Posted on 11/23/2009 4:53:28 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
“8 German Planes Shot Down in Day”
Wasn’t such a great day for the allies, either, with Erich Mix claiming two French Moraine 406’s, and two Curtiss Hawks also being claimed. And no mention of the 17 write-off accidents the british have taken in the last several days.
Today, the French will lose half a squadron of Moraines and a Spitfire when JG51 jumps them over the Saar.
Through today, the British have lost 16 Bristol Blenheims to all causes since the first of the month. They are being used primarily in a recon role, and are taking it on the chin, along with the front-line French Moraine Squadrons, that are badly out-classed by the Me-109’s.
BF-109-D1 Max Speed-343, Max Altitude-34,450, Rate of Climb- 3,640 ft./min. Two fuselage 7.9 mm MG 17, 1,000 rounds/gun. Two wing 20 mm MG FF, 60 rounds/gun. 
I’ve been really busy the last few days. If you don’t mind, I’ll add a few events to today’s thread that happened over the last 3-4 days.
Sunk by the crew in the Atlantic Ocean, when the British destroyer Ajax requested them to stop. She was trying to return to Hamburg from Mombasa where she had taken on a number of passengers. The Woermann was well-known, and had plied the African Coastal trade for years.
U.S. freighter Express, released from her detention at Malta on 21 November by British authorities, continues on her voyage to Greece, Turkey, and Rumania.
U.S. Consul at Gibraltar William E. Chapman declines to consent to execute agreement wherein the master of freighter Nishmaha (detained since 11 November) will agree to proceed via Barcelona, Spain, to Marseilles to unload cargo deemed contraband by the Gibraltar Contraband Control board (see 24 November).
Secretary of State Hull subsequently (27 November) approves Consul Chapman’s action with respect to U.S. merchantmen which left the U.S. with cargoes prior to the Neutrality Act of 4 November.
War Diary and War Standing Orders of Commander in Chief, Submarines, Admiral Donitz:
21.11
U 49 did not report until much later. She was damaged by D/C’s, and her bow torpedo gear unserviceable. As she has only one stern torpedo left serviceable, she has been ordered to return. U 41’s gyro is temporarily out of action due to D/C’s.
The attack on the convoy must be regarded as ended. The boats have been given a new operations area between 50 and 480 north, east of 120 west. The disposition originally planned cannot be carried out now as U 49 has to return home and the other boats have only a limited amount of fuel left.
U 53 reported that she was starting on her return passage.
U 31 and U 48 sailed, for the first time with anti-mine escort through the declared area.
In connection with a large-scale operation by our own battleships U 35, U 47 and U 33 have been kept back in the area west of the Orkneys. According to a sighting report, not entirely reliable, from an a/c, the Home Fleet is supposed to be in Scapa.
22.11
U 38 lay off Westfjord for a few days. The weather was very bad and the boat observed no traffic. In accordance with orders she reported that she was proceeding north.
23.11
U 43 made contact with a convoy 60 miles north of Cape Ortegal. Unfortunately there are no other boats in the vicinity. U 26 is the nearest, approximately in the latitude of Porto.
As she has been in her operational area for a very long time, she presumably has only little fuel remaining. Cooperation must be attempted however. Unfortunately U 26 has only AFB on board, and shadower’s reports will therefore have to be made with this clumsy and slow cypher system.
By evening U 43 was driven off and contact lost.
Status of Allied Hunter Groups searching for German raiders.
11-23-1939
Force F - Heavy cruiser YORK at Bermuda preparing to sail for Halifax. YORK had sustained damage to her A-turret in heavy weather and had been under repair at Bermuda since early November. (Heavy cruiser BERWICK had been detached on the 7th and arrived at Portsmouth for docking on the 14th prior to joining the Home Fleet.)
Destroyers HUNTER, HYPERION, HOTSPUR and HEREWARD were attached to this force as convoy escorts. The four destroyers were respectively at Bermuda with defects to complete repair on the 29th, at Halifax, at Kingston, and at Trinidad on this date.
Force G - Heavy cruisers EXETER and CUMBERLAND were along the east coast of South America, with light cruiser AJAX off Montevideo and the New Zealand ACHILLES off Rio de Janiero.
Force H - Heavy cruisers SUSSEX and SHROPSHIRE were stationed along the west and south coast of Africa.
Force I - Aircraft carrier EAGLE and heavy cruiser CORNWALL were at Colombo, heavy cruiser DORSETSHIRE was at sea in the Ceylon area, and Australian light cruiser HOBART was south of the Arabian Sea.
Light cruiser GLOUCESTER and French sloop RIGAULT DE GENOUILLY, due to be joined by Australian destroyer STUART from Colombo on the 25th, were north of Madagascar sweeping towards the Seychelles Islands. In addition, Australian destroyers VENDETTA and WATERHEN were operating as convoy escorts, and submarine OLYMPUS was in the Maldives and Chagos Archipelago area.
