World War II in real time

[lordroel]

Day 113 of World War II, December 22nd 1939



Battle of the Atlantic

British freighter Gryfevale is damaged by a mine off Tyne Pier in the North Sea.

US destroyers are keeping watch on British ships around Florida. British light cruiser HMS Orion is still roaming around and is currently off Port Everglades.

Convoy OA 58 departs from Scotland and OB 58 departs from Liverpool.

Air War over Europe

There is a major dogfight over the Western Front. Two Hurricanes and one Bf 109 go down.

France

Premier Daladier announces that the Maginot Line has been strengthened and extended in northern France an din the Jura Mountains.

Great Britain

The British Ministry of Economic Warfare announces that, all told since the beginning of the war, the government has seized 870,000 tons of contraband.

India

Many Indian Muslims are upset about not being consulted about the country's support of Great Britain in the war. Members of the Indian National Congress resign from the government in protest. They call this the "Day of Deliverance."

China

The Japanese are counterattacking as the Chinese attacks wind down. The IJA attacks the Chinese 5th War Area near Wangwutai and Lochiatang and clear road from Wangwutai to Taopaowan. The Japanese 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade attacks the Chinese 8th War Area, relieving a garrison trapped at Paotou.

[lordroel]

Day 114 of World War II, December 23rd 1939

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

MI9 (the British Directorate of Military Intelligence Section 9) was formed. The new section of the British War Office was located in Room 539 in the Metropole Hotel in London, not far from the War Office itself. MI9 was created to facilitate escapes of British POWs in enemy captivity, to facilitate the return to the UK for those who escaped imprisonment, to assist local resistance movements in the safeguarding of British personnel, to collect and distribute information, to assist in the denial of information to the enemy, advising British prison camps in taking countermeasures to avoid German POWs in Britain from escaping and to maintain the morale of British POWs in enemy prison camps.

Norman Crockatt, the head of the newly erected MI9, believed that British POWs were still a fighting force, saying ‘a fighting man remained a fighting man, whether he was in enemy hands or not.’ Soldiers, sailors and pilots were trained in the use of code and learned escape scenarios. Doctors and chaplans received additional attention during MI9 training, since they could usually move more freely in enemy POW camps.

Battle of the Atlantic

British repair ship Dolphin hits a mine and sinks off Blyth, Scotland. Everyone survives.

Minesweeping trawlers HMS Glen Albyn and HMS Promotive hit mines and sink in Loch Ewe, Scotland.

China

The Japanese are launching counterattacks at most places:

- Japanese landings on the Yangtze River in Third War Area;

- Japanese 21st Army captures Tsotanhsu and Lungmen from Chinese 4th War Area;

- Chinese 5th War Area retreats across the the Han River;

Chinese 8th War Area is still on the attack outside Patou. In addition, the Chinese are attacking the Japanese 5th Infantry Division around Kunlunkuan.

[lordroel]

Day 115 of World War II, December 24th 1939

Battle of the Atlantic

The fire on the Admiral Graf Spee finally burns out.

Air War over Europe

The RAF sends 17 planes to attack German shipping but has no success.

German/Soviet Relations

The two nations sign an agreement restoring rail links between their occupied areas.

China

While elements of the Chinese forces remain on the offensive, the Japanese counterattacks are increasing. Japanese 21st Army Yinchanao and Pachiangkou north of Canton, while Japanese 2nd Independent Mixed Brigade helps out the Japanese at Paotou and sends the Chinese 8th War Area on to the defensive. The Chinese West Route Force is attacking the Japanese 5th Infantry Division near Lungchow but is making slow progress.

[lordroel]

Day 116 of World War II, December 25th 1939

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

The nations at war celebrate Christmas. For most soldiers on the European frontlines, that means celebrating a quiet Christmas in a bunker somewhere. For the Finnish, that means seeking refuge in air raid shelters because the Soviets bombed Helsinki and other Finnish cities all day long. Meanwhile, the Finnish military performed multiple smaller counter-attacks along the Finnish Front, driving back the Soviet forces.

