Remembering History by day WW2 - Page 149

Peter Clare · 02-08-2008, 10:21 AM

August 2, 1934
President of the Weimar Republic Hindenburg dies

On this day in 1934, Paul von Hindenburg, president of the Weimar Republic of Germany, dies, opening the door for the tyranny of Adolf Hitler, whom he had appointed chancellor in 1933.
Hindenburg's life was one immersed in the Prussian military tradition. His father was a Prussian officer, and Hindenburg fought in the Seven Weeks' War (with Austria) at age 19, and later in the Franco-Prussian War. He was eventually promoted to the rank of general before retiring from the military in 1911.
But it was during World War I that Hindenburg came to national prominence. He was asked to serve as the superior to Major General Erich Ludendorff, a prominent army strategist. Ludendorff succeeded in driving Russian invaders from East Prussia-but it was Hindenburg who was given the credit. As the war progressed, Hindenburg's stature grew to epic proportions, even influencing Emperor Wilhelm II to make him commander of all land forces, despite Hindenburg's rather dubious strategic skills. In fact, severe miscalculations on Hindenburg's part resulted in Germany's defeat, which Hindenburg then blamed on Ludendorff. (And which Ludendorff and the generals then blamed on the politicians.)
A monarchist fond of authoritarian regimes, Hindenburg nevertheless took the reigns of the postwar republican government as president in 1925. Fearful of social unrest (from both the far right and far left), in light of the Depression and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which demanded heavy reparations from Germany as the terms of its surrender, Hindenburg authorized his chancellor, Heinrich Bruning, to dissolve the Reichstag (parliament) if necessary and call for new elections-which he did. Those new elections ushered in the Nazi Party as the second largest party in the Reichstag.
Re-elected as president in 1932, Hindenburg had already lost the support of many of the more conservative elements in the government, who were flocking to Hitler's party, which they saw as the key to renewed German prestige and the bulwark against Bolshevism. After a succession of chancellors proved ineffectual in reversing Germany's economic slide, and gaining the Nazi support necessary to keep a coalition together, Hindenburg reluctantly named Hitler chancellor of Germany. Hindenburg was never an ardent Hitler supporter, but he did little to impede him as Hitler began employing terror tactics in his drive to consolidate power for the Nazis.
When Hindenburg died, he was still a respected figure nationwide and was buried, with his wife, at Tannenberg, the sight of the great victory against the Russians during World War I. As World War II was came to a close, their bodies were removed so that the advancing Russians would not get at them. They were ultimately reburied by Americans at Marburg

Peter Clare · 02-08-2008, 09:26 PM

August 3, 1940
Italians move on British Somaliland

On this day in 1940, Italy begins its offensive against the British colony of Somaliland, in East Africa, territory contiguous with Italian Somaliland.
Italy had occupied parts of East Africa since 1936 and by 1940, when it officially entered the war, had troops far outnumbering British forces in the region. Despite their numerical superiority, the Italians had been slow to make offensive moves for fear that the British blockade in North Africa would make it impossible to get much-needed supplies, such as fuel and weapons, to sustain long engagements. But if Italy was to make greater territorial gains, it had to act, while British numbers were still relatively small.
After several forays a few miles into Sudan and Kenya, the Italians were ready for a bigger push: British Somaliland. The rationale was that it was actually a defensive move. Afraid that the British could enter Italian-occupied Ethiopia through French Somaliland, the Duke of Aosta (who was also Viceroy of Ethiopia and supreme Italian military commander of the region) ordered an invasion of British Somaliland. The British defenders at the garrison put up a fierce struggle; although they had to eventually withdraw, they inflicted 2,000 casualties on the Italian forces, while suffering only 250 of their own.
Italy would not enter the Somaliland capital, Berbera, until August 19, while Britain built up its African forces in Kenya. The war for East Africa was not over.

