The Second World War.

[haroldeye]

In the list of competent British Admirals don't forget Ramsey. Laid off in the thirties he was recalled in 1939 and was the brains behind the Dunkirk evacuation. He headed up the Naval planning team for Normandy. A genius but not much liked in some senior Naval circles who never gave him the full recognition due.

Cunningham was an Admiral up there with the best. The Naval war in the Med was pretty nasty and we lost a lot of ships to both u boat and German aircraft. ABC kept it all together and gave the Army the Naval supremacy they need to win in Africa and then in Sicily and Italy.

In the darkest of dark days the Navy was called upon to evacuate Crete. We were losing ships because the Germans had Air Superiority and the overall commander Wavell was in favour of stopping the task in order to save ships. Cunningham stated (as Naval Commander)
It has always been the duty of the Navy to take the Army overseas to battle and if the Army fail to bring them back again. If we now break with that tradition, ever afterwards when soldiers go overseas they will tend to look over their shoulders instead of relying on the Navy. You have said General that it will take three years to build a new fleet. I will tell you that it will take three hundred years to build a new tradition.

What a man.

[rustler]

Originally Posted by haroldeye

Never, EVER drink rum with one of the little sods. You will feel like death for a week or more. Ayo Gurkhali!

I don't know about their rum, but their curries are something else! They do cook a great curry!

I remember also seeing a group of them in Chatham, where they were stationed, proudly walking around the town with their regimental blazers on. They looked more like a visiting rugby side than some of the worlds most fiercesome soldiers, but the look of pride on their faces is a sight that I will never, ever forget. Great guys!

So sad that consecutive British Governments have been such sh*ts to these proud, immensely loyal soldiers.

[rustler]

Another story that John Masters tells is of a Gurkha, I think it was during the Boxer Rebellion, who had been put on sentry duty and told that no one was to pass.
A Russian officer and his men strode up and demanded to be let through. But the order was that 'nobody' was to pass, so the little Gurkha refused. After ordering him out of the way and a little argueing the rather p*ssed off Russian officer arrogantly tried to shove the little Gurkha out of the way........oops..... the Gurkha took his head off! The other Russian soldiers turned round...... But maybe they didn't like their officer either!?

Again, this is from 'Bugles and a Tiger'.

[Ennath]

Originally Posted by rustler

Yeah, I wouldn't like to be their enemy!! I remember meeting a group of them at Aldershot some years ago, great and very friendly litle guys - if you're on their side! As a collector of edged weapons I was of course interested in their kukris, and I remember asking one of them if they still kept the tradition of cutting their finger whenever they drew their kukri - tradition says that they must draw blood once they have been drawn, similar in some respects to the so called vendetta knife which often carried the motto (translated), 'Draw me not without reason, sheath me not without honour'. Anyway I asked a Gurhka about this, and his face just split in a big grin and said simply, 'No we save that for our enemies!' Many famous VC's have been won with the kukri!
Fearsome, awesomely proud little guys, but with big hearts!

I recall hearing how the mere threat of Gurkhas approaching caused some Argentine troops at Stanley to quit their positions.

[Ennath]

November 7, 1939
Germany, Planning The German attack in the west is postponed because of bad weather. This postponement will be repeated a further 14 times until January 16, 1940.
Diplomatic Relations Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands and King Leopold III of Belgium issue an appeal for peace. King George VI and President Lebrun reply on November 12.
Allied Intelligence Paul Thummel, a double agent, passes details of the German plans for the western offensive to the Czech government-in-exile.

November 7, 1940
Diplomatic Relations De Valera denies Britain the use of Irish naval bases so long as it retains control of Ulster.
War at Sea The Germans dispatch 7 torpedo boats from Trondheim to raid a convoy off Scotland. One sinks on a mine and the operation aborts.

November 7, 1941
War at Sea Hitler orders U-Boats to torpedo all armed ships, regardless of nationality. A revision of the Neutrality Act allows US merchant ships into war zones.

November 7, 1942
Northwest Africa General Giraud, who has been brought from southern France secretly in a British submarine, arrives in Gibraltar for talks with Eisenhower. The Allies wish to involve a more prominent French figure than de Gaulle or any of the North Africans in their operation in the hope of minimizing resistance from forces loyal to Vichy. They have been told by local sympathizers that Giraud will be suitable, but in fact he is not likely to command wide support. Giraud believes that he has been summoned to take command of the whole operation, but Eisenhower, of course, cannot agree to this.
North Africa Pursuing British forces enter Mersa Matruh after dealing heavy damage to the German rearguard, but most of Rommel’s troops have slipped away, albeit in total disorder.
Guadalcanal The US Marines begin attacks to the east of their main perimeter in the direction of Koli Point. There are two columns in the advance. There are Japanese landings after dark to the west of the American position.

