The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - Italian Tanks in World War II - Nov. 30th, 2004

users.swing.be/tanks.edito ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

.................................................................. .................... ...........................................

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Italian Tanks in World War II

In 1940, Italy was not yet the industrial power it has become today. The mismanagement and incompetence of the fascist regime, the lack of raw materials, above all energetic, the insufficient preparation, ... were all contributing factors to the failure of the Italian armored force. Even the high command could not grasp the role of the tanks in modern warfare. Despite the setting-up of fine-sounding "armored" divisions, the tanks were usually engaged in isolated battalions or as support of infantry.



The only material that Italy had in abundance was the courage of the individual combatant. Placed in an inferior position compared to their enemies and even towards their ally, they made the most with the inadequate means put at their disposal.

Italy turned out 2000 tanks from 1940 until 1943, far behind its German ally (24 000). It was no mean feat though, for a still mostly farming nation. With almost 800 units built, the M 13/40 was the Italian tank with the highest production figure of the war. Italy entered the war with 1500 tanks (more than England when it entered the War in 1939). Outside the Fiat 3000, designed during World War I, and less than hundred second grade medium tanks, they were only tankettes, of which the obsolescence was an accepted fact.


M 13/40 in the El Kattra depression before the battle at El Alamein

Italy had a perfectly logical way to name its tanks. There were three categories of tanks: the light (Leggero, prefix "L"), the medium (Medio, prefix "M") and the heavy ("Pesante", prefix "P"). After that prefix, a digit gave the weight of the tank, a second digit gave the year when the tank entered service. A complementary suffix could indicate special function. E.g. the L 3/35 Lf was a light tank, weighting 3 tons, entered in service in 1935, flamethrowing version (Lf for Lanciaflamme). The M 13/40 is a Medium Tank, weighting 13 tons, entered in service in 1940.



The assault guns, the famous Semoventi (singular: Semovente), were named according to their gun and the hull upon which they were mounted. E.g. the Semovente 75/18 M42 was a 7.5 cm L/18 howitzer mounted on the hull of a M 15/42 tank.

This system of naming started in 1940. Some older models changed their names several times during their lifetime: the CV-35 became the L 35 in 1938 and the L 3/35 in 1940).

The Tanks


Column of M 13/40. The crews often added sand bags in front of the hull to improve the insufficient protection of the armor plates.

At the end of World War I, the Italians were designing their own version of the French FT-17, the best tank of the time. It took until 1921 before the Fiat 3000 entered service. It remained the single type of tank of the Italian Army until the thirties.

The craze of the tankettes, born in England, overtook Italy. On the blueprint of the Carden-Loyd tankette, the Italians built the CV 29, a faithful copy, then the CV 33, a heavier model. The CV 35 and the L 3/38, built afterwards were only evolutions of the CV-33. Those tanks were highly successful in Ethiopia in 1935. Devoid of antitank weapons, the Africans had nothing to oppose to those vehicles. With the Civil War in Spain, the picture quickly changed.



The many tankettes delivered to the Nationalist side had to confront the antitank guns and the tanks made by the Russians and delivered to the Republican side. With their almost non existent armor and their grossly insufficient armament, they proved almost useless. The small changes brought by the Italians before the war did not really increase their value. In Libya, facing the British (no champions as far as tank design is concerned though), it was a complete rout.


A British soldier inspects a knocked out M 11/39 in North Africa.

It took until the end of 1941 for a replacement to appear, the L 6/40. Despite improvements compared to its predecessors, the time of light tanks was already over. Although it fought on all front where the Italian army was engaged, they never could net a significant success. Italy started the war with less than 100 medium tanks, the M 11/39. They were outdated even before they saw any action. Outside flimsy armor (a failing common to almost all Italian tanks until the end of the war), the main gun, an already too weak 3.7 cm gun, was installed in the hull and not in the turret. They were easy prey for the British Matilda II, at Sidi Barrani as well as at Beda Fomm or in Ethiopia.