It was all-quiet on the Western Front. No Christmas truce as in the first Christmas of the First World War, but no fighting nevertheless. Hitler spent his Christmas ‘in the trenches’ on the German Western defensive lines together with German military commander von Brauchitsch.

This day also saw multiple Christmas addresses by national leaders or representatives. Rudolf Hess held a speech on a Kriegsmariene Destroyer and von Brauchitsch on the Westwall defences. Brauchitsch said ‘the day will come where the 80 million German people will have Lebensraum, because justice is on our side’. French commander Gamelin sends a message to his army personnel as well, saying ‘we will stand ground and prevail’.

Battle of the Atlantic

The 2,473 ton British freighter Stanholme hits a mine and sinks in the Bristol Channel, Irish Sea. Twelve survive and 12 perish.

British minesweeping trawler HMS Loch Doon hits a mine and sinks near Blyth, Scotland.

British Military

General Bernard Freyberg arrives in New Zealand to assume command of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.

China

Japanese 21st Army captures Liangkou and attacks around Meikeng in the Chinese 4th War Area zone. In the continuing Battle of South Kwangsi, the Japanese 5th Infantry Division receives badly needed supplies in a relief column. However, Chinese West Route Force sends the Japanese 5th Infantry Division at Lungchow into retreat toward Nanning.

[lordroel]

Day 117 of World War II, December 26th 1939

From War II Realtime Instagram Account

the first Royal Australian Air Force squadron, the No. 10 Squadron RAAF, arrived in Great Britain. They came to reinforce the Coastal Defences of Britain, under command of Air Marshal Sir Frederick Bowhill. Because most of his squadrons used out-dated aircraft without a sufficient range, he was in need of land-based aircraft to cover the South-Western approaches of Britain.

The No. 10 Squadron RAAF brings the Short S.25 Sunderland flying boat patrol bomber to the table to serve as a long-range reconnaissance aircraft for the British RAF and coastal defences. More aircraft, including Blenheim bombers, would follow the NO. 10 Squadron RAAF into coastal guard service later in 1940 and 1941.

Battle of the Atlantic

Royal Navy submarine HMS Triumph is damaged by a mine.

German freighter Glucksburg is chased by the Royal Navy destroyer HMS Wishart and runs aground near Cadiz in the Mediterranean.

Conboy OA 60G departs from Southend, Convoy OB 60 departs from Liverpool, and Convoy SL 14 departs from Freetown.

China

At the Battle of South Kwangsi, the Chinese attack the Japanese near Kunlunkuan. The Chinese 5th War Area attacks around Hsinyang. The Japanese 21st Army crosses the North River inthe Chinese 4th War Area.

[lordroel]

Day 118 of World War II, December 27th 1939

Battle of the Atlantic

The Royal Navy plans to seed a defensive minefield from Moray Firth to the Thames Estuary.

Convoy OA 61 departs from Southend, Convoy SL 14F departs from Freetown, Convoy HXF 14 departs from Halifax.

Air War over Europe

Royal Air Force coastal command forces attack shipping, including two destroyers and eleven patrol vessels, in the North Sea, disabling a German patrol boat.

Western Front

Indian troops arrive in France to join the BEF.

China

In the Battle of South Kwangsi, in the last gasps of the Winter Offensive, the Chinese are still attacking the Japanese 5th Infantry Division. At the Lien River, the Japanese 21st Army crosses against light resistance from the Chinese 4th War Area. A Japanese force also counterattacks the Chinese 5th War Area near Chunghsiang.

[lordroel]

Day 119 of World War II, December 28th 1939

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

the British government starts rationing certain foodstuffs for the British populace. Starting with Butter, Sugar and Bacon in early 1940, rationing has to prevent certain foods from running out. The government is afraid for a German submarine war on British trade – similar to what the Germans did in The Great War, denying the country from receiving many imported goods. In 1939, Great Britain is importing roughly half of its overall food supply.

