French Premier Paul Reynaud announced that he was summoning General Maxime Weygand from Beirut to take command of the French Army. General Weygand replaced General Maurice Gamelin as Chief of the General Staff and Commander-in-Chief.
General Edmund Ironside, the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff, conferred with General Lord Gort, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, at his headquarters near Lens. He urged Gort to save the BEF by attacking south-west toward Amiens. Gort replied that seven of his nine divisions were already engaged on the Scheldt River, and he had only two divisions left with which he would be able to mount such an attack. Ironside then asked Gort under whose command he was acting. Gort replied that this was General Billotte, the commander of the French 1st Army Group, but that Billotte had issued no orders for eight days. Ironside confronted Billotte, whose own headquarters was nearby, and found him apparently incapable of taking decisive action. He returned to Britain concerned that the BEF was already doomed, and ordered urgent anti-invasion measures. A code name is generated for a BEF evacuation: Operations DYNAMO.
British Expeditionary Force Commander General Lord Gort ordered a withdrawal toward port cities including Dunkirk. British Expeditionary Force commander General Lord Gort issued the order to withdraw toward port cities, including Dunkirk. The British Expeditionary Force is withdrawing in the vicinity of Lille. The French generals have little idea where the front is and what the Germans might do.
Winston Churchill made his first broadcast to the British people as Prime Minister. Churchill acknowledged that the Germans were making swift progress and that it would be “foolish … to disguise the gravity of the hour,” but said that only a “very small part” of the French Army had yet been heavily engaged. Churchill explained that he had formed an “Administration of men and women of every Party and of almost every point of view. We have differed and quarreled in the past; but now one bond unites us all – to wage war until victory is won, and never to surrender ourselves to servitude and shame, whatever the cost and the agony may be.” The speech was titled “Be ye men of valour,” after a quotation from 1 Maccabees in the Apocrypha.
Most of the German panzer forces halted in positions between Peronne and St. Quentin to regroup. Much of the German Panzer force has been halted between Péronne and St. Quentin for refueling, maintenance, and re-supply. Today, General Guderian starts moving forward again. He takes Péronne, only 50 miles from the French coast. This disrupts the supply lines of the BEF and French forces fighting to the north. General Heinz Guderian was permitted to start moving again and smashed through the weak British 18th and 23rd Territorial Divisions located on the Somme river and captured territories between Saint-Quentin and Péronne. His troops were now within 50 miles of the English Channel and had cut off the Allied troops in Belgium.
Major General Erwin Rommel’s 7th Panzer Division made a small advance in the direction of Arras.
The French 4th Armored Division, under command of General Charles De Gaulle, again attacked north from the Laon area. It made very good progress against gradually stiffening resistance but was ordered to retire before any real gains could be achieved. There is no corresponding thrust from the other side of the bulge which might cut off the most advanced German units.
Civilians reportedly live in fear of Allied troops who reportedly are shooting civilians who they are mistaking for German paratroopers or infiltrators. There are other anecdotal reports of Allied troops shooting civilians who they believe, for one reason or another, to be aiding the German advance.
On the Maginot Line, the German 71st Infantry Division, after a three-day battle, take the left-most anchor of the line, Fort La Ferté (known as Panzerwerk 505 to the Wehrmacht). The French inside succumb to the smoke and toxic fumes after their ammunition and other items catch fire. The fort, 20 km south of Sedan on a hill overlooking the Chiers River, has been blocking the German advance. The Germans occupy the village of Villy. Underneath Villy, the fort had been scaled back during construction due to cost, making it a death trap for the 107 soldiers inside.
The Belgian Army is withdrawing in the area St Nicholas – Lakeren – Audenard.
There are reports that 100,000 people perished in the Rotterdam air attacks, with a third of the city destroyed. This figure is likely wildly exaggerated for propaganda purposes, but then again, nobody knows how many people died. The high figure illustrates the depths of fear and terror being sown by the innovative Blitzkrieg. Rotterdam has joined “Warsaw” on the litany of Luftwaffe misdeeds chronicled in Allied propaganda.
Fliegerkorps VII is covering the German advance toward Abbeville. This is a key component of “Blitzkrieg.” There are radio-equipped forward liaison Luftwaffe officers traveling with the panzers who have direct lines to the Luftwaffe bases. The amount of time between a request for air support and its arrival is minimal, around 10 minutes for Henschel HS 123s and 45-75 minutes for the Ju 87 Stukas.