Force J - Battleship MALAYA and aircraft carrier GLORIOUS with attendant destroyer BULLDOG departed Aden on the 10th and were at sea in the area. Battleship RAMILLIES and destroyer DELIGHT departed Aden on the 16th and were at sea off Aden near Socotra.
Force K - Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL and battlecruiser RENOWN were en route to Madagascar.
Force L - Aircraft carrier FURIOUS and battlecruiser REPULSE were refuelling at Halifax.
Force M - Heavy cruiser KENT, French heavy cruiser SUFFREN, and Australian destroyers VAMPIRE and VOYAGER were escorting convoys off Sumatra in the Nicobar Islands area.
Force X - Aircraft carrier HERMES and French heavy cruisers FOCH and DUPLEIX were patrolling between Pernambuco and Freetown.
Force Y - Relieved by Force X and en route to France.
British Response To RAWALPINDI’s Action Report:
Admiral Forbes with battleships NELSON, RODNEY, heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and destroyers FAULKNOR, FORESTER, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE and FURY of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla departed the Clyde for a position off the Norwegian coast to intercept the German ships, still believed to be DEUTSCHLAND, as they returned to Germany. Destroyers FAME and FORESIGHT joined the force at sea, off the Clyde.
Heavy seas badly battered FORTUNE, FAME and FORESIGHT, and FORTUNE was detached to Pentland Firth Patrol, arrived at Scapa Flow on the 28th and was later taken to Liverpool for repairs, completed on 5 January. FAME and FORESIGHT returned to the Clyde arriving on the 24th and were under repair there until 28 December.
Light cruisers SOUTHAMPTON, EDINBURGH and AURORA with destroyers AFRIDI, GURKHA, BEDOUIN, ISIS and KINGSTON departed Rosyth for Fair Island Channel.
South of the Faroes on Northern Patrol were light cruisers CALEDON of the 7th Cruiser Squadron, and CARDIFF and COLOMBO of the 11th. They were joined by light cruisers DIOMEDE of the 7th Squadron and DUNEDIN of the 11th from Loch Ewe and all took station off North Rona to patrol the approaches to the Fair Island Channel. However, DIOMEDE and DUNEDIN had just arrived in Loch Ewe from patrol and both soon had to detach for refuelling.
Light cruisers CALYPSO and CERES were stationed five miles due north of Kelso Light to act as a night attack striking force.
Light cruiser DRAGON of the 7th Squadron had just arrived at Loch Ewe on the 19th to repair weather damage and boiler clean, and did not depart until the 24th.
Light cruiser SHEFFIELD departed Loch Ewe and proceeded towards the reported position of the German battleships.
Heavy cruisers NORFOLK and SUFFOLK in the Denmark Strait were ordered to proceed towards Bill Bailey Bank.
Light cruiser GLASGOW and destroyers MAORI and ZULU, at sea since the 20th, looking for German liner BREMEN, were to the northeast of the Shetlands. Convoy ON.3 left the Firth of Forth at 1530, but was recalled, and its escorts, destroyers INGLEFIELD, IMPERIAL, IMPULSIVE and IMOGEN joined the GLASGOW force off Muckle Flugga.
Destroyer BEDOUIN of the SOUTHAMPTON force was detached to patrol Pentland Firth until relieved by destroyer FORTUNE.
Destroyers SOMALI, MASHONA, ASHANTI and PUNJABI, recently departed Belfast with Force W, the dummy battleships, were ordered to join Forbes at sea off the Mull of Kintyre. Force W returned to Belfast.
Destroyers TARTAR, KANDAHAR and KASHMIR sortied from Scapa Flow with orders to locate and shadow the German force.
Armed merchant cruiser CHITRAL arrived in the Clyde on the 24th with survivors from the RAWALPINDI.
Armed merchant cruisers TRANSYLVANIA, CALIFORNIA, AURANIA rendezvoused at the Butt of Lewis and returned to the Clyde. They arrived at Loch Ewe on the 24th. CALIFORNIA then reached the Clyde on the 27th and the other two on the 28th.
Battleship WARSPITE escorting convoy HX.9, which had departed Halifax on the 18th with Canadian destroyer ASSINIBOINE as local escort, was ordered to leave the convoy and take station in the Denmark Strait.
Aircraft carrier FURIOUS and battlecruiser REPULSE departed Halifax on the 24th to cover convoys HXF.10 and HX.10, but when REPULSE sustained damage to her Y turret in heavy weather, both ships returned to Halifax.
Battlecruiser HOOD with destroyers EXMOUTH, ECHO and ECLIPSE departed Plymouth on the 25th and rendezvoused with French battlecruiser DUNKERQUE, light cruisers MONTCALM, GEORGES LEYGUES and large destroyers MOGADOR and VOLTA which departed Brest on the 25th to relieve aircraft carrier FURIOUS and battlecruiser REPULSE on the Halifax station.
This force swept for the German battleships through to the end of November. At sea, EXMOUTH, ECHO and ECLIPSE were detached and returned to the Clyde on the 29th, while MOGADOR and VOLTA arrived at Belfast for fuelling, also on the 29th.