The next in line, the M 13/40, was a bit better. The 4.7 cm gun in a fully revolving turret could compare favorably to the short 5 cm of the Panzer III or the 2-pounder of British tanks of the time. In contrast, their speed and armor was substandard. It was the most widely used Italian tank during the war. With its upengined version, the M 14/41, it remained in production until 1942. The arrival of the Lee/Grant and of the Sherman from 1942 onwards meant that the role of the M 13/40 on the frontline was over. The M 15/42 that was supposed to replace them, had a better protection, but it could not take on any of its better armed and armored Anglo-Saxons counterparts (to say nothing of the Russian T-34). Its production was terminated early in March 1943.



The solution should have been a "heavy" tank, the P 26/40, which started to leave the production lines in 1943. But it was not heavy neither as far as weight was concerned (with 26 tons, it was a rather light medium tank), nor as to the armor, nor the armament. The Italians had few opportunities to test it in real combat: when they capitulate, the Germans took over every built units and the production lines as well. It seems that they did not use them on the frontline.

Semoventi

In March 1943, Italy dropped the production of tanks (except heavy ones) to concentrate on the assault guns ! For surprising it may sound, that decision was logical: the medium tanks were hopelessly outclassed by their enemies, without perspective of a turnaround. In contrast, the Semoventi, entered in service a year before, had amply proved their superiority vs. the tanks. Much more squat than their German counterparts (of which they had took their inspiration), a bit undergunned in comparison (although one Semovente had a 10.5 cm howitzer), they were fully able to take on any Anglo-Saxon tank.


Semovente 75/18 engaged in North Africa in 1942

The only machines abundantly used by the Italians were the Semovente 75/18, the pioneer, with a short 7.5 cm howitzer and the Semovente 47/32, the only semovente based on a light tank, the L 6/40. Those two machines (especially the first) were so successful that it induced a change in the production policy. They took part in the combats in North Africa. New models were being issued to the units when the surrender occurred. That gave the Germans the opportunity to seize most existing Semoventi. They used on a large scale the Semovente 75/34 (a 7.5 cm L/34 gun on a M 15/42) and the Semovente 105/25 'Bassotto' (a short 10.5 cm howitzer on new M43 chassis, the Semovente with the heaviest weapon). The Germans even went on with the production of those models.

[SAMWolf]

M 11/39



Designed as an breakthrough tank, it entered service in 1939. In 1940, it was the most modern of the Italian tanks. Its career was rather short: part of the tanks were sent to Ethiopia in May 1940 and were captured or destroyed during the campaign there in 1941. Most others went to Libya in 1940 and fell into enemy hands either in Sidi Barrani or during the retreat thereafter. The Australians captured a handfull of them and fought with them for a few more months.

This machine had a too light armor and its main weapon, mounted in the hull, was too weak.

Identification: All Italian Medium tanks used the same suspension with four bogies linked two by two and with two road-wheels each. The M11/39 differed from its followers by its gun installed in the hull, while the turret only contained MG.

M 13/40



The most widely used italian tank during the war. It first saw action during the retreat in Lybia in the beginning of 1941. More than hundreds were lost in Beda Fomm and some of them were reused by the British.

With the 4.7 cm gun mounted in a fully revolving turret, it was the equivalent of the Panzer III in 1941.

Identification: Retains the suspension and the overall shape of the hull of the M 11/39, but the inversion of the armament (the gun in the turret and the MG in the hull for the M 13/40) differentiate the two models.

Similar to the M 14/41. The gun mounted on the M 15/42 is longer and the rear of the hull is different. The hatch is on the left side of the hull, while it is on the right side on the M 15/42.

M 14/41



Unofficial name of the final version of the M 13/40 with a new more powerful engine and a smaller fuel consumption. It arrived in North Africa in the summer of 1942.

Identification: Externally impossible to differentiate from the M 13/40

M 15/42



Attempt to modernize the range of Italian medium tanks. In constrast to the previous models with a diesel engine, it got a gasoline engine, more powerful. Its armor is thicker.

