Germany began the second phase of the invasion of France, Fall Rot (“Case Red”). 130 infantry divisions and 10 armored divisions attacked cross the Somme and Aisne Rivers. 66 French divisions attempted to hold the Weygand Line. Across the English Channel, the Allies transported French troops recently evacuated from Dunkirk back into France via ports still under French control; additionally, the Canadian 1st Infantry Division, elements of British 1st Armored Division, and the British 51st Highland Division were also sent to France. German 4th Army and 6th Army launch assault against French 10th Army and 7th Army along the Somme River.
During the next three weeks, far from the easy advance the Wehrmacht expected, they encountered strong resistance from a rejuvenated French Army. It had fallen back on its interior lines of supply and communications, and had closer access to repair shops, supply dumps and stores. Moreover, 112,000 evacuated French soldiers were repatriated via the Normandy and Brittany ports. It was some substitute for the lost divisions in Flanders. The French were also able to make good a significant amount of their armored losses and raised the 1st and 2nd DCR (heavy armored divisions). De Gaulle’s division, the 4th DCR, also had its losses replaced. Morale rose and was very high by the end of May 1940. A central explanation for the high morale was threefold: most French soldiers that knew about the defeats, and were now joining the line, only knew of German success by hearsay; surviving French officers had increased tactical experience against German mobile units; increased confidence in their weapons after seeing their artillery, which the Wehrmacht post-battle analysis recognized as technically very good, and their tanks perform better in combat than the German armor. The French tanks were now known to have heavier armor and armament.
Between 23 and 28 May, they had reconstituted the French 7th and 10th Armies. Weygand decided on hedgehog tactics, which were to implement defense in depth operations, and perform delaying strategies designed to inflict maximum attrition on enemy units. He employed units in towns and small villages, as well as major towns and cities, and fortified them 360° along their perimeter. Behind this, the new infantry, armored, and half-mechanized divisions formed up, ready to counterattack and relieve the surrounded units, which were ordered to hold out at all costs.
There are 119 German Divisions (sources vary depending upon which formations you include), including 10 panzer divisions, led by Panzer Group Guderian (Panzergruppe Guderian) and Panzer Group Kleist of First Panzer Group (Panzergruppe 1) of the 47 divisions of Army Group A (General von Rundstedt). Army Groups A and C also are participating.
Opposing the Wehrmacht along the line of the Somme are 65-66 mainly French divisions in Army Groups 3 (coast) and 4 (the Aisne), including 3 armored formations and 3 mechanized divisions. The British 1st Armored Division and Canadian 1st Infantry Division are involved in the defense.
The French defense is complicated by the elimination of the BEF, including its large French formations, and by the fact that there has not been sufficient time to trans-ship those forces rescued in Operation Dynamo back to France at Cherbourg, or move them forward to the front line.
Over the first two days the Germans make very little progress.
The German 4th Army (Colonel-General Günther von Kluge) is opposed by the 51st Highland Division and takes a few bridgeheads across the Aisne. During the afternoon, it takes Saigneville, Mons, Cantigny, Pendé, and Tilloy. Some British troops of the 7th Argylls are surrounded at Franleu, and a relief attack fails. At day’s end, the line is at Tœufles, Zoteux, and Frières, while the 152nd Infantry Brigade is on the Blangy-Abbeville road.
French artillery at Amiens proves decisive in frustrating German advances in that sector. However, operations on the first day show that the French hedgehog positions are unable to give each other mutual support, and the Germans can infiltrate between them. General Rommel’s 7th “Ghost” Panzer Division makes gains of roughly 10 km, but there is no breakthrough.
The French Cabinet is shuffled and Daladier is forced out. General Charles de Gaulle, who has had little military success but at least represents an aggressive spirit, is appointed the Undersecretary of State for War by Prime Minister Reynaud.
Daladier has shown shaky judgment, but more importantly, he has alienated such important figures in the government as General Petain and Reynaud’s mistress, Countess de Portes.
French Prime Minister Reynaud telephones U.S. President Roosevelt and makes another personal plea for US assistance.
General Weygand issues the order of the day: “The Battle of France has started. Hold on to the soil of France, look only forward….”
“The Exodus” continues and gains strength, as the peoples of northern France flee for safety on roads already clogged with refugees.
Hitler broadcasts a patriotic appeal on the beginning of the invasion of France proper:
“[F]rom today throughout the whole of Germany the flags shall be flown for a period of eight days. This is to be a salute for our soldiers. I further order the ringing of bells for a period of three days. Their sound may unite with the prayers with which the German nation will once again accompany her sons from this day forward.”
Luftwaffe aircraft attack French airfields around Paris.