Peter Clare · 14-08-2008, 03:51 PM

August 14, 1945
Japan's surrender made public

On this day in 1945, an official announcement of Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies is made public to the Japanese people.
Even though Japan's War Council, urged by Emperor Hirohito, had already submitted a formal declaration of surrender to the Allies, via ambassadors, on August 10, fighting continued between the Japanese and the Soviets in Manchuria and between the Japanese and the United States in the South Pacific. In fact, two days after the Council agreed to surrender, a Japanese submarine sank the Oak Hill, an American landing ship, and the Thomas F. Nickel, an American destroyer, both east of Okinawa.
In the afternoon of August 14, Japanese radio announced that an Imperial Proclamation was soon to be made, accepting the terms of unconditional surrender drawn up at the Potsdam Conference. That proclamation had already been recorded by the emperor. The news did not go over well, as more than 1,000 Japanese soldiers stormed the Imperial Palace in an attempt to find the proclamation and prevent its being transmitted to the Allies. Soldiers still loyal to Emperor Hirohito repulsed the attackers.
That evening, General Anami, the member of the War Council most adamant against surrender, committed suicide. His reason: to atone for the Japanese army's defeat, and to be spared having to hear his emperor speak the words of surrender.

Peter Clare · 15-08-2008, 10:29 AM

August 15, 1945
The Japanese emperor speaks

On this day in 1945, Emperor Hirohito broadcasts the news of Japan's surrender to the Japanese people.
Although Tokyo had already communicated to the Allies its acceptance of the surrender terms of the Potsdam Conference several days earlier, and a Japanese news service announcement had been made to that effect, the Japanese people were still waiting to hear an authoritative voice speak the unspeakable: that Japan had been defeated.
That voice was the emperor's. In Japan's Shinto religious tradition, the emperor was also divine; his voice was the voice of a god. And on August 15, that voice-heard over the radio airwaves for the very first time--confessed that Japan's enemy "has begun to employ a most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is indeed incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives." This was the reason given for Japan's surrender. Hirohito's oral memoirs, published and translated after the war, evidence the emperor's fear at the time that "the Japanese race will be destroyed if the war continues."
A sticking point in the Japanese surrender terms had been Hirohito's status as emperor. Tokyo wanted the emperor's status protected; the Allies wanted no preconditions. There was a compromise. The emperor retained his title; Gen. Douglas MacArthur believed his at least ceremonial presence would be a stabilizing influence in postwar Japan. But Hirohito was forced to disclaim his divine status. Japan lost more than a war-it lost a god.

Peter Clare · 15-08-2008, 10:30 AM

SS BAEPENDY (August 15, 1942)

Brazilian passenger and cargo ship (4,801 tons) now serving as a troop transport, sunk by the U-507 (Korvkpt. Harro Schacht) off the mouth of the Real River between Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. There were over 700 troops on board of which 270 died. Also sunk was the Annibal Benevolo, another Brazilian passenger ship, with a loss of 150 and the Araraquara with 131 passengers and crew lost, both sunk on the August 16, 1942. The U-507 was later sunk on January 13, 1943, by depth charges from a US Catalina flying boat in the South Atlantic. The entire crew of 54 perished. The sinking of these passenger ships caused Brazil to declare war on Germany on August 22nd.

Peter Clare · 15-08-2008, 10:32 AM

15 Aug 1942 - Bomber Command takes an important step forward with the creation of the Pathfinder Force, Commanded by Air Commodore D C T Bennett. Pathfinder aircraft fly ahead of the main bomber stream dropping target-marking flares over the main target. However, on its first mission on 18/19 August, heavy winds blew the flares off-target.

Peter Clare · 15-08-2008, 10:33 AM

15 Aug 1944 - Allied forces invade Southern France from bases in Sicily with air support from units of the Desert Air Force.

brian125 · 15-08-2008, 08:18 PM

My Uncle was a gunner on board the Shuntien, when she was sunk, I have tried to find out as much as possible for my mother, as she and her family were never told how and where he died. After a few months of research, including trips to the National Archive, I now have many details about that horrid evening.
I have never seen a breakdown of the numbers of who was on board before, So Im sure you could understand that I was amazed when I read your message.
Where did you find this information ??

Its reported in many places about the total number of pows, but not a breakdown of the number of Germans and Italian pows etc etc which you have.
I would love to add this information to my mothers book which I presented to her about her brother Gunner Norman Pallett on her 81st birthday.
This book also had additional information which was supplied by a very helpful lady in Australia who works for the Chineese shipping company that owned SS Shuntien before the war. She was kind enough to supply me with many details about the ship including a nice photo.
She also added that during the war she actually lived next door to the captains wife, (Captain, William Shinn) who sadly had to bring up their newly born triplets on her own, following his death on that dark evening in December.
Yes I know its war, but to think how awful it must have been on that dark December night, 800+ men in the water, a sea covered in flaming oil, all trying to stay alive until HMS Salvia could get back to them, some were saved, only to be killed hours later on board the Salvia. It must have been hell.

