The American World War: The Coming Storm

CHAPTER TEN

August-December 1939

ROYAL NAVY ORDER OF BATTLE [1]
August 18, 1939

Home Fleet

Carriers: Argus, Ark Royal, Courageous, Glorious, and Majestic
Battle cruisers: Hood, Howe, Repulse, Rodney, and St. George
Battleships: Agincourt, King George V, Prince of Wales, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, Ramillies, Revenge, Royal Sovereign, and Warspite
10 Heavy cruisers
34 Light cruisers
63 Destroyers
43 Submarines
20 Sloops
2 Monitors

Mediterranean Fleet

Carriers: Eagle, Hermes
Battle cruisers: Nelson, Renown
Battleships: Barham, Royal Oak and Valiant
5 Heavy cruisers
17 Light cruisers
31 Destroyers
22 Submarines

Pacific Squadron (based at Singapore):

Carrier: Furious
Battleship: Malaya
1 Heavy cruiser
3 Light cruisers
6 Destroyers
4 Submarines

South Atlantic Squadron

1 Heavy cruiser
2 Light cruisers
4 Destroyers

Building:

5 aircraft carriers
4 battle cruisers
2 battleships
6 heavy cruisers
8 light cruisers
36 destroyers
20 corvettes
20 sloops
24 submarines
GERMAN NAVY ORDER OF BATTLE[2]
August 18, 1939
Pre-dreadnought battleships: Hessen (being converted back into a pre-dreadnought) , Schleswig Holstein, Schleisen
Battleships: Gneisenau, Scharnhorst
6 Heavy cruisers
6 Light cruisers
50 Destroyers
40 submarines

Building:

1 aircraft carrier
3 battleships
4 Heavy cruisers
3 light cruisers
8 destroyers
26 submarines
EBS RADIO NEWS BROADCAST [3]
August 19, 1939

"Good evening, Mr. & Mrs. North and South America and all the ships at sea. Let's go to press. As many of you are aware, war has broken out in Europe again. Here is what we know now: Germany invaded Poland, Britain and France declared war on Germany. Finland, Japan, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the US have all declared themselves neutral in this conflict.

Reports out of the Free City of Danzig indicate that there is a large-scale battle under way in the city. We are also hearing reports out of Warsaw that the Germans caught the Poles by surprise and they have seized vast areas of Polish territory.

From London we are getting reports that both France and Britain have declared full mobilization and they have declared a total blockade of Germany.

It looks like Germany had a very unpleasant visit from the Royal Navy just after war had been declared. According to the British, the battleship Iron Duke sank 2 German cruisers, some destroyers and a number of merchant ships before bombarding the locks of the Kiel Canal. The Germans have denied that such a battle took place. They have claimed that the Iron Duke shelled the Kaiser Wilhelm II Children's hospital in Kiel before being sunk by the Luftwaffe.

From this reporter's prospective it appears that Herr Hitler is a liar. This reporter has not been able to find any hospital by that name in Kiel. The Royal Swedish Navy has released a statement by the Captain of the cruiser Gotland. The Captain states that he and his crew witnessed a naval battle between the British battleship and German cruisers and destroyers. From his report, the German Air Force and Navy were unable to sink the British ship. The Royal Navy was able to sink a number of German ships before being sunk by land-based artillery.

The State Department is urging that all Americans in Poland, if they can safely do so, leave Poland at once. If they can't, they are urged to make their way to the US Embassy in Warsaw. They also state that under no circumstances should you be without your passport.
In Seattle…"
Excerpted from
HORNBLOWER’S WARS[4]
By Rear Admiral Sir David Wilby
Commander, 1st Carrier Squadron
Admiralty Publishing 2002

Chapter XII
OPERATION MARIGOLD
THE BATTLE OF THE HELIGOLAND BIGHT
August 21, 1939

Serious planning for the attack on the German Naval Base at Wilhelmshaven began in early 1938 when Vice Admiral Lord Hornblower became Commander, Aircraft Carrier Squadron of the Atlantic (later Home) Fleet. Hornblower, the Fleet Air Arm's most senior naval aviator, had come to the conclusion that war with Germany was inevitable once Hindenburg died and Hitler came to power. He felt that air power could strike a decisive blow to Germany and her Navy.

The plan called for the use of four of the Royal Navy's carriers - the Ark Royal, Majestic, Courageous, and Glorious escorted by all five battle cruisers of the Battle cruiser Squadron, cruisers and destroyers to attack Wilhelmshaven. A Royal Navy submarine would be in position 40 nautical miles north of Helgoland to act as a guide for the attack force .The carriers would launch just before dawn and their planes would hit the major warships, air fields, tank farms, coastal artillery positions and other targets of opportunity.

Admiral Hornblower was able to use his influence with MI6 to have an intelligence operative planted in Wilhelmshaven to pass along information. Unfortunately, information could take up to a week to get back to the UK. The operative did have a radio for emergencies. From the pre-war intelligence gathered by this operative, Hornblower and his staff estimated that it would take the Germans 3-4 weeks to reinforce Helgoland and Wilhelmshaven with additional anti-aircraft weapons and fighters. It was known that there was a squadron of Messerschmitt Bf 110 fighters based at the local airfield.

The plan was for three squadrons of torpedo carrying Swordfish to attack the warships in the harbor, while two other Swordfish squadrons (carrying mines) would mine the approaches to the harbor. Five squadrons of Supermarine Storm attack aircraft, each plane carrying 1000 kg of bombs would attack the oil farm, airfield and coastal artillery positions. The five squadrons of Fairy Buccaneer fighters would provide air cover.

The attack force left Scapa Flow four hours after the outbreak of war and was in position to launch their attack on the morning of August 21. What they did not know (since the information had yet to be delivered) was that the Germans had moved two Flak Regiments into the area 48 hours before hand and a squadron of Messerschmidt Bf 109 fighters the day before.

Two British destroyers, deployed ahead of the attack force, intercepted and boarded a number of German fishing boats, destroying their radios. Their crews were held aboard the destroyers and released after the attacks were over. Both destroyer crews did buy fresh fish from the Germans, paying them in British pounds.

There were four major warships in the harbor that morning - the pre-dreadnought Hessen, the battleship Gneisenau, and the cruisers Konigsberg and Leipzig. The Hessen, a former training ship, had just cleared the harbor when the attack began at 8:00 a.m. The first wave of the torpedo carrying squadrons (800, 810, & 811 Squadrons), 2 bomb carrying Storm squadrons (802 & 803) and 3 fighter squadrons (812, 820, & 821) took the defenses by surprise.

The Hessen was quickly struck by 4 torpedoes and just as quickly sank just outside the harbor mouth; the Leipzig absorbed 3 torpedoes before settling on the harbor floor, her turrets just under water. The Gneisenau shot down the four Swordfish attempting to torpedo her while the Konigsberg seemed to lead a charmed life as the attackers seemed to ignore her. That charmed life came to an end minutes later as 3 Supermarine Storms each dropped 1000kg bombs on the Konigsberg. She sank within minutes, taking most of her crew with her. Other planes from 802 Squadron went after the oil tank farms, while planes from 803 & 821 Squadrons hit the airfield.

The attacking British squadrons were lucky in that they caught the ME-110 squadron on the ground; destroying most of those aircraft still in their revetments. The Bf 109 Squadron, under the command of Major Werner Molders had taken off earlier for area familiarization flights and upon hearing of the attack came flying back to their base only to find it and the harbor under attack.

The second wave ran into pretty heavy flak and fighter opposition, and while a number of mines were dropped inside and outside the harbor, the Supermarine Storms were forced to abort their attack runs and jettison their bombs (the Kaiser Wilhelm Bridge was severely damaged). A hospital was also damaged by jettisoned bombs (The Germans would later claim that it had been a target) The British lost eight planes from the first wave, 22 from the second wave. Most of the returning planes were shot full of holes (a third would never fly again). Major Molders shot down six of those planes.

Sailing back to the UK, the German U-boat U-24 managed to fire a spread of torpedoes at HMS Agincourt. The destroyer Gloworm put herself between the U boat and the battleship. Glowworm was sunk, while Agincourt was damaged. The U-24 was sunk by the escorting British destroyers. The Agincourt made it back to the UK, but would spend the next 6 months being repaired.


Both sides claimed victory in the battle. The British claimed that they had sunk both battleships and crippled three cruisers while destroying the Luftwaffe on the ground. The Germans claimed they had beaten off the attack and had sunk both the Agincourt and Ark Royal. The loss of the fuel did hurt the Kreigsmarine for a short time and they had a difficult time in finding and destroying all the naval mines dropped by the British. (One mine was discovered on the sea bottom by some divers in 1989.)

An Excerpt from
A SAILOR'S LIFE FOR ME[5]
My Life in the Merchant Navy
1930-1965
by Michael Miller
Admiralty Publishing, 1971

In 1939 I was Second Engineer onboard the cruise ship SS Athenia. We were outbound from Glasgow en route to New York with a crew of 315 and over 1,000 passengers. We had left Glasgow on August 16, 1939 - two days before the outbreak of the Second World War. By 10pm August 18 we were 250 nautical miles North West of Ireland. We had blacked out the ship (or so we thought). I had gotten off duty a short time earlier and was in my cabin. The first explosion knocked me off my feet, the second one stunned me. I thought the boilers had exploded! I was able to get dressed and get out of my cabin when a messenger stopped me with a message from the Captain. All officers were to report to their boat stations. We had been torpedoed and we were sinking!

I was at my boat station with my boat crew and we began loading the passengers. According to the First Officer, the first torpedo had destroyed the engine room, killing everyone there! The second had destroyed the rudder. Damn Germans didn't even give us a fair warning! We were able to load up fairly quickly and I was given the order to lower my boat. I as informed that an American warship was steaming to our rescue and should hopefully be here by daybreak.

The Athenia sank just before 2 a.m. on the 19th. All of the lifeboats were launched and most of the passengers and crew made it off. My superior, Chief Engineer Carl Davis died when the first torpedo hit the engine room along with most of the Black Gang.
Just after 8am I heard a wonderful sound - an airplane engine. Looking around we saw a biplane coming our way. As she flew over us, the pilot waggled his wings. He flew over us several times. We could see it was an American plane. One of my female passengers told me it was an American Helldiver scout bomber, like the one her brother flew in the Navy.

Two hours later, an American destroyer came into view. We were the third lifeboat picked up by the crew of the USS Farragut. Three hours after we were picked up, we were transferred to the American aircraft carrier Alamo and from there we made our way to the US.