Rationing had multiple obvious advantages. Besides keeping the populace well fed and healthy (which benefited the war effort), keeping luxury goods such as Bacon, Butter and sugary foodstuffs accessible through the war also improved civilian morale.

All citizens were issued a rationing book with coupons. They had to register with a butcher shop and grocery store, which in turn were supplied with just enough food for all customers. Young children had access to additional foods, and the government advised the Brits to use alternative types of food as well, such as SPAM (Supply Pressed American Meat) and powdered milk.

Regulating diets through rationing actually had a positive effect on the general wellbeing, giving poorer people access to quality foods for a lower price. People consumed more vegetables, potatoes and milk, improving diets all over the country.

Battle of the Atlantic

First thing in the morning, at 04:00, U-30 (Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp) sinks the anti-submarine trawler HMS Barbara Robertson. One crew member perishes. This is the equivalent of clearing one's throat, as trawlers are hardly worth the torpedo.

That afternoon, at 15:30, though, Lemp sees a much more appetizing target. U-30 torpedoes British battleship HMS Barham, which sustains relatively minor damage northwest of Butt of Lewis in the North Atlantic. Four crew members perish from the explosion, but the battleship has no difficulty making it back to port. The Barham's escorts HMS Isis and Nubian prevent U-30 from further attacks this day. Lemp is establishing himself as a top U-boat commander.

Danish freighter Hanne (2,473 tons) hits a mine and sinks just one mile off of Blyth Pier, Scotland. Fifteen crew perish and only two survive.

British fishing trawler Resercho (258 tons) hits a mine and sinks southeast of Flamborough Head, England.

US freighter Exilona is detained by the British at Gibraltar.

Convoy OA 62 departs from Scotland, OB 62 departs from Liverpool, and OG 12 forms at Gibraltar.

Air War over Europe

The British lose a reconnaissance plane over northwest Germany during the night.

China

The Japanese bomb the Chinese military supply depot at Lanchow.

The Chinese 3rd War Area interdicts boat traffic on the Yangtze River.

Chinese 5th War Area takes Yuntankang. The Japanese are attacking it at Loyangtien, Tzepakang, Tuchungshan, and Hsuchiatien. Japanese troops take Changshoutien from it.

In the Battle of South Kwangsi, the Chinese are attacking the Japanese Fifth Infantry Division at Kunlunkuan.

[lordroel]

Day 120 of World War II, December 29th 1939



Battle of the Atlantic

It is one of the quietest days of the war in the endless battle of the high seas. Convoy HG 13F departs from Gibraltar, and HX 14 departs from Halifax.

[lordroel]

Day 121 of World War II, December 30th 1939

Battle of the Atlantic

In a distant echo of the Admiral Graf Spee drama, the Uruguayan government gives the German freighter Tacoma 24 hours to leave Montevideo. It believes the freighter was assisting the German pocket battleship (including embarking her crew after she was scuttled) and thus is a military vessel.

Convoy OA 63 GF departs from Southend, and Convoy OB 63 departs from Liverpool.

Indochina

In Hanoi, Wang Chingwei signs an agreement with the Japanese. Wang is a former foreign minister of the Kuomintang who has left China because he lost a power battle with Chiang Kai-shek. Wang is convinced that the Nationalist Chinese cannot beat the Japanese, and thus he is agreeing to set up a rival Nationalist government under Japanese overlordship.

China

The Nationalist Chinese Air Force, which Claire Chennault has been working on, sends 40 fighters into the air over Liuchow. They encounter 13 Japanese Type 96 fighters. The Chinese apparently need more practice, because they lose 14 planes to none by the Japanese.

In the continuing Battle of South Kwangsi, the Japanese 5th Infantry Division escapes from Kunlunkuan during the night.

Japanese 21st Army captures Wongyuan in the Chinese 4th War Area.