The evacuation of the remaining RAF squadrons in Belgium began. This action was taken in response to the rapid German advance. The British Royal Air Force had lost over half of the aircraft it had deployed to France and Belgium by this date. To retain strength for a potential invasion of Britain, the RAF began recalling remaining squadrons back home.
The Luftwaffe bombs Dieppe.
The French Navy (Marine Nationale) auxiliary minesweeper Augustin Normand (175grt) was sunk by German bombing in the English Channel near Qunette de Rochemont Lock at Le Havre, by Luftwaffe aircraft.
The Belgian steamer / dredger Vlaanderen IV (647grt) was sunk by German bombing in the North Sea, off Dunkerque, Nord, France.
The Royal Navy W-class destroyer HMS Whitley was bombed and damaged off Ostend, West Flanders, Belgium by Luftwaffe aircraft. Destroyer Whitley (Lt Cdr G.N. Rolfe), under French orders in port blocking and refugee lifting operations, was bombed at 0526 and badly damaged by German bombing two miles 006° east of Nieuport. After three near misses, destroyer Whitley with both engine rooms flooded and her back broken was run aground to prevent sinking. Four engine room ratings were killed on destroyer Whitley. Destroyer HMS Vimiera rescued the crew and tug Lady Brassey was dispatched to bring Whitley back to England. Destroyer HMS Keith (Captain D.19) arrived on scene and found Whitley beyond salvage and shelled her to prevent her use by the German forces. Destroyer Vimiera with the destroyer Whitley crew, the rest of the crew from destroyer HMS Westminster, the Flushing demolition party departed Dunkirk at 1700 for Dover.
The evacuation of Mo i Rana concludes, with the last rearguard troops of B Company of the Scots Guard and No. 1 Independent Company pulling out. The German 2d Mountain Division occupies the town and sends troops further north toward Bodø.
The Kriegsmarine former trawler Albion was sunk near Brønnøysund by HNoMS Heilhorn and HNoMS Honningsvåg (both Royal Norwegian Navy).
The Norwegian depot ship Belgica was scuttled at Harstad, Norway by the Franco-British Expeditionary Force.
At 0800 hours the three Royal Navy carriers were at position 70.27 N, 15.47 E. but weather conditions were such that no operations could be flown on this date. At 1115 word arrived that Bardufoss would be ready to receive the Gladiators of 263 Squadron on HMS Furious on 22 May, while Skaanland landing ground would not be ready for 46 Squadron’s Hurricanes on HMS Glorious until 26 May
On her first patrol, U-122 transported material to Trondheim during the Norwegian campaign – one 88-mm Flak with ammunition, some bombs, 90 cbm (some 750 barrels) fuel for aircraft and motor oil.
Winston Churchill sends President Roosevelt a plea for quick aid while discussing something else. “If [the old destroyers] were here in 6 weeks, they would play an invaluable part.”
The cryptoanalysts at Bletchley Park crack the Enigma “Red” code being used by the Luftwaffe liaison officers to coordinate ground support. “Red” messages, sent by the German air force using their General Operational Key, were so named because Codebreaker Gordon Welchman used a red pencil to annotate them. Messages sent using other Enigma keys were marked with different coloured pencils. Later, when Bletchley Park ran out of colours, they named keys after plants, insects and birds.
Storming a police guard drawn up around Sir Oswald Mosley, largely identified in the public mind as one of the leaders of a “fifth column” in Britain, an angry crowd of 10,000 people wrecked his open-air meeting at Middleton, near Manchester, today. The police had to use their clubs to make a number of arrests before the meeting was abandoned. Sir Oswald was trying to speak in support of a candidate his fascist organization is putting up for the parliamentary vacancy in the Middleton by-election. When he climbed on a truck in the town center there was a sullen roar and the crowd surged forward. The police dragged away several men as violent fighting started. Sir Oswald was showered with paper balls, and bundles of pamphlets were thrown in the air in such a manner as to fall upon him.
The Swedish government orders formation of Home Guard.
Horia Sima is arrested in Rumania.
Count Ciano, the Italian Foreign Minister, demonstrated to the world today that Italy was on the verge of war in delivering a speech in Milan commemorating the Italo-German military alliance. He virtually told the Italian people that Premier Mussolini was going to call upon them soon to join Germany and to achieve the aspirations of fascism. The words of the Foreign Minister were so grave and so clear that they need no commentary. He spoke first of the significance of today’s celebration of the first anniversary of the “pact of steel” and how it was being held at a time when “the new destiny of Europe and of the world was being created.”