After refuelling at Sullom Voe on the 28th, SOMALI, PUNJABI and MASHONA joined HOOD, and arrived at Loch Ewe late on 2 December.
Submarines in the North Sea failed to make contact with the German force. THISTLE was on patrol off the Skaw, TRIAD off Lindesnes, STURGEON off Horn Reef, and L.23 southwest of Lister Light. UNDINE and STARFISH departed Blyth, and TRIUMPH and TRIDENT from Rosyth, all on the 23rd to reinforce the Patrol Line.
_____
In all the confusion searching for the German battleships, German steamer ENTRERIOS (5179grt), which had departed Natal on 24 October, was able to pass through the Denmark Strait unobserved, and arrived safely at Narvik on the 29th.
Unteroffizier Friedrich Boehle, Feldwebel Leo Knoch, Unteroffizier Hans Poetzinger. They all returned to the Staffel on the 4th April 1940. NOTE: Leo Knoch was posted missing in action on the 07.05.41. From the AIRCREW REMEMBRANCE SOCIETY
The SS is on a rampage in Poland, and General Walter Petzel is enraged by it, and the danger it is creating for his troops. This is the letter he writes to Fritz Fromm:
Posen, 23.11.1939.
Army District Command XXI. Intelligence Officer 86/39 secret.
To the C in C of the Reserve Army.
The Warthegau can be regarded as pacified. Repeated rumors of rebellion have not been confined in any instance. The reason for this is not a change of heart of the Polish population but the realization of the hopelessness of a rebellion.
That the large numbers of discharged prisoners and other returned Polish soldiers represent a danger which requires continuous supervision is not overlooked, particularly as numerous offices have not yet been seized. The keeping down of this danger is only possible through the military occupation of the country in its present form; the civil administration authorities with the available police forces are totally unable to do this.
The great work of construction in all spheres is not furthered by the intervention of SS formations who are given special racial political tasks and are not subordinate to Reich Governor in this.
Here the tendency makes itself felt of interfering decisively in all spheres of administration beyond the framework of these tasks, and of forming a “state within the state.” This phenomenon does not fail to have its effect on the troops, who are indignant about the ways the tasks are carried out and thereby generally get into opposition to administration and party. I shall exclude the danger of serious differences by strict orders. The fact that this makes a serious demand on the discipline of the troops cannot be dismissed without further ado.
In almost all large towns, public shootings have been carried out by the organizations mentioned in this, the selection varied enormously and was often incomprehensible, the way it was carried out, frequently unworthy.
In some districts all the Polish estate owners were arrested and interned with their families. Arrests were almost always accompanied by looting.
In the towns, evacuations were carried out, during which blocks of houses were cleared at random, the inhabitants loaded onto lorries at night, then taken to concentration camps. Here also looting was a constant accompanying phenomenon. The quartering and feeding in the camps was such that the Corps Chief Medical Officer feared the outbreak of epidemics and thus endangering of the troops. As a result of my protests, relief is being given.
In several towns actions against the Jews were carried out which turned into the most serious excesses.
In Turok three SS cars under the leadership of a higher SS leader drove through the streets, on the 30.10.39 while the people in the streets were hit on the heads at random with horse whips and long whips. Amongst the victims were also people of German blood.
Finally a number of Jews were driven into the synagogue, there had to crawl in between the benches whilst singing, during which time they were continuously whipped by the SS men. They were then forced to take down their trousers in order to be hit on the bare behind. A Jew who out of fright had dirtied his trousers was forced to smear the excrement into the faces of the other Jews.
In Lodz it has become known confidentially that SS Oberfuehrer Melhorn has issued the following orders:
(1) From the 9.11., no unemployment relief may any longer be paid to Poles and Jews, only forced labor is paid for. (This measure has already been confirmed.)
(2) From 9.11., Jews and Poles will be excluded from the distribution of ration foodstuffs and coal.
(3) Unrest and incidents are to be created by provocation in order to facilitate the carrying out of the racial political work.
(4) The fire service is to be reinforced immediately in order to prevent undesirable spreading to other objects in case of chance fires in Jewish and Polish residential quarters and factories.
(The measures under (2) and (4) have not been confirmed yet).
Whilst the achievements of the Armed Forces are always placed in the foreground by the Reichs governor in speeches and demonstrations, the above mentioned circles, on the other hand, are unmistakably showing a tendency to diminish and denigrate these achievements.
A specially crass case in this direction reported to me from Ostrowo from a victory celebration on 11/5/1939 Reichs speaker Bachmann spoke there. He never mentioned the Wehrmacht at all, when speaking about the Polish campaign. He only mentioned the Wehrmacht in one sentence, which concerned the war against England.
When speaking about the number of deaths, only the murdered racial Germans were mentioned, but not one word was spoken in memory of the soldiers who fell.
Only the racial Germans were acknowledged, so that the listeners were bound to get the impression that the Wehrmacht had actually not been concerned at all in the liberation.