November 7, 1943
Eastern Front Soviet attacks west of Kiev reach Fastov 40 miles away, where there is a thin German defensive line.
Solomons The carriers Saratoga and Princeton are attacked by 100 Japanese aircraft while 240 miles southeast of Rabaul but are not hit. On Bougainville a Japanese battalion is landed just north of the American beachhead and immediately begins a fierce action; the Japanese are repulsed with 377 dead as against 17 Americans. The Japanese also reinforce Buka Island.
Allied Diplomacy The Soviet ambassador in Mexico declares that the Polish territory seized in 1939 is considered Soviet territory and will be retained after the war.

November 7, 1944
Western Front The American attack in the Hurtgen Forest is broken off. Heavy losses have been suffered.
France The French Consultative National Assembly meets for the first time. Elections are set for February.
Channel Islands Britain agrees to allow Red Cross parcels for the islanders.
The Philippines On Leyte, US 96th Division completes the capture of Bloody Ridge, wiping out the last Japanese pockets. Near the north coast at Carigara the American advance is stopped with heavy loss for the moment.
Soviet Intelligence Richard Sorge is executed in Tokyo.
Burma Chinese 22nd Division captures Shwegu.

[haroldeye]

Apparently the Argies were very frightened of the Gurkhas. When they swarmed ashore the first job given to them was to guard the prisoners from Goose Green. The Argie POW were concerned and asked the Paras who were guarding them if it was true that the Gurkhas ate people. The Paras told the POW that the Gurkhas were normally quite safe but if they fancied a bit of guacho liver they would start smiling.

The Gurkhas asked if the POW were any problem and the Paras replied 'No just smile at them and they are fine.

[Tmee2020]

Originally Posted by Ennath

Soviet Intelligence Richard Sorge is executed in Tokyo.

The master spy.

[rustler]

Originally Posted by tmee2000

The master spy.

I often wondered about this guy.....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eddie_Chapman



I am surprised that he didn't just magically disappear after the war, and his usefulness was over.......

[Ennath]

November 8-9, 1923
GermanyThe financial weakness of Germany contributes to political unrest, to the benefit of the more radical parties. One such is Hitler’s NSDAP in Munich. In conjunction with war hero, General Erich Ludendorff he attempts a putsch to seize power in Bavaria. It fails, partly because it is ill planned and lead, but mainly because the army is not brought into the scheme. Hitler is tried early in 1924 and is sentenced to two years. He stays in prison for nine months and spends his time writing Mein Kampf. This book explains his political ideas, notably his anti-Communism, anti-capitalism, his violent anti-Semitism, and his intention to look for lebensraum for Germany in Eastern Europe. His connection with Ludendorff brings some prominence. From the failure of the putsch he learns the importance of maintaining an appearance of legality which he will try to keep up until the next war begins. The appearance of legality does not prevent the party thugs from intimidating opponents.

November 8, 1932
United States, Politics Franklin Roosevelt wins election as President by a landslide over the incumbent, Herbert Hoover, whom many blame for the Great Depression. The campaign marks the near total adherence of American blacks, previously Republican, to the Democratic Party.
Russia, Politics Stalin’s wife, Nadezhda Alliluyeva, commits suicide (or is murdered) after a spat with her husband. Stalin’s persecution mania intensifies.

November 8, 1936
Spain Nationalist forces attack Madrid. With the arrival of the Internationals, the Republicans manage to hold on and repulse the attacks in the “Miracle of November”. Fighting continues to the end of the year.

November 8, 1937
Germany, Home Front The Nazis open the traveling “Eternal Jew” exhibit in Munich.

November 8, 1939
Germany, Home Front A bomb explodes in the Burgerbraukeller in Munich shortly after Hitler has left after speaking there. The Nazis use it as an excuse for measures against what remains of the German Left, the churches, and a proportion of the old military hierarchy and as anti-British propaganda.
Germany, Intelligence Two officers of the British intelligence service (MI6) are kidnapped at Venlo, on the German-Dutch border. They have been lured there by a German agent who has promised that they will meet a disaffected German general. Unfortunately, one is carrying a list of British agents with him and from this and other indiscretions and from their interrogations, the Germans are able to arrest many British agents in Czechoslovakia and other occupied territory. The Venlo Incident is a serious setback for British intelligence.

November 8, 1940
United States, Politics The American government advises US citizens to leave the Far East.
Battle of the Atlantic The merchantman City of Rayville sinks after hitting a mine laid by a German raider off Australia, the first US ship to be lost in World War II.
West Africa Colonel Leclerc leads a Free French force in landings north of Libreville, Gabon.

November 8-10, 1940
Greece and Albania The Italian 3rd Alpini Division is trapped in the area of the Pindus Gorges by Greek counterattacks. The Greeks take over 5000 prisoners.

November 8-9, 1941
Mediterranean In a night battle in the Gulf of Sirte, the British Force K from Malta, two cruisers and two destroyers, attacks an Italian convoy, sinking all seven transports and one of the escorts. The Italian covering force of heavy cruisers and destroyers does not engage.