[lordroel]

Day 122 of World War II, December 31st 1939

Battle of the Atlantic

On December 31st 1939, it is time for some summing up,  for all of 1939, the totals are:

- Allied/Neutral ships lost: 225 ships, 767,358 tons.

- U-boats lost: 9.

For December 1939, the totals are:

- 72 Allied ships 190,768 tons.

- U-boats lost: 1.

U-32 sinks the 959-ton British freighter Luna at 09:47 in the North Sea. The crew survives and is taken to Kopervik, Norway.

U-58 sinks the neutral Swedish steamer SS Lars Magnus Trozelli with one torpedo, 50 miles northeast of Aberdeen (7 dead). The survivors are picked up Norwegian merchant Ask.

British freighter Box Hill hits a mine and sinks.

The German freighter Tacoma complies with the order of the Uruguayan government and moves its anchorage outside of Uruguayan waters.

British Homefront

Also time for summing up.

For the war months September - December 1939:

- Road Deaths: 4,130

- Military Deaths (all causes): 2,511

The blackout has been murder on the highways. In addition, 15,626 people have registered as conscientious objectors.

In some rare acts of defiance, New Year's celebrants shine torches despite the blackout.

China

In the Chinese Winter Offensive, the Chinese East Route Force continues routing the Japanese 5th Infantry Division: it captures Kunlunkuan and Tienyin.

The River North Army of the Chinese 5th War Area retreats across the Han River.

The Japanese 21st Army advances to Yingteh against the Chinese 4th War Area.

The Chinese 2d War Area takes possession of Peishe.

[lordroel]

Day 123 of World War II, January 1st 1940

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

The British king signs a proclamation to allow the British armed forces to double their manpower. In effect, this allows the British to ad another million to their armed forces strength. However, this proclamation doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re going to call in all those people directly. The 1 million total of British troops that are already in active service do not include troops from Canada, India, Australia and other overseas territories.

The proclamation obliges British males from 19 to 28 years old to report for duty when called upon. None of the age of 19 will see any active service before they're 20 years old year and the group of 23 years and older will be called in last. Still, the expectation is that the older ones too will be ready in active service by the end of 1940.

Battle of the Atlantic

The Kriegsmarine, acting pursuant to instructions from Adolf Hitler, orders U-boats to attack all Greek merchant ships in the zone surrounding the British Isles which was banned by the United States to its own ships and also merchant ships of every nationality in the limited area of the Bristol Channel.

U-58 sinks the neutral Swedish steamer SS Lars Magnus Trozelli with one torpedo, 50 miles northeast of Aberdeen (7 dead). The survivors are picked up Norwegian merchant Ask.

Air War over Europe

German Dorniers and Junkers bomb RAF Coastal Command (18 Group) at Sullom Voe in the Shetland Islands, Scotland, which flies Catalina and Sunderland flying boats in search of U-boats. Light cruiser HMS Coventry, also in Sullom Voe, is nearly hit by a bomb & damaged. Two Ju 88 dive bombers are engaged by Gloster Gladiators of RAF Shetland Fighter Flight from Sumburgh Aerodrome. One Ju 88 is shot down into the sea.

China

The Chinese Winter Offensive picks up steam again after a late-year lull:

- Chinese 1st War Area captures Hsincheng;

- Chinese 4th War Area counterattacks the Japanese 21st Army near Wongyuan;

- Chinese 9th War Area cuts Japanese supply lines.

The Japanese, despite the resumption of Chinese attacks, are still feisty. They open attacks on the the Chinese 2nd War Area to relieve their 36th Infantry Division at Changtze and Tunliu. The Japanese also prepare for an offensive at Paotou against Chinese 8th War Area around Wuyuan.

At the Battle of South Kwangsi, the Chinese clear Kunlunkuan and surrounding areas, inflicting severe casualties on Chinese 5th Infantry Division and killing a brigade commander.