It took part in the combats in Italy in 1943 and even continued its career after the war in the post-war Italian Army.

Identification: Similar to the M 13/40 (or the M 14/41)but with a longer gun and a different engine cover at the rear of the hull. The hatch, on the left side of previous models, is on the right side of the hull of the M 15/42.

L6/40



From a model under studies since 1936, the Italian Army adopted a new light tank in 1940 aimed at replacing the outdated tankettes. The first units arrived on the North African fontline at the end of 1941 where they served as reconnaissance vehicles. They fought also in Russia and in the Balkans (some were captured and reused by Tito's partisans).

Identification: High superstructure and bow-shaped piece for the suspension of the bogies. The turret is the same as on the Autoblinda's.

[SAMWolf]

Tank Destroyers



The Italian tanks during the war were below-average. Yet, they produced some of the finest tank destroyers. Their first products were ahead of their German contemporaries. Under the name "Semovente" ("mobile" in Italian), they were engaged against the allies in North Africa and later in Sicily. After the armistice, the Germans took hold of as many examples as they could and went on using them against the allies.

Semovente 105/25 'Bassotto'


Notice the squat silhouette of the Semovente 105/25.

The most powerful Italian Semovente with its short 10.5 cm howitzer mounted on a new chassis (M 43), lower and better armored than the previous model (M42).

Less than thirty were issued to the Italian units before the surrender. They were used against the Germans in Rome on September 8, 1943, before falling into their hands. They were pressed in service against the allies, among other at the beachhead of Nettuno.

Identification: The lowest profile for a Semoventi, with the biggest gun. It received a side plate to protect the upper part of the running gear.

Semovente 47/32



4.7 cm gun mounted upon the hull of a light tank L 6/40. Its casemate was open.

Probably used for the first time in libya in the fall of 1942, it took part in the campaign in Tunisia.

Identification: The only Semovente not to have the hull of a medium tank. The running gear is the one of a L 6/40. The casemate and the rear of the hull are higher than on the other Semoventi.

Semovente 75/18



Short 75mm howitzer mounted on the hull of a M 13/40 (later on M41 and M42). This first assault gun, inspired by the German example, was successful and begot a whole line of followers.

It served in North Africa from 1942 onwards, bringing to the units of Medium Tanks a valuable addition in firepower.

Identification: Hull and running gear characteristic of the Italian medium tanks (4 bogies of two road-wheels). The superstructure is very low, with a short gun.

Semovente 75/34



To improve further their highly successful Semoventi, the Italians experimented with a 75 mm L/32 gun on the hull of a M41 and then a still longer 75 mm L/34 gun on the hull of a M42.

The Italians had no time to put them into service: they were captured by the Germans after the surrender and then used against the allies in Italy. The production line continued for over a year for the Germans.

Identification: Very similar to the Semovente 75/18 upon the hull of a M-42. Only the length of the gun (which goes largely beyond the front of the vehicle) differentiate the two models externally.

Semovente 90/53



Already in 1941, the Italians mounted a 9 cm gun, the equivalent of the German 8.8 cm gun, on the hull of a M41. The combat compartment was open and it carried only 6 rounds of ammunition. A second tank, devoid of turret too, followed with the needed shells.

Although it went as far as the production line, technical problems prevented its operational deploiment. No unit ever left Italy.

Identification: The disproportionate gun takes all the available surface above the hull.

Additional Sources:

www.wwiivehicles.com
mailer.fsu.edu
www.battlefront.co.nz
earth.endless.ne.jp
www.esercito.difesa.it
www.comandosupremo.com
ww2photo.mimerswell.com
zorka.boom.ru
www.lasecondaguerramondiale.it

[SAMWolf]

P 26/40


The heavy Italian tank P 26/40 just before wooden model of a Jagdtiger, presented to Hitler on October 10, 1943. In the background a wooden model of the Jagdpanther is visible.

