Fantasque Time Line (France Fights On) - English Translation

[Wings]

May 22nd, 1942

Washington, D.C. - After a twenty-four hour hiatus that allowed for consultation with various governments (which, due to distance and time differences, was more complicated for the British and French than for the Americans), the Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff meet for the second regular session of the week, devoted to the choice of the commander-in-chief of the new South-West Pacific Area Command (SWPA).
In the end, the discussion is less confrontational than the day before. Indeed, Roosevelt, who had prepared for this meeting with King and Marshall, but also with his ministers, gave the order not to fight over the name of the future leader of the SWPA but rather over a series of concessions that they extracted one by one before accepting Blamey's nomination.
The final agreement thus provides for Blamey to be accompanied by numerous American deputies: the positions of Chief of Staff, Commander of the Combined Naval Forces (for Admiral Leary) and Commander of the Combined Air Forces (agreement was reached on the need to replace Brett) of the SWPA were assigned to them. The position of Commander Land Forces is reserved for an Australian (since Australia has more divisions), but he had to be replaced by an American the day the American divisions became dominant in the SWPA (Roosevelt and Marshall were thinking, without saying it, of a future massive commitment of the US Army from the region to liberate the Philippines). Having surrounded him, the Americans thought they could control or even neutralize Blamey: either to push him to be more daring or to act, by presenting a united front of his deputies supporting the same proposals, or to curb his ardor by reducing his resources (transport, ammunition, fuel, even amphibious equipment), allocated (and therefore controlled) by the Americans.
More importantly in the eyes of Admiral King, the border between SWPA and SOPAC follows a north-south line to the Russell Islands, west of Guadalcanal, which would allow SOPAC to be solely responsible for future operations on that island. The SWPA will then have the responsibility of reconquering the rest of the Solomons.
Finally, the British got the Australians to attach Sumatra to Wavell's South-East Asia Command rather than to the SWPA of Blamey.
For his part, Doumenc is reassured: the General has fully approved his intervention...

 

[Wings]

May 22nd, 1942

Taranto - Hammer V! In two waves, 387 allied planes attack the naval base, which is severely hit even though the targets are partially obscured by clouds. The Allies lose eleven planes (four of them due to flak) and six Italian fighters are shot down.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Washington, D.C - President F.D. Roosevelt sends a personal message to Stalin and the Finnish Prime Minister, asking them to "exercise the utmost circumspection in the present situation." In his message to Stalin, Roosevelt refers to the consequences of the development of relations between the USSR and Finland on the application of the Lend-Lease Act.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Norwegian coasts - While the war between Germany and the Soviet Union has raged for several days, the German cargo ship Asuncion (4626 GRT) sink off the Nordkinn peninsula after having hit a mine of a field of sixteen devices laid on April 8th by the submarine MN Rubis (LV Rousselot). This one returns one last time on the Finnmark coast on May 3rd; the mines laid on this occasion do not cause any loss. This is the last time because, following an agreement between the British and Soviet Admiralty, the
operations on the coasts of Finnmark, including minelaying, will be left to the K-class submarines of the Northern Fleet. These could also, on occasion, push to the coasts of Troms County.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Alger - Georges Mandel, Minister of the Interior, announces the lifting of the ban on the French Communist Party. "It is time, it is high time for all the Sons of France to meet fraternally united, alongside all our Allies, coming from all horizons, to fight against the common Enemy, with the same Rights and the same Duties!" he declares in a radio address. "One hears the capital letters!" would have commented De Gaulle (a master in this field...) while listening to him.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Colombo (Ceylon) - After the Royal Sovereign was put out of action, Admiral Somerville obtains from London the dispatch to the Indian Ocean of his sister ships Resolution and Revenge, now that the Americans had assigned three of their old battleships to escorting convoys in the Atlantic. Somerville plans to base the two ships, which are no match for the Japanese fleet, at Mombasa (Kenya), in order to protect naval traffic between the Persian Gulf, the Red Sea and the eastern coast of Africa.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