A piece titled " A loss of a Gallant Ship" appeared in the Swire news Autumn 2007.
http://www.swire.com/eng/news/swire_news/vol34_3.pdf

Brian

I thought I was writing a remark to ADM199, but it appears to have landed up in the thread, I am trying to remove it now. Sorry...

ADM199 · 15-08-2008, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brian125

My Uncle was a gunner on board the Shuntien, when she was sunk, I have tried to find out as much as possible for my mother, as she and her family were never told how and where he died. After a few months of research, including trips to the National Archive, I now have many details about that horrid evening.
I have never seen a breakdown of the numbers of who was on board before, So Im sure you could understand that I was amazed when I read your message.
Where did you find this information ??

Its reported in many places about the total number of pows, but not a breakdown of the number of Germans and Italian pows etc etc which you have.
I would love to add this information to my mothers book which I presented to her about her brother Gunner Norman Pallett on her 81st birthday.
This book also had additional information which was supplied by a very helpful lady in Australia who works for the Chineese shipping company that owned SS Shuntien before the war. She was kind enough to supply me with many details about the ship including a nice photo.
She also added that during the war she actually lived next door to the captains wife, (Captain, William Shinn) who sadly had to bring up their newly born triplets on her own, following his death on that dark evening in December.
Yes I know its war, but to think how awful it must have been on that dark December night, 800+ men in the water, a sea covered in flaming oil, all trying to stay alive until HMS Salvia could get back to them, some were saved, only to be killed hours later on board the Salvia. It must have been hell.

A piece titled " A loss of a Gallant Ship" appeared in the Swire news Autumn 2007.
http://www.swire.com/eng/news/swire_news/vol34_3.pdf

Brian

I thought I was writing a remark to ADM199, but it appears to have landed up in the thread, I am trying to remove it now. Sorry...

Hi,
the information came from the National Archives,probably from one of the ADM223 Files,or WO 361/145. The latter was only released about 10 months ago and contains the official enquiries made into the Shuntiens Casualties. This is the File you need to read.
Last month I copied a similar File regarding the Chakdina which was also sunk in December 1941. She was carrying Axis P.O.W. as well as many Commonwealth wounded.
The German Tank General,Von Ravenstein was on the ship. He survived but his escort died along with over 300 others.

brian125 · 15-08-2008, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ADM199

Hi,
the information came from the National Archives,probably from one of the ADM223 Files,or WO 361/145. The latter was only released about 10 months ago and contains the official enquiries made into the Shuntiens Casualties. This is the File you need to read.
Last month I copied a similar File regarding the Chakdina which was also sunk in December 1941. She was carrying Axis P.O.W. as well as many Commonwealth wounded.
The German Tank General,Von Ravenstein was on the ship. He survived but his escort died along with over 300 others.

Thank you so much for replying so quick, I can see that WO 361/145 is a very interesting file, I can see another trip to the Archives is on books.
Brian