German fighter ace Werner Mölders was shot down by French pilot René Pomier-Layrargues near Compiègne, France; he bailed out to safety but was captured by the French. Mölders is the first German ace with 25 aerial victories to his credit and is the Gruppenkommandeur of III/JG 53. He would be released later upon the French armistice. He would only spend two weeks in captivity.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 23 aircraft to attack German troops and communications on the Somme River during the day.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches aircraft to attack transportation lines overnight.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches more aircraft to attack German troops and communications on the Somme River overnight.
RAF 4 Group bombs troops and transport in France. RAF 10 Squadron sends five aircraft to Doullens, all bombed. RAF 51 Squadron sends six aircraft to Doullens, all bombed. RAF 77 Squadron sends five aircraft to Bapaume. Four bombed, one force landed at Finningley. RAF 102 Squadron sends six aircraft to Somme/Aisne. All bombed.
During the night of 5/6 June, destroyers HMS Gallant and HMS Walpole, on patrol off Lowestoft, engaged German motor torpedo boats laying mines.
Destroyer HMS Wanderer, armed yacht HMS Gulzar, some small motor craft departed Dover at 1800 for operation MH. This operation was to embark stragglers near Boulogne. No allied troops were located. The operation was repeated the next night by the same ships and only one British officer was picked up.
Destroyer HMS Codrington, after DYNAMO operations, was under repair at Dover from 5 to 8 June. On completion of repairs, the destroyer sailed for Portsmouth.
Minesweepers HMS Niger, HMS Sutton, HMS Pangbourne, HMS Fitzroy, and HMS Dundalk departed Dover at 1130 for the Humber. Minesweeper HMS Speedwall departed Dover at 1240 for Devonport. The 10th Mine Sweeping Flotilla departed Dover at 1315 for Portsmouth for reorganization.
Minesweeper HMS Halcyon was damaged by German bombing. The minesweeper was under repair at Devonport from 8 to 14 June.
German forces attacked Dunkirk after the lull that permitted the allies to evacuate many of their troops. French large destroyers Epervier and Leopard and sloop Savorgnan De Brazza supplied support to the ground forces around Dunkirk. Old French battleship Paris was employed off Le Havre and was damaged by German bombing on the 11th. Battleship Paris was taken to Brest, then on to Plymouth arriving on the 19th.
Operation Alphabet continues. 4,900 Allied troops boarded transport ships at Narvik, Norway during the evacuation operation.
The Norwegian army knows that the Allies are leaving, but launches one last attack on General Dietl’s mountain troops clinging to Norwegian territory east of Narvik.
Special services ship HMS Cape Howe, disguised as RFA Prunella, reported sighting at 1630 two unidentified warships northwest of Norway in 64-45N, 00-24W making for Iceland on course 265 at 20 knots. Admiral Forbes ordered the Home Fleet to intercept. Battlecruisers HMS Renown and HMS Repulse, heavy cruiser HMS Sussex, light cruiser HMS Newcastle, destroyers HMS Maori, HMS Forester, HMS Foxhound, HMS Zulu, and HMS Kelvin departed Scapa Flow at 2130 to intercept. Destroyers HMS Mashona, HMS Ashanti, HMS Bedouin, and HMS Electra were recalled to Scapa Flow. Destroyers HMS Mashona and HMS Electra arrived at Scapa Flow at 2030 from anti-submarine operations in Moray Firth. Destroyers HMS Bedouin and HMS Ashanti arrived at Scapa Flow at 1920 from escorting the French submarines. Destroyer HMS Tartar (D.6) arrived at Scapa Flow at 1600 after anti-submarine patrol and repairs. A rumor was received on the 7th that a large German force had landed at Seidisfjord. Vice Admiral Battlecruisers and the Northern Patrol were ordered to investigate. Light cruiser Newcastle arrived off Iceland on the 7th.
Battlecruiser Renown and Repulse with four destroyers were to have covered the first group evacuating Narvik with a close screen of five destroyers. After the sortie towards Iceland, only battleships HMS Rodney (Flagship Forbes) and HMS Valiant with destroyers Tartar, Mashona, Bedouin, and Ashanti were available for operations. Destroyer Electra was ordered at 1400/7th to search for a suspicious steamer identified as British steamer Blairesk (3300grt), which had been boarded by armed boarding vessel HMS Kingston Jacinth in 59-48N, 4-38W. The steamer was visually sighted by battleship Rodney’s aircraft and escorted to Noup Head. Destroyer Electra contacted the ship and found her to be Cape Howe. She proceeded to Kirkwall and anchored off Kirkwall in thick fog at 1420/8th. The destroyer arrived at Scapa Flow at 2117/8th from Kirkwall. Admiral Forbes was not aware of Cape Howe’s deployment.