The Battle of Singapore - III
Despite their successes, the allied forces are still surrounded in Singapore and in the south of the Malay Peninsula, which means that they are doomed in the long run, due to a lack of food and ammunition. How long can they hold out? A report from Lord Gort's staff takes stock, in the hope of a future supply convoy (see Singapore supply report). It appears that, as far as food is concerned, the situation will become difficult from the end of September.
Malaya Front
- The Main Force is still advancing very slowly.
- The "railroad" column is in front of four miles (markers 444 to 440) where the road is just a jungle pass with no plantings around it. The Japanese III/148th Battalion easily set up three staging positions surrounded by small groups in ambush on the flanks. Each required time to flank the defensive positions through the jungle, before a hard fight to dislodge the defenders. But the worst part is the search for traps under the constant threat of a sniper, a lone machine gun or a light mortar that fires a few rounds, a burst or a pair of shells, then stalls. The men must dive for cover and deploy against an enemy that has already disappeared. To complicate matters, the 9th Indian ID has to finish taking over from the 25th British in the sector. The companies of workers and engineers have to open tracks parallel to the railroad in order to allow for the movement of enough supplies and materials to sustain the advance. By the end of the day, only one mile had been gained.
- The "road" column faces the 146th Infantry Regiment, supported by all the divisional units of the 56th I.D.* The Japanese are able to withdraw to a narrow front. West of the road, it is all jungle, except from boundary markers 30 to 35, where the jungle was replaced by a marsh striped with five streams that flow from east to west under as many bridges. To the east (on the right) of the road, from markers 28 to 40, it is also jungle, until the Namazie Rubber Plantation. The British 25th ID (Western), reinforced with four brigades and supporting troops, advances steadily but slowly, guarding its flanks carefully. In the evening, starting from marker 28, the British do not pass beyond milestone 30 (the numbering is in the opposite direction to that of the railway - the colonizer brought with him his insular logic...).
...
- The Western Force is just as cautious.
- The column that follows the road takes a lot of time to clear the track, the sides and villages from mines and booby traps, trying to reduce to a minimum the loss of men. Six defended roadblocks are eliminated despite multiple air attacks. At the end of the day, the vanguard (3rd Independent Armoured Squadron "Lancer" [16 A13-III tanks
Cruiser Mk IV] and 2/7th Provisional Regiment of the Royal Artillery [batteries X and Y : sixteen 60-pound guns Mk I]) comes into contact with the defenders of Rengit.
- Inside, the "cross-country" column rests and regroups men and animals. It can afford it, it has a big head start.

* HQ, Reconnaissance Regiment, Field Artillery Regiment, Engineer Regiment and support troops, Tankette support troops, Tankette Company.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Kokoda Trail - Thirty men of the Papuan Rifles commanded by Major Watson (battalion commander) in person, assisted by a squad of the 39th, ambush a column of 80 Japanese near Dobodura. The Japanese suffer 60 casualties, while the Allies suffer only minor losses.
The following days, the Japanese, convinced that they had been betrayed by the natives, organize savage reprisals in the Embi region: 150 men, women and children are massacred in 48 hours. The Papuans flee and "take to the bush", depriving the Japanese of possible auxiliaries, scouts and workers.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Brisbane - The survivors of the TF-17 enter port in the early evening. Admirals Fletcher and Fitch are warmly welcomed by General Blamey, who calls them "Australia's saviors." Admiral Crace, whose ships are not due to arrive in Brisbane until the following day, receive the same message.
The aircraft carrier Wasp is to spend several days in an Australian shipyard to repair the damage caused by the Japanese bombs.
.........
Nouméa - Vice-Admiral Emile Muselier also received a message from Admiral Nimitz, who thanks him for the efficient and well organized support given to the allied forces operating in the region.
Muselier also receives a message of congratulations from the French government. However, this message also contains a less pleasant part. The vice-admiral is indeed recalled to Algiers.
This episode was to be the cause of a long quarrel between Muselier and De Gaulle, whom the vice-admiral immediately considered to be the main person responsible for a sort of arbitrary dismissal, decided at a critical moment. In fact, it is true that the French government, and in particular its Minister of War, was upset by some of Muselier's uncontrolled initiatives, especially when he promised the Australian government the support of France without consulting Algiers. But the real reason for Muselier's recall was related to considerations of military policy and relations between the Allies. The Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff appointed Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley as commander of SOPAC (South Pacific), under the command of Admiral Nimitz, CinCPAC (Commander in Chief Pacific) and is to be based in Nouméa.
As Muselier is more senior than Ghormley in rank, he is likely to claim this position (and, his personality being what it is, he probably will). It is therefore necessary to replace him by a rear admiral.
This one is Rear Admiral Pierre Rouyer. He arrived in the Pacific on the Jeanne d'Arc, which he commanded, he has since been appointed Rear Admiral and head of the Navy in this theater of operations. He thus becomes Joint Commander for the Pacific.

 

[Wings]

Singapore's food, ammunition, and other supplies situation

Excerpts from a report by the staff of the Malaya/Singapore Military Region Command

