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August 24th, 1941

UNITED KINGDOM: Prime Minister Winston Churchill makes a radio broadcast in which he discusses his recent meeting with U.S. President Roosevelt in Newfoundland. Churchill pledges unhesitating aid to the U.S. in the event that peaceful discussions with Japan fail. (Jack McKillop)

In a speech to the House of Commons Churchill says: “Napoleon in his glory and genius spread his Empire far and wide. ... Napoleon’s armies had a theme. They carried with them the surges of the French Revolution - Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. ... There was a sweeping away of outworn, medieval systems and aristocratic privilege. There was the land for the people, a new code of law. Nevertheless, Napoleon’s empire vanished like a dream.” (Peter Kilduff)

The RCAF’s No. 1 (Fighter) Squadron, equipped with Hurricane Mk. Is and based at Northolt, Middlesex, England, shoots down two RAF Blenheim bombers which were mistaken for Junkers JU-88s. (Jack McKillop)

Minesweeper HMS Fort York launched.

Submarine KNM Uredd (ex-HMS P-41) launched. (Dave Shirlaw)

FRANCE: VICHY FRANCE: Anti-terrorist laws, aimed at crushing the Resistance, are passed giving “terrorists” the death penalty.

GERMANY: Hitler has ordered the termination of the “T4” action, under which 70,273 mentally-ill people have been liquidated since September 1939.
Although the murders were supposed to be carried out in strict secrecy, rumours about the specially-designed “euthanasia” centres have been spreading. On 31 July the bishop of Münster denouned the killings in a sermon. Hitler now appears to have bowed to public pressure.

FINLAND: The troops of Col. Winell’s 8th ID cross the Bay of Viipuri unopposed. They are able to consolidate their positions on the eastern shore before the Soviets react. (Mikko Härmeinen)

U.S.S.R.: General Ivan S. Konev initiates a new counterattack in the area of Gomel but it is not successful.

Soviet destroyer Engels (ex-Desna) sunk in minefield while operating with the Baltic Fleet. (Dave Shirlaw)

CANADA: HMCS Kenogami, a Flower-class corvette, arrived at St. John’s to join Newfoundland Command. Newfoundland Command and the Newfoundland Escort Force (NEF) were established on 23 May 41. That same day, the Canadian corvettes Agassiz, Alberni, Chambly, Cobalt, Collingwood, Orillia and Wetaskiwin departed Halifax for St. Johns. There were virtually no naval facilities in existence in St. Johns and, initially, operational support was provided from alongside by ships of the Royal Navy. The British auxiliary oiler Teakwood arrived on 29 May and the auxiliary stores ship City of Dieppe arrived on 03 Jun. A second auxiliary oiler Clam arrived on 09 Jun and on 14 Jun the submarine depot ship Forth arrived. She was replaced in Sep by the destroyer depot ship Greenwich, which, despite her smaller size and greater age, was more suited to the needs of the NEF. A Great Lakes passenger steamer, known as HMCS Avalon II, was added to serve as an afloat barracks. Cmdre L.W. Murray arrived to assume command on 15 Jun. For a number of months his entire staff consisted of his deputy, Cdr. R.E. Bidwell (who did not arrive until Jul 41), and his flag secretary. The first escort of a convoy by the NEF was quickly undertaken on 02 Jun when Chambly, Orillia, and Collingwood put to sea to join with the 57-ship Halifax to Liverpool convoy HX-129. This convoy, which left Halifax on 27 May, was the first to have continuous close escort all the way across the Atlantic. It arrived safely in Liverpool on 12 Jun 41. (Dave Shirlaw)

U.S.A.: A rag tag group of five musicians, dubbed the Dodger SymPhony by radio announcer Red Barber, make their debut at a Brooklyn Dodgers baseball game in Ebbets Field, Brooklyn. This band, none of which could read music, perform their zany antics at all evening and weekend games. (Jack McKillop)