Excerpt from
BOMBS AWAY! [6]
MY LIFE AS AN RAF BOMBER PILOT
by Air Vice Marshal Thomas Sweet DFC and Bar (Ret)
Aviation Publishing 1981

Chapter 3 - The First Air Raids

In early 1939, I was a Squadron Leader in command of No. 15 Squadron. We flew the Bristol Blenheim bomber and we, along with 3 other squadrons, on August 21 were ordered to France as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force. The French Army had planned an offensive to take Saarbrucken away from the Germans. The French 1st Army (some 12 divisions strong) was going to advance on a 30 km front and we would be providing air support on their right flank. After an intense but short artillery barrage, the French infantry crossed the border and moved on towards Saarbrucken. The German 17th and 79th Infantry Divisions managed to delay but not halt the French advance. My squadron was called in on several attacks on the German 17th Division and we sent in a 10-ship attack on their positions. I led the attack on a fortified position consisting of a number of blockhouses backed up by machine gun and artillery positions. We came in low (about 100 feet off the ground) and we dropped our bombs on an artillery position. We lost our port engine over the target and had to crash land three miles from the French-German border. We walked four miles before being able to hitch a ride back to our airfield. Everyone of course knows the result of the Saar Offensive. The French were halted 10 kilometers outside the city before being driven back by a strong German counter attack and low French morale.

PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNS[7]
THE NATIONAL SECURITY ACT OF 1939
White House Press Release
August 25, 1939

President Roosevelt signed the bipartisan National Security Act of 1939 (The Vinson-Luce Act) today in a signing ceremony in the Roosevelt Room at the White House. Present were Vice President Garner, Representative Carl Vinson (D) of Georgia, Representative Robert Luce (R) of Massachusetts, Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall, Chief of Naval Operations Harold Stark and Mr. Clarence Dykstra, Director of the Selective Service.

The Act calls for all able-bodied males ranging from 18-32 to serve 4 years of active duty in the US Armed Forces followed by 8 years in the Reserves. Those citizens unable to serve because of religious convictions or because of physical limitations will be allowed to perform up to 4 years of community service.

The Act also enables Negros to serve in segregated Marine battalions, opens up more positions in the Navy, and permits the formation of 4 US Army Air Corps squadrons to be staffed by Negros.

The act takes effect January 1, 1940 and replaces the 1930 National Security Act.

An Excerpt from
THE POLISH EAGLE
THE LIFE OF STANISLAW SOSABOWSKI[8]
By Colonel Anton Sosabowski, Polish Air Force, Retd
Headquarters Publishing
2008
Chapter 2: The Early War Years

In 1939 Stanislaw Sosabowski was a colonel in command of the Polish 9th Infantry Regiment (8th Infantry Division) in the Polish Modlin Army. The outbreak of war saw the Modlin Army being attacked by the German 3rd Army. Sosabowski regiment fought with bravery in the Battle of Mlawa. His regiment, during a counter attack, was able to virtually destroy the German 162nd Infantry Regiment of the 61st Infantry Division. During the division's retreat to Warsaw, Sosabowski regiment was the rearguard for the Modlin Army. Time and time again, his regiment bloodied the noses of the pursing German units. Just before reaching Warsaw, Sosabowski received orders to fall back to the Romanian Bridgehead and assume the duties of the Deputy Commander. His regiment had almost reached that area when on August 29, the regiment received word of the Soviet Invasion on the 28th. After briefly engaging in combat with the Soviet 6th Rifle Division, the regiment crossed the Hungarian-Polish border and the survivors, including Sosabowski, were interned. The senior Polish general (Rommel) in Hungary ordered that officers should try to escape and make their way to the West. Sosabowski escaped from his internment camp on September 18 and made his way to the French Embassy in Budapest. The French were able to smuggle him out and he landed in Marseilles on October 1st. He was assigned as Deputy Commander of the Polish Legion in France.

TOP SECRET - PRIME MINISTER'S EYES ONLY[9]
POST CONFLICT ANALYSIS-
THE POLISH GERMAN-WAR

The Germans used a surprisingly new form of mobile warfare backed up with air power. The Germans invaded Poland from positions inside of Prussia and Germany proper. They used an overwhelming amount of troops, artillery and bombers. They overwhelmed the Polish Army (For more information see below)

The Polish Air Force did render a good accounting of itself, shooting down (we believe) 100 dive bombers, 30 high level bombers and 40 fighters for the loss of 68 Polish fighters. The PAF was fighting from undisclosed secret bases and were able to give the Luftwaffe a bloody nose before their supply depots were over run and the majority of the Polish fighters were grounded and destroyed. Some Polish fighters did see combat against the Soviet Air Force. We are not able to ascertain the level of damage inflicted by either side. A force of between 8 and 12 Polish PZL 37 bombers did launch an air raid on Frankfurt, Germany eight days into the war. Their target was the Frankfort Central Train Station. According to neutrals in the city at the time of the attack, a force of at least three but not more than five bombers made it over the city as the dropped their bombs. No damage to the station was reported, but several miles of tracks were destroyed as were numerous trains. No bomber is believed to have made it back to Poland.

The Polish Navy had a minor role during the campaign. The largest fleet units - 3 destroyers - made their escape from the Baltic four days prior to the start of the war. One other destroyer n dry dock was destroyed on the second day of the war. They are currently operating under command of the Home Fleet as per the Polish Government's orders. Of the six fleet submarines, two have made it to the United Kingdom, two are currently interned in Sweden, one was sunk in an unsuccessful attack on a German convoy and one is missing believed sunk. Eight other minor Polish Navy ships were either sunk or scuttled.

The Polish Army consisted of about 30 divisions (mainly infantry) and 16 independent brigades (mainly cavalry) formed into 6 Armies. The Germans were able to overwhelm the border defense rather quickly. The Poles were out gunned, out generaled and out manned. Had the Soviets not jumped in, it is believed that the Polish Army could have held out in the "Romanian Bridgehead" for 4-6 months. The Poles did fight bravely and on the local level were able to slow down or stop the German advance. Thus far, we have found numerous instances of Polish horse cavalry units charging German infantry and artillery units, but no horse cavalry vs. German panzer encounters.

The entire campaign lasted just over 6 weeks.

PRESIDENTIAL INTELLIGENCE BRIEFING[10]
October 2, 1939

The President's briefer was Commander James Thatch; USN

There was a large anti-American riot in Mexico City last night. Four Americans were killed, another 30 wounded. Mexican casualties are believed to be around 150. General Van Voorhis has issued an amnesty to the rioters. He feels that there has been enough bloodshed. Military intelligence here in Washington is disagreeing with Colonel Willoughby's assessments that these are "disaffected youth". They feel that an outside agency is behind these riots. General Marshall, however, is reluctant to override the man on the scene.

The State Department has issued a warning for all Americans traveling in Europe and Mexico.

The British Expeditionary Forces in France have moved to the Franco-Belgian border. General Lord Gort is the British commander. Right now he has 3 infantry divisions in his command with several more and an armored division awaiting transportation to move to France.

ONI is confirming that the German claim of the sinking of the British aircraft carrier HMS Argus is true; however, she was an older and smaller carrier, not one of the Royal Navy's main fleet carriers.

ONI has also confirmed that the Germans will be annexing Danzig and Western Poland.

The French Army has abandoned its offensive towards Saarbrucken and is now occupying a strip of Germany 5 miles deep.

The British Indian Government has announced the formation of the Indian Corps and it will be deployed to Europe by the end of 1939.

The Chinese and Japanese are still engaged in battle around the Chinese city of Changsha. Neutral observers from Germany and the US say the battle is reminiscent of the Western Front in the Great War.

The Air Corps is transferring the 10th Bombardment Group with 48 B-18 bombers to the Philippines.

The Army, as per your instructions, has been upgrading the coastal artillery defenses of the Philippines and the Territory of Hawaii.

MEMORANDUM FROM
HIGH COMMAND OF THE ARMED FORCES[11]
OCTOBER 10, 1939

By order of the Fuhrer! The Fuhrer desires that the High Commands of the Luftwaffe, Heer, and Kreigsmarine begin planning for the invasion and occupation of France to remove the threat caused by that nation's armed forces. It is the Fuhrer's desire that operations against France begin by the middle of January 1940.

To accomplish this task, the Fuhrer understands that it will be necessary to also invade the Netherlands and Belgium. The Fuhrer wants an initial operation plan by no later than November 15, 1939.

Signed, Field Marshal Wilhelm Keitel

ANC NEWS EVENING REPORT [12]
October 18, 1939

Washington DC - earlier today, citing the ongoing wars in Europe and Asia; President Roosevelt federalized the National Guard for one year of service with the Army.

China - Japanese Army officials denied that they massacred civilians during the capture of the Chinese city of Fuzhou, the capital city of Fujian Province. According to one IJA official, all Chinese civilians were decently treated and only those people caught in arms against the Imperial Japanese Army were executed.

France - Sporadic fighting continues along the Franco-German border with casualties on all sides.

Outside of Manila, both US Army and Philippine Army officials oversaw the opening of the newest airfield that will be home to squadrons from both the USAAC and PAAC. Nichols Army Airfield will serve as the headquarter for the Philippine Army Air Corps when the Philippines achieves their independence

Fort Bragg: The US Army debuted its newest armored vehicle - the M3 Half Track, used for carrying infantry into battle during war games this week.

ROYAL NAVY FLEET AIR ARM
ORDER OF BATTLE[13]
October 30, 1939

700 Naval Air Squadron (Home Fleet battleships) (Fairey Seafox)
701 Naval Air Squadron (Mediterranean Fleet battleships/battle cruisers) (Seafox)
702 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Sea Hurricane)
703 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Sea Hurricane)
704 Naval Air Squadron (Home Fleet battle cruisers) (Seafox)
705 Naval Air Squadron (Home Fleet cruisers) (Seafox)
706 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Buccaneer)
707 Naval Air Squadron (Pacific Squadron ships) (Seafox)
708 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland) (Singapore)
709 Naval Air Squadron (Mediterranean Fleet cruisers) (Seafox)
710 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Swordfish)
711 Naval Air Squadron (Home Fleet cruisers) (Seafox)
712 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland) (Alexandria)
713 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland)
714 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland)
715 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Avro Anson)
716 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Supermarine Storm)
717 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland)
718 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Scapa/Seafox)
719 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland)
720 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland)
721 Naval Air Squadron (Maritime Reconnaissance) (Sunderland) (Malta)
722 Naval Air Squadron (Reconnaissance) (Supermarine Scapa)
723 Naval Air Squadron (Reconnaissance) (Scapa))
724 Naval Air Squadron (Reconnaissance (Anson)
725 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Sunderland)
730 Naval Air Squadron (Training) (Buccaneer)
731 Naval Air Squadron (Reconnaissance) (Anson)