HMS Glorious continued to wait for the weather to clear in order to embark 263 (RAF) and 701 (FAA) Squadrons from Norway. However, at the request of the Army, she is ordered to prepare a bombing mission for the early hours of next morning.
HMS Ark Royal sends off single plane A/S patrols (820 Squadron) at 0320 and 0540. However, at 0715 the carrier becomes immersed in a fog bank, forcing her to suspend further air operations until evening. At 1935, in position 70.15 N, 16.20 E, operations commence anew with an A.D.A. patrol for the task force and a weather patrol to Narvik, the later reporting horrible weather inshore. Further A.D.A. patrols followed at 2047 and 2305 (all from 810 Squadron), another weather patrol going off at the later time as well, reporting the weather was at the minimal levels for operations. Based on the report, at 2330, the first fighter patrol of the day takes off, three Skuas of 800 Squadron led by Lieutenant G. R. Callingham, RN.
Two torpedo boats, Falke and Jaguar, returned to Wilhelmshaven while the rest continued north, Hipper and the destroyers refueling off the Lofotens on the 6th. The initial plan had been to attack targets off opportunity in and around Narvik. However, the situation remained unclear, and finally, aware of several Allied convoys at sea travelling between Norway and England. Marschall opted to go for them.
Convoy “Greek,” consisting of British steamers Heron (2374grt), Marina (5088grt), and Balteako (1328grt) and French steamers Enseigne Maurice Prechac (4578grt), Vulcain (4362grt), Paul Emile and Javary (2471grt) and escorted by anti-submarine trawlers HMS St Elstan (564grt) and HMS Wastwater (560grt), departed Harstad. Steamer Vulcain arrived at Scapa Flow at 2220/7th. Steamer Paul Emile Javary also arrived on the 7th. The convoy arrived safely at Scapa Flow at 1740/10th with the two trawlers and steamers Heron, Balteako, Marina, Dallington Court, and Enseign Maurice Prechac.
Luftwaffe General Erhard Milch, Hermann Göring’s deputy, inspects the beach at Dunkirk and rushes back to report to Göring, telling him that, “I recommend that this very day all our air units — both the Second and Third Air Forces — should be moved up the Channel coast, and that Britain should be invaded immediately. If we leave the British in peace for four weeks it will be too late.”
Prime Minister Churchill’s “We shall never surrender” speech of 4 June resonates, although the message may have been slightly different than what Churchill intended. The Guardian notes that the “House of Commons is still trying to adjust to one of the gravest speeches ever made to it.” Overall, though, the speech, perhaps the finest and most memorable of the 20th Century, resonates among all sectors of the populace.
As the BEF troops rescued from Dunkirk filter back into England, there are many joyous reunions as soldiers return to their families and loved ones who have had no information from them in weeks. Of course, there also is some sad news, but almost all of the British men have returned.
The British government banned all labour strikes. Strikes and lock-outs are now banned in Britain. Arbitration in industrial disputes is compulsory. Machinery in arms factories will run seven days a week, but workers can have one days rest in seven. It will be a criminal offence for an employer in certain vital industries – especially engineering – to engage a worker without government permission. Miners and farm workers will have to stay in their jobs. Plans are being prepared for possible large-scale transfers of population and communal feeding. These decrees and emergency measures were announced today by Ernest Bevin, the Minister of Labour and National Service. He is rapidly becoming the most powerful member of the cabinet after Mr. Churchill himself.
In a BBC radio broadcast the noted author J. B. Priestley berated the British Establishment for its lack of planning and amateurish attitudes.
Small groups of mobile armed men called Ironsides, after the Home Defense Commander, were formed in the United Kingdom to protect against enemy parachutists.
It is indicative of the seriousness with which the Irish Government regards the situation threatening this country that a defense bill was introduced in the Dail Eireann this evening that will place Ireland on a wartime footing.
Netherlands rations petroleum.
Chancellor Hitler’s great offensive has started, and Italy is just as non-belligerent as ever today. This was viewed as one of the truly great opportunities for Premier Mussolini to move, and the fact that nothing has been done is taken in some circles as a sign that he will after all wait for the attack on Great Britain.
Pope Pius has sent an autographed letter to Premier Mussolini in a last effort on behalf of peace, according to Vatican circles tonight.
The Belgrade press today reflects the general opinion that Italy’s entry into the war on Germany’s side has been postponed. Rome correspondents of the principal papers base this opinion on reports that the United States’ and Russia’s attitudes should neutralize Italy’s intentions.
The Italian Minister to Egypt, Serafino Mazzolini, tonight postponed his return to Italy, giving rise to belief in Allied circles that Premier Mussolini might refrain from any war move until the chances for German victory further crystallized.