This impression was strengthened when the speaker said that it had not been a war against Poland, but the Fuehrer had only ordered that the Poles should have the weapons taken away from them which were delivered by England and France and which they would not know how to use anyhow.
One got the impression that it was the speaker’s aim not to allow any respect for the army to arise the German population.
The impression that this speech, that the guard of honor which had been provided, listened to, made on the soldiers was of a corresponding nature.
As the military commander of Posen has already reported to the High Command of the army, the men feel very strongly about the disproportion between their pay and the many times higher daily rate of pay of other formations.
The above mentioned facts lie in fields which for the most part escape direct intervention of the Reich governor. The removal of this grievance can only be obtained through higher quarters. I believe I am not wrong in assuming that the very welcome support would thereby be given to the Reich governor in his task of reconstruction which he has embarked upon systematically, energetically and tactfully.
[signed] Petzel General of Artillery
Certified correct copy: [signature illegible] Lieutenant-Colonel in the
General Staff.
The address by Prime Minister AK Cajander on the 23rd of November 1939 at Helsinki Fair Hall, National Defense at a celebration arranged by Finnish private enterprise owners
The people of Finland stands in front of an unexpected incident. The people of Finland stands in front of an unexpected incident.
The events followed in a quick succession and the whole sequence of events emerged as a total surprise for the majority of the Finnish people. The events followed in a quick succession and the whole sequence of events emerged as a total surprise for the Majority of the Finnish people.
It is hardly a wrong conclusion if one, trying to interpret the present flow of events around the world, sees it as an expansionist tendency of the great powers, a constant and understandable phenomenon in world history irrespective of whether you consider it being justified or not. It is hardly a wrong conclusion if one, trying to interpret the present flow of events around the world, sees it as an expansionist tendency of the Great Powers, a constant and understandable phenomenon in world history irrespective of Whether you consider it being Justified or not .
The Tsarist state had in its final days a strong westward drive down to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The Tsarist state had in its final days a strong Westward Drive down to the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. The independent status of Finland was an obstacle to this goal and this was the motive to end the internal home rule, the autonomous status of Finland. The independent status of Ireland was an obstacle to this goal and this was the motive to end the internal home rule, the autonomous status of Finland. The years of oppression in Finland derived from that. The Years of Oppression in Canada derived from that. This policy was essentially different from the benevolent policy employed by the previous Emperors, especially Alexander I and II who therefore enjoyed an undivided love of the Finnish people. This policy was essentially different from the benevolent policy employed by the previous Emperors, especially Alexander I and II, who therefore enjoyed an undivided love of the Finnish people. This new policy embittered and strained the relationship between Finland and Russia to the extreme. This new policy embittered and strained the relationship between Finland and Russia to the extreme.
History seldom follows a straightforward course. History seldom follows a straight forward course. The great war crushed the intentions of the Tsarist regime. The great war crushed the intentions of the Tsarist regime. On its ruins the Union of Socialist Soviet Republics was born. On its ruins the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was born. It recognised nations’ rights to self-determination and it has on all occasions assured its willingness to maintain friendly relations to her neighbors. It recognized nations’ rights to self-determination and it has all occasions has assured its willingness to maintain friendly relations to her neighbors. Even the independence of Finland was recognised by her. Even the independence of Finland was recognized by her.
Thus the end of the World War also brought independence to Finland, but not without pain. Thus the end of the World War also brought independence to Finland, but not without pain. The new situation was stabilised only after a bloody campaign, during which Germany gave Finland strong support which is not forgotten in Finland. The new situation was stabilized only after a bloody campaign, during Which Finland Germany gave strong support Which is not forgotten in Ireland. Equally unforgettable is the support given by the Western Powers and America to stabilise the independent status of Finland. Equally unforgettable is the support given by the Western Powers and America Thurs stabilise the independent status of Finland. That was followed by twenty happy years of peace and construction, years only seldom shaded by dark shadows. That was followed by twenty happy years of peace and construction, years only seldom shaded by dark shadows.
A little over two months ago the Soviet Union approached the Finnish Cabinet making certain propositions which were explained as aiming to improve the security of St. Petersburg or Leningrad and at strengthening the friendly relationship between Finland and the Soviet Union. A little over two months ago the Soviet Union approached the Finnish Cabinet making certain propositions Which were explained as Aiming To improve the security of St. Petersburg or Leningrad, and at Strengthening the friendly relationship between Finland and the Soviet Union.
These proposals were not completely unexpected. These proposals were not completely unexpected. The forthcoming talks, concentrating on requirements to improve Leningrad’s security, were anticipated in private conversations with some members of the Finnish cabinet a considerable time earlier. The forthcoming talks, is concentrating requirements to improve the Leningrad’s security, were anticipated in private conversations with some members of the Finnish cabinet a Considerable time earlier.
