Army Group A under the command of Gerd von Rundstedt attacked along a 100-mile front in the Aisne sector. That same day the Germans established a number of bridgeheads along the Aisne.
At 4:30 AM, a violent artillery barrage falls along the French positions along the Aisne, while the Luftwaffe attack the batteries and rear areas.
At 5 AM, the German infantry attacks between Neufchatel and Attigny. The French 14th Infantry Division on the right repulsed the Germans capturing 800 prisoners. The French 2nd Infantry Division, where the main attack was made, held firm everywhere except on its left flank, at Chateau-Porcien, where the Germans establish a bridgehead.
At 10 o’clock this morning, one hour after the German infantry had attacked in the Argonne, General Maxime Weygand issued the following general order to all troops:
The German offensive is now launched on the whole front, from the sea to Montmedy. Tomorrow it will extend as far as Switzerland. The order still is for each man to fight without thought of falling back, eyes fixed right ahead, in the place where the High Command has placed him.
The Commander in Chief is fully aware of the magnificent example of unflinching effort and valor that the armies engaged, as well as the air force, have shown.
He thanks them for this.
France asks still more.
Officers, non-commissioned officers and men, the salvation of the country calls not only for your courage but for all the stubbornness, initiative and fighting spirit of which I know you are capable.
The enemy has suffered considerable losses. Soon he will reach the end of his effort.
This is the last quarter-hour. Hold fast.
William C. Bullitt, United States Ambassador to France, declared today that “from one end of this earth to the other every civilized man is praying, after his fashion, for the victory of France.”
The German 7th Panzer Division under Rommel crosses the Seine at Elbeuf and pushes the French 10th Army and British 51st Highland Division to the sea at St-Valery-en-Caux, France. To the east, the 14th Panzer Corps under Kleist advanced near Amiens, but his 16th Panzer Corp remained held down at Péronne.
The Germans reach the Seine River. The German forces in France reached the Seine at Rouen and captured the city. Dieppe and Compiegne fall. France is taking heavy losses in the fighting.
Further east, Guderian’s tanks attacked toward Rheims. At Rheims, the Panzer Group Kleist and Panzer Group Guderian team up and take Compiegne. The French are still holding the remnants of the Weygand Line between Amiens and Peronne, but the Weygand Line has become porous and the panzers are able to sidestep pockets of resistance.
With the Germans just 50 miles away, the government leaves Paris and heads west for Tours. Paris is left in the hands of a military governor, General Hering.
French General Weygand announced that the battle was lost and France should attempt to negotiate an armistice.
The German 4th Army, 6th Army and 9th Army continue to attack.
The German 2nd Army, 12th Army, and 16th Army join the offensive in France.
The French 10th Army is collapsing under attacks by German 4th Army.
The French 7th Army, 6th Army, and 2nd Army are under heavy attack.
During the night Guderian pushes the 1st Panzers across the river at Chateau-Porcien.
Per Reynaud’s instructions, General Charles de Gaulle arrives in London and confers with Winston Churchill. Today is General de Gaulle’s first meeting with Churchill
James Lacey was forced to crash land into a swamp in France, which nearly drowned him.
The Luftwaffe provides essential air coverage to the advancing panzer spearheads, which are without infantry support and vulnerable to air attack. Some units of the French Air Force (Armée de l’Air) begin withdrawing to North Africa. The French have flown 1,815 sorties since the beginning of Operation Fall Rot, with 518 of them bomber missions. This rate begins to fall off drastically beginning on 9 June.
RAF air support units are retreating before the Wehrmacht advance, some moving to Brittany and other places to the south.RAF Bomber Command dispatches aircraft to attack German troops and lines of communication.
Operation CYCLE, the evacuation of the French north coast was set into action. Destroyers HMCS Restigouche, HMS Broke, HMCS St Laurent, and HMS Codrington and sloop HMS Wellington were ordered at 1509/9th to proceed to rendezvous with destroyer HMS Saladin seven miles 270° from Cape De Le Havre. At 1533 the same orders were sent to anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Calcutta and destroyers HMS Bulldog and HMS Boadicea. The ships were ordered not to arrive at Havre before 0400/10th. Destroyers HMS Ambuscade, HMS Harvester, and HMS Fernie and corvette HMS Gardenia from the Western Approaches were also ordered to CYCLE and departed Portland on the 9th.