Designed and developped by the Italians, this heavy Italian tank was built by the Germans and put into service under the name "P 40/37 (i)". It seems that it was never engaged on the frontline.

[SAMWolf]

Here are the recommended holiday mailing dates for military mail this year:

For military mail addressed TO APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are:

• Parcel Post - November 13
• Space Available - November 27
• Parcel Airlift - December 4
• Priority Mail, First Class cards and letters - Mailing date is December 11 to all locations
  • EXCEPT for locations starting with ZIP 093. For all locations starting with ZIP 093 the mailing date is December 6.
• Express Mail - December 20 to locations where Express Mail service is available. Check with your local post office to determine which APO/FPO addresses can receive Express Mail. Note: This service is not available to ships.

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For military mail FROM APO and FPO addresses, the mailing dates are:

• Space Available - November 20
• Parcel Airlift - December 4
• Priority Mail, First Class cards and letters - December 11
• Express Mail - December 18 from APO/FPO addresses where Express Mail can be accepted. Check with your local military post office to determine if they can accept Express Mail. Note: This service is not available from ships.

Thanks for the information StayAtHomeMother

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Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

Hi Cannoneer, Hope you had some good chow for Thanksgiving. :-)

[alfa6]

Mama Mia Bump for the Treadhead Tuesday Edition of the Freeper Foxhole.

Off to work again.

regards

a;fa6 ;>}

[E.G.C.]

Good morning Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

[GailA]

Good morning

[The Mayor]

November 30, 2004

Sounds Of Silence

Read: Colossians 3:12-17

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom. —Colossians 3:16

Bible In One Year: Ezekiel 37-39; 2 Peter 2

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During a Sunday morning worship service, I was intrigued to see the interpreter for the deaf continue to sign during an instrumental piano offertory. After the service I asked her what she was saying during that time when no words were being spoken or sung. She said that she had signed the words to the hymn being played, and also answered questions her "audience" asked about the pianist, her style, and her training.

"Instrumental music can be a blank place in worship for the deaf," she told me. Instead of taking a break or enjoying it alone, she thought of those who couldn't hear and kept the worship service unbroken for them.

That experience broadened my understanding of Colossians 3:16, "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs." As we allow God's Word to fill our hearts and have free rein in our lives, we can share it with others through words of instruction, encouragement, and praise to the Lord. Imagine the impact it could have in our homes, in private conversations, and in worship together.

As you encourage others by sharing God's Word from your heart, it will be music to their ears. —David McCasland

Sing praise to God who reigns above,
The God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love,
The God of our salvation. —Schutz

Let God's Word fill your heart and guide your words.

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on November 30:
0538 St Gregory of Tours chronicler/bishop
1466 Andrea Doria Genoese statesman/admiral
1554 Philip Sidney England, poet/statesman/soldier (Arcadia)
1667 Jonathan Swift Engl, satirist (Gulliver's Travels, A Modest Proposal)
1793 Johann Lukas Schonlein helped establish scientific medicine
1810 Oliver Fisher Winchester rifle maker (Winchester)
1817 Theodor Mommsen Germany, historian/writer (Nobel 1902)
1835 Samuel Clemens [Mark Twain], author (Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn)
1863 Andres Bonifacio leader of 1896 Philippine revolt against Spain

