The News of the Week in Review
Twenty News Questions – 8
Japan’s Overtures Stir Washington’s Suspicion – 9
Arab World Upset in Face of War – 10
Answers to Twenty News Questions – 11
Whirlaway, 1 To 4, Wins Belmont Stakes By 3 Lengths
Robert Morris 2d – 13-14
Belmont Park Chart – 14-15
A Big Day at Belmont (Sports of the Times) – 16
Wood Takes U.S. Open Title with 284
Victor by 3 Shots (by William D. Richardson) – 17-18
U.S. Golf Scores and Cards - 18
http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/jun41/f08jun41.htm
Allies invade Vichy French Syria
Sunday, June 8, 1941 www.onwar.com
In Syria... At 0200 hours British and Free French forces invade Syria. The British have been increasingly worried by reports of a German presence in Syria in recent weeks. In fact, all German military personnel have now left at the request of Vichy authorities. The attacking force is commanded by General Wilson and includes 7th Australian Division, 4th Indian Brigade and Free French units (including Circassian cavalry, under Col. Collet, in the vanguard of the Free French forces). The defending Vichy forces consist of 45,000 men under the command of General Dentz. The Allied force advances along several lines from positions in Palestine and Transjordan. There is little resistance at first. General Catroux, who has been appointed by General de Gaulle to head the Free French forces, issues a proclamation calling optimistically for Dentz and his men to change sides. The British announce that they seek no territorial gains.
In Egypt... In response to the threat of air raids on Alexandria, the evacuation of about 40,000 people begins.
Hess is back in the news as the various conspiracy theories begin to emerge. It’s interesting that at first, the Nazis called Hess “demented” and then changed their tune that he was an “angel of peace.” The Brits at first thought he was on an honest peace mission but the hints in the article are that they are now seeing him as demented.
Demented as Hess was, to some extent he was less demented than Hitler. Hess knew of the plans for Barbarossa, and knew that it was insane to take on the USSR while Britain was still an enemy. Had his mission succeeded (which is the most extreme hypothetical; it actually had no chance of success), Hitler would have had a free hand to take on the USSR.
Hess has also become a lasting bone of contention between Churchill and Stalin. Stalin will always suspect the British are double-dealing against him and with the Nazis because of the Hess mission. He knows full well that a peace brokered between Germany and Britain can only have one purpose; for Hitler to turn on him. The funny thing is at this time, Stalin is directing his ire at the British and not listening to their warnings about Barbarossa, and he is not suspicious of Hitler, the one man in the world whom nobody should trust.
http://worldwar2daybyday.blogspot.com/2011/06/day-647-june-8-1941.html
Day 647 June 8, 1941
About 30,000 Allied troops invade Vichy French Lebanon and Syria (Operation Exporter), defended by 35,000 regular Vichy troops and 10,000 colonial Levantine irregulars. At 2 AM, Australian, Free French, British and Indian troops advance North from Palestine heading for Beirut (Southern Lebanon) and Damascus (Southwest Syria) under the assumption that Vichy forces will not put up much resistance. Australian 7th Division moves 35 miles North along roads towards Beirut but is held up by French troops dug in on the Litani River in Lebanon. A planned landing of 420 British commandos from the Mediterranean near the Litani River is abandoned due to rough seas. In Syria, British, Indian and Free French troops meet little resistance but make slow progress across the rocky desert. http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/18/chapters/16.pdf
http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/18/chapters/17.pdf