Posted on 06/16/2011 5:03:20 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Plus a special guest map from Churchill’s The Grand Alliance -
Diagram to Illustrate Operation “Battleaxe”
http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/jun41/f16jun41.htm
Germans seize initiative in north Africa
Monday, June 16, 1941 www.onwar.com
In North Africa... Nominally the British attack continues but the initiative has passed to the Germans. The British 7th Armored Brigade loses heavily in a running battle with the German 5th Light Division while 4th Indian Division has to fight hard to hold off 15th Panzer Division. Halfaya remains in German hands.
In Syria... The Vichy French counterattacks continue. El Quneitra is retaken.
From Washington... President Roosevelt orders that all German and Italian consulates in the country should be closed, along with the offices of other German agencies.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/16.htm
June 16th, 1941
UNITED KINGDOM: Aldershot, Hampshire: In military custody, Rudolf Hess tries to commit suicide by throwing himself off a staircase, but only breaks a leg.
RAF Bomber Command: 2 Group: In operations against ‘squealers’, short-wave radio equipped trawlers used as early warning stations by the Luftwaffe in the North Sea, 3 Blenheims of 21 Sqn. sink a trawler, but not before one aircraft had struck the ships mast and cartwheeled into the sea.
Westminster: Commenting on industrial unrest, Capt. J. Henderson Stewart MP, declared in questioning the Minister of Labour, Ernest Bevin:
“Today, when the flower of our land has been mowed down through lack of arms to defend themselves, arms factories at home are frequent scenes of deliberate slacking, deliberate idleness and shameless agitation for higher and higher wages for the same work done.”
Destroyer HMS Rapid laid down.
Destroyer HNLMS Kortenaer (ex-HMS Scorpion) laid down.
Minesweeper HMS Seaham launched.
Corvette HMS Bryony commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)
GERMANY: Gen. Eugen Meindl is awarded the Knight’s Cross for his leadership in the opening phase of the battle for Crete and especially for the overall performance of his regiment in this campaign.
U-220, U-221, U-222 laid down.
U-406 launched. (Dave Shirlaw)
FINLAND: In anticipation of Barbarossa, Finnish troops are withdrawn from the island of Morgonland, which they were using to observe Soviet naval traffic at the occupied port of Hanko, on the south-westerly tip of Finland, and the surrounding waters are mined by both sides. (Cris Wetton)
LIBYA: Operation Battleaxe: The British move south to the Sidi Omar area, where action continues throughout the morning. Two-pounder and Besa fire cause much damage among a large concentration of Germans, who later withdraw in a north-easterly direction.
The attack at Halfaya had not been as successful as had been hoped, and although Fort Capuzzo was taken at bayonet point by the infantry the Germans were reported to be forming for a strong counterattack.
The 15th Panzer counter-attacked around Capuzzo by night, while the 5th Light made a hook around the British left flank, with the aim of reaching the Halfaya Pass and cutting off both British divisions from supply or escape down the escarpment. The 4th Indian Division struggles to hold 15th Panzer. Halfaya remains in German hands.
7th Armoured Brigade was attacked by the 5th Light, which came swinging round the left flank of the division. By nightfall, 7th Armoured Brigade was down to just 25 tanks.