1874 Sir Winston Churchill (C) British PM (1940-45, 1951-55, Nobel 1953)

1894 Ture Rangstrom Stockholm Sweden, composer/critic (Kronbruden)
1898 Roy (Link) Lyman NFL tackle (Chicago Bears)
1907 Jacques Barzun France, author (The House of Interlect)
1912 Gordon Parks film director/photographer/writer (Learning Tree)
1915 Henry Taube chemist (Nobel 1983)
1920 Virginia Mayo St Louis MO, actress (Out of the Blue, White Heat)
1923 Efrem Zimbalist Jr actor (77 Sunset Strip, FBI, Scruples)
1924 Allan Sherman parody singer/songwriter (Hello Muddah, Hello Faddah)
1924 Shirley Chisholm (D-Rep-NY), 1st black congresswoman/presidential candidate
1926 Richard Crenna Los Angeles CA, actor (Rambo, Summer Rental, Sand Pebbles)
1927 Robert Guillaume St Louis MO, actor (Benson, Soap)
1928 Rex Reason Berlin Germany, actor (This Island Earth)
1929 Joan Ganz Cooney Phoenix AZ, TV exec (Children's TV Workshop)
1930 G Gordon Liddy Watergate felon, radio talk-show host
1931 Jack Ging Alva Ok, actor (11th Hour, Ripcord, Tales of Wells Fargo)
1031 Davey Jones rocker (Monkees-Daydream Believer, Last Train To Clarksville, I'm A Believer)
1931 Jack Sheldon Jacksonville FL, actor (Run Buddy Run, Merv Griffin)
1933 Linwood C Ivey NC, (Mayor-Garysburg NC)
1936 Abbie Hoffman aka Free, Yippie-communist/activist/author (Steal this Book)
1937 Paul Stookey Baltimore MD, singer (Peter, Paul & Mary-Wedding Song)
1937 Richard Threlkeld newscaster (ABC-TV)
1939 Walter Weller Vienna Austria, conductor (Vienna Tonkusteler Orchestra)
1947 David Mamet US playwright/director (Speed the Plow, House of Games)
1949 Arthur Lee Washington Jr one of FBI's most wanted
1950 Paul Westphal NBA guard (Boston Celtics, Phoenix Suns)
1951 Dian Parkinson TV model (Price is Right)
1952 Mandy Patinkin actor/singer (Yentl, Alien Nation)
1953 Shuggie (Johnny) Otis, Jr. (blues musician)
1954 June Pointer singer (Pointer Sisters-I'm So excited)
1962 Bo Jackson baseball/football player (Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Raiders)

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Deaths which occurred on November 30:
0030 BC Cleopatra Egyptian queen commits suicide(made an asp of herself)
1016 Edmund II Ironsides, King of the Saxons (1016), dies at 27
1631 Rabbi Samuel Eliezer ben Judah ha-levi Edels dies
1694 Marcello Malpighi father of microscopic anatomy, dies
1900 Oscar Wilde Irish author, dies in Paris
1964 Don Redman orchestra leader (Sugar Hill Times), dies at 64
1973 Bruce Yarnell Los Angeles CA, actor (Outlaws), dies at 35
1979 Zeppo Marx dies at 78
1981 Robert H Harris actor (Jake-The Goldbergs), dies at 72
1987 Arthur H Dean lawyer/advisor to FDR, dies at 89
1990 Norman Cousins editor (Saturday Review), dies at 75
1996 Tiny Tim singer with the falsetto warble and ukulele ("Tiptoe Through the Tulips" ), dies at 64

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1965 RICHARDSON STEPHEN G.---SEATTLE WA.
1967 KUSHNER FLOYD H.---DANVILLE VA.
[03/16/73 RELEASED BY PRG, ALIVE AND WELL 98]
1968 BADER ARTHUR E.---ATLANTIC CITY NJ.
[REMAINS RETURNED 7-31-89 ID 2/08/90]
1968 FITTS RICHARD A.---ABINGTON MA.
REMAINS RETURNED 04/89]
1968 LA BOHN GARY R.---WIXON MI.
[REMAINS RETURNED 3/08/89 ID 2/08/90]
1968 MEIN MICHAEL H.---CAPE VINCENT NY.
[REMAINS RETURNED 3/08/89 ID 2/08/90]
1968 SCHOLZ KLAUS D.---AMARILLO TX.
[REMAINS RETURNED 3/08/89 ID 2/08/90]
1968 STACKS RAYMOND C.---MEMPHIS TN.
[REMAINS RETURNED 3/08/89 ID 2/08/90]
1968 TOOMEY SAMUEL K. III---INDEPENDENCE MO.
[REMAINS RETURNED 3/08/89 ID 2/08/90]
1970 STRINGER JOHN C. II---HAZARD KY.