Small numbers of Ju-88 and He-111 bombers fly the first mission against the U.K. at night. Small numbers of Luftwaffe bombers attacked low-key targets in the east and southeast of Britain. These attacks were primarily to give crews navigational experience before the main assault on Britain.
Shortly after midnight enemy aircraft made a number of attacks apparently directed at aerodromes in the eastern counties. Civilian damage was very slight and no civilian casualties reported. No 1 Region also reports at Ashington an RAF bomber, which had apparently fouled a balloon cable, lost control and crashed into houses at Fifth Row. One house, (No 77) was completely demolished and two others damaged. Three civilians were killed and all lived in the same house. This aircraft was a Coastal Command Beaufort L9797 of No 22 Squadron returning to North Coates after a bombing run to Ghent. Searchlights dazzled the pilot and in trying to evade the glare, the aircraft, possibly also affected by flak damage, began to vibrate so much that he ordered the crew to bail out. He and the observer bailed out safely but the wireless operator and air gunner failed to get out and died in the crash. Battleship HMS Rodney with destroyers HMS Zulu, HMS Maori, and HMS Foxhound departed Scapa Flow for firings at 0645. The ships arrived back at 1800.
Light cruiser HMS Emerald departed Halifax with British troopship Empress Of Australia (19,665grt), which was carrying troops for the Iceland garrison. After safely delivering the troopship, light cruiser Emerald proceeded to the Clyde on the 16th and the troopship returned to Halifax. Light cruiser Emerald arrived in the Clyde on the 18th.
British steamer Capable (216grt) was sunk on a mine 2.8 miles 131° from Horsesand Fort, Spithead. The entire crew of five men and two Territorial guards were all lost on the steamer.
British sludge vessel Sweep II (145grt) was sunk on a mine 1. 4 miles 138° from Landguard Point near Felixstone. Two crewmen were lost on the vessel.
U-48, commanded by Korvettenkapitän Hans Rudolf Rösing, sank British steamer Stancor (798grt) at 2318 hours at position 58 48N, 08 45W. Stancor (Master William Bibbings) was shelled by U-48 80 miles northwest of Butt of Lewis. The ship had been missed with a G7e stern torpedo at 2244 hours and was left burning and sinking after 77 rounds were fired from the deck gun. The master, 16 crew members and two gunners abandoned ship in two lifeboats and were questioned by the Germans. The master and eight survivors in the first boat were picked up by the British trawler Kinaldie and landed at Stornoway on 7 June and 10 survivors in the second boat made landfall at Crowlista near Uig, Isle of Lewis. The entire crew from the British steamer was rescued. The 798-ton Stancor was carrying fish and was headed for Fleetwood, England.
German minesweeper M.11 struck a mine and was sunk off Jaederens.
German steamer Palime (2,863grt) struck a mine near Jaederens and was run aground a total loss.
Italian submarines FAA D’Bruno, Morosini, Provana, Dandolo, and Marcello departed Naples for operations off Oran at the outset of the war. Italian submarines Finzi and Cappellini departed Cagliari for operations in the Atlantic.
The Danish cargo ship Skandia struck a mine and sank in the Kattegat at position 57°33′N 11°35′E.
Convoy OA.162 departed Southend escorted by sloop HMS Enchantress from 5 to 7 June.
Convoy OB.162 departed Liverpool escorted by anti-submarine trawler HMS Arsenal from 5 to 6 June.
Convoy OG.32 was formed from convoys OA.161G, which departed Southend on the 3rd escorted by sloop HMS Aberdeen, OB.161G, escorted by sloop HMS Folkestone from 3 to 5 June, with thirty nine ships. Sloop Folkestone escorted the convoy from 5 to 6 June, being detached to convoy HG.32. On 4 June, sloop Folkestone had collided with British coastal steamer River Humber (351grt) seven miles 218° from the Skerries. The coaster sank. Following this convoy duty, the sloop arrived at Cardiff on the 10th for repairs, completed on the 29th. Sloop Aberdeen escorted the convoy from 3 to 9 June until being detached to convoy HG.33. Destroyers HMS Douglas and HMS Vidette joined on the 10th. Destroyer Vidette was detached prior to arriving at Gibraltar. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on the 11th, escorted by destroyer Douglas.
Convoy FN.189 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Vimiera and sloop HMS Hastings. Submarine L.23 was in the convoy for passage. Off the Tyne, destroyer Vimiera escorted submarine L.23 to Dundee. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 7th with sloop Hastings.
Convoy MT.82 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer HMS Valorous. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.188 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer HMS Valorous. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 7th.