800 Naval Air Squadron (Rebuilding) (Sea Hurricane)
801 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Majestic) (Sea Hurricane)
802 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Eagle) (Buccaneer)
803 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Ark Royal) (Buccaneer)
804 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Majestic) (Sea Hurricane)
805 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Hermes) (Sea Gladiator)
806 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Courageous) (Buccaneer)
807 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Furious) (Sea Gladiator)
808 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Glorious) (Storm)
809 Naval Air Squadron (Rebuilding) (Storm)
810 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Glorious) (Swordfish)
811 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Majestic) (Swordfish)
812 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Ark Royal) (Buccaneer)
813 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Courageous) (Storm)
820 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Majestic) (Storm)
821 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Courageous (Swordfish)
822 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Ark Royal) (Storm)
823 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Furious) (Swordfish)
824 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Eagle) (Storm)
825 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Hermes) (Storm)
826 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Ark Royal) (Swordfish)
827 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Glorious) (Buccaneer)
828 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Hermes) (Swordfish)
829 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Courageous) Buccaneer)
830 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Eagle (Swordfish)
831 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Furious) (Storm)
832 Naval Air Squadron (HMS Glorious) (Buccaneer)
833 Naval Air Squadron (forming) (Sea Hurricane)
834 Naval Air Squadron (forming) (Sea Hurricane)
835 Naval Air Squadron (forming) (Sea Hurricane)
836 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Gladiator) (Malta)
837 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Gladiator) (Malta)
838 Naval Air Squadron (Buccaneer) (Singapore)
839 Naval Air Squadron (Sea Gladiator) (Singapore)

ROYAL AIR FORCE
ORDER OF BATTLE[14]
OCTOBER 30, 1939

Advanced Air Striking Force (France)

No.1 Group -1st Squadron, No. 32 Squadron, No. 65 Squadron, No. 87 Squadron, No. 107 Squadron (Hurricane) No. 80 Squadron (Griffin)

No. 14 Group - No. 2 Squadron, No. 4 Squadron, No. 13 Squadron, No 16 Squadron, No. 98 Squadron - Lysander, No. 105 Squadron (Reconnaissance) (Battle)

No. 23 Group - No. 12 Squadron, No. 108 Squadron (Battle), No. 21 Squadron, No. 23 Squadron, No. 35 Squadron, No. 53 Squadron (Blenheim)

Bomber Command

No. 2 Group - No. 9 Squadron, No. 36 Squadron, No. 37 Squadron, No. 81 Squadron, No. 88 Squadron, No. 109 Squadron (Wellington)

No. 3 Group - No. 7 Squadron, No. 10 Squadron, No. 38 Squadron, No. 89 Squadron, No. 99 Squadron, No. 110 Squadron (Stirling)

No. 5 Group - No. 44 Squadron, No. 49 Squadron, No. 50 Squadron, No. 62 Squadron, No. 97 Squadron, No. 106 Squadron (Hampden)

No. 22 Group - No. 51 Squadron, No. 62 Squadron, No. 102 Squadron (Whitley), No. 57 Squadron, No.77 Squadron, No. 147 Squadron (Wellington)

Coastal Command

No. 4 Group - No. 15 Squadron, No. 58 Squadron, No. 103 Squadron (Stranraer)

No. 15 Group - No 22 Squadron, No. 59 Squadron, No. 104 Squadron (Beaufort)

No. 18 Group - No. 48 Squadron, No. 82 Squadron, No. 148 Squadron (Anson)

Fighter Command

No. 10 Group - No.3 Squadron, No. 19 Squadron (Griffin), No. 25 Squadron, No. 68 Squadron, No. 111, No. 144 Squadron (Hurricane)

No. 11 Group - No. 5 Squadron, No. 26 Squadron, No. 43 Squadron (Hurricane), No. 69 Squadron, No. 145 Squadron (Griffin)

No. 12 Group - No. 41 Squadron, No. 92 Squadron (Griffins), No. 46 Squadron, No. 54 Squadron, No. 146 Squadron (Hurricane)

No. 13 Group - No. 56 Squadron, No. 67 Squadron, No. 83 Squadron, No. 93 Squadron (Hurricane), No. 66 Squadron, No.147 Squadron (Griffin)

RAF Far East
No. 9 Group (India) - No. 11 Squadron (Gladiator), No. 20 Squadron, No. 27 Squadron (Battles), No. 28 Squadron (Lysander), No. 34 Squadron (Hurricane), No. 42 Squadron, No. 100 Squadron (Vildabeast)

No. 17 Group (Burma) - No. 84 Squadron (Vultee Vengeance), No. 85 Squadron (Hurricane), No. 146 Squadron (Battle)

No. 113 Squadron (Gladiator) (Hong Kong)

RAF Malta

No. 8 Group - No. 17 Squadron, No. 40 Squadron (Gladiators), No. 29 Squadron, No. 60 Squadron (Blenheim)

RAF Middle East

No. 7 Group - No. 6 Squadron (Lysander), No. 8 Squadron (Battle), No. 30 Squadron, No.39 Squadron, No. 45 Squadron, No. 101 Squadron (Blenheim)

No. 26 Group - No. 14 Squadron, No. 145 Squadron (Hurricane), No. 33 Squadron, No. 112 Squadron (Gladiator)

Training Command

No. 6 Group - No. 18 Squadron, No. 53 Squadron, No.86 Squadron, No. 150 Squadron (Tiger Moth), No. 150 Squadron (Airspeed Oxford), No. 151 Squadron, No. 152 Squadron (Miles Master)

No. 16 Group- No. 55 Squadron (Griffin), No. 63 Squadron (Anson), No. 78 Squadron (Whitley), No. 90 Squadron (Blenheim), No. 149 Squadron (Wellington)

Transport Command

No. 25 Group - No. 24 Squadron, No. 64 Squadron, No. 87 Squadron (Express), No. 31 Squadron, No. 79 Squadron (Hornet Moth), No. 47 Squadron (Percival)

No. 30 Group - No. 143 Squadron , No. 14 Squadron (Stirling)

ROYAL MARINES
ORDER OF BATTLE[15]
October 30, 1939

Royal Marine Division

Division HQ
1st Royal Marine Brigade - 2nd, 3rd, 5th RM Battalions
2nd Royal Marine Brigade - 4th, 6th, 7th RM Battalions
3rd Royal Marine Brigade - 8th, 10th, 11th RM Battalion
Royal Marine Artillery Brigade - 1st, 2nd, 3rd RMA Battalions

9th RM Battalion (Singapore)
12th RM Battalion (Hong Kong)

Excerpted from
HMS ROYAL OAK DESTROYED!!
LORD HALIFAX FEARED
DEAD!!!
LONDON GAZETTE[16]
By Helen Scott
October 31, 1939

Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands. In the early morning hours of Saturday morning, an onboard explosion sank the battleship HMS Royal Oak. Among the dead and missing are Rear Admiral Henry Blagrove, Captain William Benn, the Royal Oak's Captain, and Lord Halifax, the Foreign Secretary. Lord Halifax was visiting his friend Admiral Blagrove and was last seen in the waters of Scapa Flow. The Royal Navy is conducting an extensive search of the area looking for all survivors including Lord Halifax.

The loss of the Royal Oak is believed to have been the cause of an accidental explosion onboard ship. There were over 1,000 in her crew when the accident happened. It is believed that the accident is similar to the one that sank HMS Resolution several years ago.


Excerpted from
LORD HALIFAX DEAD!!!
FOREIGN SECRETARY'S BODY FOUND
WASHED ASHORE
LONDON GAZETTE[17]
By Helen Scott
November 1, 1939

A Royal Marine search party on the shore of the island of Hoy discovered the body of Foreign Secretary Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, the Lord Irwin. His body is being transported to London where he will lie in state at Westminster Abby.

The Admiralty has confirmed that the deaths of 652 officers and crew who died onboard the Royal Oak or died ashore from their wounds. The Admiralty is also denying the German claim that one of their U-boats sank the Royal Oak while she lay at anchor. The Admiralty did confirm the sinking of a German U-boat outside the harbor, however, that ship was sunk while trying to enter the harbor.
BELGIAN ARMY ORDER OF BATTLE [18]
(GERMAN ARMY INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE)
November 1, 1939

The Belgian Army is composed of 5 active and 2 reserve corps. They control a total of 20 active and reserve divisions - 3 cavalry and 17 infantry divisions, plus a frontier guard brigade, 1 panzer, 2 heavy and 6 light artillery brigades.

I Corps (active)
1st Infantry Division
4th Infantry Division
7th Infantry Division
1st Heavy Artillery Brigade
1st Panzer Brigade

(1st Division is believed to be partly motorized.)
II Corps (active)

6th Infantry Division
11th Infantry Division
14th (Reserve) Infantry Division
2nd Heavy Artillery Brigade

III Corps (active)

1st Ardennes Rifles Division
2nd Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Division
1st Light Artillery Brigade
5th Light Artillery Brigade

IV Corps (active)

9th Infantry Division
15th (Reserve) Infantry Division
18th Infantry Divisions
2nd Light Artillery Brigade
4th Light Artillery Brigade

V Reserve Corps

12th Infantry Division
13th Infantry Division
17th (Reserve) Infantry Division
3rd Light Artillery Brigade
7th (Reserve) Light Artillery Brigade

VI Reserve Corps

5th Infantry Division
10th (Reserve) Infantry Division
16th (Reserve) Infantry Divisions
6th (Reserve) Light Artillery Brigade
18th (Reserve) Light Artillery Brigade

Cavalry Corps

1st Cavalry Division
2nd Cavalry Division
1st Mobile Artillery Brigade

(Each division contains 1 motorized cavalry battalion)

Belgian Army Air Corps

6 Observation/Army Cooperation Squadrons (French Poetz 630)
6 Fighter Squadrons (2xBritish Gloster Gladiator, 4xFrench Morane-Saulnier MS-06 fighter)
1 Reconnaissance Squadron (British Fairey Battle)
2 Bomber Squadrons (British Fairey Battle light bomber)


[FONT=&quot]DUTCH ARMED FORCES[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]ORDER OF BATTLE[19][/FONT]

(GERMAN ARMY INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE)
November 1, 1939

The Armed Forces of the Netherlands will not pose much of a threat to our armies. The Dutch Army consists of 5 weak, poorly armed infantry divisions and 1 light cavalry division. They have obsolete tanks and their artillery is very weak and obsolete.

Dutch I Corps

1st Infantry Division
3rd Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division
Dutch II Corps
1st Light Cavalry Division
2nd Infantry Division
4th Infantry Division

The Dutch Air Force – or more accurately – the Dutch Army Aviation Brigade – consists of 1 bomber squadron, 2 reconnaissance squadrons, and 4 fighter squadrons. Their aircraft are a mixture of old and new, mainly old aircraft.