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

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On this day...
0306 St Marcellus I begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1523 Amsterdam bans assembly of heretics
1554 England reconciles with Pope Julius III
1630 16,000 inhabitants of Venice die this month of plague
1648 English army captures King Charles I
1678 Roman Catholics banned from English parliament
1782 Britain signs agreement recognizing US independence
1803 Spain cedes her claims to Louisiana Territory to France
1804 Impeachment trial of Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase begins
1864 Battle of Franklin, Tennessee
1866 Work begins on 1st US underwater highway tunnel, Chicago
1885 The opera "Le Cid" is produced (Paris)
1886 1st commercially successful AC electric power plant opens, Buffalo
1887 1st indoor softball game (Chicago)
1906 President Theodore Roosevelt publicly denounces segregation of Japanese schoolchildren in San Francisco
1924 1st photo facsimile transmitted across Atlantic by radio
1936 London's Crystal Palace (built 1851), destroyed by fire
1939 USSR invades Finland over a border dispute
1940 1st game of only 2-game Grey Cup (Ottawa 8, Toronto Balmy Beach 2)
1941 101 year old Nyack-Tarrytown (NY) ferry makes its last run
1947 Day after UN decree for Israel, Jewish settlements attacked
1948 Baseball's Negro National League disbands
1948 Soviets set up a separate municipal government in East Berlin
1949 Chinese Communists captured Chungking
1954 1st meteorite ( 8 lb ) known to strike a woman (Liz Hodges-Sylacauga AL)
1958 1st guided missile destroyer launched, Dewey, Bath, Me
1959 Joe Foss named 1st commissioner of AFL
1961 USSR vetoes Kuwait's application for UN membership
1962 U Thant of Burma elected 3rd Secretary-General of UN unanimously
1964 USSR launches Zond 2 towards Mars; no data returned
1966 Barbados gains independence from Britain (National Day)
1967 Julie Nixon & David Eisenhower announce their engagement
1967 Kuria Muria islands ceded by Britain to Oman
1967 People's Rep of South Yemen (Aden) gains independence from Britain
1970 George Harrison releases his triple album set "All Things Must Pass"
1972 BBC bans Wings "Hi, Hi, Hi"
1972 Illegal fireworks factory explodes killing 15 (Rome Italy)
1975 Dahomey becomes Benin
1979 Ted Koppel becomes anchor of nightly news on Iranian Hostages (ABC)
1981 Porn star John Holmes arrested on fugitive charges
1982 STS-6 vehicle moves to launch pad
1982 US sub Thomas Edison collides with US Navy destroyer in So China Sea (I SAID LEFT!)
1983 Denver Nugget coach Doug Moe, hopelessly behind, advise team to let Blazers break their scoring record
1983 Radio Shack announces the Tandy Model 2000 computer (80186 chip)
1988 Cyclone lashes Bangladesh, Eastern India; 317 killed
1988 NYC furrier sues Mike Tyson for $92,000 for non payment of purchase
1988 Soviets stop jamming Radio Liberty; 1st time in 38 years
1988 UN General Assembly (151-2) censures US for refusing PLO's Arafat visa
1990 Bush proposes US-Iraq meeting to avoid war
1991 93 cars & 11 truck accident near San Francisco during a dust storm, 17 die
1991 Rob Pilatus, 27, of Milli-Vanilli attempts suicide
1996 Some 150,000 people filled the streets of Belgrade to protest Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.
1999 The opening of a 135-nation trade gathering in Seattle was disrupted by at least 40,000 demonstrators, some of whom clashed with police.
2000 Al Gore's lawyers battled for his political survival in the Florida and U.S. supreme courts; meanwhile, GOP lawmakers in Tallahassee moved to award the presidency to George W. Bush in case the courts did not by appointing their own slate of electors.