Convoy HG.33F with forty one ships departed Gibraltar. The convoy was escorted by destroyer HMS Douglas from 5 to 6 June. Destroyer HMS Velox escorted the convoy from 5 to 8 June when she was detached to escort battleship HMS Resolution approaching Gibraltar. Sloop HMS Deptford escorted the convoy from 5 to 14 June. Corvette HMS Periwinkle from convoy OG.33F escorted the convoy from 12 to 14 June. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 14th.
Convoy HX.48 departed Halifax at 0900 escorted by Canadian destroyer HMCS Saguenay and auxiliary patrol vessel HMS Acadia. Auxiliary patrol vessel Acadia was detached at 2145/5th. The destroyer was detached on the 6th. The ocean escort for the convoy was armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura, which was detached on the 16th. On 16 June, destroyer HMS Volunteer joined the convoy and on the 17th, corvette HMS Gladiolus. The destroyer was detached on the 19th. The corvette escorted the convoy to Liverpool arriving on the 20th.
The War at Sea, Wednesday, 5 June 1940 (naval-history.net)
Battleship RODNEY with destroyers ZULU, MAORI, and FOXHOUND departed Scapa Flow for firings at 0645. The ships arrived back at 1800.
Destroyers ESCORT, FORESTER, and ENCOUNTER arrived at Scapa Flow from anti-submarine patrol at 1645.
Special services ship CAPE HOWE, disguised as RFA PRUNELLA, reported sighting at 1630 two unidentified warships northwest of Norway in 64-45N, 00-24W making for Iceland on course 265 at 20 knots.
Admiral Forbes ordered the Home Fleet to intercept. Battlecruisers RENOWN and REPULSE, heavy cruiser SUSSEX, light cruiser NEWCASTLE, destroyers MAORI, FORESTER, FOXHOUND, ZULU, and KELVIN departed Scapa Flow at 2130 to intercept.
Destroyers MASHONA, ASHANTI, BEDOUIN, and ELECTRA were recalled to Scapa Flow.
Destroyers MASHONA and ELECTRA arrived at Scapa Flow at 2030 from anti-submarine operations in Moray Firth.
Destroyers BEDOUIN and ASHANTI arrived at Scapa Flow at 1920 from escorting the French submarines.
Destroyer TARTAR (D.6) arrived at Scapa Flow at 1600 after anti-submarine patrol and repairs.
A rumor was received on the 7th that a large German force had landed at Seidisfjord. Vice Admiral Battlecruisers and the Northern Patrol were ordered to investigate.
Light cruiser NEWCASTLE arrived off Iceland on the 7th.
Battlecruiser RENOWN and REPULSE with four destroyers were to have covered the first group evacuating Narvik with a close screen of five destroyers.
After the sortie towards Iceland, only battleships RODNEY (Flagship Forbes) and VALIANT with destroyers TARTAR, MASHONA, BEDOUIN, and ASHANTI were available for operations.
Destroyer ELECTRA was ordered at 1400/7th to search for a suspicious steamer identified as British steamer BLAIRESK (3300grt), which had been boarded by armed boarding vessel KINGSTON JACINTH in 59-48N, 4-38W.
The steamer was visually sighted by battleship RODNEY’s aircraft and escorted to Noup Head.
Destroyer ELECTRA contacted the ship and found her to be CAPE HOWE. She proceeded to Kirkwall and anchored off Kirkwall in thick fog at 1420/8th.
The destroyer arrived at Scapa Flow at 2117/8th from Kirkwall.
Admiral Forbes was not aware of CAPE HOWE’s deployment.
Convoy “Greek,” consisting of British steamers HERON (2374grt), MARINA (5088grt), BALTEAKO (1328grt) and French steamers ENSEIGNE MAURICE PRECHAC (4578grt), VULCAIN (4362grt), and PAUL EMILE JAVARY (2471grt) and escorted by anti-submarine trawlers ST ELSTAN (564grt) and WASTWATER (560grt), departed Harstad.
Steamer VULCAIN arrived at Scapa Flow at 2220/7th. Steamer PAUL EMILE JAVARY also arrived on the 7th. The convoy arrived safely at Scapa Flow at 1740/10th with the two trawlers and steamers HERON, BALTEAKO, MARINA, DALLINGTON COURT, and ENSEIGN MAURICE PRECHAC.
During the night of 5/6 June, destroyers GALLANT and WALPOLE, on patrol off Lowestoft, engaged German motor torpedo boats laying mines.
Destroyer WANDERER, armed yacht GULZAR, some small motor craft departed Dover at 1800 for operation MH.
This operation was to embark stragglers near Boulogne.
No allied troops were location.
The operation was repeated the next night by the same ships and only one British officer was picked up.
Destroyer CODRINGTON, after DYNAMO operations, was under repair at Dover from 5 to 8 June.
On completion of repairs, the destroyer sailed for Portsmouth.
