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On this fifth day of November, we find ourselves anchored in the heart of World War II's vast narrative. November 5th bears witness to a myriad of defining moments, from strategic choices to tales of personal valor, each echoing the larger symphony of the conflict. As we step into today's historical tapestry, let's uncover the stories and endeavors that shaped the trajectory of this consequential day.
"The enemy knows that he must wipe out our fighters. Once he has done that, he will be able to play football with the German people." - Field Marshal Erhard Milch - 1943
Arrest the Führer
1939: A plot to arrest or even kill Adolf Hitler, hatched by of his most senior military staff, collapsed. Led by General Franz Halder, the architect of the invasion of Poland, many Generals were appalled by Hitler's plans to continue the conflict by invading Belgium and the Netherlands and feared that the adventure would founder in another Great War quagmire. Walther von Brauchitsch, who met with Hitler and was supposed to be the one to issue the order for his arrest, got cold feet and lost the opportunity to prevent Hitler from plunging Europe into another World War. However one of the conspirators, Colonel Hans Oster of German Military Intelligence, tipped off the Dutch and Belgians about Hitler's invasion intentions.
Walther von Brauchitsch
Convoy Hunting
1940: German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer approached Allied convoy HX-84 in the North Atlatic in the late afternoon, and British armed merchant cruiser Jervis Bay moved in to intercept. Hopelessly outgunned, Jervis Bay was sunk within 15 minutes of the gun battle; 190 were killed and 65 survived; Captain Fegen of Jervis Bay would be awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously for his efforts to slow Admiral Scheer. Nevertheless, Admiral Scheer was able to sink 5 additional British ships in the convoy before the convoy scattered and escaped, killing an additional 208 sailors.
“HMS Jervis Bay at Dakar, Senegal, which has to have been taken in either January or April, 1940. You can clearly see that the ship was not painted battleship grey, as all of the painted pictures of the battle incorrectly indicate. You can also clearly see the starboard guns. S2 (on the well deck) was blown off the ship during the battle (complete with gun crew, who all perished - apart from Fred Billinge, who was on deck elsewhere at the moment the salvo hit.) Photo by JF Aylard, survivor.”
Göring’s Loot
1940: Hermann Göring issued an order to loot the art treasures at the Louvre museum in Paris, France, which were to be distributed to German museums and private collections of Nazi leaders, with a large portion of the art reserved for himself.
Adolf Hitler presents “The Falconer,” by the Austrian painter Hans Makart, to Hermann Göring as a present.
Exchanging Blows
1943: US Task Force 38, with carriers USS Saratoga and USS Princeton, launched aircraft 60 miles southwest of Cape Torokina, Bougainville, Solomon Islands against Japanese Cruiser Division 4 anchored at Rabaul, New Britain; the Japanese detected the arrival of Task Force 38 but had mistakenly identified the carriers as transports, thus there was no immediate response. USS Saratoga launched 33 F6F, 16 TBF, and 22 SBD aircraft; USS Princeton launched 19 F6F and 7 TBF aircraft. Facing up to 70 Japanese fighters, the dive bombers attacked first, damaging several cruisers and two destroyers. The torpedo bombers attacked next, making only two hits, and both torpedoes were duds. The US suffered 9 aircraft lost and 14 airmen killed. In addition to the damage to Cruiser Division 4, the Japanese lost 1 D4Y1, 3 A6M, and 1 twin-engine transport aircraft. After the raid by carrier aircraft, US Army B-24 bombers conducted a follow-up attack, killing hundreds but causing minimal damage to shipping and facilities.
Chikuma from a USS Saratoga-based plane, 5 Nov 1943.
Photo of the Day
German Type IX submarine U-848 under attack by four US Navy PB4Y Liberators of VB-107 and two US Army B-25 Mitchells in the mid-Atlantic Ocean, 5 Nov 1943. U-848 was sunk in this attack with all 63 men lost.
Bonus Photo
Elco 80-foot torpedo boat PT-167 with a through-and-through hole in the bow section made by a Japanese torpedo that did not explode, Solomon Islands, 5 Nov 1943. Note 37mm cannon and “Zebra” pattern paint scheme.
As we conclude our exploration of November 5th, the intricate threads of World War II stories weave yet another rich tapestry of human endurance, strategy, and sacrifice. Your continued engagement is a testament to the timeless relevance of these accounts. With today's tales etched in our minds, we look forward to unearthing more chapters of history together tomorrow.
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Have a great weekend :)
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