[lordroel]

Day 124 of World War II, January 2nd 1940

Air War over Europe

Three RAF bombers are attacked by a dozen Luftwaffe fighters near the German coast. Losses are about equal, two RAF planes lost and 1-3 Luftwaffe fighters.

Luftwaffe reconnaissance over the Shetland Islands.

British Homefront

A survey shows that 20% of respondents have had some sort of accident due to the blackout. Road deaths since the beginning of the blackout top 2000, some 1700 above average for peacetime. The government suggests Cod liver oil as a source of Vitamin A.

China

The Chinese 4th War Area captures Wongyuan, while the Chinese 1st War Area ceases offensive operations and begins withdrawing.

[lordroel]

Day 125 of World War II, January 3rd 1940

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

British nazi, Fascist and long-time Hitler satellite Unity Mitford returned to Great Britain. She shot herself in the head shortly after the war broke out, but didn’t get killed and was hospitalised for several months. Hitler personally instructed his staff to move her to Switzerland, from where she was transported back to England.

Unity was the daughter of David Bertram Ogilvy Freeman-Mitford, 2nd Baron of Redesdale. She enjoyed a classical upper-class youth, but joined the British Union of Fascists in 1933, where she befriended British Fascist Oswald Mosley. Unity moved to Germany after Hitler became chancellor in 1933. She was intoxicated by Hitlers personality and ideology, and she was desperate to meet him. She did so in 1935 after going to the Osteria Bavaria restaurant in Munich day in day out, a place which Hitler regularly visited.

Hitler described her as ’a perfect specimen of Aryan womanhood’. He trusted her and shared lots of private and political information with her, to the dissatisfaction of other party leaders. ‘It was amazing that someone not German was around Hitler and could listen to details of party politics and far-ranging policy,’ writes Albert Speer. Her directness and British way of dressing and behaving didn’t help either. Yet, Hitler kept her close, perhaps because of Hitlers admiration for the British, of which Unity was the embodiment.

Speer, as do other sources, points out that Unity was clearly in love with Hitler: ‘We could see it easily, her face brightened up, her eyes gleaming, staring at Hitler. Hero-worship.’ While it never came to anything, the reasons of which are a whole other story, she stayed by his side till the outbreak of war. She shot herself on 3 September 1939. Speer writes: ‘It was a shock to Hitler when she shot herself. He felt responsible for her committing suicide, I remember that was his reaction.’

Western Front

The French ambush two German detachments in the Vosges Forest and take prisoners.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-25 makes port in Cadiz. It spends four hours taking supplies from the German Thalia SS Thalia, then returns to sea. This is the first instance of a U-boat taking advantage of the Spanish agreement to allow such reprovisioning in Spanish ports. It is a particularly bold move because of the proximity of Cadiz to the British base at Gibraltar.

U-58 (Herbert Kuppisch) torpedoes and sinks 2,475 Swedish freighter Svartön. Eleven crew survive, 20 perish. The freighter has been sailing with Convoy HN-6.

British 7,267 ton freighter El Oso hits a mine and sinks near Liverpool. The mine had been laid by U-30. Three perish, 32 survive.

HMS Ajax makes port at Montevideo, while HMS Achilles does the same across the River Platte at Buenos Aires. As victors of the Battle of the River Platte, they receive a celebratory welcome.

US freighter Mormacsun is forced into Kirkwall, Scotland by a British patrol. The British detain US freighter Nashaba at Gibraltar, where they release US freighter Executive.

Convoy OA 65G departs from Southend and OB 65 departs from Liverpool.

Air War over Europe

A RAF reconnaissance aircraft if brought down in Belgian territory near the German border by three Luftwaffe fighters.

British Government

Contraband seized for the week ending 30 December 1939 equalled 20,800 tons.

German Government

The government warns the Scandinavian countries not to take advantage of Finland's distress.

Italian/German Relations

Mussolini sends Hitler a letter trying to smooth over his previous critical comments about the Ribbentrop/Molotov Pact. He states: "the solution of your Lebensraum is in Russia and not elsewhere." The implication appears to be to leave France alone.