The Dutch Marine Corps consists of a 3-battalion regiment with 2 battalions deployed overseas

The majority of the Dutch Navy is overseas with their empire. Their flagship, the Amsterdam, the former British battle cruiser HMS Tiger, is currently dry-docked in Amsterdam undergoing modernization.
[FONT=&quot]It is estimated that the Netherlands can be conquered within one to two weeks.[/FONT]



[FONT=&quot]FRENCH ARMY[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]ORDER OF BATTLE[20][/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]NOVEMBER 15, 1939[/FONT]


Metropolitan France

French First Army Group (North-eastern France)

Army Group Reserves

4th Indo-Chinese Division

French 1st Army

Army Reserves

Polish Legion (1st Polish Infantry Division)

French I Cavalry Corps

1st Light Cavalry Division
4th Light Cavalry Division
21st Light Mechanized Division

French III Corps

2nd Colonial Infantry Division
4th North African Infantry Division
40th Infantry Division

French IV Corps

2nd Moroccan Infantry Division
21st Infantry Division

French V Corps

5th Indo-Chinese Light Infantry Division
25th Motorized Division

French VII Corps

2nd Ardennes Infantry Division
9th Infantry Division

French 2nd Army

Army Reserves

10th North African Infantry Division
1st Czech Cavalry Brigade

French X Corps

1st Czech Infantry Division
18th Infantry Division
38th Infantry Division

French XVIII Corps

6th Infantry Division
41st Infantry Division

French 7th Army

Army Reserves

3rd North African Infantry Division
20th Motorized Division

French I Corps

2nd Light Cavalry Division
26th Motorized Division

French XVI Corps

1st Moroccan Infantry Division
99th Infantry Division

French 9th Army

Army Reserves

98th Infantry Division

French II Corps

3rd Light Mechanized Division
5th Motorized Division

French XI Corps

3rd Light Cavalry Division
22nd Light Infantry Division
29th Infantry Division

French XLI Corps

23rd Light Infantry Division
39th Infantry Division
3rd Polish Infantry Brigade

2nd French Army Group (covering the Franco-German border from Montmedy to Strasbourg)

Army Group Reserves

97th Infantry Division

French 3rd Army

Army Reserves

3rd Indo-Chinese Division
32nd Infantry Division

French Colonial Corps

1st Colonial Infantry Division
8th Colonial Infantry Division
101st Infantry Division

French VI Corps

10th Infantry Division
24th Infantry Division

French XXIV Corps

25th Infantry Division
96th Infantry Division

French XLII Corps

1st Infantry Division
95th Infantry Division

French 4th Army

Army Reserves

1st Indo-Chinese Division

French IX Corps

11th Infantry Division
17th Infantry Division

French XX Corps

12th Infantry Division
31st Infantry Division

French 5th Army

Army Reserves

8th Infantry Division

French VIII Corps

26th Infantry Division
61st Infantry Division

French XII Corps

1st Light Mechanized Division
13th Infantry Division
29th Infantry Division

French XVII Corps (located 5 miles inside Germany)

4th Light Cavalry Division
35th Infantry Division

French XLII Corps

5th Infantry Division
33rd Infantry Division

French 3rd Army Group (Covering from Strasbourg to the Franco-Italian border)

Army Group Reserves

16th Infantry Division

French 8th Army

Army Reserves

2nd Polish Legion (forming)

VII Corps

14th Infantry Division
34th Infantry Division

XIII Corps

4th Infantry Division
36th Infantry Division

XLIV Corps

55th Infantry Division
60th Infantry Division

Army of the Alps
(Covering the Franco-Italian border)

Army Reserves

1st Mountain Division

L Corps

3rd Mountain Division
4th Moroccan Mountain Division
30th Mountain Division

LV Corps

2nd Mountain Division
27th Mountain Division

Border Security Force (Maginot Line positions)

102nd Fortress, 103rd Fortress, 104th Fortress, 105th Fortress, 106th Fortress Divisions

North Africa

Army of Africa

Army Reserves

8th Colonial Infantry Division
2nd Brigade, Foreign Legion

French XIX Corps

5th Moroccan Infantry Division
6th Motorized Division*
71st Infantry Division
3rd Mixed Brigade, Foreign Legion

French XX Corps*

2nd North African Infantry Division*
5th Light Mechanized Division*
6th Indo-Chinese Infantry Division*

French XLIX Corps

15th Motorized Division*
19th Infantry Division
28th Infantry Division

Syrian Corps

5th North African Infantry Division
9th Motorized Division*
54th Infantry Division
1st Brigade, Foreign Legion

Madagascar Corps

6th Cavalry Division*
53rd Infantry Division (Mauritius)
68th Infantry Division

Army of Indo-China

2nd Light Mechanized Division
5th Light Cavalry Division
7th Infantry Division
9th Colonial Infantry Division
37th Infantry Division
5th Foreign Legion Regiment

*Units earmarked to be transferred to Metropolitan France
Excerpt from
NEW MEXICO NATIONAL GUARD
UNIT GOING OVERSEAS[21]
THE ALBUQUERQUE TRIBUNE
By Kevin Ruffe
November 18, 1939

The reports are true. Last week, when rumors began to surface about the boys of the 200th Coastal Artillery Regiment, New Mexican National Guard were about to be sent overseas, most people back here discounted them as just rumors. Today, the Governor's office confirmed that in January, the 200th will be sent to the Philippines.

This comes as welcome news to many mothers and wives as good news. Only a fool would believe war with Japan was possible, especially with their army tied up in China.
BEBC NEWS[22]
November 19, 1939

Good evening this is London. Last night bombers from the RAF’s Bomber Command hit multiple targets inside Germany. Bombers hit the German Naval Bases at Helgoland and Wilhelmshaven. Our entire bomber force returned safely to base while inflicting massive damage on their targets. Bomber Command bomber, in conjunction with bombers from the RAF’s Advance Striking Force based in France and French Air Force bombers continued to attack targets in and around Saarbrucken. The RAF regrets to announce that four bombers were lost over their target.

RAF Griffin fighters intercepted a German air raid this morning over Scapa Flow. The Griffins were able to down 8 German bombers for the loss of only 1 Griffin.

The Admiralty regrets to announce that His Majesty’s submarine Seahorse is overdue and presumed missing.

Meanwhile, the evacuation of pregnant women and small children continue to be evacuated from the cities in advance of German air raids. Parents are encouraged to send their older children to Canadian relocation camps where they will safely sit out the war.

[FONT=&quot]Excerpts of[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot] OUR WAR IN THE BALTIC[/FONT]

NAVAL NEWS MAGAZINE[23]
BY Captain Richard Skilton, RN (RET)
April 1966
I was the captain of HMS Seahorse, an S Class submarine launched in 1932. I was a commander at the time I took command of her a year before the war began. We had been ordered to patrol the Baltic and attack German shipping in their own back yard. I was foolish enough to ask the Commodore who’s not so brilliant idea this was, as we would be violating the neutrality of at least one nation. He had replied with one word “Churchill”.

(Editor’s note: At that time, Winston Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty, declassified memorandum between Churchill and the First Sea Lord indicates that the Admirals were not in favor of this idea (mainly over neutrality concerns). Churchill’s final memorandum on the subject ends with the line: “Neutrality be damned, carry out the mission.”)

We had to be very careful about this, since Denmark Sweden and Norway controlled the entrance to the Baltic, we had to make the run at night and on the surface, but I felt that my crew could pull it off.

We left Portsmouth at dawn on November 15 and we entered the Kattegat at dusk on the 16th. We had a close encounter with an unknown warship (after the war, I found out it had been a Danish minelayer) but we managed to slip away from her. We made our way down the Danish-German coast, but we didn’t find any worthwhile targets.
At dawn on November 18, 1939 we were 20 nautical miles off of Kiel when during a sonar sweep; we picked up a large target escorted by 4 smaller ones. We closed the distance and saw the unmistakable silhouette of an aircraft carrier escorted by some torpedo boats. According to our copy of Jane’s, we knew the Germans had laid down a carrier, but we didn’t have any specifics.
I ordered all the bow tubes loaded and we shot off a full load of six 533mm torpedoes at a range of ½ mile. I then took her as deep as she could go without bottoming the boat. We heard five of the six torpedoes hit. Four of them had hit the carrier, the fifth hit a torpedo boat, blowing her out of the water. Upon hearing the explosions, I took her back up to periscope depth. The carrier was missing approximately 100 feet from her forward section. I could see a torpedo boat along side. We didn’t know at that time, but we had ruined Grand Admiral Erich Raeder’s day! The Commander-in-Chief of the German Navy was on board observing the ship’s sea trials, and we provided him with an excellent example of German Navy damage control techniques. Unfortunately for him, the crew was unable to save the ship and she went down less than 30 minutes after Raeder had abandoned the carrier.
As we were watching Raeder jump ship, one of the escorts spotted out scope and opened up on us. We dived; unfortunately in doing so we bottomed out and damaged the propeller. We were able to make five or six knots at best. Two of the escorts came close to our position and started dropping depth charges.
For the next five hours, ship after ship would drop depth charges trying to destroy us. We had the bad luck to be near Kiel, two or three ships would drop depth charges, and the others would go back to port and reload.
By 6pm that night, we were in serious trouble. Our fuel oil was leaking out of the hull, giving away our position; the periscope was smashed, as was the radio and sonar. I knew that the chances of us getting out of here were slim, but I set a course for Sweden, hoping we could make it there. I didn’t know it, but we were on a direct course for the wreck of a German cargo ship sunk by the old Iron Duke just after the war started.
We plowed right into the wreck destroying the forward torpedo room. With no chances of escaping and before the Germans above found us again, I ordered all classified documents destroyed and the sub abandoned. I was the last off the old girl and surfaced minutes later, I was only in the water a short time before I was picked up.
We were landed and met by a group of very irate German sailors. I expected that we were going to get a sound thrashing, but an elderly gentleman (Raeder) put a stop to that and ordered us to be treated decently.
I spent the rest of the war in a POW camp.

