http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/jul41/f15jul41.htm
Red Army counterattack near Lake Ilmen
Tuesday, July 15, 1941 www.onwar.com
On the Eastern Front... The Soviets launch a counterattack (lasting until July 17th) in the Lake Ilmen area to gain time for the building of further fortifications around Leningrad. The attacking forces lose heavily in their efforts because the troops are very inexperienced.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/15.htm
July 15th, 1941
UNITED KINGDOM: Destroyer HMCS Huron laid down Vickers-Armstrong Ltd Newcastle-on-Tyne
GERMANY:
U-223, U-224, U-623, U-624 laid down.
U-507 launched. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.S.R.: The Red Army launches a counter-offensive near Leningrad. A Soviet counterattack begins today in the Lake Ilmen area. This will last for 3 days to gain time to build fortifications.
XXXXVII Pz.K’s 29 Inf. Div. (mot.) (GM Walter von Bolternstern) reach the southwestern suburbs of Smolensk. They attack at 4 AM this morning and control the city by night. (Jeff Chrisman)
FINLAND: Soviet commandos attack the Finnish island of Morgonland, capturing the Finnish observation party of five men. The prisoners are taken to camps in Kazakstan; only one survives the War. (Cris Wetton)
LEBANON: Beirut: The Allies have entered Beirut in triumph, and will hand over Syria and Lebanon to their inhabitants. When they invaded a month ago General de Gaulle said in a broadcast: “I come to end the mandatory regime and to proclaim you free and independent.” Thus Syria and Lebanon - to strong Vichy protests - join Eritrea in being offered self-determination.
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: All 3rd and 20th Pursuit Squadron pilots are certified on the P-35A. (Marc Small)
CANADA: Port operations craft ordered for RCN: HDPC 1, HDPC 2, HDPC 3, HDPC 4, HDPC 5, HDPC 6, HDPC 7, HDPC 8, HDPC 9, HDPC 10. (Dave Shirlaw)
NEWFOUNDLAND: The US sets up an air base at Argentia Bay. The two facilities established on this date were the U.S. Naval Air Station and the U.S. Naval Operating Base. (Jack McKillop)
U.S.A.: Baseball, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox play the final game of a three-game series at Comisky Park in Chicago, Illinois. Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio goes 2-for-4 against White Sox pitcher Eddie Smith and extends his hitting streak to 55 consecutive games. (Jack McKillop)
Aircraft carrier USS Lexington laid down.
AA cruiser USS Oakland laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)