Elements of German 2nd Mountain Division, supported by air-dropped supplies, continue pushing overland from Sorfold to relieve 3rd Mountain Division at Narvik.
Elements of German 3rd Mountain Division reoccupy Narvik, finding railroad, quays, and other ore-export facilities destroyed. Germany formally reoccupies the port of Narvik, and King Haakon and Norway’s High Command orders General Ruge and his army and all other loyal Norwegians to stop fighting at midnight. So strong is Dietl’s admiration of their courage that he is allowing them to return to their homes.
The Norwegian government-in-exile led by King Haakon has Commander-in-chief Ruge issue a cease-fire order effective as of midnight. The only troops still fighting are in the Norwegian 6th Division near Narvik.
The Norwegian 6th Division, essentially the last Norwegian unit still actively fighting the German invasion, surrendered to the Germans. An armistice was to take effect at midnight. Norwegian General Ruge surrenders to General Dietl at Narvik.
The Norwegian campaign has been a complete German victory.
Most importantly, Germany has protected its source of iron ore, and also obtained advanced bases for the Kriegsmarine and useful air bases for the Luftwaffe.
By dawn it is obvious to all interested parties, from the Admiralty on down, that some form of disaster has befallen HMS Glorious and company, from which no word has been heard since departing the Narvik area, and requests for position reports have gone unanswered…
At 1030/9th, hospital ship Atlantis met battleship HMS Valiant and the first intelligence of Marschall’s forces was received by the Admiralty and the Home Fleet. She advised she had observed a pocket battleship engaging a two funnel transport in 67-44N, 0-52E at 0900/8th. This was presumed to be liner Orama. Atlantis arrived at Scapa Flow on the 10th at 1600. Battleship HMS Rodney, battlecruiser HMS Renown, destroyers HMS Zulu, HMS Kelvin, HMS Inglefield (D.3), HMS Electra and HMS Escort departed Scapa Flow at 1245 to escort the convoys. Aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal was ordered to join this force on the 10th. A Swordfish of 810 Squadron from Ark Royal ditched in the sea after missing the aircraft carrier on its return from a reconnaissance mission looking for Scharnhorst. S/Lt R. C. Eborn, Midshipman G. T. Shaddick and Leading Airman P. W. Clitheroe were picked up by Norwegian fishery protection vessel Syrian and taken to Iceland. Battlecruiser HMS Repulse, heavy cruiser HMS Sussex, light cruiser HMS Newcastle, and destroyers HMS Maori, HMS Foxhound, and HMS Forester were still in Icelandic waters. They were ordered at 1026 to sweep northeast and join Troopship Group II and the slow auxiliary convoy which were travelling together. Newcastle arrived at Scapa Flow on the 11th. Maori, Foxhound, and Forester arrived at Sullom Voe for refueling at 0100/10th and departed at 0800 after refueling.
While following the British slow convoy, Norwegian steamers Prins Olav (2147grt) and Ariadne (2029grt) were sunk by German bombing at position 67 55N, 02 10E, northeast of the Shetlands. One crewman was missing from Prins Olav and nine from Ariadne. Destroyer HMS Arrow rescued seventy two male and nine female survivors.
The Royal Norwegian Navy B-class submarine HNoMS B-3 suffered a battery explosion in Gavlefjord off Alsvåg, Vesterålen and was subsequently scuttled to prevent capture by German forces.
The Norwegian cargo ship Kong Halfdan struck a mine and sank in the Great Belt. Refloated in May 1941, repaired and returned to service in April 1942.
Meanwhile, Ark endeavours to keep and A.D.A. patrol of two Swordfish and a fighter patrol of three Skuas over the troop convoy throughout the day. Also, commencing at 0405, she begins launching a series of more and more extensive air searches in front of and beyond the convoy.