(Editor’s note: The German carrier was the Graf Zeppelin, her sinking was the end of the German carrier program. Of the 36 officers and men on board the Seat the time of her encounter with the Graf Zeppelin, 8 were killed and 12 more wounded. Thanks to the timely intervention by Admiral Raeder, the survivors were decently treated after the battle)

[FONT=&quot]BRITISH ARMY[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]ORDER OF BATTLE[24][/FONT]
December 1, 1939
FRANCE
BEF HQ (Operating under the command of the French 1st Army Group)
General Lord Gort Commanding

GHQ Reserves

1st Tank Brigade
1st Armored Reconnaissance Brigade

Br I Corps

1st Infantry Division
2nd Infantry Division
5th Infantry Division
48th (South Midland) Infantry Division

Br II Corps

4th Infantry Division
Australian 6th Infantry Division
44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division
New Zealand 1st Infantry Brigade Group

Br III Corps

3rd Infantry Division
42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division
51st (Highland) Infantry Division

UNITED KINGDOM

Northern Command

Br IV Corps (Scheduled to be deployed to France, February 25, 1940)

1st Cavalry Division
18th (East Anglican) Infantry Division
23rd (Northumbrian) Infantry Division

Br VIII Corps

46th (North Midland) Infantry Division
49th (West Riding) Infantry Division
50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division

Eastern Command

Br V Corps

1st (London) Motorized Division (being transferred to Egypt)
2nd (London) Infantry Division
12th (Eastern) Infantry Division

Br IX Corps (Corps scheduled to deploy to France Feb 18, 1940)

59th (Staffordshire) Infantry Division
61st (South Midland) Infantry Division

Southern Command

Br VII Corps

38th (Welsh) Infantry Division
43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division
53rd (Welsh) Infantry Division

Br X Corps (scheduled to be deployed to France April 1, 1940)

45th Infantry Division
54th (East Anglican) Infantry Division
55th (West Lancashire) Infantry Division

Scottish Command

9th (Highland) Infantry Division
15th (Scottish) Infantry Division
52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division

MIDDLE EAST

Br VI Corps

6th Infantry Division
8th Infantry Division

FAR EAST

10th Infantry Division (Singapore)

[FONT=&quot]Excerpts from[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot] FAILURES IN INTELLIGENCE:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE 1940 MEXICAN INSURRECTION[25][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]By John Walker[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Headquarters Publishing 1980[/FONT]

Colonel Charles Willoughby was totally unsuited for the job of a department, theatre or army level intelligence officer. Psychologists would later coin the term “The Peter Principle” to describe how people like Willoughby managed to achieve positions of great responsibility. Modern day historians say that Willoughby would have made a fine regimental or brigade level staff officer.

By late 1939, there had been a total of 58 anti-American riots in the Mexican Occupied Territory; most were small riots causing little damage. Several, including the July 4 Mexico City and the August 18 Veracruz riots caused millions of dollars in damage and the deaths of over 100 Mexicans. By this time, most of the American intelligence officers who were not following Willoughby’s official line that these riots were caused by malcontents and criminals, found themselves reassigned to other commands.

It is not known how Willoughby was able to convince General Van Voorhis (Commanding General 4th US Army and Military Governor of Mexico) that his viewpoint was correct. There are signs that Van Voorhis had strong doubts about Willoughby’s competence. A recently discovered letter from Van Voorhis to General Marshall, Army Chief of Staff, indicated that Van Voorhis was looking for a replacement for his intelligence chief.

On August 18, 1939 a US Army patrol, stumbled upon, at first glance, what looked like a bandit hideout outside of Tampico. During the fighting, several privates later reported that two “blonde Europeans” were able to flee the area in a civilian car. Among the items captured were US Army uniforms, Browning Automatic Rifles, identify cards and blank US passports. Their report reached the office of Colonel Willoughby and no higher.
[FONT=&quot]BEBC NEWS[26][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]December 2, 1939[/FONT]

Good evening, this is London. Intense fighting continues along the Mannerheim Line in Finland between the Finns and Soviet invaders. Both the United States and Great Britain have condemned the invasion. Thus far only the Soviet Union has recognized has recognized the so-called Finnish Democratic Republic. Several unnamed senior Foreign Office officials have stated that it is highly unlikely that any Western government would recognize the Soviet puppet state.

In Geneva today, the Secretary General of the League of Nations, Joseph Avenol stated that unless the Soviet Union withdrew from Finland at once the League would have no choice but to expel the Soviets from that august body.

In China, the American Volunteer Group claimed to have shot down 28 Japanese bombers over Kunming for the loss of only 2 Chinese fighters. The Japanese Government is strongly denying that any of their aircraft were lost to the “American mercenaries”.

[1] RN archives

[2] Library of Congress

[3] EBS News

[4] Hornblower’s Wars by Rear Admiral Sir David Wilby, RN, Admiralty Publishing 2002

[5] A Sailor’s Life for Me by Michael Miller, Admiralty Publishing 1971

[6] Bombs Away! Air Vice Marshal Thomas Sweet, Aviation Publishing 1981

[7] White House press release, FDR Presidential Library archives

[8] The Polish Eagle, Sosabowski, Anton; Headquarters Publishing, 2008

[9] British Army archives

[10] White House archives

[11] Library of Congress

[12] ANC News

[13] RN archives

[14] RAF archives

[15] Royal Marines Archives

[16] London Gazette October 31, 1939

[17] London Gazette, November 1, 1939

[18] Library of Congress

[19] Library of Congress

[20] French Army archives

[21] Albuquerque Tribune November 18, 1939

[22] BEBC News

[23] Our War in the Baltic by Captain Richard Skilton, RN (ret) Naval News, April 1966

[24] British Army archives

[25] Failures in Intelligence by John Walker 1980

[26] BEBC World News
 
Last edited:
The Iron Duke was 20 miles away from Kiel and limited to 19 knots. The Captain decided that the chances of his ship making it back to the UK were slim indeed. Plus, he knew that he did not command a ship that would see much, if any combat and he didn't want his ship to end up on the scrap heap. So that left him two, possibly three choices:

1 - Find the nearest Germans and sink them and then do the most damage he could to the Germans

2 - Make it to Sweden and sit out the war.

3 - Scuttle his ship.

I don't see why the British would waste such an asset when they can send a cruiser. The Iron Duke should have remained with the battle fleet in Scapa Flow.

Wouldn't the 4th option be sail to Denmark if he is 20 miles from Kiel?
 
She's hardly an asset. She is old, she's not a first line warship. The Admiralty has better things to do with their cruisers right now that was is about to break out. Plus sending a battleship (even an older one) shows the Poles and Germans that perhaps the Brits are taking this seriously.
 
She's hardly an asset. She is old, she's not a first line warship. The Admiralty has better things to do with their cruisers right now that was is about to break out. Plus sending a battleship (even an older one) shows the Poles and Germans that perhaps the Brits are taking this seriously.

If they believed that war was going to break out then they shouldn't send a battleship, since they will be possibly losing the crew. Also its presence could make the situation worse.
 
The British Government ordered the Admiralty to send a battleship, the Admiralty, knowing that the politicians are sending a message to the Poles and Germans, send an old battleship.
 
It's a cool TL - I like it. Good luck with it. I want to help you with WWI a bit.

I'm afraid WWI might be the war history texts are wrongest about, both in outright wrongness like the war's fault, and even more in underreporting of how the war was fought, Allied stupidity, entire fronts, and just about everything else. It might be because it was the stupidest and stupidest-fought war since the Middle Ages, on all sides.

It was Austria's and Germany's faults. Both had generals and kings in charge whom hoped - unwisely, of course - to expand their borders by conquest. Plus, as evidence, the German ultimatum for France was nothing like reasonable, meaning war was being monged on them.

o Between the American Civil War and toward the end of wwi, military land fronts had the slows. That's because firing rates were high enough that not enough charging soldiers could hope to reach an enemy line. Both sides, but especially the Allies, had the dumbs about this, sending millions of soldiers to be hit charging machine gun nest.

That only ended toward the end of the war IOTL, when the Allies invented tanks and figured out tank doctrine while the Germans failed.

o There was a real Mexican-American front IOTL in WWI, that you can rread about, ISTR, on Wikipedia under Woodrow Wilson and Vera Cruz (the second one, in the 20th century). President Wilson just didn't want to call it that, presumably to keep the peace wing of his party; that, in turn, has kept it from the textbooks.

The way it went down was that Germany, instead of infiltrating lots of Germans, brought deutchmarks, probably by the ton. They seem to've paid anybody who'd attack Americans. That, of course, overcame the modest Mexican ability to keep order on their northern border.

The Texas Rangers scouts (another good thing to look up) did, in fact, spot plenty of activity, and even, ISTR, catch some evidence of German bad work. So, if Mexico had tried to invade, they would've spotted the Mexicans early.

The Texas Rangers started as a Republic of Texas light cavalry arm, to keep borders scouted and ethnically cleanse Mexicans and Native Americans. They're still around today, but with a more modern role - as colorful state-level investigative agents.
 
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Excerpts from
The Voyages of the USS Texas
1914-1950[1]
By Dr. Danielle Howarth
Austin Publications
2003
[FONT=&quot]THE 1939 SOUTH AMERICAN [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]GOODWILL TOUR[/FONT]


December 13, 1939 (Off the coast of Uruguay) 0810 hours. Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Charles Franklin threw open the hatch and stepped into Hell with the rest of Damage Control Team 2 behind him. Bodies (and parts of bodies) were everywhere. The German shell must have bounced off one of the main turrets and exploded in front of the bridge. No one was manning the Helm (what was left of Ben Jackson was lying near the wheel). Franklin grabbed the wheel and brought the Texas back on course…

Three months earlier…

September 11, 1939 9pm EST Convoy OB17 had sailed from Southampton 5 days earlier with 18 fast ships (each capable of 18+ knots) and an escort of 6 warships. The Titanic was carrying the most precious cargo – children being evacuated from the UK. An hour earlier, the Escort Commander aboard HMS Belfast had ordered the convoy to scatter and make for Halifax or the US coast.

Captain Lightoller had ordered full speed and started zigzagging. He ordered extra lookouts above and the watertight doors shut. And he had the crew get the children into their life jackets and prayed that everything would be ok.

Full speed, that was funny. Even at 23 knots she couldn’t hope to outrun a battleship. He prayed that they would make it to safety. According to the Navigator, Titanic was 12 hours away from US waters. There was always a chance…. The Radio Room had been sending up reports of ships reporting they were under attack and then silence. Belfast had sent out a contact report and an hour and a half later she had reported she was retreating from the area badly damaged.

September 12, 1939 0630 EST: the USS Reuben James had been at sea since September 1 on the lookout for German ships and subs trying to sink ships in American waters. She was part of Task Force 11 centered on the USS Alamo (sister ship to the USS Ranger). They were patrolling the waters to the north east of Boston. Several hours earlier, the radio room had reported that a British convoy had come under attack from a surface raider and that ships were attempting to make for US waters. Lt. Commander Saunders, the Reuben James’ Captain, had radioed the TF Commander onboard Alamo for instructions. They had been simple – protect all ships in US waters.

September 12, 1930 0800 EST. The Germans had found poor Titanic 11 hours later. The aft lookouts had reported smoke on the horizon heading towards them. Lightoller kept praying and ordered the radio room NOT to broadcast. Maybe, just maybe the Germans would miss them.

Ten short minutes later, the Radio Room was reporting that the Germans were firing on the freighter SS Wandering Traveler and they were taking to the boats. God go with them thought Lightoller as he prayed for Titanic to hurry up.

Then he heard it and knew they had been found. The starboard lookout reported a German plane was approaching Titanic. Quickly he ordered the Radio Room to send out the SOS. The Radio Room reported that the plane was ordering them to heave to and prepare to be boarded. A quick word with the navigator told him they were close to US waters. So close… They were going to run for it. The Germans were not in gun range; he could out run them.

0910 EST, aboard the Reuben James. The Titanic’s SOS had been picked up and the Reuben James had changed course. While she was in International waters, there was damn little they could do. But they were close to US waters and the bridge crew silently prayed she would make it. A while ago, Titanic had been picked up on radar, as had the German raider and at least one aircraft.