SYRIA: Further French attacks on Jezzine are repulsed by 25 Aust Bde. Before dawn a French mobile column of 7th Chasseurs d’Afrique, a company of Senegalese and some artillery under Col. Lecoulteux capture El Quneitra from 1st Bn Royal Fusiliers after an all-day fight, taking 470 prisoners. This cuts key roads behind 5 Ind Bde (Damascus) and 7 Aust Div (Merdjayoun). Despite this disaster in his rear, Brig Lloyd (5 Ind Bde) sends one Indian battalion to the Kuneitra road to cut off the French in turn, and aggressively continues his advance on Damascus. Alarmed by the general French counter-attack over the whole front, Generals Wilson and Lavarack throw in their few reserves. Leading elements of 16 Brit Brigade arriving from Egypt are diverted to Deraa; 2/3 MG Bn is sent to hold crossings on the Jordan; Brig Berryman (BGRA 1st Aust Corps) is placed in command of all troops around Merdjayoun. (Michael Alexander)
Bennett decided to advance down the hill against the French flank. Lieutenant Copp’s platoon fixed bayonets and charged, then Marshall’s platoon charged on his right, while Dwyer’s men, farther to the right, established themselves overlooking the track along which the French would have to withdraw to Ferdisse. Copp’s platoon advanced among the French with Tommy guns and bayonets, and the enemy ran. Buttrose’s company joined in the chase, and his mortars and Dwyer’s Bren gunners poured fire into the fugitives. More than fifty French troops were killed. Both companies then took up defensive positions on the high ground west of Rachaya until, about 5 p.m., orders came from Monaghan to withdraw to Bmeriq. They did so and took up positions there that night. Thirty-two French cavalry horses, fine Arab stallions, were captured in the fight at Rachaya. The battalion used them to mount its messengers and for officers’ chargers . Finally these horses were handed over to the 6th Cavalry Regiment to mount a troop known as the “Kelly Gang”..... (Daniel Ross)(197)
Fleet Air Arm torpedo-bomber flying from Cyprus sink the large Vichy destroyer Chevalier Paul, while it is trying to bring in a supply of ammunition. A second super-destroyer VAQUELIN, succeeds in reaching Beirut but is then damaged by British air attack. (Peter Beeston)
During the campaign a RN cruiser and destroyer force, including HMAS Perth and HMS Leander, provide close support on the Army’s flank. They also fight a series of actions with Vichy French warships as well as German aircraft. A number of destroyers are damaged, but a French destroyer and submarine are sunk.
JAPAN: Tokyo: The US government hands the Japanese a sharp diplomatic protest, stating that in 11th and 14th June, a twin-engined Japanese military aircraft had flown over Guam at very high altitude. The Japanese government denies all knowledge of this.
CANADA: Corvette HMCS Vancouver (ex-HMCS Kitchener) laid down Esquimalt, British Columbia. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.A.: New York: The editorial for the New York Times reveals the disarray of Roosevelt’s defence program:
In the ninety days following passage of the act (Lend-Lease) the United States had sent to Britain, China and other nations fighting in defence of freedom less than $11,000,000, of newly produced supplies. And of this $8,000,000 represented agricultural products.
The U.S. State Department orders all German consular establishments be closed and all German consular officials, agents, clerks, and employees to leave the country. Also included in this order are German nationals connected with the German Library of Information in New York City, the German Railway and Tourist Agencies, and the Trans-Ocean New Service. The Germans are ordered out of the country by 10 July 1941. The reason given for this action is that these agencies “have been engaged in activities...of an improper and unwarranted character” and “wholly outside the scope of their legitimate duties.” (Jack McKillop)
Destroyers USS Gillespie and Gansevoort laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)
Note that Hanson W. Baldwin has picked up on the upcoming German invasion of Russia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanson_W._Baldwin
http://worldwar2daybyday.blogspot.com/2011/06/day-655-june-16-1941.html
Day 655 June 16, 1941
Operation Battleaxe. There is stalemate at Halfaya Pass where British tanks are held at bay by the 88s. With the British attack stopped by German anti-tank guns and numerous tank breakdowns, Rommel sends in his armoured reserves. 5th Light Division attempts to outflank the British at dawn, bypassing Hafid Ridge to the West, but they are spotted by British 7th Armoured Regiment. There are running battles all day with many British tanks lost to the heavier guns of the Panzer IIIs and Ivs. At dusk, 7th Armoured Regiment retreats, allowing 5th Light Division to swing East at Sidi Omar aiming to encircle the British at Halfaya Pass. 15th Panzer Division attacks Fort Capuzzo all morning but loses 50 of 80 tanks to British 25-pounder anti-tank guns by noon. They are then ordered to cut South to Sidi Omar to join 5th Light in the encircling manoeuvre.
The British Royal Fusiliers battalion surrounded at Quneitra, Syria, is annihilated by Vichy French tanks. At 7 PM, 177 British officers and men surrender. Meanwhile further North, Indian and Free French troops (Gentforce) push on towards Damascus. 40 miles of the coast of Syria, British torpedo bombers sink Vichy French destroyer Chevalier Paul carrying ammunition from Toulon, France.