The last group of Italian settlers arrives in Ethiopia before hostilities commence.
The United States Legation in Egypt today advised Americans living here to return home while they still have an opportunity. A notice sent out by Raymond Hare, Chargé d’Affaires, said the action was taken “in view of recent developments in the international situation and the possible extension of hostilities to other areas, including the Mediterranean.” The legation offered to help obtain steamship reservations. There are about 650 Americans in Egypt and the Sudan, about 60 percent of whom are missionaries. Nearly all the others are connected with American oil companies.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches aircraft to attack various targets overnight. The RAF once again bombs oil refineries in the Ruhr.
The Royal navy minelayer HMS Princess Victoria struck a mine and sank off the mouth of the Humber with the loss of 36 of her 121 crew.
The unescorted Swedish motor merchant Erik Frisell was torpedoed and sunk by the U-37, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Victor Oehrn, northwest of Ireland in the northern Atlantic Ocean (57°25’N 9°15’W) at 0631 hours. Of the ship’s complement, all 34 survived and were picked up by the armed trawler HMS Cobbers. The 5,066 ton Erik Frisell was carrying fodder and was bound for Liverpool, England.
French convoy FR.2 of troopships Chenonceaux (14825grt) and Mexique (12220grt) departed the Clyde at 2300 escorted by destroyer Saladin and patrol vessel Jason for Brest. In North Channel on the 20th, French destroyer Foudroyant, relieved of her tanker Tarn escort, joined the convoy and patrol vessel Jason was detached.
Convoy OA.151 departed Southend escorted by sloop HMS Wellington from 19 to 21 May.
Convoy OB.151 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer HMS Winchelsea from 19 to 22 May.
Convoy FN.175 departed Southend, escorted by sloop HMS Weston. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 21st.
Convoy MT.69 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer HMS Valorous. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.174 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer HMS Valorous. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 21st.
Convoy OG.30 forms at sea for Gibraltar.
The War at Sea, Sunday, 19 May 1940 (naval-history.net)
Destroyer WHITLEY (Lt Cdr G.N. Rolfe), under French orders in port blocking and refugee lifting operations, was bombed at 0526 and badly damaged by German bombing two miles 006° east of Nieuport.
After three near misses, destroyer WHITLEY with both engine rooms flooded and her back broken was run aground to prevent sinking.
Four engine room ratings were killed on destroyer WHITLEY.
Destroyer VIMIERA rescued the crew and tug LADY BRASSEY was dispatched to bring WHITLEY back to England.
Destroyer KEITH (Captain D.19) arrived on scene and found WHITLEY beyond salvage and shelled her to prevent her use by the German forces.
Destroyer VIMIERA with the destroyer WHITLEY crew, the rest of the crew from destroyer WESTMINSTER, the Flushing demolition party departed Dunkirk at 1700 for Dover.
Destroyer VENOMOUS relieved destroyer KEITH on North Goodwins Patrol.
Destroyer VENOMOUS was attacked by German bombing late on the 19th.
Destroyer KEITH proceeded to Dover and refueled. She departed later that day for Boulogne with Chief of the Imperial General Staff General Sir Edmund Ironside.
After this duty, destroyer KEITH arrived back at Dover at 0730/20th.
Light cruiser BIRMINGHAM departed the Humber for Rosyth to rejoin the Home Fleet after duty off the Dutch coast.
Destroyers JAVELIN and JACKAL, which departed Harwich at 1830/18th, JAGUAR and patrol sloop PUFFIN screened minesweeping trawlers CAPE MELVILLE (342grt), GRAMPIAN (409grt), PELTON (358grt), MILFORD QUEEN (280grt), MILFORD PRINCESS (301grt), and JAMES LAY (278grt) cutting the telegraph cables between Lowestoft, Bacton, Mundesley on the English east coast and Borkum and Nordeney.
At 1445/19th, destroyer JACKAL encountered abandoned Dutch salvage tug HECTOR (175grt).
A crew was put on the Dutch tug. The tug safely arrived at Yarmouth at 0600/20th.
Only two cables were cut and this operation designated QUIXOTE continued on the 28th.