02-08-2008, 10:21 AM	#1481 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	August 2, 1934 President of the Weimar Republic Hindenburg dies On this day in 1934, Paul von Hindenburg, president of the Weimar Republic of Germany, dies, opening the door for the tyranny of Adolf Hitler, whom he had appointed chancellor in 1933. Hindenburg's life was one immersed in the Prussian military tradition. His father was a Prussian officer, and Hindenburg fought in the Seven Weeks' War (with Austria) at age 19, and later in the Franco-Prussian War. He was eventually promoted to the rank of general before retiring from the military in 1911. But it was during World War I that Hindenburg came to national prominence. He was asked to serve as the superior to Major General Erich Ludendorff, a prominent army strategist. Ludendorff succeeded in driving Russian invaders from East Prussia-but it was Hindenburg who was given the credit. As the war progressed, Hindenburg's stature grew to epic proportions, even influencing Emperor Wilhelm II to make him commander of all land forces, despite Hindenburg's rather dubious strategic skills. In fact, severe miscalculations on Hindenburg's part resulted in Germany's defeat, which Hindenburg then blamed on Ludendorff. (And which Ludendorff and the generals then blamed on the politicians.) A monarchist fond of authoritarian regimes, Hindenburg nevertheless took the reigns of the postwar republican government as president in 1925. Fearful of social unrest (from both the far right and far left), in light of the Depression and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles, which demanded heavy reparations from Germany as the terms of its surrender, Hindenburg authorized his chancellor, Heinrich Bruning, to dissolve the Reichstag (parliament) if necessary and call for new elections-which he did. Those new elections ushered in the Nazi Party as the second largest party in the Reichstag. Re-elected as president in 1932, Hindenburg had already lost the support of many of the more conservative elements in the government, who were flocking to Hitler's party, which they saw as the key to renewed German prestige and the bulwark against Bolshevism. After a succession of chancellors proved ineffectual in reversing Germany's economic slide, and gaining the Nazi support necessary to keep a coalition together, Hindenburg reluctantly named Hitler chancellor of Germany. Hindenburg was never an ardent Hitler supporter, but he did little to impede him as Hitler began employing terror tactics in his drive to consolidate power for the Nazis. When Hindenburg died, he was still a respected figure nationwide and was buried, with his wife, at Tannenberg, the sight of the great victory against the Russians during World War I. As World War II was came to a close, their bodies were removed so that the advancing Russians would not get at them. They were ultimately reburied by Americans at Marburg __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

02-08-2008, 09:26 PM	#1482 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	August 3, 1940 Italians move on British Somaliland On this day in 1940, Italy begins its offensive against the British colony of Somaliland, in East Africa, territory contiguous with Italian Somaliland. Italy had occupied parts of East Africa since 1936 and by 1940, when it officially entered the war, had troops far outnumbering British forces in the region. Despite their numerical superiority, the Italians had been slow to make offensive moves for fear that the British blockade in North Africa would make it impossible to get much-needed supplies, such as fuel and weapons, to sustain long engagements. But if Italy was to make greater territorial gains, it had to act, while British numbers were still relatively small. After several forays a few miles into Sudan and Kenya, the Italians were ready for a bigger push: British Somaliland. The rationale was that it was actually a defensive move. Afraid that the British could enter Italian-occupied Ethiopia through French Somaliland, the Duke of Aosta (who was also Viceroy of Ethiopia and supreme Italian military commander of the region) ordered an invasion of British Somaliland. The British defenders at the garrison put up a fierce struggle; although they had to eventually withdraw, they inflicted 2,000 casualties on the Italian forces, while suffering only 250 of their own. Italy would not enter the Somaliland capital, Berbera, until August 19, while Britain built up its African forces in Kenya. The war for East Africa was not over. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

14-08-2008, 03:51 PM	#1483 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	August 14, 1945 Japan's surrender made public On this day in 1945, an official announcement of Japan's unconditional surrender to the Allies is made public to the Japanese people. Even though Japan's War Council, urged by Emperor Hirohito, had already submitted a formal declaration of surrender to the Allies, via ambassadors, on August 10, fighting continued between the Japanese and the Soviets in Manchuria and between the Japanese and the United States in the South Pacific. In fact, two days after the Council agreed to surrender, a Japanese submarine sank the Oak Hill, an American landing ship, and the Thomas F. Nickel, an American destroyer, both east of Okinawa. In the afternoon of August 14, Japanese radio announced that an Imperial Proclamation was soon to be made, accepting the terms of unconditional surrender drawn up at the Potsdam Conference. That proclamation had already been recorded by the emperor. The news did not go over well, as more than 1,000 Japanese soldiers stormed the Imperial Palace in an attempt to find the proclamation and prevent its being transmitted to the Allies. Soldiers still loyal to Emperor Hirohito repulsed the attackers. That evening, General Anami, the member of the War Council most adamant against surrender, committed suicide. His reason: to atone for the Japanese army's defeat, and to be spared having to hear his emperor speak the words of surrender. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

