Posted on 09/27/2009 5:45:21 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Gee I can’t imagine why the French government would have anything to fear from communists at that time. /s
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/rsha.htm
Following the invasion of Poland, Reinhard Heydrich, Himmler’s second in command of the SS, was given control of the new Reich Main Security Office (RSHA) which combined the SS Security Service (SD), Secret State Police (Gestapo), Criminal Police (Kripo), and foreign intelligence service into an enormous centralized organization that would soon terrorize the entire continent of Europe and conduct mass murder on a scale unprecedented in human history.
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/people/mr-winston-churchill/1939
HIS MAJESTY’S SHIP “COURAGEOUS.”
HC Deb 27 September 1939 vol 351 c1319 1319
§ 26. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueter
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether, after full consideration, he is satisfied that the protection given to the aircraft carrier “Courageous” was sufficient; and, if not, can he give an assurance that in future instructions will be given that aircraft carriers when proceeding throughwaters where submarines may be expected will have the same protecting screen of destroyers as is given to battleships?
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. Churchill)
I cannot undertake to hamper the judgment of experienced sea officers by any general ruling as to the degree of risk they should accept. This must depend upon the need or opportunity of the moment and the resources available. For the rest I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the remarks which I made yesterday on this subject.
AIRSHIPS.
HC Deb 27 September 1939 vol 351 cc1319-20 1320
§ 27. Sir M. Sueter
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what recorded opinion there is in his office as to the value of small airships in the last war as escorts for ships carrying food and raw materials to our home ports and if there is any recorded case of a merchant ship being sunk by a submarine when under small airship escort; what was the number of small airships and airship stations built in the late war; and whether the Admiralty now possess any small airships or intend to develop airshipsthat can hover for helping to combat submarines?
§ Mr. Churchill
During the last war the Admiralty built over 200 airships, including a large fleet of Zeppelins and 10 airship stations. Except for the useful patrolling work of the little Blimps around the harbours they were not otherwise of much military value. To-day the Admiralty possess no airships, but in view of their small offensive value against submarines, and their extreme vulnerability to attacks from enemy aircraft and from the anti-aircraft armament of U-boats, there is no need to deplore our deficiency in this respect.
GERMAN STEAMER “BREMEN.”
HC Deb 27 September 1939 vol 351 c1320 1320
§ 25. Mr. Lipson
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he is able to state the present whereabouts of the German liner “Bremen “?
§ 24. Mr. Cassells
asked the First Lord of the Admiralty whether he can make any statement concerning the present whereabouts of the “Bremen “?
§ Mr. Churchill
The German steamer “Bremen” is believed to be in a Northern Russian port.
§ Sir William Davison
Can my right hon. Friend say whether it is possible for an enemy ship to change her nationality when on the high seas or in port?
http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1939/sep39/f27sep39.htm
Wednesday, September 27, 1939
Warsaw falls to Germans
In Poland... Warsaw surrenders after two days of intensive air and artillery bombardment. The siege has resulted in the deaths of some 2000 Polish soldiers and 10,000 civilians. A total of 40,000 people are believed to have been killed or injured. About one eighth of the buildings in the city have been destroyed. German forces take about 150,000 prisoners. General von Blaskowitz, who received the Polish surrender, allows the Polish officers to keep their swords and promises that the troops will only go into captivity for as long as it takes to “dispose of the necessary formalities.” The terms of the capitulation provide for the immediate relief of the civilian population and the wounded.
In Berlin... Hitler tells his service chiefs that he plans to attack in the west as soon as possible and sets the date as November 12th. He has reached this decision entirely on his own. Army representative oppose the decision. Meanwhile, Hitler establishes the Reichssicherheitshauptamt [Reich Chief Security Office] (RSHA) under Reinhart Heydrich, who now heads the Gestapo, the Criminal Police (Kripo) and the Security Service (SD)
In London... Chancellor of the Exchequer Sir John Simon presents his first War Budget. Income tax is raised from 5/6d (25 1/2p) to 7/6d (37 1/2p) in the pound.
“The International Situation” mentions the disappearance of a Polish submarine from Estonia. That would be the Orzel, which miraculously escaped after the Estonians, bowing to German and Soviet pressure, had interned the sub, placing it under guard. Nonetheless, the Polish sailors were able to overpower their guards and sail away. Athough the Estonians had confiscated their charts and navigational equipment, the Orzel eventually reached Britain.
The sub saw action during the Norwegian campaign in the spring of 1940 but was never seen again after departing from Scotland on a patrol in June of that year.
The “TIMES” strikes again:
The “Nazi Medal for Valor” shown on page 8 [or 9], is a German Wounds Badge [akin to our Purple Heart]. Came in black [1 to 5 wounds], silver [6 to 10] and gold [10+].
The Nazis didn’t originate it. It pre-dates WWI. In fact, you can see one on almost any picture of Hitler in the ‘20s and ‘30s, below his Iron Cross 1st Class.
Thanks for filling in the gaps in the coverage. Sort of an early version of "Hunt for Red October."
Any predictions on the upcoming season? I see Florida started last week. I missed the scores then. Does N.Y.U. still play in Yankee Stadium?
"ORP Orzeł was the lead ship of her class of submarines serving in the Polish Navy during World War II. Her name means Eagle in Polish. "
Pravda attacks a guy for an article in the London Spectator?
cool! Probably made his whole career
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