At 1138 after a loop crossing of Loop No. 2, destroyer WILD SWAN departed Dover with anti-submarine trawlers LADY PHILOMENA (trawler Senior Officer), SAON, KINGSTON OLIVINE, and one additional trawler.
Trawler SAON attacked U-9 in 51-03N, 01-22E, but no damage was done.
Destroyer WILD SWAN returned to Dover on the 20th.
Submarine SEAWOLF arrived at Rosyth after patrol.
Submarine TRITON departed Rosyth on patrol.
French convoy FR.2 of troopships CHENONCEAUX (14825grt) and MEXIQUE (12220grt) departed the Clyde at 2300 escorted by destroyer SALADIN and patrol vessel JASON for Brest.
In North Channel on the 20th, French destroyer FOUDROYANT, relieved of her tanker TARN escort, joined the convoy and patrol vessel JASON was detached.
British steamer ROYAL ULSTERMAN (3244grt) departed Scapa Flow at 1837, screened by anti-aircraft cruiser CURLEW, for Harstad where they both safely arrived on the 23rd.
The steamer departed Harstad the next day to return to Scapa Flow.
Destroyer CAMPBELL departed the Clyde at 0900 for Scapa Flow where she arrived at 1130/20th.
Belgian steamer VLAANDEREN IV (647grt) was sunk by German bombing at Dunkirk.
French auxiliary minesweeper AUGUSTIN NORMAND (175grt) was sunk by German bombing near Qunette de Rochemont Lock at Le Havre.
Convoy OA.151 departed Southend escorted by sloop WELLINGTON from 19 to 21 May.
Convoy OB.151 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer WINCHELSEA from 19 to 22 May.
Convoy FN.175 departed Southend, escorted by sloop WESTON. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 21st.
Convoy MT.69 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.174 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 21st.
U-37 sank Swedish steamer ERIK FRISELL (5066grt) in 57 25N, 09 15W.
The crew were rescued by armed patrol trawler COBBERS (275grt) and were landed at Stornoway.
Minesweeper Group 16 of minesweeping trawlers LOCH ERIBOL, ALAFOSS, WELLSBACK, and LOCH LEVEN departed Scapa Flow for the Humber.
New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS LEANDER departed Colombo for the Mediterranean to serve in the 7th Cruiser Squadron in light cruiser LIVERPOOL’s place.
Light cruiser LEANDER arrived at Alexandria on the 26th.
On the 31st, the light cruiser was ordered to join the 4th Cruiser Squadron of the East Indies Station.
On 1 June, she departed Alexandria to join the Red Sea Force and arrived at Port Sudan on 4 June.
French light cruiser MONTCALM and destroyers BRESTOIS and BOULONNAIS arrived at Gibraltar from Brest.
The ships departed the next day for the Mediterranean.
Gunboats COCKCHAFER and GNAT arrived at Basra; COCKCHAFER in tow of and escorted by Indian sloop HINDUSTAN.
The gunboats had departed Singapore on 22 April. At Penang, they were joined by light cruiser LIVERPOOL which escorted them to Car Nicobar.
At Car Nicobar, armed merchant cruiser CATHAY relieved the light cruiser.
The gunboats departed Colombo on 29 April for Basra.
The New York Times said today that because of the serious international situation and American defense needs, President Roosevelt “is seriously considering the appointment of several prominent Republicans to secretaryships in a coalition cabinet.” In any event, according to the Times, a reliable source said there was a strong possibility that the president shortly would name Colonel Frank Knox, Chicago publisher and Republican vice-presidential candidate in 1936, as secretary of the navy with full administrative control of the department. The Times also said it was regarded as significant that Alf M. Landon, Republican presidential candidate in 1936, would visit the president Wednesday at the latter’s invitation. “Whether the president would ask Mr. Landon to join his cabinet as secretary of war is not known,” the Times said. (Landon, in Topeka, Kansas, Sunday, issued a statement expressing his opposition to “any intangible coalitions which would tend to decrease party responsibility.”)