"(...) The Command brought from Malaya (and, at the beginning of the year, from the Dutch Indies) provisions and herds of cattle, goats, pigs, water buffaloes, horses and even some elephants. The goats provide fresh milk for the hospitals and young children. The urine of the pigs is useful to provide nitrates for chemical production. Water buffaloes, horses and elephants are used as draft animals. The pigs can be fed with food scraps, which helps to limit the proliferation of flies. Herbivores help to maintain abandoned plantations, preventing the return of jungle, and reduce the height of the grass in open areas, thus maintaining open areas for movement, observation and shooting ranges, reducing opportunities for enemy infiltration. The animals also help to clear jungle and swamp areas to improve defenses. In areas to collect the dung, which is used as fertilizer, for industrial use or, once dried, as fuel. If necessary, all these animals can be slaughtered and eaten."
"(...) If the judicious use of stocks of rice, flour, etc., and the harvesting of locally grown crops could provide the necessary caloric intake for the garrison and the civilian population, the needs for other foods which must provide the proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals necessary for health and for the healing of diseases, infections and injuries are a constant concern of medical and supply managers. Possible sources were examined. Juice extraction machines for carefully selected local plant juices have been constructed to provide us with certain vitamins. A chemical plant was established to produce vitamin B concentrates to combat the outbreak of beriberi, and local aquaculture facilities were expanded.
Nevertheless, these and other means can only delay the inevitable. The seaplanes can bring in medicine and small amounts of food concentrates, but the bulk of our needs can, in the long run, only be brought to us by ship.
The painful truth is that from the end of August, the physical condition of the population and the Army will steadily decline, as well as productivity and fighting capacity, while the rate of illness will increase."
"(...) To conserve kerosene supplies, firewood is provided at the rate of 4 lbs per man per day. This has the added advantage of providing wood ash for the soap factory. Furnaces are also used to make charcoal (for burning and for medical use).
Smaller kilns are used to make charcoal for burning and for medical purposes.
"(...) Small quantities of vegetable oil extracts could be manufactured for various industrial and mechanical uses."
"(...) The tin smelters at Pulau Brani were converted to smelt scrap metals and supply various foundries, forges and workshops in Singapore. These workshops have produced significant quantities of material for new defensive works."
(...)
"Daily requirements for military rations - Because of the many kinds of rations necessary for cultural and religious reasons and the conditions of the terrain, we have based our calculation on European standard rations. For a force of 150,000 men, 120.47 tons per day are needed: protein and fat, 12-ounce cans of "Bully Beef" (56.25 tons); carbohydrates, 12-ounce cans of "Army Biscuit" (56.25 tons); tea (2.34 tons); sugar (0.94 tons); milk (powdered or condensed) (4.69 tons)."
(...)
"Summary of the food supply situation as of May 20, 1942
- Army (150,000 people maximum): 3 months of meat, 4 months of flour and canned vegetables, 5 months of other foods.
- Civilian population (550,000 people maximum): 9 months of meat, 6 months of flour and canned vegetables, 4 months of other food.
The reduction of civilian food stocks in favor of the army was rejected for three reasons:
(i) The faster decline in civilian health would create health problems (epidemics) that would not spare the military.
(ii) It would create problems in the large Asian component of the garrison, especially among the indigenous volunteers.
(iii) The garrison is closely dependent on the civilian population for the construction and repairs of military works, for the production of food and industrial goods and for hundreds or thousands of large or small support tasks which enable it to function normally. It must be remembered that the Malaya Command is not and has never been an army in the true sense of the word: it does not have the full range of support units, and it could not function without the tireless goodwill of the civilian population. As a result, the welfare of the population and their persevering willingness to endure hardship are as important as those of the garrison.
Immediate needs - Powdered milk and eggs, sweetened condensed milk, canned meat, dried meat, fish, fruit, jams, vegetables, chocolate and other high calorie foods, seeds."
(...)
"Summary of the ammunition supply situation as of May 20, 1942
The garrison has enough guns, but the problem is to have enough ammunition to make the best use of this artillery.
The recapture of northwestern Singapore Island, the operations in Johor, and the ten-day truce proved neutral from an ammunition standpoint. Many of the British caches were found, but the enemy depots did not provide much - it seems that the Japanese had reached the limit of their artillery ammunition resources.
The re-equipping of units with 25-pounder guns was delayed to consume the vast ammunition supply of 18-pound guns and 4.5-inch howitzers.
The use of 25-pound shells is still being considered on a day-to-day basis.
Attempts to manufacture solid steel anti-tank shells and adapt them to brass cartridges have been only partially successful. Indeed, as these shells are not perforating as such, they depend on their mass and their velocity to penetrate the armor of the Japanese tanks or to destroy their tracks, their undercarriages etc. We distinguish 1st class shells, which should perforate the Japanese armor at short range while remaining intact, and those of 2nd class, which are friable and should fragment when hitting the armor or after having perforated it.
(...)
"The staff advised us that by mid-July we could expect to receive about 25,000 tons of supplies from the RAF (seaplanes), the Royal Navy (speedboats and submarines) and Navy (speedboats and submarines) and by a special convoy.
The desired distribution of this tonnage is :
(i) Food, 3,000 tons
(ii) Medical supplies, 1,500 tons
(iii) Electrical supplies, 250 tons
(iv) Mechanical and construction supplies, 250 tons
(v) Ammunition and other artillery supplies, 20,000 tons.
The most needed ammunition is:
- 3 million rounds of 40 mm Bofors
- 500,000 shells and charges for 25-pound guns
- 500,000 rounds of 3.7-inch HAA
- 1,000 HE shells with charges for 9.2-inch coastal defense guns
- 1,800 HE shells with charges for 9.2-inch howitzers
- 1,000 shells (100 pounds, short range) with charges for 6-inch howitzers
- 4,000 shells (86 pounds, long range) with charges for 6-inch howitzers
- 8,000 shells with charges for 60-pound guns
- 8,000 shells with charges for 155 mm howitzers
- 4,000 shells with charges for 4.5-inch guns
- 100,000 rounds of 77 mm Italian field guns
- 50 000 rounds of French 75 mm field guns
- 1 million 3-inch mortar shells.
On the other hand, because of the stocks of ammunition imported in 1941 to supply the Eastern Fleet,we have enough shells for the following marine guns used by the Army:
- 15-inch shells and charges (except coastal bombardment and shrapnel)
- 7.5 inch shells and charges (except coastal bombardment and shrapnel)
- shells and charges of 6 inches, 5.5 inches, 5.25 inches, 4.7 inches, 4.5 inches (actually 4.455 inches), 4 inches, 3 inches, 12 pounds, 6 pounds, 3 pounds, 2 pounds, 20 mm, 0.5 inch.
In addition, the ten-day truce allowed for the replacement of worn tubes from the 15-inch Johore battery at Changi. Finally, the temporary halt in air attacks allowed for the completion of the coastal defence installations on Blakang Mati: two 6-inch CDs were placed in battery at the disused Mount Siloso site; an old 9.2-inch CD was reinstalled at its decommissioned site on Mount Imbiah."

