[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]

William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

[iowamark]

FDR talking up his friend Missouri Governor Lloyd Stark. He was probably just trying to help Stark in his primary run against Harry Truman. (FDR and Truman would later make up.)

[CougarGA7]

Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

Date: 16 July 1940

• Weather: Fog in France, the Straits and south-east England.
• Day: Very little activity.
• Night: Fog in France, the Straits and south-east England.

  Enemy action by day

  Enemy air activity was greatly reduced, apparently owing to unfavourable weather conditions. The few hostile raids that were plotted up to 1600 hours were probably meteorological reconnaissance and searching for shipping. In the early evening bombs were dropped on two points in North East Scotland and one of the raiders shot down. Off the South and South West coasts activity remained slight, but in the evening a raid appeared off the Isle of Wight, and two enemy aircraft were shot down into the sea.

  South and South-West

  In the early morning a raid appeared in the Bristol area, crossed the coast near Swanage and headed out to sea. Fighters attempted interception but were unsuccessful. It is reported that this aircraft sent out weather reports of the Aylesbury and Selsey districts. Between 1100 and 1300 hours raids were plotted off the Lizard and Start Point, probably searching for shipping. At 1430 hours a Heinkel was seen over Cardiff; fighters went up but were unable to contact. At about 1700 hours No. 601 Squadron shot down two Ju88s which appeared off the Isle of Wight.

  East Coast

  A few isolated raids were plotted off the coasts of Norfolk and Suffolk, probably searching for shipping, but bad weather made recognition very difficult.

  Scotland

  Between 1300 and 1600 hours one raid was plotted about 100 miles east of Montrose and another 10 miles east of Arbroath flying north-west, and at 1600 hours another raid originated near Kinnaird's Head. Peterhead and Fraserburgh were bombed, no serious damage is reported. One He111 was shot down by No 603 Squadron 25 miles north-east of Kinnaird's Head, and two survivors were seen to take to a rubber raft.

  By night

  Activity during the night remained very quiet. Dundee, Middlesborough, Hull and Grimsby were given red warnings. One raid was plotted over Duncansby Head and two in the Aberdeen area. No reports of any bombs having been dropped have as yet been received. Five or six raids were plotted between Newcastle and the Humber, some of which were probably minelaying, and a few crossed the coast. One of these, after cruising around for over an hour off the Humber, was first given as being friendly owing to its having fired the correct signal, but was later stated to be hostile, as it disappeared towards Germany.

  

  ________________________________________

  Statistics

  Casualties:

• Enemy:

• Fighters - nil
• Bombers - 2 confirmed

• Own:

• None

  Patrols:

• 128 patrols despatched involving 320 aircraft.

  Balloons:

• Flying 1152. Casualties 21.

  Aerodromes:

• All serviceable

  Organisation:

• No. 501 Squadron moved from Middle Wallop to Warmwell.

  Air Intelligence Reports

• Nil.

  Home Security Reports

• Period: 14/15th July 1940.

• General Summary

• During the 16th July there was little enemy activity over Great Britain. Some bombs were dropped in North East Scotland.

• Detailed Summary

• No reports have been received of bombs dropped on Aerodromes during the 16th July.
• It is still believed that magnetic mines were dropped near Silloth at 0127 hours.
• Bombs were dropped in the prison grounds at Peterhead, the town and harbour at Fraserburgh and at Portsoy near Banff. It is reported that enemy aircraft were heard over Orkney at 2356 hours on the 16th, but no bombs were dropped.

  Battle of Britain