[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” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
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]

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
CAMPAIGN IN THE WEST, 1940, Situation 16 May, and Operations Since 10 May
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

[GeronL]

Paris is confident

scary

[GeronL]

The defenders did a magnificent job, the French are already awarding medals for the 1, 10, 100 and 200 kilometer retreat events.

I am so relieved that the Japanese don’t have to worry about all those little islands needing beefed up defenses.

[CougarGA7]

I have two radio broadcasts for today. The first is from the BBC on the advance of German forces on Antwerp

BBC - Charles Gardner on German Advance on Antwerp

Transcript:

This roughly was the position when the British squadron was ordered to the attack; A French force was falling back to lines of defense northeast of Antwerp, and they were engaged in a race with an advanced German motorized column which was rushing round to try and cut them off. And it seemed possible that the Germans might manage it and so the order when out, “Hold up that German column.” The Germans have been bombing again today on mainly roads and aerodromes and refugees. And in one village they hit a hospital killing and injuring a number of people. Their latest trick, one that goes on top of bombing and shooting the ever increasing stream of refugees is to machine gun the cattle in the French fields. Lots of these have been seen lying about dead.

Next is a call by Anthony Eden for Defense Volunteers. The British were convinced that German paratroopers would be landing on their island any day now.

BBC - Anthony Eden Calls for Local Defense Volunteer

Transcript:

I want to speak to you tonight about the form of warfare, which the German’s been employing, so extensively against Holland and Belgium. Namely the dropping of troops, by parachute, behind the main defensive lines. Since the war began, the government has received countless inquiries, from all over the kingdom, from men of all ages who are for one reason or another, not a present engaged in military service. And who wish to do something for the defense of their country. Well now, is your opportunity. We want large numbers of such men in Great Britain, who are British subjects between the ages of 17 and 65…17 and 65, to come forward now, and offer their service in order to make assurance doubly sure. The name of the new force, which is now to be raised, will be the Local Defense Volunteer.