Minesweepers NIGER, SUTTON, PANGBOURNE, FITZROY, and DUNDALK departed Dover at 1130 for the Humber.
Minesweeper SPEEDWALL departed Dover at 1240 for Devonport.
The 10th Mine Sweeping Flotilla departed Dover at 1315 for Portsmouth for reorganization.
Minesweeper HALCYON was damaged by German bombing.
The minesweeper was under repair at Devonport from 8 to 14 June.
Light cruiser EMERALD departed Halifax with British troopship EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA (19,665grt), which was carrying troops for the Iceland garrison.
After safely delivering the troopship, light cruiser EMERALD proceeded to the Clyde on the 16th and the troopship returned to Halifax.
Light cruiser EMERALD arrived in the Clyde on the 18th.
Submarine TRIBUNE arrived Rosyth after patrol.
Submarine TETRARCH departed Rosyth on patrol.
Submarine NARWHAL arrived Blyth after patrol.
Submarine SWORDFISH departed Blyth on patrol.
The next day, submarine SWORDFISH was attack by friendly aircraft in the North Sea. No damage was done to the submarine.
German forces attacked Dunkirk after the lull that permitted the allies to evacuate many of their troops.
French large destroyers EPERVIER and LEOPARD and sloop SAVORGNAN DE BRAZZA supplied support to the ground forces around Dunkirk.
French battleship PARIS was employed off Le Havre and was damaged by German bombing on the 11th.
Battleship PARIS was taken to Brest, then on to Plymouth arriving on the 19th.
British steamer CAPABLE (216grt) was sunk on a mine 2.8 miles 131° from Horsesand Fort, Spithead.
The entire crew of five men and two Territorial guards were all lost on the steamer.
British sludge vessel SWEEP II (145grt) was sunk on a mine 1. 4 miles 138° from Landguard Point near Felixstone.
Two crew were lost on the vessel.
U-48 sank British steamer STANCOR (798grt) in 58 48N, 08 45W.
The entire crew from the British steamer was rescued. One lifeboat landed at Stornoway on the 7th.
German minesweeper M.11 struck a mine and was sunk off Jaederens. German steamer PALIME (2863grt) struck a mine near Jaederens and was run aground a total loss.
Convoy OA.162 departed Southend escorted by sloop ENCHANTRESS from 5 to 7 June.
Convoy OB.162 departed Liverpool escorted by anti-submarine trawler ARSENAL from 5 to 6 June.
Convoy OG.32 was formed from convoys OA.161G, which departed Southend on the 3rd escorted by sloop ABERDEEN, OB.161G, escorted by sloop FOLKESTONE from 3 to 5 June, with thirty-nine ships.
Sloop FOLKESTONE escorted the convoy from 5 to 6 June, being detached to convoy HG.32.
On 4 June, sloop FOLKESTONE had collided with British coastal steamer RIVER HUMBER (351grt) seven miles 218° from the Skerries. The coaster sank.
Following this convoy duty, the sloop arrived at Cardiff on the 10th for repairs, completed on the 29th.
Sloop ABERDEEN escorted the convoy from 3 to 9 June until being detached to convoy HG.33.
Destroyers DOUGLAS and VIDETTE joined on the 10th. Destroyer VIDETTE was detached prior to arriving at Gibraltar. The convoy arrived at Gibraltar on the 11th, escorted by destroyer DOUGLAS.
Convoy FN.189 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIMIERA and sloop HASTINGS. Submarine L.23 was in the convoy for passage. Off the Tyne, destroyer VIMIERA escorted submarine L.23 to Dundee. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 7th with sloop HASTINGS.
Convoy MT.82 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.188 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 7th.
Convoy HG.33F with forty-one ships departed Gibraltar. The convoy was escorted by destroyer DOUGLAS from 5 to 6 June.
Destroyer VELOX escorted the convoy from 5 to 8 June when she was detached to escort battleship RESOLUTION approaching Gibraltar.
Sloop DEPTFORD escorted the convoy from 5 to 14 June.
Corvette PERIWINKLE from convoy OG.33F escorted the convoy from 12 to 14 June. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on the 14th.
Convoy HX.48 departed Halifax at 0900 escorted by Canadian destroyer HMCS SAGUENAY and auxiliary patrol vessel HMCS ACADIA.
Auxiliary patrol vessel ACADIA was detached at 2145/5th. The destroyer was detached on the 6th
The ocean escort for the convoy was Armed merchant cruiser RANPURA, which was detached on the 16th.
On 16 June, destroyer VOLUNTEER joined the convoy, and on the 17th, corvette GLADIOLUS joined. The destroyer was detached on the 19th. The corvette escorted the convoy to Liverpool arriving on the 20th.