At 0405, four Swordfish search the sector from 130 to 225 degrees, ahead of the convoy. The aircraft report a small convoy and several independents, but no enemy warships. At 0718 two Swordfish are sent to the rearward sector to search for a missing ship, SS Vandyck (13,241 BRT), but she is not found (bombed and sunk by a FW-200C of 1/KG 40). At 1000 four more Swordfish are sent out between 130 and 210 degrees, then at 1110 another three go out between 275 to 090 degrees (a fairly skimpy number for such a wide sector). At 1300, a large coordinated effort is sent off, and for the first time 701 Squadrons Walrus amphibians are to take part as well. First 6 Swordfish and two Walrus’ depart to search between 110 southward to 285 degrees. A further three Skuas are sent off to search between 315 Northward to 035 degrees. The former went out to 100 miles, the later only 20 miles past the convoy. The whole is repeated at 1545 when by a like number of aircraft in exactly the same sectors. At 1830 six Swordfish and three Walrus’ went out between 175 Southward to 340 degrees to 120 miles, while three Skuas went out on the arc 015 to 140 degrees to 20 miles astern of the convoy. All of the efforts availed nothing, as the two German battleships were well on their way to Trondheim.
Meanwhile, word had come in that HMS Valiant, escorting the convoy, had spotted a snooper. Thus, immediately after the search went up, a section of 800 Squadron Skuas under Lt. G. R. Callingham went up to intercept and then patrol over the convoy. On arrival, they found, chased, and brought down He-115 S4+EH of KuFlGr 506. Interestingly, the wreck of this aircraft was found on the sea floor several years ago. Turns out the FAA pilot (Acting S-Lt. R. W. Kearsley, RN) and the German pilot (the crew was rescued by another He-115) have been good friends since the war!)
At 2145, a similar search (six Swordfish and two Walrus) went out between 155 westward to 355 degrees, distant 129 miles, with three Skuas again going astern.
Then, at 2300, six He-111s of II/KG 26, were sighted approaching Ark Royal from astern. Callingham’s trio, already in the air, shot down one Heinkel and damaged another. Likewise, Lt. G. E. D. Finch-Noyes section of three from 800 Squadron, sent off at 2315 to reinforce the CAP, damaged another in a long chase. At 2355, two more sections were sent aloft, Lt. C. W. Peever’s trio from 803, and Capt. R. T. Partridge’s from 800. They two became embroiled with the last of the Heinkel’s, forcing them to jettison their bombs and flee. No FAA aircraft were hit.
Apparently, several of the FAA search aircraft, one being a Walrus, were sighted by Glorious survivors in the water, but the nasty weather, and height above the water of the aircraft combined to hid the overburdened Carley floats still, at this point, overloaded with the weakened and frozen survivors.
In the afternoon German warships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau arrive in Trondheim. Late on the 9th, German battlecruiser Scharnhorst arrived at Trondheim with sister-ship Gneisenau and were escorted into harbor by torpedo boats Greif and Kondor which were just arriving from Germany.
French submarine Rubis, which had departed Dundee on the 5th, arrived off Fedjeonsonfjord, near Bergen. She sighted German destroyer Riedel, which had departed Trondheim on the 8th for Wilhelmshaven. Rubis dived to evade, but Riedel did not pursue, continuing south. Rubis laid mines at 2210 hours in Fedjeosonfjord in 60 36N, 04 54E for minefield FD.17. On the 10th, Norwegian steamer Sverre Sigurdson (1081grt) was lost on this minefield.
Mussolini prepares to invade French positions in the Alps. The slated start date is tomorrow, 10 June 1940.
In view of the beginning of the German bombing in England during night raids last week, the government issued an order today directing that 120,000 school children must be evacuated from the Greater London area beginning next Thursday.
The Soviet Union issues the order for its military to complete preparations for the invasion of Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia by 12 June 1940.
“War of nerves” has become a favorite expression throughout Egypt. Is or is not Premier Mussolini going to give the command to march to his armies? A march against France, against Egypt, against Tunisia, against Malta, against the Sudan, against British and French Somaliland, against Djibouti — which will it be, and when, if at all? A war of nerves leads to tension and tension certainly permeates the air in Cairo. Tension brings in its trail rumors, speculation, and predictions. Of these, too, the country is full.RAF Bomber Command dispatches aircraft to attack various targets overnight.