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Barbarossa - The Battle of the Frontiers
1 - The Northwest Front and the Baltic
At the beginning of the day, the German forces attack Tytuvenai. Around noon, Kuznetsov, convinced that he has identified the main axis of the enemy effort, orders the 2nd Army (Maj.Gen. F.S. Ivanov) and the 11th Army (Lt-Gen. V.I. Morozov) to attack from north to south to flank the German forces in front of Tytuvenai. But the Germans took care to cover their alleged attack; the Soviet forces throw themselves into a well-prepared defense and suffer heavy losses despite heavy air support. The VVS support their troops, and a great air battle rages all day over the Shaulai-Tytuvenai area. The Soviet losses are however triple those of the Luftwaffe.
In the afternoon, Hoepner startes to advance from the bridgehead of Ariogala. The Stukas pound the Soviet defensesfor two or three hours and, at dusk, the German tanks start to move. At 21:30, the Soviet lines give way and von Manstein launches in the night his reconnaissance elements, supported by commandos of Brandenburgers.
...
2 - The Central Front and Belarus
On the German left wing, the tanks of Hoth, coming from the north, are in sight of Novogrudok, while units of the VIII Corps, after the capture of Grodno, continue their advance and take Volkovysk at dusk. The Luftwaffe supports the maneuver of envelopment of Hoth, but it comes up against the VVS and many air battles take place over the Vilnius-Grodno-Novogrudok triangle.
On the right wing, Guderian's 2.PanzerGruppe resumes its march, trying to bypass Baranovici, where the Soviet forces seem to be well entrenched, to advance in two directions: towards Novogrudok, in the north, and towards Slutsk, in the east. Maj.Gen. Oborin's 17th Armored Army is too weak to stop Guderian in these two directions. Oborin decides to oppose his advance towards Slutsk, with the help of the 175th Heavy Tank Brigade. He succeeds, but at the end of the day, Guderian reaches the outskirts of Novogrudok from the south. This small town, the last retreat of the 10th Army, is then defended by what remains of the 3rd Armored Army of Maj. M.G. Khatskilevich.
Boldin and Zhukov understand perfectly that an imminent disaster threatens the 10th Army and the forces that support it. After a long telephone discussion with Stalin and Timoshenko, Zhukov obtains their agreement to engage the 4th Airborne Corps of Maj.Gen. A.S. Jadov and some elements of the 13th Army of Lt-Gen. F.N. Remezov, who are in Minsk. The Boldin staff requisitions all available civilian trucks to transport Jadov's men to Novogrudok. Finally, at 22:15, Zhukov wrestles from Stalin the authorization to order the 10th Army to join the battle for Novogrudok, attacking the German forces from the west. This is in fact of course a disguised authorization to retreat.
Later that night, the Stavka authorizes Timoshenko to deploy reserve formations (which had been moved to the west in early May under the pretext of spring maneuvers) on a line Vitebsk-Orsha-Moghilev-Gomel. These are three armies, which have to block any German attempt to advance from Minsk to Smolensk:
- 20th Army (formed in Orel), Lt-Gen. P.A. Kuroshkin: 46th and 152nd Rifle Divisions, 26th Corps Artillery Regiment, 113th and 117th Armored Corps, 109th Motorized Division.
- 21st Army (formed in the Volga Military District), Lt-Gen. M.G. Efremov: 38th, 127th, 129th, 134th, 158th, 162nd and 171st Rifle Divisions, 442nd and 471st Artillery Corps Regiments, 52nd and 56th Armored Corps, 103rd and 127th Motorized Divisions.
- 24th Army (formed in the Siberian Military District), Maj. K.I. Rakutin: 91st, 107th, 119th, 133rd, 166th and 178th Rifle Divisions, 241st Artillery Division.
These armies are much less well equipped than those at the front, and most of their armor is light or outdated. However, they will receive new equipment as soon as possible.
...
3 - The Ukrainian Front and the Black Sea
The battle resumes before dawn, when Konev launches his 19th Army northward to reduce the salient created by the German offensive in the direction of Brody. Only furious Stuka attacks prevent the success of this counter-offensive - after having lost part of his armor and motorized infantry, Konev decides to entrench south of Podkamen, covering the Lvov - Tarnopol [now Ternopol] road.
At the end of the day, the panzers try to break through the Soviet lines at Brody again. Until nightfall, a fierce and merciless battle rages, the tanks of both sides taking turns to gain the upper hand.
Further north, the German III Corps resumes the offensive towards Dubno, hoping to overrun the 14th Armored Army of Rokossovsky, solidly entrenched around Lutsk.