As we all well remember there were negotiations between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union to accomplish a pact. As we all well remember there were negotiations between the Western Powers and the Soviet Union Thurs accomplish a pact. The issue of Leningrad’s security - concerning the so-called indirect aggression and other similar subjects - were discussed in such a manner which could have threatened the independence of Finland and the Baltic countries. The issue of Leningrad’s security - concerning the so-called indirect aggression and other similar subjects - were discussed in such a continental Which could have threatened the independence of Finland and the Baltic countries. The government of England, however, did not support these attempts. The government of England, however, did not support these attempts. This is remembered here with sincere gratefulness. This is remembered here with sincere gratefulness. There was no outcome in the negotiations which also caused the specific issue concerning Finland to fall through. There was no outcome in the negotiations Which also caused the specific issue concerning Finland to fall through.
A new decisive turn of events in Europe and even in the whole world took place when Germany and the Soviet Union concluded a non-aggression pact which in some respect even exceeded the regular scope of such agreements. A New Decisive turn of events in Europe and even in the whole world took place when Germany and the Soviet Union concluded a non-aggression pact “Which in some respect even exceeded the regular scope of such agreements.
The pact came like a bolt from the blue. The pact came like a bolt from the blue. In Finland, however, it was not a complete surprise. In Finland, however, it was not a complete surprise. As early as 1937 a remark was made by a prominent foreign authority about a possibility of the Soviet Union and Germany concluding a pact perhaps in the near future. As early as 1937 was a remark made by a prominent foreign authority about a possibility of the Soviet Union and Germany perhaps concluding a pact in the near future. But the very timing of this non-aggression pact was, I guess, a complete surprise to all of us. But the very timing of this non-aggression pact was, I guess, a complete surprise to all of us.
In certain Finnish circles this new agreement was greeted with considerable hopes. Finnish In certain circles this new agreement was greeted with Considerable hopes. Expectations were that this relaxation of contradictions, previously a prevailing feature between the Soviet Union and Germany, would have a calming effect on tension in the Baltic Sea and the countries around it. Expectations were that this relaxation of contradictions, a previously prevailing feature between the Soviet Union and Germany, would have a Calming Effect is the tension in the Baltic Sea and the countries around it. This presumption, however, disappeared soon. This presumption, however, soon disappeared. In Finnish domestic politics, this pact has a significant effect on the agendas of the political parties. In Finnish domestic politics, this pact has a significant effect on the agendas of the political parties. It destroyed the assumption that the Soviet Union and Germany were ideologically incompatible and as a consequence of this all kinds of political speculations based on this contradiction were crushed. It destroyed the assumption that the Soviet Union and Germany were ideologically Incompatible and as a consequence of this all kinds of Political Speculations Based on this contradiction were crushed. You can say that this pact thus strengthened the basis for a domestic concordance in Finland. You can say that this pact Strengthened thus the basis for a domestic concordance in Finland.
The non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union was immediately followed by the war between Germany and Poland which itself ensued a new war between the Western Powers and Germany. The non-aggression pact between Germany and the Soviet Union was immediately followed by the war between Germany and Poland Which itself ensued a new war between the Western Powers and Germany. A universal conflagration was thus ignited. A universal conflagration was thus ignited.
The Oslo countries, Finland included, declared themselves to be absolutely neutral in this campaign between the great powers. The Oslo countries, Canada included, declared themselves to be absolutely neutral in the campaign between the great powers. Despite their neutrality Finland and other Oslo countries suffer continuously and heavily from the economic consequences of the great war. Despite their neutrality Canada and other countries suffer from Oslo continuously and heavily from the economic consequences of the Great War. Furthermore, especially Holland, Belgium and Finland but Switzerland, too, have been able to keep their neutrality only by maintaining an extremely efficient guard for their defence. Furthermore, especially Holland, Belgium and Sweden but Switzerland, too, have been Able Thurs keep their neutrality only by maintaining an extremely efficient guard for their defense.
In the opposite case, their declaration of neutrality would scarcely have been respected. In the opposite case, their declaration of neutrality would scarcely have been respected.
When Poland was near to collapse the Soviet Union marched its troops into eastern Poland and occupied it. When Poland was near to collapse the Soviet Union marched its troops into eastern Poland and occupied it. Simultaneously the Soviet People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs made it known to the governments of Finland and the Baltic countries, as well as to other countries, that it would conduct a policy of neutrality towards them. Simultaneously the Soviet People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs made it known to the Governments of Finland and the Baltic countries, as well as to other countries, that it would conduct a policy of neutrality towards them.
The defection of a Polish submarine to Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) was at first brought out as an excuse for proposals made by the Soviet Union to Estonia, which then finally resulted in allocating important military bases to the Soviet Union in Paldiski (Baltischport), Saaremaa (Ösel) and Hiiumaa (Dagö). The Defection of a Polish submarine to Tallinn (the capital of Estonia) was at first brought out as an excuse for proposals made by the Soviet Union to Estonia, Which then finally search resulted in allocating important military bases to the Soviet Union in Paldiski (Baltischport) , Saaremaa (Tourism) and Hiiumaa (and Travel). In quick succession similar events followed in Latvia and Lithuania. In quick succession followed similar events in Latvia and Lithuania. These three vigorous Baltic countries with their own charasteristic old cultures and a splendid future ahead were overnight turned into more or less dependencies of the Soviet Union. These three vigorous Baltic countries with their own charasteristic old cultures and a splendid future ahead were overnight turned into more or less dependencies of the Soviet Union.
