Today in the Second World War

The 24th of May

Author

Hidden History
May 24, 2024

On this day in World War II, pivotal moments unfolded that shaped the outcomes of numerous battles and the lives of individuals on all sides of the conflict. As we explore the events of May 24th, we bring to light the strategic decisions, heroic actions, and profound human experiences that characterize this day. Join us as we delve into these stories, understanding their significance and commemorating the resilience and courage that marked every moment. Let’s uncover the lasting impacts and lessons of May 24th together.

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“In Hitler’s launching of the Nazi campaign on Russia, we can already see, after six months of fighting, that he has made one of the outstanding blunders in history.” – before the House of Commons – December 11, 1941 - British Prime Minister Winston Churchill

Reclaiming

1940: The Polish destroyer Burza was ordered to join the British destroyers HMS Vimiera (L 29) and HMS Wessex (D 43) and shell German positions in Calais area on the French coast. At 1620 hours the Allied vessels opened fire on a German armoured column at Sangatte Hill, west of Calais. Ten minutes later they were attacked by 27 German aircraft which hit and sank HMS Wessex about 5 miles off of the coast. HMS Vimiera managed to escape. Then the entire enemy air group concentrated on the Polish destroyer. The two 40-millimeter anti-aircraft guns jammed due to shrapnel hits. Three bombs exploded in the water and they caused boiler damage and loss of speed. The commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Wojciech Francki, ordered to emergency launch the torpedoes and drop all depth charges, trying to avoid additional explosions. Shortly after this, two bombs hit the Burza and badly damaged her. However the airplanes had dropped all of their bombs and broke off the attack. The crew managed to stop the leakage and return to Dover, England, United Kingdom. One German airplane was shot down during the action.

Wojciech Francki

Battle of Denmark Strait

1941: British battlecruiser HMS Hood and battleship HMS Prince of Wales engaged German battleship Bismarck and cruiser Prinz Eugen at 0552 hours at the distance of 24 kilometers. At 0600, a 15 inch shells from Bismarck penetrated Hood's thin deck armor, detonating a magazine and sinking her with almost all killed. Prince of Wales broke off from the battle at 0604 hours after being hit 7 times. Bismarck was hit 3 times and began to sail south for repairs. At 2350 hours, 8 British Swordfish torpedo bombers from aircraft carrier HMS Victorious attacked Bismarck and scored one torpedo hit.

Painting by Claus Bergen depicting the German heavy cruiser Prinz Eugen and battleship Bismarck firing on British warships Hood and Prince of Wales

Angel of Death

1943: SS-Hauptsturmfuehrer Dr. Josef Mengele arrived at Auschwitz Concentration Camp. He was soon to begin experiments on prisoners.

Dr. Josef Mengele

No Luftwaffe

1945: At Salzburg, Austria, Field Marshal Robert Ritter von Greim, head of the Luftwaffe, committed suicide in American captivity. Having learnt that he was to be a part of a Soviet-American prisoner exchange and, fearing torture and execution at the hands of the Russians, he took cyanide. His final words were: "I am the head of the Luftwaffe, but have no Luftwaffe."

Field Marshal Robert Ritter von Greim

Photo of the Day

Bismarck firing on Hood and Prince of Wales, Battle of Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941; photographed from Prinz Eugen

Bonus Photo

Germany’s Minister of Production Albert Speer, Großadmiral (and later President) Karl Dönitz, and Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, speak to British war correspondents the day after their arrest in Flensburg, Germany, 24 May 1945.

As we conclude today's journey through the significant events of May 24th during World War II, we hope you've found the stories enlightening and the reflections meaningful. Thank you for sharing in our commitment to remember and learn from the past. We look forward to bringing you more insights and untold stories in our upcoming editions. Until then, keep exploring the lessons of history and their impact on our lives today.

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

Have a great week :)

Recommended Books:

The Ghost That Died at Sunda Strait by W. G. Winslow

Recounting the last stand of the heavy cruiser Houston, this tale of survival brings to life the 1942 battle at Sunda Strait.

Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports by John J. Domagalski

The dramatic account of two American warships in the South Pacific, this book follows the USS Astoria (CA–34) and USS Chicago (CA–29) during the late summer of 1942, when both participated in the early days of the critical battle for Guadalcanal. Drawing on a variety of firsthand accounts, some previously unpublished, the book tells the story from the perspective of the men aboard each ship, transporting readers inside the gun turrets, behind the lookout binoculars, and below deck as the battle rages. Individual stories of heroism, sacrifice and survival unfold as both vessels meet their fates in the South Pacific.

The Sinking of the Bismarck: The History of the Battle that Destroyed Nazi Germany’s Most Famous Battleship by Charles River Editors 

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