Colonel Charles Lindbergh made another nationwide radio address in favor of American isolationism. “We need not fear a foreign invasion unless American peoples bring it on through their own quarreling and meddling with affairs abroad,” Lindbergh said. “If we desire peace, we need only stop asking for war. No one wishes to attack us, and no one is in a position to do so.” Charles A. Lindbergh tonight said that the United States armed forces have been inadequate for many years and called on all nations in the western hemisphere to unite in a defense plan which could successfully repulse a blitzkrieg by air or sea. Speaking to a nationwide audience over the Columbia Broadcasting system, Lindbergh sharply criticized administration policies which he said lead to neither “strength, nor friendship, nor peace.” He minimized America’s dangers from conquest from the air. “A foreign power could not conquer us by dropping bombs in this country unless the bombing were accompanied by an invading army, he said.” And an invading army requires thousands of small bombers and pursuit planes; it would have little use for huge transatlantic aircraft.”
He conceded that bombing planes could be built with sufficient range to cross the Atlantic and return, but he said that the cost is high, the target large, and the military effectiveness small. Such planes, he declared, do not exist today in any air force. “No, the advantage lies with us, for great armies must still cross oceans by ship,” the flier said. It was his first public address since he warned a year ago that the national defense was woefully weak and that this country must stay out of the European war at all costs.
In reiterating this contention tonight, Lindbergh said: “The only reason that we are in danger of becoming involved in this war is because there are powerful elements in America who desire us to take part. They represent a small minority of the American people, but they control much of the machinery of influence. “It is time for the underlying character of this country to rise and assert itself, to strike down these elements of personal profit and foreign interest. This underlying character of America is our true defense. “Until it awakes and takes the reins in hand once more, the production of airplanes, cannon, and battleships is of secondary importance. Let us turn our eyes to our own nation. We cannot aid others until we have first placed our own country in a position of spiritual and material leadership and strength.”
Legislation to put into effect the defense program which President Roosevelt outlined in his message last Wednesday will be shaped in Congressional committees this week and bills are expected to be reported before the week ends. While this is going on the House is expected to pass, probably on Wednesday the relief bill for the fiscal year 1941 which as it now stands totals $1,111,754,916. Once through the House the measure is scheduled for quick action by the Senate Appropriations Committee and little delay is expected to mark its progress through the Senate.
In Congressional circles these two measures are considered the only “must” business remaining. A disposition is prevalent among the leaders to pass over other controversial legislation, such аs amendments to the National Labor Relations Act and the wage and hour law and adjourn early in June. The tentative date for adjournment most often heard is June 15, which would be well in advance of the opening of the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia and a full month ahead of the Democratic convention in Chicago. Senators and Representatives who are up for re-election thus would have time to attend to their political fences and to meet situations in their constituencies which may arise as a result of the Administration’s preparedness policies and curtailment of expenditures for relief.
The radio address of Colonel Charles: A. Lindbergh tonight in which he sharply assailed the policies of the administration with regard to defense and scoffed at fears of a foreign invasion of the United States undoubtedly will have repercussions in legislative circles. It will strike a responsive chord among the isolationist groups and among critics of the administration who distrust its foreign policies. One result may be to prolong the debate when the defense measures reach the floor. It is not expected, however, that the stimulus the Colonel’s address will give to the opposition will generate sufficient force to prevent enactment of the President’s defense program.
President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull declared their belief tonight that the “liberal” economic policies embodied in the Administration’s trade agreements program constituted the only basis on which the United States could prosper and this country contribute to world reconstruction after the war. The President, whose message was included in a radio address prepared by Mr. Hull in connection with the celebration of Foreign Trade Week, said that the tragic events now transpiring bore eloquent testimony to the fundamental need for liberal economic policies in international affairs, if future wars among nations were to be avoided.
Occasional rumbles still roused the Imperial Valley late tonight in the wake of an earthquake last night which took eight lives, injured scores of persons, did property damage estimated at $2,500,000, and brought a serious threat of water shortage. More than 20 shocks had been recorded. They diminished in severity and frequency throughout the day.
A group of Chicago airmen who for more than five years have been organized as the Civilian Air Corps — a voluntary patriotic organization formed as a secondary air defense unit — has presented a program to the Federal government to bring military flight training to most of the experienced civilian fliers who, the group asserts, have been ignored in military programs.
A petition signed by 500 leading American scientists urging that the United States remain at peace has been sent to President Roosevelt, it was announced yesterday. “The continuance of progress,” it declares, “now largely depends upon the scientists of the neutral nations. American scientists can best fulfill their share of this responsibility if the United States remains at peace.”
At Memphis, 53-year-old manager Truck Hannah catches a doubleheader win over Nashville. Truck is forced to play because of injuries to his two catchers.