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Barbados : Independence Day (1966)
Benin : National Day
Iran : Qadir Khom Festival
Philippines : Bonifacio Day/Heroes' Day (1863)
Upper Volta : Youth Day.
Yemen PDR : Independence Day (1967)
US : Travelers With Disabilities Awareness Week Begins
US : Stay Home Because You're Well Day
International Creative Child & Adult Month

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Religious Observances
Christian : Advent-start of church year (4 Sundays till Christmas)
RC, Luth, Ang-NZ : Feast of St Andrews Day, patron of Scotland

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Religious History
1215 The Fourth Lateran Council closed, under Innocent III. It was this council that made first official use of the term "transubstantiation," with reference to the Eucharist (Lord's Supper).
1530 German reformer Martin Luther remarked: 'Whenever I happen to be prevented by the press of duties from observing my hour of prayer, the entire day is bad for me.'
1554 Roman Catholicism was (briefly) restored to England, under the reign of Mary Tudor, the daughter of Henry VIII and Catherine of Aragon. In the process, "Bloody Mary" had Thomas Cranmer, Hugh Latimer, Nicholas Ridley and nearly 300 other Protestant leaders burned at the stake.
1729 Birth of Samuel Seabury, first bishop of the American Protestant Episcopal Church. (Following the American Revolution, Seabury helped formulate the constitution which made the American Protestant Episcopal Church independent and autonomous from the Church of England.)
1894 In Naperville, Illinois, seven groups of the Evangelical Association withdrew from the organization to form the United Evangelical Church. (In 1922 the two denominations reunited.)

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"Faith is putting all your eggs in God's basket, then counting your blessings before they hatch."

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Excuses for Being Late for Work...
"These are not the 'droids you're looking for."

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Ads gone wrong...
Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too.

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Dictionary of the Absurd...
psychopath
A trail around an insane asylum

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Man's Answers to Every Question a Woman ever asks
HOW CAN MEN SIT ON THEIR ASSES ALL DAY WITHOUT MOVING?
Men have very powerful sets of sitting muscles developed by evolution that enable us to sit for extended periods of time without getting tired. In prehistoric times, it was often necessary to sit in one spot for extended periods of time while hunting for prey. The more successful hunters were able to sit very still for very extended periods of time thereby passing on this ability to their progeny. The fidgety types were all gobbled up by sabre toothed tigers etc. The end result is that almost all modern men are born with this innate ability.

[Valin]

"The Italian tanks during the war were below-average. Yet, they produced some of the finest tank destroyers. Their first products were ahead of their German contemporaries."


That's strange, it seems to me that there's not that much difference between a tank and a tank destroyer.

[SAMWolf]

Morning alfa6.

Off to work again.

There has to be a better way to make a living than working, know any billionaire widows?

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C.

Cloudy and cold again today.

[SAMWolf]

Morning GailA.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Mayor

"Instrumental music can be a blank place in worship for the deaf," she told me. Instead of taking a break or enjoying it alone, she thought of those who couldn't hear and kept the worship service unbroken for them.

A very thoughtful person, God bless her.

[SAMWolf]

1874 Sir Winston Churchill (C) British PM (1940-45, 1951-55, Nobel 1953)

What General Weygand called the Battle of France is over. I expect that the Battle of Britain is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Christian civilization. Upon it depends our own British life, and the long continuity of our institutions and our Empire. The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Hitler knows that he will have to break us in this Island or lose the war. If we can stand up to him, all Europe may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands. But if we fail, then the whole world, including the United States, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."

[E.G.C.]

Good morning folks.

It's cloudy and cold here too, but it's clearing up the sun's going to try to come out sometime today.

We didn't get much in the way of precipatation. Our forecast low tonight is the upper 20's.

How's it going, Snippy?

[SAMWolf]

Early in the war most countries didn't have specially built tank destroyers, IIRC the Germans and Italians were among the first.

[SAMWolf]

We stayed in the upper 30's and lower 40's yesterday. "Someone" complained about how cold it was all day. ;-)