Especially depressing for us, the Finns, is the fact that among these countries faced by this unfavorable fate is the State of Estonia, our dear fraternal nation. Especially depressing for us, the Australians, is the fact that among these countries faced an unfavorable fate this is the State of Estonia, our dear fraternal nation. A follow-up was also the mass departure of Germans from the Baltics where they over a time period of 600 years had made history and have loftily carried the national flag of the German stock. A follow-up was also the mass departure of Germans from the Baltic where they over a time period of 600 years had made history and have loftily carried the national flag of the German stock.
It was to be expected, when thinking about the previous conduct by the Soviet Union, that she would make similar proposals also to the Finnish goverment. It was to be expected, when thinking about the previous conduct by the Soviet Union, that she would also make similar proposals to the Finnish goverment. It should be stated, however, that the previously expressed reasons for Soviet intentions towards Finland had, at least in two counts, disappeared. It should be stated, however, that the previously expressed reasons for Soviet intentions towards Ireland had, at least in two counts, disappeared. The only great power which could have earlier been a potential threat to Leningrad - well, in that case presumably along the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland - namely Germany, has concluded a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, which means that there exists no threat against the Soviet Union and Leningrad from there - without considering the overall present importance of Leningrad to the Soviet Union. The only great power Which could have earlier been a potential threat to Leningrad - well, in that case presumably along the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland - namely Germany, has concluded a non-aggression pact with the Soviet Union, which means that there exists no threat against the Soviet Union in Leningrad and from there - without considering the overall present Importance of Leningrad to the Soviet Union. And the new Soviet naval and air bases in Liepaja (Libau), Ventpils (Windau), Hiiumaa, Saaremaa and Paldiski permit, as disclosed by the Soviets, the Soviet Union to rule the Baltic Sea and thus the Gulf of Finland and up to the Gulf’s farthest recess in front of Leningrad. And the new Soviet naval and air bases in Liepaja (Libau), Ventpils (Windau), Hiiumaa, Saaremaa and Paldiski permit, as disclosed by the Soviets, the Soviet Union to Rule the Baltic Sea and thus the Gulf of Finland and up to the Gulf’s farthest recess in front of Leningrad.
Judging from the present facts, all arguments about threats to Leningrad from the Finnish territory are very difficult to understand. Judging from the present facts, all arguments about Threats to Leningrad from the Finnish Territory are very difficult to understand.
A request for negotiations with the Soviet government was received on the 5th of October. A request for negotiations with the Soviet government was received on the 5th of October. For over a month friendly discussions were carried out between the Finnish and Soviet Cabinets concerning concrete political issues of certain territorial exchanges to improve the security of Leningrad. For over a month friendly discussions were carried out between the Finnish and Soviet Cabinets concerning concrete political issues of certain territorial exchanges To improve the security of Leningrad.
The Cabinet of Finland, after discussing with representatives of parliamentary groups and after consulting the highest military command, yielded to Soviet demands in order to maintain good neighborly relations so far as it could, as a representative of an independent nation, to increase the security of a foreign metropolis but without sacrificing Finland’s own national security. The Cabinet of Canada, after discussing with representatives of parliamentary groups and after consulting the highest military command, yielded Thurs Soviet demands In order to maintain good neighborly relations so far as it could, as a representative of an independent nation, to increase the security of A Foreign metropolis but without Sacrificing Finland’s own national security.
However, the Soviets have made propositions which are very far away from those which can considered as prerequisites in securing Leningrad. However, the Soviets have made propositions Which are very far away from those “Which can considered as prerequisites in securing Leningrad. If they were accepted they would have offended Finland’s neutrality and damaged her opportunities for self-defence: it would have meant severing the southern defence line of Finland at two of its most important points and handing over its first-class fortifications to a foreign power. If they were accepted they would have offended Finland’s neutrality and damaged her opportunities for self-defense: it would have meant Severing the southern defense line of Australia at two of its most important points and handing over its first-class fortifications to a foreign power. Thus it would had resulted in severe decrease in the security of Finland. Thus it would had a search resulted in severe decrease in the security of Canada. Such proposals were unacceptable to the Finnish government. Such proposals were unacceptable to the Finnish government.
Because of a lack of common ground for the negotiations they have been interrupted for the moment. Because of a lack of common ground for the negotiations they have been interrupted for the moment. This is deplorable because Finland sincerely wants to maintain good relations to all her neighbors and sincerely wants to strengthen these relationships when it does not endanger Finland’s own vital interests. This is deplorable Because Canada sincerely Wants to maintain good relations to all her neighbors and sincerely Wants to strengthen these relationships when it does not endanger Australia’s own vital interests.