 

[Wings]

May 23rd, 1942

Washington, D.C. - Discussions between American, British and French representatives on the Combined Joint Chiefs of Staff are long and difficult. While the Americans are in favor of a landing in northern France, it is clear that it will take at least a year to accumulate enough troops and equipment for such an operation.
It is finally decided to propose to the Allied governments a rapid action against Sicily, first suggested by France. The operation, which is codenamed "Torch" (with an "e" in the French documents), should be launched at the end of August or beginning of September, as soon as the necessary forces have been gathered in North Africa. The conquest of Sicily would have a double interest: on the one hand, it would completely open the Mediterranean to India and Australia; on the other hand, it could shake the Mussolini government enough to provoke his downfall and bring Italy out of the war.
However, Mountbatten's staff pleads for the organization of a powerful diversion on the French Channel coast at the end of August, in order to draw German forces away from the Mediterranean and to gain experience for a large-scale landing, planned for 1943 or 1944.
In the Mediterranean, the focus on Sicily does not imply a status quo in the Peloponnese.
The Allies have to launch an offensive in June to reach the Corinth Canal and to pin as many Italian and German troops as possible in Greece. The interest of the Mediterranean is renewed by the possibility of organizing convoys for Russia, sailing along the Turkish coast, before crossing the Bosphorus and heading towards Odessa and Sebastopol.
Finally, the future operations in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific (and in particular Pedestal) are mentioned. The British delegation underlines the importance of Burma and the Andamans, new front line against the Japanese. While anxiously awaiting news of the battle in the Coral Sea, all delegations agree on the need to strengthen the link between the United States and Australia and to send sufficient forces for a limited offensive in the Solomons.

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Washington, D.C - Soviet and Finnish ambassadors meet in Cordell Hull's office to find a solution to the military incidents of the past few days.
Maxim Litvinov claims that German forces are using Finnish territory to launch military operations against the Soviet Union. In response, the Finn explain that some German units have simply crossed Finland and that some German ships were able to refuel in a Finnish port at one time, but that this does not constitute a breach of the laws of Neutrality, since these units and ships did not stay more than 48 hours in Finnish territory.
In the evening, Finland and the USSR announce the end of hostilities, returning to status quo ante bellum.