November 8, 1942
Northwest Africa The Allied invasion of French North Africa begins. There are three main sectors of operations. The Western Task Force has sailed direct from the United States and sends in landings at three places on a 200-mile front around Casablanca. There are 35,000 US troops under General Patton. The naval forces include two battleships, a carrier, four escort carriers, and cruisers and destroyers under Admiral Hewitt. The Center Task Force, to land in and near Oran, is led by General Fredendall and Commodore Troughbridge. There are 39,000 US troops. The Eastern Task Force lands at Algiers and is led by General Ryder and Admiral Burroughs. There are 33,000 US and British troops and 52 warships. In support of the whole operation and on guard against the still-formidable Italian fleet is Force H from Gibraltar under Admiral Syfret.
At Algiers the landings make good early progress and quickly capture the city. Admiral Darlan, who is there on a visit on private business, is captured also. At Oran, the landing is not so successful and an attempt to rush the harbor costs two destroyers. By nightfall, however, the landing is well established and the airfield at Tafaraiu is in Allied hands, with an American-manned Spitfire force in position. The fighting is fiercest around Casablanca. The battleship Jean Bart, armed but immobile, fights a gunnery duel with the Massachusetts. The French destroyer flotilla in the port also fights, but its ships are soon driven off or sunk. Of the other landings by the Western Task Force, those at Safi go well, but at Port Lyautey, there is more fighting. Altogether there are 1800 Allied casualties.
All the landings receive some help from French supporters. The help is most effective at Algiers where General Mast does much to make a French reaction hesitant enough not to hinder the actual landings. His superior, General Juin, is not actively opposed to the Allies but feels that it may be necessary for the good of the French mainland to make some show of resisting the landings. Mast and the Allied leaders are surprised when they learn that Darlan is in Algiers. As one of the principle leaders of the Vichy government, he is likely to command widespread support, as a representative of constituted French authority, and if his undoubted influence over the navy is also considered, his importance is obvious. Negotiations with him begin immediately. In Casablanca, General Bethouart is less successful in his efforts. General Nogues is less sympathetic to the Allied cause and the commanding admiral of the strong naval force, Admiral Michelier, is deeply anti-British.
Although most of the merchant shipping and naval support is provided by the British, the Allies have taken pains to present Torch to the French as a mainly US operation. Therefore, almost all of the assault troops are American and all the political and military contacts with the French have been made by the Americans. On the other hand, the British have better relations with the Spanish and Portuguese and have been responsible for ensuring that a German move through Spain to Gibraltar will not be aided by the Spanish. The various broadcasts put out during the day confirm these arrangements. Roosevelt and Eisenhower broadcast to the French and the British lead in giving public assurances that Spanish neutrality will be respected. Although de Gaulle has not been told of the operation he buries his annoyance for the moment and also makes a suitable approving broadcast.
Upon hearing of the invasion, the Germans order all U-Boats within range to the area, some 25 in all. They will have some success against the escort forces.
Diplomatic Relations Vichy breaks relations with the United States. Canada and Latin American nations break off their relations with Vichy by the end of the month.
The Allies take care to reassure Franco that Torch does not signal any aggressive move toward Spain.
Eastern Front The Soviet forces in the Caucasus have gone over to the attack on the Terek front and are threatening to cut off some units of III Panzer Corps.

November 8, 1943
Italy The battle in 5th Army sector continues as both sides attack and counterattack with no decisive result. Fighting is especially severe around Calabritto. US troops reach the summit of Monte Rotundo. Troops of 8th Army reach the Sangro up in the hills.

November 8, 1944
Western Front The last German resistance on Walcheren is overcome and the remainder of the garrison surrenders. US 3rd Army begins a new offensive around Metz; the eventual goal is the Saar. South of Metz the Seille is crossed and Nomony taken.
Italy British V Corps attacks south of Forli.
Europe, Air Operations Austrian ace Walter Nowotny (258 victories) is killed when his Me-262 crashes near Achmer.
Germany, Home Front For the first time, Hitler fails to appear to address the “Old Fighters” on the anniversary of the 1923 putsch. Himmler reads a speech in his place.
Rumania An anti-Communist demonstration in Bucharest is met with force. Dozens are killed or wounded.
Burma Fort White, just south of Tiddim, is taken by the British advance.

November 8, 1945
France De Gaulle rejects Communist demands for Ministerial posts. Three days later, elections see the Communists emerge with the largest single bloc, but a virtual three-way division between them the Socialists and the moderates. Communist leader Maurice Thorez is rejected as Premier and the other parties begin fighting back against Communist infiltration of the government.

November 8, 1950
Korea The first jet versus jet combat occurs near the Yalu River. An American F-80 shoots down two North Korean MiG-15’s.

[palo5]

Originally Posted by Ennath

...November 8, 1937
...
Germany, Intelligence Two officers of the British intelligence service (MI6) are kidnapped at Venlo, on the German-Dutch border. They have been lured there by a German agent who has promised that they will meet a disaffected German general. Unfortunately, one is carrying a list of British agents with him and from this and other indiscretions and from their interrogations, the Germans are able to arrest many British agents in Czechoslovakia and other occupied territory. The Venlo Incident is a serious setback for British intelligence...

Why did they recruit such incompetent people?