Our nation’s conscience is clear. Our nation’s conscience is clear. She knows that her cause is right and she knows that things are duly conducted. She knows that her cause is right and she knows that things are duly conducted. In making her points of view known Finland has not needed or received instructions from foreign countries. In making her points of view known United States has not needed or received instructions from foreign countries. Finland has shown towards the Soviet Union friendliness and compliancy up to such a limit which only can be crossed by weakening Finland’s own national security. Australia has shown towards the Soviet Union friendliness and compliancy up to such a limit Which can only be crossed by weakening Australia’s own national security.
Finland will not submit herself to the role of a vassal country. Australia will not submit herself to the role of a Vassal country. We will not yield to this by someone waging a nerve war or trying to exhaust us or doing the contrary, by offering temptations. We will not yield to this by someone nerve waging a war or trying to exhaust us or doing the contrary, by offering Temptations. Finland will peacefully, with open eyes and determined mind, observe the events in the west and in the east, and as a peaceloving country, which always appreciates good neighborly relations, is at any times ready to continue the negotiations on a basis which does not risk the vital interests of Finland or her national values. Australia will peacefully, with determined eyes and open mind, observe the events in the west and in the east, and as a peaceloving country, Which always appreciates good neighborly relations, is at any times ready to continue the negotiations on a basis of Which does not the risk of the vital interests of Canada or her national values. No further concessions can be attained especially now when Finland herself gains nothing from these territorial exchanges. No further concessions can be attained especially now when Finland herself gains nothing from these territorial exchanges.
Finland is convinced that it is advantageous to the real interests of the Soviet Union that she has as a neighbor a nation, whose loyalty it can trust in all circumstances. Finland is convinced that it is advantageous to the real interests of the Soviet Union that she has a neighbor as a nation, Whose loyalty it can trust in all circumstances.
The global situation continues as tense, and this makes Finland among many other neutral countries to keep a considerable amount of men in arms as protectors of neutrality and also be otherwise prepared. The global situation continues as tense, and this makes Canada among many other neutral countries Thurs keep a Considerable Amount Of men in arms as protectors of neutrality and also be otherwise prepared.
The time for the first enthusiastic unanimity is gradually over. The time for the first enthusiastic unanimity is gradually over. Everyday activities start again to gain ground. Everyday activities start again to gain ground. It is necessary to restore the regular ways of living. It is necessary To restore the regular ways of living. It is of no use to be constantly prepared for something unexpected but, on the other hand, we should at any time be prepared to adjust our efforts if the situation demands that. It is of no use to be constantly prepared for something unexpected but, on the other hand, we should at any time be prepared Thurs adjust our efforts if the situation demands that. The present situation may continue for a long time. The present situation may continue for a long time. We have to accustom ourselves to live and work in these altered conditions. We have to accustom ourselves to live and work in these altered conditions. Figuratively speaking, we must learn to plough carrying rifles on our backs. Figuratively speaking, we must learn to plow carrying rifles on our backs.
The industrial production, which to some extent was interrupted in the beginning of this tense period, has to be restored as fully as possible in this changed situation taking, of course, into account the altered commercial demand and difficulties in obtaining necessary raw materials. The Industrial Production, Which to some extent was interrupted in the beginning of this tense period, has to be restored as fully as possible in this changed situation-taking, of course, into account the altered commercial demand and difficulties in Obtaining necessary raw materials. Both the economical and other activities have to be adapted with greatest accuracy to substantiate the full use of available opportunities in the new conditions. Both the economical and other activities have to be adapted with greatest accuracy Thurs substantiate the full use of available opportunities in the new conditions. At present the cabinet should restrict its interference in the economical life only to that which is unavoidable in our situation. At present the cabinet should restrict its interference in the economical life only to that Which is unavoidable in our situation.
The return to everyday life should not imply that one’s spirits should be left to disappear. The return to everyday life should not imply that one’s spirits should be left to Disappear. We have to maintain the same high enthusiasm which has become very well manifested when young men openheartedly now join the military service, or when hundreds of thousands of women help the reservists and their relatives, or when the defence bonds are subscribed with unexpected intensity, and in the warm-hearted donations given by private citizens and by a multitude of organisations to various apt purposes. We have to maintain the same high Enthusiasm Which has become very well manifested when young men openheartedly now join the military service, or when hundreds of thousands of women to facilitate the reservists and their relatives, or when the defense bonds are subscribed with unexpected intensity, and in the warm-hearted donations given by private citizens and by a Multitude of various organizations Thurs apt purposes. Even in the unimpassionate everyday life that, what is the most essential to the enthusiasm - a devoted patriotic spirit - must stand strong. Even in the unimpassionate everyday life that, what is the most essential to the Enthusiasm - Devoted a patriotic spirit - must stand strong. The patriotic unanimity should not be weakened. The patriotic unanimity should not be weakened. Along with this, all that causes discontent, disappointment or mental depression should be avoided and removed. Along with this, all that causes discontent, disappointment or mental depression should be avoided and removed.