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Paris - The NEF is a state of law. At least, that's what its leaders think - well, some of them, the others don't give a damn about these byzantine distinctions.
But Pierre Laval, president of the NEF, is convinced, or has convinced himself of it. It is however without referring to anyone else that he had just created a body that, in fact, was the head of the government: the National Security Council. It does not seem that Laval, at the time when he founds the CSN, thus formalizing an unofficial situation, wanted to imitate the National Defense Committee of Algiers. In fact, Pierre Laval, who had had to give up all hope of reconciliation with the United States, wanted to be able to react more quickly and efficiently to the national and international upheavals that could be expected now that, Germany had invaded the USSR, the communists had officially entered the world conflict.
In practice, the composition of the CSN is subject to the good pleasure of its president, none other than "the President", i.e. Laval himself. For this first meeting, the following are invited: Joseph Darnand and Jacques Doriot, Ministers of the Interior (and Security for one, and Reconstruction for the other) as well as Marcel Déat, Minister of the Economy and Labor.
Also present are Gaston Bergery, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Admiral Charles Platon, Minister of the Navy and the Colonies. In addition to these personalities, the CSN welcomes General Olléris, director of Laval's military cabinet, Eugène Deloncle, close to Darnand and head of the Organisation d'Action Nationale (which acted as the external intelligence service of the NEF - the extent of its action and even the date of its creation are still subject to controversy) as well as Simon Sabiani, Doriot's most loyal lieutenant in the PPF.
My dear friends," Laval begins, "as you know, our German partners have finally launched the offensive that should rid us of the Bolshevik danger that was in danger of infiltrating the heart of this Europe that we all cherish. The latest news from the front, which Ambassador Otto Abetz gave me today, is excellent. The end of the war is close! Once the Soviets are eliminated, it will be possible for Germany to negotiate with the Anglo-Saxons. On the other side of the Mediterranean, most of the politicians who have gone astray in a dead-end adventure will realize their mistakes and we will be able to extend the National Reconstruction (he turns diplomatically towards Doriot) and ensure Security (he turns to Darnand, who glares at Doriot, who returns the favor) throughout our Empire. The question now is to know, in these historical hours, what we can do to show Germany and its allies that we will be, or rather that we are already, first-rate partners in the development of the New Europe. It is a unique opportunity to restore our country to its rightful place, which it should never have lost. In this spirit, what do you suggest?"
The discussions will continue all afternoon and until dinner time. General Olléris expresses a pious wish, which is nonetheless unanimously supported: to develop the collaboration with "the foreign forces present on French soil", i.e. with the army of Occupation. But the "forces" in question would have to be willing to do so... Doriot then launches a more concrete proposal, which is also accepted, even though Laval was not enthusiastic and that Olléris and Darnand frankly resisted: the creation of a Legion of French Volunteers against Bolshevism. This troop will have to "carry high the colors of France in the fight against the red vermin". Déat supports Doriot (for once, it is not customary) and, with respect to the Germans (who would inevitably be informed of the content of the debates), Laval does not want to appear to back down in the face of such a fine demonstration of Collaboration. In order to give it even more prominence in the eyes of the Germans, Eugène Deloncle himself, whose record of service is well known, takes over the leadership of the LVF. However, it takes three months for this organization to exist other than on paper.
Encouraged by its success, Jacques Doriot speaks out again: "Now that the fate of the Bolsheviks is settled, the time has finally come to put an end to the comedy being played out in Algiers, that is to say, at home! The Africans are at the end of their tether, they have understood that the war is going to turn against them, as you yourself said at the beginning, President! We must strike a blow at the old parliamentary wench!"
- The blow? What do you mean by that, Minister?" asks Bergery, intrigued.
- I mean the physical elimination of Stalin's henchmen who pretend to lead our country. Reynaud, Blum, Mandel as well as this general of operetta, De Gaulle. Let's kill them in cold blood and all the fugitives will prostrate themselves at our feet. They were ready to do it less than two years ago, they would have done it if these residues of democratic mold had not assassinated the Marshal and sent General Weygand to his death. Faithful to their memory, we must put an end to this masquerade which has caused too much suffering to our people and our Empire.
- Come on, Mr. Minister!" exclaims Laval, apparently scandalized. "As long as I am head of the New French State, I will outlaw political assassination! The individuals you mentioned must be brought before the High Court, tried and only then condemned.
In appearance, everything is said. But late in the evening, Doriot receives in his office at the Ministry of National Reconstruction, Place Beauvau, not only his great friend Sabiani, but also Deloncle, who discreetly lets them know that he shares their opinion as to the fate of the "African" leaders. The other two suspect that he is likely to keep Darnand (and perhaps even Laval) in the loop, but the help of the Cagoule networks should be very useful to them - and after all, says Doriot, "if some wash their hands of it, those who agree to do the dirty work will be rewarded one day or another!"

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Belgium - An order of the Militärverwaltung forces Jews aged 6 and over to wear a yellow star.

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

The Battle of Singapore - III
Malaya Front
- The Main Force, exactly the 9th Indian ID, encounters heavy infantry fire on the railroad. The entire Japanese 148th Regiment is concentrated in 2,500 meters of front in the jungle, supported on the west by the Bukit Hantu East (150 meters). The aim is to prevent the Indians from overrunning the Japanese forces on the road. Lacking artillery, the Japanese infantry fight in small groups, where their training in the bush help it to compensate for the Indian numerical superiority. But little by little, fresh Indian troops are engaged and the allied artillery begins to take a toll on the Japanese positions and columns.
On the road, the 25th British ID is stopped by a natural bottleneck: between the West Bukit Hantu (210 meters) to the east and a swamp to the west is a jungle area with small streams where a small plantation is located. The Japanese installed here camouflaged entrenchments, protected by mines (British of origin!) on all the approach routes (tracks, banks of streams, road and side roads...). This position greatly reduces the effectiveness of the British artillery, because of the low visibility and the protection provided by the trees against small calibers. In the morning, patrols reconnoiter and probed the Japanese positions, which provokes further small-scale engagements, but of great ferocity. In the early afternoon, the British launch attacks on the road and in the plantation. The resistance stiffens, forcing the attackers to reinforce their attack, which soon extends to the whole front, with the support of heavy artillery. Progress is slow, but during the night British units, aided by local guides, begin to outflank the Japanese positions through the marshes.
...
- The Western Force launches an early morning attack on the coastal road. The 3&5/17th Dogra, supported by armor and artillery, penetrates Rengit. In the afternoon, the 2/16th Punjab, also supported by armor, is engaged on the right. Once again, the primitive fortifications are extraordinarily solid: very few men and a few machine guns and light cannons, supported by mortars, are enough to cause considerable delays. The only solutions are for the moment the firing of artillery at short range, or the use of demolition charges.
Inside, the "cross-country" column awaits the developments of the Rengit action and the arrival of food supplies, while sending out reconnaissance patrols.