Italian submarines FAA d’BRUNO, MOROSINI, PROVANA, DANDOLO, and MARCELLO departed Naples for operations off Oran at the outset of the war.
Italian submarines FINZI and CAPPELLINI departed Cagliari for operations in the Atlantic.
The United States will make available at once to the Allies large stocks of World War rifles, field guns, and ammunition. The way was cleared for immediate sale of part of such material held by the Army by a ruling just made by Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, which held that the arms could be transferred without violating international law. The Army has on hand more than 2,000,000 World War Enfield and Springfield rifles, with considerable ammunition; and about 5,000 field guns of 75-mm caliber, with plenty of ammunition.
While it is understood that only part of the “obsolete” stores will be made available to Great Britain and France, it is reliably reported that at least 600,000 rifles and 2,500 field guns, with ammunition, are included. While this equipment is regarded as not satisfactory for the use of this country’s Army, which is rapidly being modernized, it would permit the British to compensate in part for the losses of equipment which its expeditionary forces suffered in Flanders. Although old, the rifles and guns are usable. Most of the supplies, it is said in official quarters here, will go to the British.
The Justice and the War Departments refused to comment upon the Attorney General’s ruling. It is known to hold, however, that under a law of July, 1919, authorizing the Army to dispose of surplus armaments held at that time, old equipment can be turned over to American manufacturers in payment for new equipment to be produced. Under American and international law, private manufacturers can sell equipment to belligerent governments. Under this ruling the question of direct sale of war equipment by a neutral government to a belligerent government will not arise, and competitive bidding in sales to domestic concerns or individuals will not be required.
In diplomatic circles it was said that arrangements for the transfer of World War equipment had been completed “in principle.” It was not revealed whether details regarding sale and shipment had been fully settled. The expectation was general, however, that shipments would begin soon. The Attorney General’s ruling applied only to equipment held by the Army in 1919, but it was reported that moves were under way to make possible the transfer to the Allies of some planes now in Army service and, perhaps, of naval destroyers.
Today in Washington, President Roosevelt conferred on foreign affairs with Secretary Hull, Under-Secretary Sumner Welles, and Assistant Secretary A. A. Berle Jr.; on foreign trade trends with Raymond B. Stevens of the Tariff Commission, and on the progress of the government reorganization program with Louis Brownlow. He signed executive orders prescribing regulations governing the entry of alien seamen into the United States and regulations pertaining to documents which shall be required of aliens entering the United States.
The Senate agreed to the conference report on the Army promotions bill, confirmed the nomination of Walter Myers to be Fourth Assistant Postmaster General, considered the Army construction bill and recessed at 4:55 PM until noon tomorrow. The Appropriations Committee reported the $1,073,000,000 1941 relief bill and the Foreign Relations Committee, and approved the resolution opposing transfer of Western Hemisphere territory from one non-American country to another.
The House approved the conference report on the District of Columbia appropriation bill, passed a bill providing for deportation of aliens convicted of sabotage or espionage, and completed Congressional action on the bill to aid Latin-American republics build up their naval and military establishments.
The U.S. State Department clamped rigid restrictions on admission of aliens to the United States tonight, extending the drive against formation of a “fifth column” within this country. Under two executive orders, entry will be permitted only to those who can establish a “legitimate purpose or reasonable need” for coming into the nation, and the shore leave of alien seamen will be sharply and cautiously limited. Announcement followed President Roosevelt’s request that congress finance 500 additional Federal Bureau of Investigation agents.
The Administration’s defense finance plans were extended today to include further fundamental alterations in the revenue law when the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Taxation tentatively adopted a proposal to broaden the income tax base so as to add 2,050,000 new taxpayers to the tax rolls and increase the annual yield of the pending tax bill by $82,500,000. Increases in surtaxes and adjustment of other levies, on which the tax authorities have agreed in principle, are expected to send the revenue-raising capacity of the tax measure to well above $1,000,000,000 before Congress is through with it.
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee approved today the Administration resolution opposing any transfer of sovereignty of European possessions in this hemisphere to a non-American nation.
U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt ordered U.S. Navy Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Harold Stark to prepare a U.S. Marine Corps brigade for future deployment to Iceland.
The International Ladies Garment Workers Union, with 250,000 members in the United States and Canada, voted yesterday to reaffiliate with the American Federation of Labor and to press a drive within the federation for the ouster of racketeering officials and for unity in the labor movement.
As a measure of national defense, the Federal Communications Commission today placed an immediate prohibition on amateur radio transmission with foreign stations. The order applies to about 55,000 licensed American amateur broadcasters.
The American Red Cross $20,000,000 war relief fund today reached a total of $7,031,814 as it was announced that the first “mercy ship,” taking more than $1,000,000 in supplies for refugees in France, will begin loading next week at Pier 60 in New York.
