Today in the Second World War

Welcome to today’s edition of the Hidden History Newsletter! In this newsletter, we aim to provide you with insightful information about the significant events that took place during World War II on this day in history. From major battles to technological advancements, we will explore the highs and lows of this tumultuous period of global history. Whether you are a history buff or simply interested in learning more about the events that shaped the world as we know it today, we have something for everyone. So, let's step back in time and explore the stories and events that occurred during World War II on the 7th of April!

“The enemy win their battles from the air! They knock out my panzers with American armor-piercing shells.” - Erwin Rommel

Operation Weserübung

In the morning of this day in 1940, the first German naval forces set sail for Operation Weserbüng. The huge Frorce was split into 10 groups under overall command of Admiral Rolf Carls. In the force were the old battleship Schleswig-Holstein, the heavy cruisers Hipper, Blücher and Lützow, with light cruisers Köln, Königsberg and Karlsruhe. There were also over 20 destroyers, mineseepers and torpedo boats, as well as tenders and transports. Admiral Karl Dönitz made up 9 submarine groups to accompany the surface vessels, 31 submarines in all; the U-boat operations would end as a total failure: despite good conditions the torpedoes showed defects in the depth-keeping mechanisms and the magnetic fuses failed, ending in only 6 Allied sinkings at the cost of 4 submarines. At 1325 hours, Hudson reconnaissance aircraft of No. 220 Squadron RAF spotted a part of German Marine Gruppe 1 and reported the presence of 1 cruiser and 6 destroyers at 1325 hours, sailing in a northward direction; 12 Blenheim and 24 Wellington bombers were dispatched to attack this group but the attack was not successful. The British Admiralty, receiving reports of major German naval movements, incorrectly assumed the Germans were launching a major attack into the Atlantic Ocean. The Home Fleet departed from Scapa Flow at 2115 hours, while the 1st Cruiser Squadron disembarked the troops already on board in order to prepare for a battle on the open seas. Nevertheless, British submarines continued to patrol the European coast for German activity rather than going out to the open seas; HMS Shark and HMS Seawolf departed Harwich naval base to patrol off Dutch coast, while HMS Clyde and HMS Thistle departed Scapa Flow to patrol the coast of Norway.

Japanese War Crimes

On this day in 1942, a Japanese dive bomber destroyed an ammunition truck near American field hospital No. 1 at Bataan, Philippine Islands at 1000 hours. Shortly after, Japanese aircraft returned to attack the hospital, which had large red crosses painted on the roof, killing 89 and wounding 101; a significant portion of the drug supplies were destroyed in this attack. On the front lines, Japanese assaulted positions held by US and Filipino troops of the US II Corps along the San Vicente River, penetrating the line by noon, forcing the Allies to fall back to the line at the Mamala River in the afternoon, which would also abandoned by 2100 hours for the Alangan River further to the south.

Claus von Stauffenberg is Injured

Claus von Stauffenberg was serving in North Africa as a member of the German army during World War II. On April 7th, 1943, he was traveling by car with several other officers to meet with General Erwin Rommel, the commander of the Afrika Korps. The car was on a road near the town of Mersa Matruh when it was strafed by Allied aircraft.

Von Stauffenberg was seriously injured in the attack and lost his left eye, his right hand, and two fingers on his left hand. Despite his injuries, he remained conscious and was able to give orders to his men, including to destroy secret documents to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

After the attack, von Stauffenberg was taken to a hospital in Germany, where he received medical treatment and rehabilitation for his injuries. Despite his physical disabilities, he continued to be involved in the resistance movement against Hitler and played a key role in the failed assassination attempt on July 20th, 1944.

Escape from Auschwitz

Rudolf Vrba and Alfred Wetzler were two Slovak Jews who managed to escape from the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp on April 7, 1944. The men had been selected for transportation to the gas chambers but managed to evade detection and hide in a woodpile outside the camp. They then made their way to Slovakia, where they delivered a report detailing the atrocities being committed at Auschwitz to the Jewish Council. The report, known as the Vrba-Wetzler report, was one of the first detailed accounts of the mass murder being carried out at the camp and played a crucial role in alerting the world to the horrors of the Holocaust.Vrba and Wetzler's escape was a daring and risky move, and their bravery in exposing the truth about the Nazi's atrocities helped to bring an end to the Holocaust and served as a powerful reminder of the human spirit's resilience and determination to survive.

Sinking of the Battleship Yamato

The Yamato was the largest battleship ever constructed, and its loss was a major blow to the Japanese Navy. On April 7, 1945, the ship was attacked by American forces, including carrier-based aircraft and submarines. The attack was relentless and inflicted serious damage on the ship. The Yamato was hit by several bombs and torpedoes, causing fires and explosions on board. Despite the valiant efforts of the crew, the ship eventually capsized and sank, taking nearly 3,000 sailors down with it. The sinking of the Yamato was a symbol of the country's determination to fight to the bitter end of the war. It also marked the end of an era of massive battleships, as aircraft carriers became the dominant force in naval warfare. The loss of the Yamato was a significant strategic victory for the Allies and a significant loss for the Japanese Navy, which was left without a flagship and one of its most powerful weapons.

Photo of the Day

The famous shot of P-51D Mustang, SX-I, 44-14495 “Dallas Doll”. Pilot Lt. Frank Bouldin Jr of the 352nd FS - 353rd FG, sitting at hardstand after rainfall.

Photo: Jack Cook - With Kind Permission.

Serious Image Repair & Colourisation - Nathan Howland

https://www.facebook.com/HowdiColourWork/

While today, the 7th of April, might not have been the busiest day during the Second World War, some major events did still occur. We saw the beginning of one of the chapters of the war in Europe with the German invasion force sailing to Norway, while we also saw the closing chapters of the Pacific Theater being written with the sinking of the greatest battleship ever built, the Yamato. We also saw a preview of Japanese brutality and war crimes to come in the Pacific War. One of the key masterminds of the most famous assassination attempt on Hitler’s life, Claus von Stauffenberg, was greatly injured which led to the planning of the July 20th plot as he was sent home for rehabilitation. Lastly, one of the most audacious acts of the Second World War occurred with the successful escape of Vrba and Wetzler from Auschwitz. This was significant in spreading the very real horrors of the concentration camps to the West. These events help to remind us of the scale and brutality of the war and the sacrifices made by those who fought and lost their lives during this time. They also underscore the importance of learning from history to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future.

Thanks for reading today’s edition of the newsletter! If you ever have any recommendations feel free to reach out to us at [email protected]. We look forward to seeing you tomorrow!

Have a great day :)

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