The Captain looked over at the OOD. “Mr. Zimmerman, set Condition One throughout the ship and bring us to a heading of 92 degrees at 30 knots”. The OOD ordered BM Franklin to the new course and then ordered the Ship’s Talker to make the announcement over the 1MC. “All hands set Condition One.”

The crew, having practiced this drill countless times over the years, rushed to their battle stations in under 5 minutes. After the OOD had reported this fact to the CO, the Captain asked the Navigator how close they were to international waters. The reply was 8 nautical miles until they were in international waters, and Titanic was 11 nautical miles away.

0925 EST, aboard Titanic The bloody German plane had killed a number of passengers and crew (the Purser thought as many as 10 children were dead along with at least 3 crew), and now that bloody German ship was firing on them! The first shell missed astern, as did the next two shells. The fourth shell splashed down in front of them. Lightoller knew that the Germans wouldn’t miss and he was right. The next shell hit Titanic’s stern, damaging the rudder.

The Captain ordered his crew to man the lifeboats and get the passengers off. The Navigator reported they were now in US waters. From the firing, Lightoller knew that the Germans didn’t bloody well know that little fact. In the next few minutes, shell after shell hit the Titanic, inflicting horrific damage to the ship.

0940 EST. Reuben James’ Captain could see the Germans firing on the Titanic. He looked over at the Navigator and asked once again for their position – they were in US waters as was the Titanic and the Germans. He ordered the Radio Room to send their position to TF 11 and ask for air cover.
“Officer of the Deck put us between the Germans and the Titanic.” The OOD swallowed hard and then repeated the order and then ordered Franklin to his new course. Captain Saunders then got onto the 1MC. “Crew of the Reuben James, we are going to put ourselves in harm’s way. Right now those Germans are murdering those people onboard Titanic and they are in our waters. It’s up to us to stop them”. He then ordered the Radio Room to order the Germans to cease-fire as they were in US waters.
0945 EST, aboard the USS Alamo 30 nautical miles away. The CAP of 4 Wildcats had left a few minutes before heading towards the Reuben James and four Devastator torpedo bombers were just taking off. They were slower than the Wildcats, but they would be able to help the destroyer if needed. The Alamo’s skipper prayed they wouldn’t be needed. He also ordered a course change by 15 degrees to put some distance between them and the Germans.
Titanic Life Boat #14…. Dave McWilliams, First Officer of the Titanic had dragged Captain Lightoller off the bridge and into the last lifeboat. God knows how many children had died when those bloody German shells hit the poor old girl. She deserved a better end then being murdered by the Germans.
0947 EST, aboard the German pocket battleship Deutschland, Captain Paul Wenneker was a happy man. He had sunk a lot of ships on this cruise and was now about to sink an ocean liner. His was interrupted by his communications officer, “Sir, we are getting a call from an American destroyer claiming we are in American waters and we are to stop firing upon the British ship.”
Captain Wenneker quickly looked over at his navigator who said they were close to US waters but not inside them. The Gunnery Officer quickly shouted that there was a British Destroyer approaching and before the Captain could stop him ordered the secondary guns to open fire!
Three of Deutschland’s 5.9” cannons opened up on the Reuben James within seconds of receiving the order to open fire. Two of them missed the destroyer; the third hit Reuben James just aft of the Bridge. The force of the explosion knocked everyone standing on the bridge to the deck. The OOD was the only one instantly killed; flying shrapnel seriously injured the Captain and a few others.
0950, aboard Titanic’s Number 14 lifeboat were the last crew off of Titanic. They were pulling away from the sinking liner when they spotted the American warship rushing towards the Germans. Good God! The bloody Germans were firing on an American warship! Where the hell had she come from? Lightoller could clearly see the American flag flying from her stern…
Almost immediately, the Reuben James’ radio operator started broadcasting in the clear that the Germans were firing upon them. Flying 8,000 feet above them, the 4 Wildcats of the Alamo’s VF-15 Fighter Squadron and the 4 Devastators of VB-15 Torpedo Bomber Squadron radioed back to the Alamo that Reuben James was under attack and they requested permission to attack the Germans.
Meanwhile aboard the Reuben James, her forward 4” cannon opened up on the Germans, this was a David and Goliath battle, and the crew was going to sell their lives dearly. BM Franklin stood up and surveyed the damage. All the windows on the Bridge had been blown out, Captain Saunders was lying next to the port hatch, his legs blown off, and a few others were badly injured. Franklin grabbed the wheel and brought the ship on a new heading – straight at the German ship. Meanwhile, the Ship’s Talker had grabbed the 1MC and was screaming for a Damage Control Team and the XO to the Bridge. Aboard the Alamo, the skipper was trying to get permission from the Admiral to attack the Germans as his CAG was ordering his crews to their planes.
Standing on the Flag Bridge a short distance from Alamo’s skipper, Rear Admiral Jason Bridgewaters was trying to get the situation under control. He sent a messenger to the Alamo’s Skipper telling him to prepare a full strike against the Germans. He sent a message off to the Navy Department in Washington DC informing them of the situation and he ordered the rest of Task Force 11 to battle stations. The decision to attack the Germans was quite suddenly taken out of his hands.
0956 Lt. Commander Frank Houtz, CO of VB-15 (and the senior pilot on the scene) ordered his fighters to strafe the Germans and clear the way for the Devastators. He could see the Reuben James and she was in a world of hurt. He could see the forward 4-inch gun was silent (the top of the turret looked like it had been sliced open with a can opener), fires were visible on her superstructure and she was down by the bow, but she was returning fire. The Germans looked like they hadn’t even been touched. Well that was about to change.
Aboard the Deutschland. Captain Wenneker understood that they – he – had made a grave mistake. Obviously they were in US waters. “ALL guns cease firing, Helmsman, bring us about 180 degrees, full speed ahead!” One of the Bridge lookouts reported that American fighters were diving on them! After ordering the AA guns to fire in self-defense only, Captain Wenneker relieved the Gunnery Officer from duty and ordered him confined to his cabin (if anyone was going to pay for this mess it would be the Gunnery Officer, not him.).
The 4 Devastators approached the German ship from the starboard side. The bombardiers each armed their Mark XIII torpedoes and prayed survive this day. The Wildcats quickly shot down the Deutschland’s sole airborne Arado Ar 196 floatplane. Events were rapidly spiraling out of control.
Back on the Alamo, RADM Bridgewaters spoke to the Alamo’s CAG and ordered the Alamo’s Devastators back to the carrier and the Wildcats to fly CAP over the wounded Reuben James. He was too late.
Flying 75 feet over the Atlantic, the torpedo bombers flew straight into Deutschland’s intense anti-aircraft fire. The first to be hit was Lt. Commander Houtz’s plane just after he dropped his fish. The anti-aircraft shells ripped his plane into shreds, killing all three men onboard. The three remaining planes went down just as quickly, only one other managing to drop their torpedo.
Onboard Deutschland, Captain Wenneker ordered a hard turn to port hoping to comb the torpedoes. The Deutschland was almost successful. She avoided one torpedo but was hit by Houtz’s torpedo in the bow. Fortunately for the Germans, this torpedo was a dud. As soon as his ship had turned 180 degrees, Wenneker ordered full speed ahead and headed back into international waters. The final word in the battle went to the Americans who scored a direct hit on the Deutschland’s after turret causing no damage to the turret but rattled the crew.
Onboard the Reuben James, her damage control teams fought hard to save the ship. 2 more destroyers and the cruiser USS Astoria joined her within an hour. Captain Saunders died on the operating table as the ship’s doctor tried to save his life.
Once in international waters, Wenneker broadcasted a message to the German Naval High Command details about the action. Within an hour, Admiral Raeder had responded – pending an investigation, Capt. Wenneker was relieved of command and he should turn over command to his XO. The Deutschland was to return home immediately, avoiding all contacts with any shipping. And the Gunnery Officer was to be shot.
September 13, 1939
Secretary of State Cordell Hull looked at Dr. Hans Thomsen, the German Ambassador to the United States, with disgust in his eyes. “Mr. Ambassador, what the Hell happened yesterday?” Before Dr. Thomsen could answer that, Secretary Hull cut him off. “Let me tell you what happened sir. One of your battleships, the Deutschland, attacked a British convoy outside our territorial waters. The convoy scattered and your fellows chased some of the ships including the Titanic. By the time the Deutschland fired upon Titanic, she was in AMERICAN WATERS SIR!!! Your Captain compounded his error of firing upon of shipload of children being evacuated from England, by firing upon an American warship in AMERICAN WATERS!!! What the hell do you have to say on behalf of your government sir?”

Dr. Thomsen actually looked embarrassed as he spoke. “Mr. Secretary, on behalf on my Government, please accept my apologies for the navigation error that put the Deutschland in your waters. We further apologize for firing upon the Reuben James and your aircraft. Of course, we had to defend our ship against your aircraft. Our gunnery officer mistook the Reuben James for a British warship. He has of course been reprimanded for his mistake.” (He didn’t tell Hull that the hapless officer had been executed.) “Furthermore, the Fuehrer has ordered that all German warships are forbidden to fire upon passenger liners from this day forward. “ With that, he folded the paper he had been reading from and handed it to an outraged Hull.

“Is that it??” asked an incredulous Hull. “You people killed 460 CHILDREN! You fired on a US destroyer, killing 15 of crew and wounding 39 more! You shot down 4 American aircraft! Do you realize that your captain declared war on the United States yesterday? Do you realize that Congress is debating what to do?”

“Once again, Mr. Secretary, my government apologies for what happened to the Reuben James. We will of course pay reparations to the fallen crewmembers. Germany does not desire war with America (the message from von Ribbentrop had been quite clear – clean this mess up!) only peace. If anyone is at fault it is the Captain of the Titanic. If he had only surrendered his ship, none of this would have happened. Mr. Hull, let’s be realistic shall we? We both know that your Congress will accept reparations for this incident since your military is tied up with Mexico and we both know that in two months, this will be forgotten much like the Japanese attack on the Panay.”

With that, Dr. Thomsen gave Hull the Nazi Salute, turned and walked out. As he left, Hull knew that the Nazi Ambassador was right.

Monday, September 18, 1939, Norfolk Navy Yard. Boatswain’s Mate 2nd Class Charles Franklin looked up at the USS Texas and whistled softly. This was his new home. He had been in the navy for 6 years now. He had served on a cruiser and 2 destroyers; this was the biggest ship he had ever seen. He had been on Reuben James when the Old Man had taken on the Germans and since she was going to be in dry dock for a long time, the brass had transferred him here.

Franklin walked up the gangplank, saluted the colors and then saluted the Duty Officer (a rather young looking ensign). “Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Franklin reporting for duty sir.” “Welcome aboard Boats, I’m Ensign LaForge” Report below to Lieutenant Commander Thompson, he’s filling in for the Executive Officer while he’s on leave.”