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Indochina Campaign - During the night, the submarine Casabianca lands eight men of the Special Forces (including two radio operators) south of Qui-Nhon. These men have to operate with irregular Vietnamese forces, which are being formed in the highlands.

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Eastern coast of Australia, 15:30 - After several days of watch without results, except for two attempts to attack isolated ships ruined by bad weather and a mechanical failure, the I-59, on the surface, is finally able to launch three torpedoes at what it believes to be a freighter heading towards Melbourne, east of Bass Strait. But the visibility is deceptive, with low clouds, rain squalls and heavy weather ahead. A torpedo hits its target, but latter then opens a heavy fire on the submarine, which has to dive. It is in fact the auxiliary cruiser (AMC) HMS Ranpura, a 16,688 GRT armed cargo ship, which was ahead of two fast troop transports (16 knots) loaded with 4,000 men and accompanied by another AMC, HMAS Kanimbla. The Ranpura, leader of the escort, immediately orders the other three to turn back to seek protection from the heavy weather before heading back to Melbourne, while requesting an air escort.
But the weather turns bad very quickly and it is in appalling conditions that two Beauforts attempt to take off from Mallacoota. One of them crashes on takeoff, killing its crew, and the other gets stuck on the waterlogged runway. Taking advantage of a lull in the weather, a Hudson takes off from Melbourne, but disappears. Three Bothas take off from Sale. Forty minutes later, they spot the troop transports and staye with them until the evening, watching for a possible submarine, forced to fly constantly at less than 200 meters, under thick low clouds. They then return to Sale, where one of them miraculously manages to land without any problem. The crew of another one, unable to find the runway, ends up jumping with a parachute, all of its members are safe. But the third Botha disappears without a trace.
"The loss of three crews and four aircraft in this operation was a painful blow for the Coastal Command squadrons. The Army later expressed to the RAAFofficial appreciation for the efforts made to protect troop transports." Operation ONI, Phase 3b - Research notes by Mr Norman, 1950. [Handwritten note in margin: The wreckage of the third Botha was found in the Gippsland Hills in 2003. The remains of the crew were still in the plane].
Meanwhile, the damaged Ranpura is trying to keep the submarine busy and away from the convoy. Having successfully forced the submarine to dive, it then has to dodge four
torpedoes.
17:00 - Knowing that the convoy is protected by aircraft, the Ranpura sets a course to the west while the I-59 abandons the hunt and heads for the Sydney area, hoping to find good targets on the way back. The auxiliary cruiser escapes in heavy weather, but it is far from being out of trouble. The damage caused by the torpedo, which hit the ship on the starboard bow, is serious. The forward hold is flooded, and although it was filled with logs to increase buoyancy, ninety minutes of high-speed maneuvering in heavy weather has worsened the damage. Little by little, the logs are being ejected by the sea.
22:00 - The Ranpura is in great difficulty. The wind has increased a lot and has turned to the south. The bow is flush with the water and the damaged ship is becoming uncontrollable. To present the bow to the wind would be suicidal, as the swell would break against the bow and soon drive the ship under water. To present the stern to the wind and run with it would force the ship to run towards the shore, and would also be suicidal, especially since the ship, too slow to remain maneuverable, would be in danger of capsizing. The Ranpura's only chance is to receive the strong wind on the starboard side and try to reach the poor shelter of the shore of Gabo Island, where it could run aground...

