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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.

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
Marcks’ Plan, August 5, 1940
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

Is this high water mark of Italian arms during the war (that is before Hitler sent help).

Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

Date: 7 August 1940

Weather: Mainly fair with cloud and thunderstorms in eastern districts. South-eastern districts cloudy. Winds variable.
Day: Convoy reconnaissances. Convoy off Cromer attacked.
Night: Widespread raids from Thames Estuary to Aberdeen and from Poole, Dorset, to Land's End and Liverpool.
Enemy action by day
There was very little enemy activity during the day. A few raids reconnoitred convoys and one convoy was bombed. One raid approached to within 30 miles of Aberdeen but fighters were unable to intercept.
In many cases enemy aircraft turned back on sighting our fighters.
South and West
In the morning, two raids were plotted in the Isle of Wight area. Raids were also plotted over Start Point and the Lizard and an isolated raid was picked up inland north of Bournemouth whence it was tracked over Gloucestershire and the Oxford and Reading districts before fading out to sea over the Isle of Wight.
In the evening, a raid of 9+ aircraft approached the Isle of Wight but turned south before a squadron from Tangmere and a flight from Middle Wallop which were waiting to intercept, could make contact.
Later, two further raids - one of 6+ and one of 3+ aircraft - were some miles off Beachy Head and the Isle of Wight respectively but again turned south before fighters could contact.
East
At 0635 hours, Hurricanes of No 46 Squadron saw bombs bursting around a convoy off Cromer but interception by fighters from Coltishall was frustrated by thick cloud from 5,000 to 10,000 feet.
Scotland
At 1040 hours, a raid of 11 aircraft approached to within 30 miles of Aberdeen where the track was lost.
Later, one aircraft was plotted 90 miles east of St Abb's Head. Fighters were despatched to both raids but no interception resulted.
France
In the afternoon, continuous enemy patrols were in evidence in the Dunkirk-Calais-Gris Nez area, of an average strength of about 3 aircraft each. Some of our fighters on patrol in the Dover Straits approached the Calais district where they were fired on and damaged by AA, but no casualties have been reported.
By night
Enemy raids during the night were over a widespread area extending from the Thames Estuary up to Aberdeen on the East Coast and from Poole to Land's End up to Liverpool.
Four raids, which were plotted intermittently off the Norfolk coast between Cromer and Southwold, were not picked up until close to the Coast and are thought to have been fighters trying to intercept our outgoing bombers.
Eight raids were plotted approaching 13 Group area from the south-east; three raids on westerly courses down the Channel; two raids approached Portland from Jersey and five or more raids approached Harwich where they were obviously involved in minelaying. Minelaying also appears to have been in progress between the Forth and the Humber. Several raids were tracked inland in the Yorkshire area.
________________________________________
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 7 August 1940
Blenheim - 66
Spitfire - 256
Hurricane - 368
Defiant - 24
Total – 714
Casualties:
Enemy: Nil.
Own: Nil.
Patrols:
Figures not yet available.
Balloons:
Flying 1518. Casualties 23.
Aerodromes:
No reports.
Organisation:
No changes.
Air Intelligence Reports
No reports.
Home Security Reports
Date: 7th/8th August 1940
General Summary
7th August
In addition to the areas where bombs were dropped in the early hours Gloucestershire was also visited and magnetic mines were dropped.
For the period 0600 to 1800 hours, no enemy action over land was reported and there was nothing of interest to report.
8th August
During the early hours bombs were dropped in Buckinghamshire, Dorsetshire, Devonshire and Glamorganshire; also in the north in the Firth of Clyde area and districts some miles from Glasgow.
Detailed Summary
7th August
Large batches of leaflets have been found at Fairwood Common, Bishopston (225º Swansea, 6 miles).
Two magnetic mines were dropped at Bickenhall near Taunton; both exploded but no casualties are reported. Portions of parachute were recovered.
Two unexploded bombs were discovered in cornfields during harvesting - one at 315 degrees Boston (Lincs) 8 miles and one at Meonstoke (135º Winchester 11 miles). Time of occurrences unknown.
Shortly after midnight, 7th/8th August, several HE bombs were dropped between Wendover and Bierton. It is not yet reported if the exact location warrants the assumption of an intended attack on Halton Aerodrome. Some windows are reported broken but no casualties or further damage.
Poole (Dorset), Exeter and St Donats were subjected to bombing attacks but only minor damage and one person injured at Exeter are reported.
In the Firth of Clyde area, bombs are reported at Ardgowan, in Lunderston Bay and in the sea near the boom defence. Reports of the number of bombs vary from 7 to 12. Loud explosions were reported near Airdrie and north-west of Stirling. No material damage except to windows and no casualties are so far reported.
Battle of Britain