CHAPTER TEN
August-December 1939
ROYAL NAVY ORDER OF BATTLE [1]
August 18, 1939
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
August 18, 1939
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
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
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
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
Aviation Publishing 1981
Chapter 3 - The First Air Raids
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
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]
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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)
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 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!!!
LORD HALIFAX FEARED
DEAD!!!
LONDON GAZETTE[16]
By Helen Scott
October 31, 1939
October 31, 1939
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
FOREIGN SECRETARY'S BODY FOUND
WASHED ASHORE
LONDON GAZETTE[17]
By Helen Scott
November 1, 1939
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.
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="]DUTCH ARMED FORCES[/FONT]
[FONT="]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="]It is estimated that the Netherlands can be conquered within one to two weeks.[/FONT]
[FONT="]FRENCH ARMY[/FONT]
[FONT="]ORDER OF BATTLE[20][/FONT]
[FONT="]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]
UNIT GOING OVERSEAS[21]
THE ALBUQUERQUE TRIBUNE
By Kevin Ruffe
November 18, 1939
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="]Excerpts of[/FONT]
[FONT="] OUR WAR IN THE BALTIC[/FONT]
NAVAL NEWS MAGAZINE[23]
BY Captain Richard Skilton, RN (RET)
April 1966
(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="]BRITISH ARMY[/FONT]
[FONT="]ORDER OF BATTLE[24][/FONT]
December 1, 1939
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="]Excerpts from[/FONT]
[FONT="] FAILURES IN INTELLIGENCE:[/FONT]
[FONT="]EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE 1940 MEXICAN INSURRECTION[25][/FONT]
[FONT="]By John Walker[/FONT]
[FONT="]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="]BEBC NEWS[26][/FONT]
[FONT="]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
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