 

[Wings]

May 24th, 1942

Barbarossa - The Battle of the Frontiers
1 - The North-Western Front and the Baltic
The German troops advance rapidly in the middle of the night and take Kedainai before dawn. Hoepner commits his forces on two axes: Reinhardt, commanding the largest forces, advances northeast, towards Panevezys, while von Manstein advances east-northeast, towards Daugavpils (Dünaburg).
The night attack throws the Soviet command into confusion. Kuznetsov refuses to admit that it is the main axis of the German offensive. Until 06:00, he stubbornly believes that the real threat is directed against Tytuvenai. Then, accepting his mistake reluctantly, he orders Berzarin's 27th Army to turn back. But in doing so he offers the Luftwaffe perfect targets, as the VVS squadrons are exhausted in the battle of the previous day.
At the end of the day, Reinhardt reaches the outskirts of Panevezys, while von Manstein reaches Uldmerge and advances towards Utena.
The situation worries not only Kuznetsov, but also the Stavka. At 23:00, Moscow orders Vatutin's 1st Army to take position at Daugavpils (Dünaburg) and Jekabpils, on the Dvina.
...
2 - The Central Front and Belarus
The Germans attack at dawn, and from then on the Luftwaffe and the VVS make a huge effort to control the airspace above the battlefield. The losses of the Soviet crews are again very high, but they manage at least to distract the Luftwaffe and to prevent it from influencing the ground fight as much as usual or to strike on the rear of the Red Army. It is true that the losses it suffered in one week of fighting are far from being light, and some of its units are at less than 50% of their
their potential.
Both Hoth and Guderian had hoped for a quick victory and thought they could take Novogrudok by surprise to lock up as many Soviet forces as possible in the Bialystok salient. However, it soon becomes clear that the city would have to be taken by assault, as the Soviet forces, helped by the civilian population, had built a very dense system of trenches, supported by damaged heavy tanks used as forts. The battle is fierce, the fight lasts until nightfall and the losses are high on both sides and for the population. However, by nightfall, the Germans have broken through the opposing defense lines. The 10th Army is trapped in the Bialystok salient.
...
3 - The Ukrainian Front and the Black Sea
Sensing that the Brody-Dubno defense line is seriously undermined, Col. Kirponos decides to commit near Tarnopol his reserve, the 16th Army of Lt-Gen Lukin, deployed west of Vinnitsa. The Stavka also authorizes him to deploy around Rovno and Lutsk a strong artillery reserve (324th and 526th Artillery Regiments with 529th Howitzer Regiments) to support Rokossovsky.
However, the lack of trucks and tractors slows down the movement of this precious equipment.
The battle between Brody and Podkamen continues throughout the day, although both sides are on the verge of exhaustion. The 16. PanzerDivision has less than 50 working tanks, but the 31st Mechanized Corps belonging to Vlassov's 13th Armored Army has less than 40 operational tanks.
Meanwhile, Konev misses a great opportunity to counterattack effectively. In the confusion, a gap opened between the German units, but, lacking effective aerial reconnaissance and fast communications, Konev learns about it too late to exploit it usefully.

 

[Wings]

May 24h, 1942

Athens - The two reinforcement infantry divisions (29th Piemonte and 51st Siena) promised on March 22nd to the Comando Superiore Forze Armate Grecia arrived successively in April.
General Geloso used them to reinforce the control of the Greek mainland. In particular, the Piemonte was substituted for the 24th DI Pinerolo, which had been severely battered in the battle of Limnos; the remains of this one (staff, services, some infantry, a little more artillery) were brought back around Veroia. Its reconstitution is planned, but it is however the priority neither of the chief of the General Staff (Cavallero), nor of the Regio Esercito (Ambrosio).
The primary objective of the Italian military leaders is to provide for the simplest of needs: to make up for the losses of the divisions under the command of Generals Messe and Pafundi and that remain as large units, from the 131st Centauro Armored Division to the 53rd ID Arezzo. Second objective: if we accept, for the time being, the destruction of the 32nd DIM Marche and the 41st Firenze ID, it is necessary to restore the two mobile divisions that were severely beaten by the Allies, the 133rd Armored Division Littorio and the 3rd Rapid Division (Celere) Principe Amedeo Duca d'Aosta.
At a joint German-Italian staff meeting, Geloso, flanked by Messe and Pafundi, is able to announce to Rommel that the first objective is about to be reached in the first days of
of June. As for the second, it would take more time. In fact, the pursuit of both was hampered by the attacks on the convoys by both the Allied air force and allied submarines. The sinking of the motor freighter Delia (5,406 GRT) on 16 April by the MN Atalante (LV Conan) cost, among other things, 49 motor vehicles and about 573 tons of various equipment, not to mention several hundred tonnes of supplies for men and animals.
The same is true of the German side, where Rommel also made every effort to restore the potential of his units. For him, too, despite his hazards (such as the loss of the German freighter Atlas, 2,297 GRT, sunk on 13 April by the HMS Thrasher), the sea route, from Venice or Trieste to Patras and Piraeus, remains the most convenient way of transporting reinforcements and supplies.
To conclude, it is decided, in view of the expected resumption of operations, to transfer the 7th Cavalry Regiment Lancieri di Milano of the Italian-German Army Corps from Pafundi to the XXXV CA of Messe.