Franklin went below and found his rack. He was then informed that Commander Thompson was on the Bridge. “Welcome aboard Franklin. You will be on the 0700 to 1200 watch and the 1800 to 2000 watch. Your watch officer is Lieutenant Meadows. Your first watch will be tonight. Until you get the hang of things, Boatswains Mate 1st Class Jackson will be monitoring you at your duty station.” Dismissed, Franklin headed back to his rack.
Meanwhile over at the Atlantic Fleet HQ, Captain Emmet was talking with Admiral James Richardson, Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet. “The President gave orders for this tour before everything went to hell in Europe. Yesterday’s incident has accelerated it. We are sending your show at the same time we are sending reinforcements to the Pacific. “
“Yes sir, I understand that and we can be ready to go by 1 October.” Emmet replied.
“You will get the orders in writing by the end of today Captain, but here they are in a nutshell: 1) Task Group 9.1; composed of the Texas and the destroyers Gilmer and Truxton; will depart Norfolk on 1 October, 1939. 2) TG 9.1 will show the flag at a number of Central and South American ports to remind both the locals and the belligerents that we will be enforcing the Monroe Doctrine. 3) TG 9.1 will join Task Force 9 at Guantanamo Bay and accompany this force to the Panama Canal. TF 9 is composed of the aircraft carriers Yorktown and Alamo, the battleship Colorado, 4 cruisers and 12 destroyers. These ships will be going to the West Coast and the Philippines. Do you understand Captain?” “Aye sir!” Captain Emmet hoped that everything would go smoothly, but of course this was real life and not the ideal world.
Excerpts from
LETTERS HOME
MY BROTHERS LETTERS FROM THE WAR[2]
By Kathleen Anderson
Majesty Press
September 2000

Tuesday, September 19, 1939
Dearest Mother,
Well here I am in Norfolk onboard the battleship Texas. I got here yesterday morning. The ship is huge, nothing like the Indianapolis. Still from what I have seen, she’s a good ship with a good crew.
I had an interesting experience – I had to brief the Skipper and the senior officers about what happened on board the Rueben James. They had heard the news on the radio and in the papers, but they wanted firsthand knowledge. Skipper was happy with what I told him. Said he was happy to have me on board.
How is Dad? I know he was still down with the flu when I was last home. And what’s sis up to these days? No good I’ll wager (just joshing Mom)
Scuttlebutt is that we are going on a tour of Central and South America. Should be fun long as we don’t run into any more German battleships! (Just kidding Mom!)
Just a short note today as I have to go on duty soon.
Love,
Charles
Saturday, October 15, 1939
Dearest Mother,
Well, we have left the US as you know. You should be getting some gifts from Havana in the mail soon. Please take a photo of Dad with his present.
We’ve been here in Cuba for almost a week now. The Old Man has us shooting targets with the main guns and the crews are pretty good. He also has the rest of the crew getting in plenty of small arms practice. The Marines are our instructors. The Gunny (He’s the senior enlisted Marine Mom) has been cursing up a blue streak something awful. He doesn’t yell at me, I re-qualified as a Marksman my first day. He says that’s ok for a swabbie.
Had a word with Chief Bascombe, he’s my division Chief. Says that the advancement tests should be coming up soon. I’ve got the time in my current grade to qualify so I’m going to go for it.
Chief Bascombe told me something else. I’m going to be awarded the Bronze Star for what happened on the James. I’m supposed to get it next week.
I understand you have misgivings about Sis going to college. Mom, this isn’t like when you were a young girl. Things have changed. I understand she wants to go to Bennington College; it’s not too far from home.
Love,
Charles
[FONT=&quot]November 25, 1939[/FONT]


Dear Mom and Dad,
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We certainly did here on the Texas. The cooks went really overboard. We had plenty of ham and turkey, mashed potatoes (nothing like yours Mom), and we had some really good apple pie.
Heard from Chief Bascombe yesterday, the tests are next week and I’ll be taking them of course.
Dad, I am sending you some Brazilian coffee. I had some and it’s really good. Mom, did you enjoy the Guaro I sent from Costa Rica?
I must admit, I am getting tired of this cruise. We have so many visitors every port we visit. The ship is a mess by the time they leave. We had a funny thing happy while we were at Recife. One of the Brazilian ladies who came on board went into labor. You should have seen Doctor Honeycutt. He was so thrilled to deliver a baby. Of course the woman’s husband was going nuts outside of sickbay.
Oh well, that wraps up this letter. I am looking forward to rounding Cape Horn, once we do that; we are heading back towards the states!
Love,
Charles

From the time the Texas left Norfolk Naval Base in Virginia on October 1, 1939 and met the Admiral Graf Spee on December 13, 1939, she had sailed 10,717 nautical miles in 70 days. She had visited 15 different ports of call and spent a week exercising around Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
Before she met up with the Graf Spee, 3 sailors died (one from a burst appendix, one from falling overboard and one suicide) and 2 babies were born (quite a surprise to the ship’s medical staff.). And of course the medical staff treated 139 cases of various social diseases.
This was a normal peacetime cruise to South America. The Captain and crew to the various peoples of South America exchanged many gifts. US dollars flowed into the local economies.
The Texas did encounter some of the realities of the war. The encountered several British convoys escorted by British frigates and destroyers. They rescued 26 British sailors, survivors of sunken ships (they were turned over to the British light cruiser HMS Ripon en route to the UK).
Generally, the Texas was met with open arms by the locals (cynics have suggested that their money was met, not the crews). There were several anti-American demonstrations in Vera Cruz and Colon.
The Texas did spend time at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base for a week. There, her crew practiced small arms drill and naval gunnery exercises. (The practice would be put to use off the coast of Argentina.)
Naturally, both the British and Germans noted her progress. The view of the British (especially after Titanic) was that Texas would come to the aid of any British ship in trouble. The Germans kept track of her, but they generally ignored her.
By the time the Texas reached the River Platte, her crew were well trained and in good morale. Was it a matter of fate, which placed the Admiral Graf Spee, the Royal Navy’s Force G and the USS Texas in the exact same area at the exact same time?
0500 - Mouth of the River Plate. The last of the liberty party had come back on board by 1600 hours the day before. The XO had made it clear that they were putting to sea at 1700 and anyone missing the departure would feel the wrath the skipper. The OOD had informed him that everyone was aboard and receiving permission to cast off, ordered lines to be taken in. Tugboats came along side, bringing the pilot aboard and eased the Texas away from the pier.
By 17:30 the ship had cleared the harbor and was heading towards the rendezvous with the destroyers. Captain Emmet had ordered the destroyers out an hour before. Texas was going to sail an hour later; the destroyers would sail due east for 3 hours and then try to find Texas.
At 0500, one of the signalmen had woken the Captain to tell him that Commander Rikert onboard Truxton was signaling in the clear that they had encountered a German heavy cruiser and they were maneuvering away at high speed. The Captain contacted the bridge and ordered them to lay in an interception course – best possible speed, and order the crew to battle stations, no drill.
As soon as Ben Jackson relieved him at the Helm, Franklin raced to his station at the Primary Damage Control Station. By the time he got there, just about everyone else in DC Team 2 was there.
0640. Commander Rikert was now reporting that he was witnessing a battle between the German and 3 British cruisers. In the middle of the report, the Truxton went off the air. (Captain Emmett didn’t know it, but a wayward German shell had clipped the radio mast). In the meantime, the radar operator was reporting that just over the horizon, he was picking up the battle, but he couldn’t tell which blip was Truxton. Meanwhile the Gilmer was taking station ahead of the Texas, steaming at full speed towards the battle. At this time Emmett decided to launch his spotter plane, in the air it would be useful, on his ship a danger.
0700. Captain Emmett saw the flashes from the German and British shellfire. The battle was moving closer to their position. Wayward Truxton had been found; the only damage appeared to be her missing radio antenna.
“Skipper” Captain Emmett was brought out of his musings by the XO. “Sir, the Radio room is reporting that the Germans are broadcasting in the clear, warning us to stay away and out of the fight.” “Well they don’t have to worry; we have no intention of getting into this fight. Bring us on a parallel course, but try to keep us out of the way. We might as well take notes and see how the fight goes on. “
“Bridge! British cruiser to port!” Captain Emmett looked through his binoculars at the damaged HMS Ajax and then looked over at his Executive Officer, “Signal the destroyers, let’s put some distance between us and…”
Everyone on the Bridge involuntarily ducked when they heard the sounds of the German shells landing between them and the British cruiser. “Damn it! Signal Gilmore to get out of there! Bring us on a course of 270 degrees speed 21 knots.
The Gilmore, which had been closer to the British, was suddenly bracketed by German shellfire. Emmett knew what was going to happen next, prayed that he would be wrong and that Gilmore would safely get away. Seconds later, a shell, which had been meant for the British hit Gilmore in the stern bringing her half out of the water and slowed her considerably.
“Helm, put us between Gilmore and that cruiser. Signal Truxton to render aid to the Gilmore and tow her out if she can.”
The Texas began turning into the shellfire as the British commander signaled her to keep out of the way.
“Am rendering assistance to my destroyer” was the signal back.
Meanwhile, on board the Admiral Graf Spee, Captain Hans Langsdorff’s eyes and crew were telling him that the British cruiser masked the American battleship, but the last thing they had seen were the Americans advancing towards them. “This is getting too complicated”, thought Langsdorff. “We must get away. Have the after turrets concentrate on the large British cruiser. Forward guns fire at will at targets of opportunity. Full speed ahead” “And the Americans Captain?” asked his XO. “Don’t fire unless they fire upon us.”
At that particular moment, HMNZS Achilles fired a full broadside at the Graf Spee. To the tired Germans, they weren’t sure who had fired upon them as the forward turret of Graf Spee opened fire.
Achilles made a turn to avoid the Graf Spee’s shellfire and the Texas saw the Germans firing at them! But they still had Gilmore to take care of, so the Texas stayed her course. The shells barely missed the Achilles as she maneuvered and fired.
Five minutes later, the Texas was hit. A 5.9-inch shell hit B Turret and bounced off, exploding right in front of the Bridge. It was 0800.
0810 hours. Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Charles Franklin threw open the hatch and stepped into Hell with the rest of Damage Control Team 2 behind him. Bodies (and parts of bodies) were everywhere. The German shell must have bounced off one of the main turrets and exploded in front of the bridge. No one was manning the Helm (what was left of Ben Jackson was lying near the wheel). Franklin grabbed the wheel and brought the Texas back on course.
In the meantime, the Gunnery Officer ordered all guns to fire upon the German ship. The forward two turrets and the center turret were not able to bear onto their target (B Turret’s crew was still too rattled to be effective at that moment in time), but the after turrets were able to line on the Graf Spee and fire. This was the first time since the 2nd Mexican War that Texas had fired her guns in anger.
0825. Captain Emmett was semi groggy, but otherwise unhurt, as the Executive Officer ordered Franklin on a course that would cross the German T. The danger was both German and British shells could hit them, but that was a risk the XO felt was worth taking. The aft turrets locked on to their target and fired.
The shells landed near enough to the Graf Spee to rattle everyone aboard the ship. Hans Langsdorff knew his ship was in serious trouble. They could have dealt with the British without much trouble, but a real battleship? And a neutral one at that! He would be in big trouble even if he got away. Well first things first. He could probably outrun them. Then his ship shuddered as a shell, British it turned out, hit and destroyed her desalinization plant.
For the next hour, shell after shell roared out of American, British and German turrets. One by one, Graf Spee’s turrets fell silent as American and British shells pounded into the German ship.
By 1030 it was over. A dying Captain Langsdorff gave the orders to abandon ship as she slowly turned turtle. The cost had been high: 22 American sailors were dead, another 40 wounded. On the German side 368 German sailors were killed, another 450 wounded. The British had 80 dead and 48 wounded sailors.
By nightfall that night, Texas was moored in Montevideo harbor licking her wounds. Captain Emmett was at the US Embassy answering questions from the Naval Attaché. In Germany, there was no mention of the Texas as the State run news organization was portraying the battle as Graf Spee fighting 2 British battleships and a score of cruisers, her crew fighting to the bitter end. Langsdorff’s widow received his Knight’s Cross from Hitler himself.
The rest of the South American tour was canceled. Texas was ordered home immediately. And the rest is, as they say, history.


