Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! On April 17th, 1945, the world was still embroiled in the deadliest conflict in human history. As Allied forces closed in on Germany from all sides, the final days of the war were marked by fierce fighting and devastating losses. Today, we will take a closer look at some of the significant events that occurred on this day, including the execution of the Chinese consul general in the Philippines by the Japanese, the daring escape of French General Henri Giraud from a Nazi prison, and the tragic loss of German fighter pilot August Lambert and his squadron in a dogfight against Allied forces. Join us as we explore the history of this pivotal day in the Second World War!

"Which would your men rather be, tired, or dead?” - General Erwin Rommel

A Daring Escape

The Königstein Fortress was one of the most famous fortresses in Germany, built on top of a rocky plateau overlooking the River Elbe. It had been used as a fortress since the 13th century, and by the time of World War II, it was considered an impregnable prison due to its location and the strength of its defenses.

General Henri Giraud was a highly decorated officer in the French army, having fought in World War I and being awarded the Legion of Honor. During World War II, he served as the commander of the French Army of the Alps, but he was captured by the Germans in May 1940 during the Battle of Lille.

Giraud was initially held in a prisoner-of-war camp in the Czech Republic, but in 1942, he was transferred to the Königstein Fortress, which was considered to be one of the most secure prisons in Germany. The fortress was surrounded by a deep moat, and the only entrance was through a gatehouse, which was heavily guarded by German soldiers.

Despite these obstacles, Giraud was determined to escape, and he found a willing accomplice in Kazimierz Mastalerz, a Polish officer who had been assigned to work in the fortress as a prisoner. Mastalerz had gained the trust of the German guards and was able to smuggle in civilian clothes and a fake identity card for Giraud.

On the night of April 17, 1942, Mastalerz led Giraud through a secret passage in the fortress, which he had discovered while working there. The passage led to a steep cliff face, which they climbed using a rope made from bed sheets.

Once they reached the top of the cliff, they made their way through the forest and eventually reached the safety of Switzerland, where Giraud was able to contact the Free French Forces led by General Charles de Gaulle.

Giraud's escape from the Königstein Fortress was a major boost to the morale of the Free French Forces, and it demonstrated that even the most secure prisons could be breached with the right combination of skill, courage, and luck. Giraud went on to play a significant role in the liberation of France, and he was eventually appointed as the commander-in-chief of the French armed forces, a position he held until 1944.

China Stands Tall

Yang Guangsheng was born in 1898 in Zhejiang, China. He joined the Chinese diplomatic service in 1921 and served in various capacities in China and overseas. In 1938, he was appointed as the Chinese consul general in Manila, the capital of the Philippines.

At the time of his appointment, the Philippines was under American colonial rule, but in December 1941, the country was invaded by the Japanese. Yang Guangsheng and his staff were among the few Chinese officials who remained in the country after the invasion, and they continued to represent the interests of the Chinese government despite the difficult circumstances.

In 1943, the Japanese authorities demanded that Yang Guangsheng and his staff recognize the puppet government in Nanjing, which had been established by the Japanese in collaboration with Chinese collaborators. However, Yang Guangsheng refused to comply with these demands, arguing that the puppet government was illegitimate and that China's sovereignty and territorial integrity could not be compromised.

The Japanese responded to Yang Guangsheng's refusal by subjecting him to torture and interrogation. Despite the brutal treatment, Yang Guangsheng remained resolute in his refusal to cooperate with the Japanese, and he was eventually sentenced to death.

On April 17, 1943, Yang Guangsheng and seven of his staff members were taken to a remote location outside of Manila, where they were forced to dig their own graves. They were then executed by a firing squad, and their bodies were left in the graves.

The execution of Yang Guangsheng and his staff members was a brutal act of violence, intended to intimidate the Chinese community in the Philippines and to demonstrate the ruthlessness of the Japanese authorities. However, it also had the opposite effect, inspiring many Chinese and Filipinos to resist the Japanese occupation and to work towards the eventual liberation of their countries.

Today, Yang Guangsheng is remembered as a hero and a martyr in China and in the Philippines, and his sacrifice continues to inspire people around the world to stand up for justice and defend their values, even in the face of overwhelming odds.

Luftwaffe Loses an Ace

August Lambert was born on August 8, 1917, in Heilbronn, Germany. He joined the Luftwaffe in 1937 and was trained as a fighter pilot. In 1941, he was transferred to the Eastern Front, where he flew the Messerschmitt Bf 109 fighter in defense of Germany's advance into the Soviet Union.

Lambert quickly proved himself as a skilled and aggressive pilot, and he became one of the top scoring aces on the Eastern Front. He was credited with 116 aerial victories against the Soviets, including 24 four-engine bombers.

In 1944, Lambert was transferred to the Western Front, where he was assigned to the ground attack unit 8/SG 77. He flew the Ju 87 Stuka dive bomber, which was known for its ability to deliver accurate strikes against enemy ground targets.

Lambert was appointed as the Staffelkapitän of 8/SG 77 in early 1945, and he led his unit in numerous ground attack missions against Allied targets in the closing months of the war. His skill and experience as a fighter pilot were highly valued by his superiors, and he was widely respected by his fellow pilots.

On April 17, 1945, Lambert led a mission against Allied ground targets near Königsberg in East Prussia. His formation was intercepted by a large number of P-51 Mustang fighters, which were escorting American bombers on a raid against the same targets. The German fighters were caught by surprise, and they were outnumbered and outgunned by the American fighters.

Lambert and his wingman were among the casualties of the ensuing dogfight. At the time of his death Lambert had 116 aerial victories against the Soviets and had destroyed hundreds of enemy tanks, trucks and artillery pieces. Six of his pilots suffered the same fate.

Lambert's loss was a significant blow to the German war effort, as he was one of the most successful and respected pilots in the Luftwaffe. His legacy continues to inspire admiration and respect among aviation enthusiasts, and his story serves as a reminder of the human cost of war.

Photo of the Day

Obersteurmann Helmut Klotzch of U-175 yelled for help after the submarine sank in the North Atlantic, 500 nautical miles WSW of Ireland, 17 Apr 1943.

As we reflect on the events of April 17th, 1945, we are reminded of the tremendous sacrifices made by millions of people during the Second World War. The bravery and determination of soldiers, civilians, and leaders from all sides of the conflict helped shape the course of history and pave the way for a more peaceful world. Join us again tomorrow as we continue to explore the people, places, and events that defined the Second World War.

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Have a great week :)

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