BRITAIN AND FRANCE SPURN NAZI-SOVIET PEACE (9/30/39)

Microfiche-New York Times archives, McHenry Library, U.C. Santa Cruz | 9/30/39 | Raymond Daniell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime”.)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Winston S. Churchill, The Gathering Storm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

We just have a skimpy little post to finish off the big month.

The International Situation – 2
London Shuns Bait – 2-4
Incidents in European Conflict – 3
Nazi Fleet Raided by British Planes – 5-6

[abb]

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1939/sep39/f30sep39.htm

Saturday, September 30, 1939

Poles form government in exile in France

In France... A Polish government in exile is formed. Raczkiewicz is the new president and General Wladyslaw Sikorski is the Prime Minister and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.

In the South Atlantic... Off Pernambuco, Brazil, the German pocket battleship Graf Spee sinks its first merchant ship, the British steamship Clement (commanded by Captain F. Harris). Before the battle of the River Plate, in December, Graf Spee will only sink 9 ships of 50,000 tons altogether.

In Romania... Polish President Ignace Moscicki, presently interned, resigns his post.

From Berlin... Germany notifies Britain that armed merchant ships will be sunk without warning. The decision is claimed to be based on incidents of British merchant ships attacking German submarines.

In London... The British cabinet authorizes poison gas shipments to France for use if the Germans begin using chemical weapons.

[Zeppelin]

Thanks, Homer J!

Keep up the good work! =)

[abb]

http://sixtant.net/site/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=180&Itemid=2

ADM GRAF SPEE - SUNKEN SHIPS - CLEMENT

Fraser Darrah collection

Built 1934

Tonnage 7870

Cargo: 20.000 cases of kerosene bound from New York to Salvador, Bahia.

Sunk 30 Sep 39 by Adm. GRAF SPEE on pos. 09º 05’S 34º 05’W.

0 Dead
2 POW
47 Survivors

The war in the south Atlantic began in the real dimension on 30/Sep/1939 when the British merchant Clement was spotted and sunk by the German pocket battleship Graf Spee. Sinking took place 70 miles southeast of Recife, Pernambuco. The Graf Spee used one Arado aircraft to sweep the vast expanses of the sea in order to provide the precise position of her preys. Once spotted the Clement transmitted her position in distress signal and was strafed by the Arado.

These warning shots intimidated the crew and transmissions ceased. One crewmember of Clement was slightly injured and received medical treatment aboard Graf Spee. Captain Harris RNR and Chief Engineer Bryant boarded Graf Spee and were questioned. Clement had a total of 49 aboard and except the Captain and Chief engineer the 47 survivors were given directions to Pernambuco, Brazil. Later the 2 crewmembers of Clement were transferred to one Greek merchant that was stopped and searched by Graf Spee.

Four lifeboats were lowered and boarded by the remaining crewmen. The same day 16 men were fished out by the Brazilian steamer Itatinga, while the other 31 remaining survivors made ashore at Maceio some 90 miles of Pernambuco on 1st October. When the merchant Itatinga anchored at Recife, the news of one German armed Raider in action in the south Atlantic spread like wildfire.

Captain F. C. P. Harris (center) of the Clement standing with German officers, including Kapitän zur See Hans Langsdorff and another of Clement’s crew, watching their vessel sink. Picture by Michel Pocock www.maritimequest.com

Clement being shelled by Graf Spee. Picture by Michael Pocock www.maritimeprints.com

Map with the exact location where the Clement was sunk

[wagglebee]

We just have a skimpy little post to finish off the big month.

I believe late September is when the "Phoney War" really set in and very little happens until the Soviets invade Finland at the end of November.

[abb]

http://www.lummifilm.com/grafspee/history.html

On September 30, the Graf Spee met with her first encounter, the 5,000 ton British steamer, Clement. Langsdorff launched the Graf Spee’s Arado float plane which halted the Clement with cannon fire while the Graf Spee caught up. Next, Langsdorff ordered everyone on board the Clement into lifeboats and notified the Brazilian Coast Guard that the crew needed assistance. Then he sunk the Clement with gunfire and left the scene. No lives were lost.

[JNRoberts]

Thanks again Home. I really enjoy WWII history and reading these newspaper accounts.

[abb]

SS Clement Photograph Courtesy of Joe McMillan

SS CLEMENT

Booth S.S. Co.

Built 1934 Cammell Laird & Co.

5,051 tons

412ft 2ins x 55ft 7ins x 26ft

652 nhp; 13 knots; triple-expansion engines & L.P. turbine.

Capt. F. C. P. Harris, O.B.E.

30th September 1939 She was intercepted by GRAF SPEE 50 miles SE of Pernambuco. GRAF SPEE gave orders not to operate the radio, but the wireless operator sent the distress signal and ship’s position.

Passengers and crew were taken off as prisoners, CLEMENT was sunk by gunfire.

The crew were sent to the the boats and were left to make their way to land, having been given the correct course back to the South American port of Maceio. They all reached Maceio safely on the 1st October.

The master and the chief engineer were taken prisoner. There was also a deck hand that had received injuries whilst abandoning ship. The man received treatment for his wounds. Captain Harris was questioned.

The Greek steamer SS PAPALEMOS was stopped. Her captain promised not to send a signal until reaching the Cape Verde Islands, so Captain Harris, the chief engineer and the deck hand were transferred to the SS PAPALEMOS and GRAF SPEE continued her raiding operation.

http://freepages.family.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~treevecwll/spees.htm

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I believe late September is when the "Phoney War" really set in and very little happens until the Soviets invade Finland at the end of November.

Awfully decent of the warring parties to cut back on their antics so we can get the World Series in without distraction, don't you think?

Although as abb's post below yours indicates, the war at sea goes on without pause.

[wagglebee]

Although as abb's post below yours indicates, the war at sea goes on without pause.

Yes it did, but the British and the French really wanted to believe that there wouldn't be a repeat of World War I. They had no idea that WWI would seem tame compared to what was about to happen.

[abb]

For anyone interested in the Graf Spee, this one is required reading.

http://www.mcbooks.com/bookstore/product_details.php?id=2

The Battle of the River Plate
Dudley Pope

Pope was also a noted author of naval fiction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dudley_Pope

[GeronL]

Thank you very much for these posts. It is amazing how much work you put into this.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

The German approach was to do something to upset the allies, then talk peace. They had done this over and over. This is the point at which it stopped working,

Today Iran and North Korea do the same.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

From Berlin... Germany notifies Britain that armed merchant ships will be sunk without warning. The decision is claimed to be based on incidents of British merchant ships attacking German submarines.

Read all about it in tomorrow's issue of the Sunday New York Times.

[henkster]

Hey I’ve been gone for a few days. How did that “big” French offensive work out? From what I read last week it looked like the awesome French steamroller was rolling into Germany. Is the war over yet?

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Is the war over yet?

Almost. They are closing in on Berlin and reducing the German capital to rubble. Hitler is holed up in his bunker with his girl friend and dog. His lackeys are feeding him visions of secret weapons that will save the day at the last minute and his . . . Hold on a minute.

Never mind. I was reading the wrong chapter. The French haven't been able to crack the Westwall yet.

[dfwgator]

Almost. They are closing in on Berlin and reducing the German capital to rubble. Hitler is holed up in his bunker with his girl friend and dog. His lackeys are feeding him visions of secret weapons that will save the day at the last minute and his . . . Hold on a minute.

"They lose me right after the bunker scene."

[henkster]

“They lose me right after the bunker scene.”

A Mel Brooks classic...