15-08-2008, 10:29 AM	#1484 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	August 15, 1945 The Japanese emperor speaks On this day in 1945, Emperor Hirohito broadcasts the news of Japan's surrender to the Japanese people. Although Tokyo had already communicated to the Allies its acceptance of the surrender terms of the Potsdam Conference several days earlier, and a Japanese news service announcement had been made to that effect, the Japanese people were still waiting to hear an authoritative voice speak the unspeakable: that Japan had been defeated. That voice was the emperor's. In Japan's Shinto religious tradition, the emperor was also divine; his voice was the voice of a god. And on August 15, that voice-heard over the radio airwaves for the very first time--confessed that Japan's enemy "has begun to employ a most cruel bomb, the power of which to do damage is indeed incalculable, taking the toll of many innocent lives." This was the reason given for Japan's surrender. Hirohito's oral memoirs, published and translated after the war, evidence the emperor's fear at the time that "the Japanese race will be destroyed if the war continues." A sticking point in the Japanese surrender terms had been Hirohito's status as emperor. Tokyo wanted the emperor's status protected; the Allies wanted no preconditions. There was a compromise. The emperor retained his title; Gen. Douglas MacArthur believed his at least ceremonial presence would be a stabilizing influence in postwar Japan. But Hirohito was forced to disclaim his divine status. Japan lost more than a war-it lost a god. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

15-08-2008, 10:30 AM	#1485 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	SS BAEPENDY (August 15, 1942) Brazilian passenger and cargo ship (4,801 tons) now serving as a troop transport, sunk by the U-507 (Korvkpt. Harro Schacht) off the mouth of the Real River between Rio de Janeiro and Manaus. There were over 700 troops on board of which 270 died. Also sunk was the Annibal Benevolo, another Brazilian passenger ship, with a loss of 150 and the Araraquara with 131 passengers and crew lost, both sunk on the August 16, 1942. The U-507 was later sunk on January 13, 1943, by depth charges from a US Catalina flying boat in the South Atlantic. The entire crew of 54 perished. The sinking of these passenger ships caused Brazil to declare war on Germany on August 22nd. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

15-08-2008, 10:32 AM	#1486 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	15 Aug 1942 - Bomber Command takes an important step forward with the creation of the Pathfinder Force, Commanded by Air Commodore D C T Bennett. Pathfinder aircraft fly ahead of the main bomber stream dropping target-marking flares over the main target. However, on its first mission on 18/19 August, heavy winds blew the flares off-target. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

15-08-2008, 10:33 AM	#1487 (permalink)
Peter Clare Legendary Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Neverland Posts: 5,671	15 Aug 1944 - Allied forces invade Southern France from bases in Sicily with air support from units of the Desert Air Force. __________________ On weald of Kent I watched once more Again I heard that grumbling roar Of fighter planes; yet none were near And all around the sky was clear Borne on the wind a whisper came 'Though men grow old, they stay the same' And then I knew, unseen to eye The ageless Few were sweeping by

15-08-2008, 08:18 PM	#1488 (permalink)
brian125 Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: ENGLAND Posts: 2	My Uncle was a gunner on board the Shuntien, when she was sunk, I have tried to find out as much as possible for my mother, as she and her family were never told how and where he died. After a few months of research, including trips to the National Archive, I now have many details about that horrid evening. I have never seen a breakdown of the numbers of who was on board before, So Im sure you could understand that I was amazed when I read your message. Where did you find this information ?? Its reported in many places about the total number of pows, but not a breakdown of the number of Germans and Italian pows etc etc which you have. I would love to add this information to my mothers book which I presented to her about her brother Gunner Norman Pallett on her 81st birthday. This book also had additional information which was supplied by a very helpful lady in Australia who works for the Chineese shipping company that owned SS Shuntien before the war. She was kind enough to supply me with many details about the ship including a nice photo. She also added that during the war she actually lived next door to the captains wife, (Captain, William Shinn) who sadly had to bring up their newly born triplets on her own, following his death on that dark evening in December. Yes I know its war, but to think how awful it must have been on that dark December night, 800+ men in the water, a sea covered in flaming oil, all trying to stay alive until HMS Salvia could get back to them, some were saved, only to be killed hours later on board the Salvia. It must have been hell. A piece titled " A loss of a Gallant Ship" appeared in the Swire news Autumn 2007. http://www.swire.com/eng/news/swire_news/vol34_3.pdf Brian I thought I was writing a remark to ADM199, but it appears to have landed up in the thread, I am trying to remove it now. Sorry... Last edited by brian125; 15-08-2008 at 08:40 PM.

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