Posted on 11/23/2011 5:02:48 AM PST by Homer_J_Simpson
Gordon W. Prange, At Dawn We Slept
Winston S. Churchill, The Grand Alliance
The News of the Week in Review
Three Continents Provide the Theatre for the Widening War (map) – 10
‘Second Front’ – 11-12
Twenty News Questions – 13
Russia’s Outer Bastions Fall Before the Nazi Advance (map) – 14
Winter Balks Nazi Plan for an Early Knockout – 15
British in Libya Test a New Army – 16
Answers to Twenty News Questions – 17
The New York Times Book Review – 18-21
Roosevelt: Dictator or Democrat?, by Gerald W. Johnson. Reviewed by Simeon Strunsky
http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/nov41/f23nov41.htm
High losses in north African battles
Sunday, November 23, 1941 www.onwar.com
In North Africa... Fierce battles continue in the area southeast of Sidi Rezegh. In the afternoon, both German and Italian forces from the Ariete Division stage a direct charge against the British armor which has been reinforced with two South African Brigades. German and Italian losses are high and their numerical superiority is lost. They now have less than 100 tanks. German infantry losses are also high. The Germans name this day Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead). The British losses are also high and General Auchinleck, the British Commander in Chief, takes a great interest in the tactical planning. Rommel is engaged in fighting farther north around Gambut where the New Zealand infantry capture the German Afrika Korps headquarters and much of the German communication equipment.
On the Eastern Front... In the Moscow area, German gains are gradual, but progress is made on a 50 mile front northwest of the city. Klin is captured by three of Hoth’s panzer divisions. In some places, the German forces are less than 35 miles from the city.
In the Mediterranean... An Axis convoy carrying fuel to Benghazi is attacked by the Malta based, British Force K and loses two freighters.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/23.htm
November 23rd, 1941
GERMANY: U-847 laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.S.R.: The German offensive in the Moscow sector continues. A 50 mile front northwest of the city sees 7 Pz Div. and 14 Inf Div. (mot.) / LVI A.K. (mot) of General der Panzertruppen Georg-Hans Reinhardt’s 3rd Panzergruppe capture Klin. German forces are within 35 miles of the Soviet Capitol. (Jeff Chrisman)
MALTA: Force “K” attacks an Axis convoy from Greece to Benghazi, losing 2 transports.
NORTH AFRICA: Southeast of Sidi Rezegh are more fierce battles. In the afternoon German Panzer divisions are joined by the Italian Ariete Division in making a sharp charge against the British Armor and both South African Brigades. To the Germans today (Sunday) will be known as “Totensonntag”, the Sunday of the Dead. In the south the New Zealand Division attacks and captures the HQ of the Afrika Korps and much of Rommel’s communications equipment. Due to heavy British losses, General Cunningham looses confidence and Auchinleck comes forward to watch the tactical moves closely.
LIBYA: Tobruk: Capt. Philip John Gardner (b.1914), Royal Tank Regiment, took two tanks to help two armoured cars, saving an officer who had lost both legs. (Victoria Cross)
More fierce battles are fought southeast of Sidi Rezegh. In the afternoon, German Panzer divisions are joined by the Italian Ariete Division in making a sharp charge against the British Armour and both South African Brigades. About 160 German tanks and several battalions attack 34 British tanks of the 22nd Armoured Brigade and infantry of the South African 5th Brigade. The Germans lose 70 tanks but the defenders are wiped out. To the Germans today will be known as “Totensonntag.” the Sunday of the Dead. In the south the New Zealand Division attacks and captures the headquarters of the Afrika Korps and much of German General Erwin Rommel’s communications equipment. Due to heavy British losses, Major General Alan Cunningham, General Officer Commanding Eighth Army, loses confidence and General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief Middle East Command, comes forward to watch the tactical moves closely.
JAPAN: Carrier Striking Task Force Operations Order No. 1 is issued stating that the “The Carrier Striking Task Force will proceed to the Hawaiian Area with utmost secrecy and, at the outbreak of the war, will launch a resolute surprise attack on and deal a fatal blow to the enemy fleet in the Hawaiian Area. The initial air attack is scheduled at 0330 hours, X Day. Upon completion of the air attacks, the Task Force will immediately withdraw and return to Japan and, after taking on new supplies, take its position for Second Period Operations. In the event that, during this operation, an enemy fleet attempts to intercept our force or a powerful enemy force is encountered and there is danger of attack, the Task Force will launch a counterattack.b The second unit, the Midway Bombardment Unit (the 7th Destroyer Division less the 2nd section), b will depart from Tokyo Bay around X-6 Day and, after refuelling, secretly approach Midway. It will arrive on the night of X Day and shell the air base. The unit will then withdraw and, after refuelling, return to the western part of the Inland Sea. The oiler Shiriya will accompany the bombardment unit on this mission and will be responsible for the refuelling operation.” (Jack McKillop)
MARSHALL ISLANDS: Nine Japanese submarines of the 3rd Submarine Unit, Advance Group, Pearl Harbor Strike Force, depart Kwajalein Atoll today and arrive off the Hawaiian Islands on 6 December. One of the submarine, HIJMS I-8, is carrying a “Glen” seaplane (Kugisho E14Y1, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane); on 7 December HIJMS I-8 will be stationed about 45 nautical miles (83 kilometers) southwest of Oahu Island, seven of the boats will be stationed about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) south of Oahu and one boat will be stationed 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) west of Oahu. (Jack McKillop)
CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Goderich commissioned.
Minesweeper HMCS Gananoque arrived Halifax from builder Toronto, Ontario.
Corvette HMCS Morden departed St John’s to join the 45-ship convoy SC-56 from Sydney which arrived intact at Liverpool 10 Dec 41.
(Dave Shirlaw)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: During stormy weather, a lookout was badly injured on U-372. (Dave Shirlaw)
USN Task Unit 4.1.6 assumes escort duty for convoy HX-161 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.); the convoy will not be attacked by U-boats during its passage. (Jack McKillop)
Carrier Division 5 [SHOKAKU, ZUIKAKU], having the ‘greenest’ aircrews, with no combat, nor extensive, experience [the carriers had just come into service], was tasked with attacking the U.S Army Air Corps land bases, which Genda felt would be easier for the aircrews to handle.
I guess the 50,000 troops Roosevelt had on tap convinced John L lewis.
interesting ad for the custom radio, up to $400. that was some heavy coin in that day.
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