General Patton, born in California on Nov. 11, 1885, was hte first officer to be assigned to the American Tank Corps in the first World War. His military awards include the Silver Star, the Purple Hear, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Distinguished Service Medal.
I see that Mr. Railey was able to pry a little personal information out of the general. But what does he mean by first World War? Was there another one? And regarding the picture on that page - should we report that trooper to the SPCA? That's no way to treat your trusty steed!
The Führer estimates that the operation will take four months, I reckon on fewer. Bolshevism will collapse like a house of cards.
I was hoping to see one of his boisterous quotes. This is the second time in as many weeks that Patton's name has come up though in articles and I'm betting it will become more frequent as we go.
I wasn't too surprised by the first World War statement though. Wasn't it Hanson Baldwin who coined the term Second World War sometime towards the end of 1939? At some point they will start capitalizing the word "first" then it will be official.
The picture is very strange to me. But then again I don't know much about the operational side of old cavalry units. I would think that would hurt the horse, maybe not. I wonder what unit that's from. Patton's group, it states, doesn't have any horses. Even his artillery is being hauled by these new half tracked vehicles. And with him having "two-and-a-half-ton" trucks (wonder when they will start calling them "Jimmys") his supply chain appears to be completely motorized now too.
Uncle Rudy eventually became a US citizen after he emigrated here not long after being released from a Soviet POW camp in 1951(I believe) He seriously thought of writing a book about his wartime experiences (all in Russia)but unfortunately never got around to it. He left his family a ton of paperwork, including several diaries and many photos from those days but trying to translate them is quite a chore-he wrote in a type of high-German script that is quite hard to translate, or even understand.
In spite of that I would like to post some of his recollections from Russia, or at least those that I can date. Some of the stuff looks fairly interesting, especially the parts dealing with how the common German Landser felt about the carnage that was taking place all about him. I learned a few things I hadn't been aware of like all Soviet POWs were searched for "explosive bullets" which I believe are similar to Dum-Dum bullets. Anyone found with them was immediately shot. Another thing appeared to be an inordinate fear of Soviet snipers so I'm guessing they must have taken a toll of the Germans. After a few months of fighting it appears that many of my uncles comrades, and him, learned to respect the Russian soldiers but also to hate them especially after having seen what the Russians did to German wounded. He has a small paragraph about what his unit found when they recaptured a crowded Dressing station that was full of both German and Russian wounded.
Of course none of this excuses the excesses of German troops when they captured millions of Russian POWs and allowed them to die and I'll post what I can for the interest of those in our group. As always I'm glad to hear comments about my posts, both negative and positive and once again thank Homer for making the Internet, again, the interesting and fascinating place it was meant to be.
I think it would be incredible if you would post some of these notes from your uncle. My German is pretty rough but getting better fast since I’ve decided that I need to be fluent in the language again. Henkster, on the other hand, is far more fluent than I and I’d bet he would be very interested in reading these too. These are the kind of items that really need to be preserved and organized so they may get out there. There are far more histories by the commanders than there are of the troops and the real thick of things was with these troops.
Let me know if you need any help with posting these items.
Shouldn't be a problem and in fact it's a project I've thought about for awhile.
Wow...those are pretty cool. They are “in memoriam” notes for fallen comrades and family members.
The first one for the SS soldier reads in pertinent part:
“In memory of our beloved and unforgotten son and brother Josef Kreil...who on October 22, 1941, at the age of 22, met his hero’s death in the East fighting against Bolshevism for his Fuhrer, people and Fatherland.”
Oh, and I was never very good at German poetry, but for Kreil and his family’s sake I will give it a try:
Rest in Peace
You were so lovely and good
And a friend to all
A young courageous man
True to your Soldier’s Code
I loved you with all my life’
(unable to translate this line)
You still remain on the battlefield
Sleep well in a foreign land
My regular translator did a quick glance and came up with:
"Gain strength and have new courage"
These are incredible. I think you have something really special here. If his diary entries are as impressive as this is, then I think you are right in that he should have written a book on his experience on the eastern front. I know it would sell today since there is a lot more interest in the eastern front then there was even just 10 years ago.
It may have been past tense:
“You gained strength and found courage”
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