Major League Baseball:
The Dodgers were edged by the Cubs in the 10th inning, 7–6, after taking a four-run lead earlier. Rip Russell ended the game witha two-run walk-off home run. The Cubs had scored two in the eighth and two more in the ninth to tie it at 5–5. The Dodgers got a run in the top of the tenth, but then came Russell’s homer.
Bucky Walters of the Reds beat the Bees today, 8—4, to score his sixth straight victory. He limited Boston to five hits. Walters, who struck out seven, was never in serious trouble. Ernie Lombardi hit a three-run homer in the 8th to seal the win.
Ben Warren’s ninth-inning single with the bases loaded, two out and the score tied at 5–5, gave the Phillies a 6–5 decision over the last-place Pirates today in their series opener.
The Cardinals beat the Giants, 6–5, in ten innings at the Polo Grounds in New York. Johnny Mize, Don Padgett, and Joe Orengo all homered for St. Louis.
The Yankees survived a cloudburst and a gale today, but Bob Feller proved altogether too much for them, and their three-game winning streak ended. Feller allowed just four hits and struck out six in crafting the 5–1 victory. Charley Ruffing gave up two runs to the Indians in the first and another in the third. Feller singled home the last Indian run himself in the 8th.
The White Sox still are looking for their first home victory of the season. Washington opened a series with Chicago today by clouting three pitchers for nineteen hits and a 12–10 triumph, handing the home team its ninth straight defeat at Comiskey Park. The Sox tried valiantly to overtake the Senators in the ninth, scoring five runs, four of them on home runs by Joe Kuhel and Eric McNair, but the rally fell short.
Four runs in the first inning on only one hit started the St. Louis Browns off today to a 10–4 victory over the Athletics. The hit was grouped with four walks, two errors, a double steal and a long fly. Home runs by Rip Radcliff, Chet Laabs, and Joe Gallagher, the last-named two coming with a man on base, sewed up the game for the Browns. The defeat dropped Philadelphia out of fourth place, which was taken by the Senators.
Chicago Cubs 7, Brooklyn Dodgers 6
Cincinnati Reds 8, Boston Bees 4
Washington Senators 12, Chicago White Sox 10
New York Yankees 1, Cleveland Indians 5
St. Louis Cardinals 6, New York Giants 5
Pittsburgh Pirates 5, Philadelphia Phillies 6
Philadelphia Athletics 4, St. Louis Browns 10
In Parliament tomorrow Prime Minister Mackenzie King will make his eagerly awaited speech on Canada’s war effort.
The capture by Chinese forces of Sinyang, a major Japanese base in South Honan Province, was claimed today by the Chinese Government. The Chinese announced that twelve Japanese planes and large supplies of ammunition were destroyed.
Central News, Chinese news agency, reported that Lieutenant General Jutaro Amakuska, commander of the Twenty-third Japanese Division, was wounded severely in fighting in the Nanchang-Kwangsi sector last week.
Ten thousand Japanese wounded from the Northern Hupeh and Southern Honan fronts have arrived in Hankow during the last two weeks, according to information received in Chungking from a most reliable foreign source in Hankow. On the basis of reports from both Japanese and Chinese, neutral observers estimate the Japanese casualties in the Hupeh-Honan campaign at 15,000 to 20,000, perhaps more. Chinese losses are believed to be probably about the same, though the outcome is judged to be a Chinese victory by virtue of the capture or destruction of much enemy equipment, the disorganization of the Japanese forces and the failure of the Japanese plan to trap and annihilate the main Chinese army.
Born:
Jan Janssen, Dutch cyclist (Tour de France, 1968; Vuelta a España, 1967; World Road Race Champion, 1964), in Nootdorp, South Holland, Netherlands.
(Milton) “Mickey” Newbury, American outlaw-country singer-songwriter, in Houston, Texas (d. 2002).
Carlos Diegues, Brazilian film director and screenwriter (“Xica”), in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil.
Frank Lorenzo, American airline executive (Continental, Texas Air, Eastern), in New York, New York.
Joan Staley, American actress (“77 Sunset Strip”) and Playboy playmate (November, 1958), in Minneapolis, Minnesota
Died:
Diego Mazquiarán, 45, Spanish matador.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boat U-357 is laid down by Flensburger Schiffsbau-Ges, Flensburg (werk 476).
The Royal Navy Fairmile A class motor launch HMS ML 100 is commissioned.
History Diaries 