[1] The Voyages of the USS Texas, Dr Danielle Howarth

[2] Letter Home, by Kathleen Anderson September 2000 (reprinted with the author’s permission)
 
The final chapter in the Coming Storm

CHAPTER TWELVE
America enters the war

Excerpts from
GERMANS INVADE
THE LOW COUNTRIES!!!![1]
New York Standard Special Edition
January 4, 1940

By Jake Westover

The “Phony War” is over. Earlier this morning, German bombers attacked positions inside Denmark, Holland and Belgium. The German Luftwaffe has destroyed most of the Danish and Dutch Air Forces. The Belgian Air Force is claiming that they are still in the fight. In the meantime, British and French fighters have joined the fight over the Low Countries.

Reports coming out of Luxembourg indicate that the German Army is in complete control of the tiny country. The Belgian and Dutch Governments are reporting strong fighting along their borders with German. By 11am local time, elements of the French and British Armies have moved into Belgium.

Excerpts from
MY WAR[2]
THE MEMOIRS OF
JONATHAN LEECH, Lieutenant Colonel, RTD
Jonathan Leech
Britannica Publishing
1958

In 1939-1940 I was the company commander of No.1 Company, 1st Battalion, Loyal Regiment. We were in the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Division, British Expeditionary Force when the Boche invaded the Low Countries on January 4, 1940. We received orders to move into Belgium within hours of the invasion. We loaded up into the lorries and had just crossed the border when we heard the most horrific noise, followed seconds later by the sounds of bullets hitting men, machines and asphalt. The bombs followed a minute later. German dive-bombers were attacking us! We stopped to tend to the wounded and bury the dead. We had five dead and 18 wounded from my company. No sooner had we started moving again, 2 fighters – French fighters, strafed us! Thankfully, they didn’t hurt anyone, but they did manage to severely damage the lorries.

We were back to walking into battle, oh well that’s the life of an infantry unit. By nightfall we were 20 miles inside of Belgium and we had started encountering refugees. The next morning, as we got under way, we heard rumors that the great Belgian fortress, Fort Eben-Emael had fallen, that The Hague had been captured, that the Belgian Army was in full retreat and all sorts of other silly rumors. How little did we know?

BEBC NEWS REPORT[3]
January 7, 1940

Good evening, this is London. Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands escaped that country this morning aboard the flagship of the Dutch Navy. German aircraft damaged HMNLS Amsterdam, the former HMS Tiger, and the Queen was slightly injured. They are expected to arrive in a British port sometime tonight.

Aircraft carriers under the command of Vice Admiral Hornblower aided in the escape of the Amsterdam by providing air cover for the ship.

The majority of the Dutch Army surrendered hours after the Queen’s successful escape. We have received reports of at least 1 corps of the Dutch Army has retreated the Dutch Province of Zeeland and are making a final stand there.

The Mayor of Doorn, in the Netherlands has confirmed the death of the former German Emperor, Wilhelm II. According to the Mayor, German fighters killed him during a raid on Dorn.

Meanwhile the RAF is reporting that bombers from the Advanced Air Striking Force have successful destroyed the bridges over the Albert Canal and have halted the German advance. An RAF spokesman did state that the Battle squadrons did suffer “moderate” losses.

The US State Department is requesting that all Americans who wish to leave Europe safely make their way to the Port of Dunkirk where a chartered ship will take them back to the United States. The ship is expected to depart on January 18.

Excerpts from
MY WAR[4]
[FONT=&quot]THE MEMOIRS OF [/FONT]

JONATHAN LEECH, Lieutenant Colonel, RTD
Jonathan Leech
Britannica Publishing
1958

By January 10 we were dug in along the River Dye. We had excellent positions and we were ready and waiting for the Germans. We had hundreds of refugees fleeing the Germans and we could see fighters duking it out in the skies overhead. A company of Belgian infantry had joined us and we integrated them into our defenses. By noon, the next day, we had French armored units falling back on our positions, followed quickly by the Germans. Their infantry launched a quick attack and we easily repulsed them. We then had several hours of rather nasty artillery fire aimed at us followed by several more air raids from those blasted Stukas.

We were able to hold the Germans off for three days when we got word that the Germans had invaded France through the Ardennes Forest. We were ordered to fall back to our original start lines. Our retreat turned into a route as most of the French infantry wouldn’t make a stand. Those little Indo-Chinese troops were tough little soldiers. For four days we stood, fought, fell back some more, stood and fought. I lost over half of my company.


[FONT=&quot]BEBC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT[5][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]January 15, 1939[/FONT]

It is with deep regret that we must inform the nation that Prime Minister Chamberlain has died. During today’s Question and Answer session, the Prime Minister was responding to criticism of his leadership during the current crisis when he collapsed and died from an apparent heart attack. His Majesty the King, after consulting with his senior advisers, has invited the First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill to become the next Prime Minister and to form a new government

Excerpts from
THE POLISH EAGLE -
THE LIFE OF STANISLAW SOSABOWSKI[6]
THE FALL OF FRANCE AND
THE POLISH LEGION

The Polish Legion went into combat against German 12th Infantry Division on January 15th. The Divisional Commander, Major General Boleslaw Duch, cited Sosabowski six times for his courage and leadership under fire. When General Duch was wounded on January 22nd, Sosabowski took command of the division. During the retreat to the Sedan, Sosabowski was able to keep the division together, he even added to his force by persuading a retreating battalion of the French 1st Light Cavalry Division to join him. The battalion’s 22 remaining FCM 36 light tanks were welcomed by Sosabowski as it gave him some armored support. His force was able to prevent the Germans from crossing the Sedan at the village of Bulson. During the three days at Bulson, Sosabowski and his men watched the death of the Battles and Blenheims of the RAF’s No. 23 Group as they were committed to battle with insufficient fighter cover. During the second day at the Sedan advance elements of the German XIX Corps under General Heinz Guderian arrived at the river. Finding a weak spot 3 km downriver, German engineers were able to permit German Panzers to cross and once again the Polish Legion had to fall back.

THE RAF 1939-89[7]
THE BATTLE OF FRANCE
By John Boyer
Majesty Press
1995

The Advanced Air Striking Force had been decimated by the third week of the war and Air Vice Marshall Playfair, the AASF’s commander, was screaming for reinforcements. His bomber squadrons were all but wiped out and his fighter squadrons were heavily engaged. He wanted heavy bombers from Bomber Command and more fighters from Fighter Command and he wanted them yesterday.

Air Vice Marshal Sir Edgar Ludlow-Hewitt, Bomber Command’s Air Commander-in-Chief, put his foot down hard. He would task some of his bomber groups to targets inside France and Belgium, but he would not place any of them under Playfair’s command. His reasoning was simple – there were no safe French airfields to base his bombers.

Sir Hugh Dowding, AC-in-C of Fighter Command was not about to let any of his squadrons go either. Through very hard work by him and his staff, all the reserve squadrons were now integrated into his command and the newly formed squadrons were just about ready. All in all he had 58 fighter squadrons (4 Boulton Paul Defiants, 22 Griffins, & 32 Hurricanes). Four of those squadrons were Canadian.

Playfair decided not to play nicely, he went to Churchill. Churchill ordered 10 squadrons to be sent to France. Dowding argued, but in the end all four Defiant and six Hurricane squadrons went to France.

UBC SPECIAL REPORT
GERMANS SINK S.S. AMERICA![8]
January 18, 1939

We interrupt our regularly scheduled broadcast to report this breaking news. We are receiving reports that the United States Lines cruise ship SS America has been sunk by German bombers off the coast of France! She had been charted by the State Department to evacuate American citizens from war-ravaged Europe. Among the passengers onboard and now missing is House Minority Leader Joseph Martin. He was in Europe on a fact-finding trip with his wife…

CONGRESS VOTES ON WAR!!
UBC NEWS SPECIAL REPORT[9]
January 19, 1940

Announcer: Moments ago President Roosevelt concluded his address to Congress asking them to declare war on Germany. The last 24 hours haven seen some incredible images ladies and gentlemen. First we received word that the America had been sunk. Then came the word that the bodies of House Minority Leader Martin and his wife had been found in the waters off of France. Germany apologized claiming it was an accident, but the President and Congress are not accepting apologies today, not when over 400 Americans died when the Germans sank an American ship full of innocent Americans.

The roll call has begun:

Senate Clerk: This joint resolution of Congress is to declare war on Germany. Each state’s senators and representatives will be allowed to vote: Senator Bankhead of Alabama.

Senator Bankhead – Aye!

Clerk: Senator Hill of Alabama.

Hill – Aye! Kill the uncivilized monsters! (Roars of approval are heard from the galley)

John Garner (President of the Senate) is heard banging his gavel and calling for order.

Clerk: Representative Boykin of Alabama…

[1] New York Standard January 4, 1940

[2] My War, Jonathan Leech, Britannica Publishing 1958

[3] BEBC World News

[4] Ibid

[5] BEBC News January 15, 1940

[6] Ibid

[7] The RAF 1939-1989 by John Boyer, 1995

[8] UBC News Special Report, January 18, 1940

[9] UBC News Special Report, January 19, 1940
 
Bum bum bum. Poor Titanic, seems like it dying from the iceberg would've been a less painful life. I wonder if it becomes more famous ITTL than it is in ours...

An early US entry in the European Theater? Very yes!
 
Top