg for his programme.

Operation Source

1943: The German battleship Tirpitz, a sister ship to the famous Bismarck, was a significant threat to Allied naval operations. With its heavy armor and powerful armament, the Tirpitz had the potential to disrupt Allied shipping routes, particularly the Arctic convoys, which were vital lifelines between Britain and the Soviet Union. Recognizing this threat, the British prioritized neutralizing the Tirpitz.

To accomplish this, the British Royal Navy devised "Operation Source." The main challenge was that the Tirpitz was anchored in the Kåfjord in Norway—a location that provided it with natural protection against large-scale naval attacks and aerial bombings. Additionally, the Germans had installed protective nets around the battleship, making it nearly impervious to torpedo attacks from conventional submarines.

Enter the X-class midget submarines. These were specialty vessels, designed for operations precisely like this. Measuring just over 50 feet in length, they were capable of carrying two large side cargoes packed with explosives. Each submarine was crewed by four men: a commander, a pilot, and two divers whose primary task was to exit the submarine to place the explosive charges beneath the target ship.

Six X-crafts were chosen for this operation: X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, and X10. They embarked on their mission carried by larger "parent" submarines that transported them closer to their launch points near the Norwegian coast. However, the operation was fraught with difficulties:

X8: It encountered technical issues and had to be scuttled to prevent its discovery.

X9: Tragically, this submarine was lost en route due to an accident with its tow, leading to the loss of all its crew.

X5: Approached the Tirpitz but was never heard from again. It is believed to have been sunk either by German defenses or its own explosive charges.

X6 and X7: Both successfully reached the Tirpitz, and despite facing challenges, including being detected and attacked, they managed to place their explosive charges beneath the battleship. The subsequent explosions caused significant damage to the Tirpitz, putting it out of operational service for several months.

X10: This submarine was intended to target the German cruiser Scharnhorst but faced technical difficulties and could not reach its objective.

The outcome of "Operation Source" was significant. While the Tirpitz was not sunk, the damage ensured it was out of action for a crucial period. The bravery of the X-craft crews was evident, with Lieutenant Donald Cameron of X6 and Lieutenant Basil Place of X7 both being awarded the Victoria Cross for their exemplary leadership and courage under fire.

Despite these efforts, the Tirpitz remained a concern. It took a series of further operations and bombing raids before the Royal Air Force finally sank it in November 1944 using Tallboy bombs.

Photo of the Day

Dr. Nagai of Nagasaki Hospital inspecting damage caused by the atomic bomb, Nagasaki, Japan, 1945; Nagai would die of radiation poisoning a few days after this photo was taken.

As we close our reflections on World War II's events for September 11th, we're reminded of how dates in history can carry layers of significance. The lessons of the past, intertwined with more recent memories, challenge us to remember and understand. Thank you for walking this historical path with us today, and we hope you'll join us again tomorrow as we continue our journey.

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Have a great week :)

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