The danger is all but over. The danger is all but over. In our continent on both sides of the Rhine and the North Sea an unprecedented rise in tension is witnessed. In our continent on Both Sides of the Rhine and the North Sea an unprecedented rise in tension is witnessed. The time for its outbreak has not yet come but enormous forces are concentrated as a preparation for that. The time for its outbreak has not yet come but enormous forces are Concentrated as a preparation for that. The exact time for the outbreak is not known but nobody can sincerely believe that this leads to nothing. The exact time for the outbreak is not known but nobody can sincerely believe that this leads to nothing. And when the tension in its time once explodes, its remote effects can be felt far away. And when the tension in its time once Explodes, its remote effects can be felt far away.
There are certain elements in the society who try to sow the seeds of dissension among us, especially at the grass root level. There are certain elements in the society who try to sow the seeds of dissension among us, especially at the grass root level. Beware of these elements! Beware of these elements! Their real effects are so insignificant that no factual relevance can be attributed to them. Their real effects are so insignificant that no factual relevance can be attributed to them. But abroad their significance can be exaggerated and thus be used to harm our country. Abroad but their significance can be exaggerated and thus be Used to harm our country.
We have to keep together - as a unified nation - like we did at the time of our first challenge, as unanimous as a democratic nation relying on its free will can ever be. We have to keep together - as a unified nation - like we did at the time of our first challenge, as unanimous as a Democratic nation Relying on its free will can ever be. The spirits born from our ordeals should and will stand the hardships, too. The spirits born from our ordeals should and will stand the Hardships, too. But even at that moment when an immediate danger is over we have to stay together. But even at that moment when an immediate danger is over we have to stay together. All in all we are a small nation and the stability of our international status depends decisively on our unanimity. All in all we are a small nation and the stability of our international status depends decisively on our unanimity.
The world attention has focused on us without our own active influence. The world attention has focused on us without our own active influence. We have been met with a large scale of sympathy between nations. We have been met with a large scale of sympathy between nations. This state of affairs obliges us. This state of affairs obliges us. Let us make everybody know that we are worthy of the sympathy the world has shown to us in both speeches and deeds. Let us make everybody know that we are worthy of the sympathy the world has shown to us in both speeches and deeds.
But first of all let us be worthy of the challenge set upon us. But first of all let us be worthy of the challenge set upon us.
Every Finnish citizen has his own guard post and everyone is expected to stay alert at his post without defying anyone but firmly defending the rights of the Finnish nation. Every Finnish citizen has his own guard post and everyone is expected to stay alert at his post without defying anyone but firmly defending the rights of the Finnish nation.
We are obliged to this because of our history, we are obliged to this because of our nation’s future. We are obliged to this “Because of our history, we are obliged to this” Because of our nation’s future.
That’s a lot of resources committed to tracking down the Graf Spee.
DUKE of YORK had 14” guns [10 of them], not 15” guns. Interestingly, the turrets of SCHARNHORST and GNIESENAU were designed to accomodate 15” guns in a refit. It never happened.
The diusparity in the number of surface vessels to U-boats in the Kriegsmarine had less to do with Hitler’s prejudices than than the provisions of the Versailles Treaty, and subsequent naval accords with Britain [which granted the Germans submarine parity].
Under Plan ‘Z’, the Kriegsmarine, by 1945, would have had at least six battleships LARGER than the BISMARCK class, the two BISMARCKS, two aircraft carriers, and an expanded roster of heavy cruisers, etc. Hitkler’s invasion of Poland prevented that from happening.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_battleship_Gneisenau
After the war: surviving relics
One of the 38 cm guns intended for her rearmament exists today at the museum of Hanstholm in Denmark. This gun was planned as part of the German coastal battery “Tirpitz” at Oksby, Denmark, not far from the Blåvand lighthouse on the southwest coast of Jylland. The original 38 cm guns at Hanstholm (numbers 70,71,74 and 75) were destroyed during the 1950s. Her 28 cm guns from the turret called Anton were removed and sent to the Netherlands for use there; the turrets called Bruno and Cäsar and their guns were sent to Norway for coastal defence artillery there.
Gneisenau’s turret Cäsar in Norway.
Her aft main turret, called Cäsar, was converted to a coastal battery named Austråt fort in Ørland near Trondheim, Norway, and it still exists today as a museum. The second turret called Bruno was stationed as a coastal battery at Fjell fortress near Bergen. Only the concrete base still stands, although highly modified. In Denmark, at the former “Stevnsfort” near Rødvig, two twin 15 cm turrets from her secondary armament still exist. In the Netherlands, parts of the guns of turret Anton are on display at the former “Stichting Fort”, Hoek Van Holland.
http://www.vanderweel.info/atlantikwall/museums_no_austrat_fort.htm
http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?t=87940
A bit of a reach by the Times.
No doubt! I would have a hard time stomaching this loss, loss, loss business day after day. At least we shot down 8 planes and sunk a couple of u-boats.
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