US Government

President Roosevelt opens a third session of Congress. He warns that isolation is impossible, and that he intended to further peace through trade cooperation. He requests $1.8 billion for national defense in his proposed budget.

China

The Chinese 4th War Area attacks Yingteh north of Canton, while a Japanese relief force attacks the the Chinese 2nd War Area near Changze and Tunliu.

[lordroel]

Day 126 of World War II, January 4th 1940

From World War II Realtime Instagram Account

Hermann Göring is appointed head of the German war economy. In the meantime, Walther Funk is made Reichsminister for the German ‘regular’ economy. Göring, who holds many other positions in the Reich and in Nazi leadership has far-stretching views on how to incorporate the war and newly conquered territories in the German economy. He wants to achieve, as the Germans also did with many cultural and political aspects of society, a total ‘Germanization’ of the European economy.

In practice, that means that he envisions a ‘ruthless and one-sided approach to Europes economic future’. The organised exploitation of other countries would be a staple in German economic policies. Walther Funk explained it later in 1940: other countries would be forced not only ‘to organise their economies according to the needs of the German market, but also to adopt more dirigiste [dirigism is a economic model where the state plays a strong directive role] methods.’ According to Funk, the German military success were a sign that economic liberalism was inferior to the German planned economy and a ‘unified national-military armaments economy’.

Western Front

The British 48th Infantry Brigade moves to join the BEF in France.

Battle of the Atlantic

German cruiser Karlsruhe captures Swedish freighter Konung Oscar. It has 41 Polish refugees on board.

Kriegsmarine armed merchant cruiser Schiff 20 sinks an Estonian freighter.

The Luftwaffe attacks the British liner Tuscan Star, but the ship's anti-aircraft guns drive them off.

Admiral Max Horton is appointed Flag Officer, Submarines.

The British at Gibraltar detain the US freighter SS Exiria.

Convoy OA 66 departs Southend, Convoy OB 66 departs from Liverpool, and Convoy HXF 15 departs from Halifax.

Air War over Europe

The RAF conducts reconnaissance over the German seaplane bases in the Heligoland Bight.

China

In the struggling Chinese Winter Offensive, Chinese 4th War Area captures Kuantu.

At the Battle of South Kwangsi, Chinese forces advance five miles south of Kunlunkuan and take Chiutang.

[lordroel]

Day 127 of World War II, January 5th 1940




Battle of the Atlantic

German tanker Nordmeer completes a journey from the Dutch West Indies to Vigo, Spain.

Western Front

The first Indian troops start manning the BEF front lines.

There is German artillery shelling along an extended 125-mile section of the front.

British Government

Leslie Hore-Belisha, Secretary of State for War, falls victim to a political purge and resigns. The rap against him is that he is a "warmonger" who cannot get along with the Generals such as Lord Gort, the leader of the BEF. He also feels that the troops should be treated better. There is some opinion that the fact that he is Jewish and thus has an unusual stake in prosecuting the war has led to much of the opposition to him. He is replaced by Oliver Stanley. Lord Macmillan, Minister of Information. Sir John Reith replaces Lord Macmillan. Sir Andrew Duncan joins the Board of Trade.

China

The Chinese Winter Offensive heats up again:

- 2nd War Area in fierce battles around Yenchang, Hsia Hsien, Wenhsi, and Anyi, and it captures Hsiushan, Tashan, and Nanchia;

- Chinese 4th War Area captures Chingtang and Yingteh;

- Chinese 5th War Area battles around Wangchiatien, and the 31st Army Group launches attacks around Hsuchiatien, Hsintien, Yuchiatien, Huashan, Tamiaofan, and Pingchingkuan;

The Japanese counter-attack the Southern Honan Army of Chinese 5th War Area near Pingchangkuan. In the Battle of South Kwangsi, there is a temporary lull as the Chinese consolidate recent gains.