Today in the Second World War

The 1st of June

Author

Hidden History
June 01, 2024

As we turn the page to June, we continue our detailed exploration of the events that unfolded during World War II. This day in history, June 1st, witnessed significant military operations and personal stories of heroism and struggle. In this edition, we dive into the critical decisions made on this day, the intense battles fought, and the enduring human spirit that faced these challenges. Join us as we uncover the stories of June 1st and reflect on their lasting impact on the war and the world.

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“They sowed the wind, and now they are going to reap the whirlwind.” - British Air Marshal “Bomber” Harris

Evacuations

1940: Overnight, British troops pulled out of the defensive line around Durkirk, France and headed for the ships, leaving French troops to hold a reduced perimeter. After day break, German bombing sank French destroyer Le Foudroyant (killing 19), British destroyers HMS Basilisk (killing 9; scuttled by destroyer HMS Whitehall), HMS Havant (killing 8, scuttled by minesweeper HMS Saltash), and HMS Keith (killing 36). British minesweeper HMS Skipjack was bombed after embarking 275 soldiers from the beach, taking down 19 crew and most of the boarded soldiers. British steamer Scotia was bombed and sunk, killing 32 crew and 200 to 300 soldiers. 47,081 Allied troops were evacuated from the harbor and 17,348 from the beaches.

British troops at Narvik, Norway began evacuating to reinforce Britain itself from a potential invasion. British ambassador to Norway Sir Cecil Dormer informed Norwegian King Haakon VII of the news and recommended the royal family and the government to evacuate as well.

Evacuation

No Belief

1942: Two Japanese midget submarines entered Sydney Harbor in Australia in the final hours of the previous day. One of them, M-24, was able to fired two torpedoes at cruiser USS Chicago just after 0000 hours; missing the American cruiser, one of the torpedoes hit the breakwater, sinking nearby barracks ship HMAS Kuttabul (21 were killed, 10 were wounded). M-24 would be able to escape the harbor; her crew abandoned the midget submarine 13 miles north of Sydney but was never seen again. The other midget submarine was depth charged and destroyed by Australian auxiliary patrol boats HMAS Steady Hour, HMAS Sea Mist, and HMAS Yarroma at 0500 hours, killing both men aboard.

A Japanese Ko-hyoteki class midget submarine raised from of Sydney Harbor the day after the submarine attack in Sydney Harbor, New South Wales, Australia, Jun 1 1942

Famous Loss

1943: The actor Leslie Howard, who had played the Spitfire designer Reginald Mitchell in the propaganda film "The First of the Few", was killed when the KLM DC3 airliner in which he was travelling from Lisbon, Portugal was shot down in flames by German Luftwaffe fighters over the Bay of Biscay.

Publicity photo of Leslie Howard for Gone with the Wind

No Russian

1945: Knowing the fate that would await them at the hands of the Soviets, a pitched battle broke out between British troops and the 28,000 strong Cossack Corps (White Russians who had always opposed the Communists and had been fighting for the Germans), when it was announced that they were to be repatriated to the Russian zone of Austria. Some 700 Cossacks and their families were killed by the British, trampled to death or commit suicide. Almost all the Cossacks who were sent back disappeared without trace.

Cossacks in the Wehrmacht, 1942.

Photo of the Day

German SdKfz. 251 halftrack vehicle at Bir al Hakim, near Tobruk, Libya, 1 Jun 1942

Bonus Photo

US Army Rangers awaited the invasion signal in a landing craft in an English port, circa early Jun 1944; note the bazooka and the M1 Garand rifles

As we conclude today’s exploration of the impactful events of May 30th during World War II, we hope the insights and stories have deepened your appreciation of this crucial period in history. Thank you for joining us on this journey through the past, as we strive to keep the memory of these significant moments alive. We look forward to bringing you more enlightening content in our next issue. Until then, continue to explore and reflect on the lessons of history and their relevance to our present and future.

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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