Approving several national defense provisions, the Senate Appropriations Committee reported out today an annual relief bill carrying $1,073,584,916, and an additional $125,000,000 in loans.
The big automobile manufacturers definitely will bring out their 1941 models during the Fall. What will happen with respect to the 1942 models is anybody’s guess, although several leading manufacturers already are well adaanced on their plans for 1942 cars.
The first synthetic rubber tire was exhibited by the B.F. Goodrich Company in Akron, Ohio.
Abandoning his opposition to a third term, Senator Harrison declared today for the renomination of President Roosevelt.
The first automobile drives across the Lake Washington Floating Bridge.
Miscellaneous U.S. Navy auxiliary Bear (AG-29) arrives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, having proceeded from Antarctica via Valparaiso, Chile, the Panama Canal, and Key West, Florida.
Major League Baseball:
Lynwood (Schoolboy) Rowe pitched his fourth straight victory tonight, giving seven hits, all singles, as the Tigers won, 9–1, from the Athletics before 18,550 at Shibe Park. The big right-hander yielded only two hits, both by Wally Moses, until the seventh. Then singles by Sam Chapman and Pinch-Hitters Chubby Dean and Al Simmons produced Philadelphia’s tally. Dick Siebert and Chapman singled in the ninth for the other two safeties. Rowe helped win his own game by driving in two runs with a double in the sixth and chasing Bruce Campbell home in the ninth on a long fly. Altogether the Tigers pounded out 17 hits off three pitchers.
Jimmy Dykes still clings to the old-fashioned theory that the Yankees cannot hit left-handers. So he presented a southpaw for the second successive day at the Stadium yesterday but the Bombers unloaded a twelve-hit barrage on the unsuspecting head of Thornton Lee to beat the White Sox, 7–5.
Jimmy Bloodworth hits a 5th inning grand slam to help the Senators top the visiting Indians, 6–1. Walt Masterson is the winning pitcher, allowing just four hits and striking out seven.
After holding the Red Sox to five hits over the last seven frames, Relief Pitcher Bob Harris broke up a fourteen-inning game today with a single of his own to give the last-place Browns a 4–3 decision over the American League’s leaders.
Chicago’s Cubs grabbed their second straight victory from the Phillies today, 3–2, behind the combined efforts of Outfielder Dominic Dallessandro and Pitcher Larry French.
The Reds flattened the Giants, 7–2. Cincinnati chased New York starting pitcher Harry Gumbert in the second inning, scoring five runs after two men were out. Reds’ pitcher Gene Thompson started the collapse with a double that scored the first two runs.
St. Louis Browns 4, Boston Red Sox 3
Philadelphia Phillies 2, Chicago Cubs 3
New York Giants 2, Cincinnati Reds 7
Chicago White Sox 5, New York Yankees 7
Detroit Tigers 9, Philadelphia Athletics 1
Cleveland Indians 1, Washington Senators 6
Wartime emergency legislation in Canada banned 16 Nazi, Communist and Fascist organizations.
Thousands of children, refugees from Great Britain, France, Holland and other countries invaded by Germany, are to be brought to Canada as soon as transport difficulties can be overcome.
The Governor of Suriname and the Netherlands Antilles refuse entry to Jewish refugees.
Battle of Tsaoyang-Ichang: Japanese 11th Army captures Shayang.
Japanese air raids on Chungking kill 1500 civilians.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 113.25 (-2.54)
Born:
Moira Anderson, Scottish singer (“Loch Lomond”), in Kirkintilloch, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Pierre Gagne, Canadian NHL left wing (Boston Bruins), in North Bay, Ontario, Canada.
Died:
F. Luis Mora, 65, Uruguayan-born American painter.
Naval Construction:
The Royal Canadian Navy armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry commenced conversion refit at Canadian Vickers Montreal.
The Royal Navy “S”-class (Third Group) submarine HMS Safari (P 211) is laid down by the Cammell Laird Shipyard (Birkenhead, U.K.).
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Heliotrope (K 03) is launched by John Crown & Sons Ltd. (Sunderland, U.K); completed by N.E. Marine. Originally ordered for the French Navy. Transferred to the U.S. Navy at Hull, England, on 24 March 1942. Commissioned as USS Surprise (PG-63) on the same day.
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Arbutus (K 86) is launched by the Blyth Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. Ltd. (Blyth, U.K.); completed by Clark.
The Royal Navy Hunt-class (Type I) escort destroyer HMS Tynedale (L 96) is launched by A. Stephen & Sons Ltd. (Glasgow, Scotland).
The Royal Navy Bar-class boom defense vessel HMS Barthorpe (Z 95) is commissioned.
History Diaries 