Submarines HMS Sturgeon, H.28 and H.31 departed Blyth on patrol.
Destroyers HMS Escort and HMS Electra departed Scapa Flow at 0900 to rendezvous with heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire and escort her to the Clyde, but they were recalled to Scapa Flow for other duty.
Light cruiser HMS Newcastle (CS.18) and heavy cruiser HMS Sussex were ordered to leave the Iceland area for a position off the west coast of Iceland.
Minelayers HMS Teviotbank and HMS Plover escorted by destroyers HMS Gallant and HMS Walpole departed the Humber to lay minefield BS 12 in the North Sea, arriving back in the Humber on the 10th after the minelay.
Drifter Dewey Eve (109grt) was sunk in an accidental collision at Scapa Flow with British trawler Gold Crown (178grt).
Destroyer HMS Encounter, sailing with a convoy to Aberdeen, was delayed by fog. They were able to proceed and departed Scapa Flow at 1345/10th. British steamers St Magnus, Loch Nagar, and Royal Scotsman and Norwegian steamer Iris were escorted by Encounter and trawlers HMS Angle, HMS Indian Star, HMS St Keenan, and HMS Lady Elsa for Aberdeen, arriving at 0430/11th. Encounter returned to Scapa Flow.
U-46, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Engelbert Endrass, sank Finnish steamer Margareta (3598grt) in 44 04N, 12 30W. Margareta was hit by one torpedo from U-46 amidships, broke in two and sank after one hour about 350 miles from Cape Finisterre. Four crew members died on watch below and another was killed in the water by sharks. The survivors were adrift in one lifeboat for three days and 21 hours, before they were picked up and taken to Vivero, Spain. Of the ship’s complement, 5 died and 19 survived. The 2,155-ton Margareta was carrying peanuts and was headed for Greenock, Scotland.
Steamer Empire Commerce (3857grt) was badly damaged on a mine five cables west, northeast, 220° of the NE Spit Buoy, near Margate. Two crew were missing. She was beached 19 cables 261° from NE Spit Buoy, refloated on the 11th and again beached on the 12th in 51-26N, 01-24E.
Steamer Dulwich (4102grt) was sunk by German bombing off Villequier. She was later salved and renamed Holtenau for German service.
French auxiliary minesweepers Notre Dames Des Dunes (481grt) and Madeleine Louise (464grt) were sunk by German bombing at Dunkirk.
Greek steamer Max Wolf (6694grt) was sunk by German bombing in the English Channel between Roque and Berville. Two crewmen were killed and she was beached at Tancarville. The wreck was later used as a target for German aircraft.
German steamer Dockenhuden (216grt) was sunk at Stolpmunde.
German auxiliary patrol boat Vp.801 (trawler Bayern, 437grt) was sunk off Ameland in 53 33N, 06 02E on a mine. Auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 (trawler Wiesbaden, 325grt) on patrol nearby rescued the survivors. Although some German sources indicate that Vp.801 was a victim of a submarine attack, auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 reported that Vp.801 struck a mine. Two British submarines in the area, HMS Triad and HMS Swordfish, reported no vessels sighted on their respective patrols and the French submarines had since been withdrawn to Brest in preparation for duty in the Mediterranean.
Between 7 and 9 June, thirty three Italian submarines departed Italian ports on patrol in the Mediterranean.
During the night of 9/10 June, Italian light cruisers Barbiano and Cardona, destroyers Corazziere and Lanciere, and torpedo boats Calipso and Polluce laid mines between Lampedusa and Kerkenah. Feared intervention by Bizerte-based French units did not materialize.
Italian steamer Avvenire (957grt) was sunk north of Pantelleria on an Italian mine.
Italian steamer Angiullin (873grt) was sunk off Cape Granitola on an Italian mine.
Raider Pinguin completes trials and receives orders to prepare for operations in the Indian Ocean.
Convoy OA.164 did not sail.
Convoy OB.164 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop HMS Sandwich from 9 to 12 June. The sloop was detached to convoy HX.47.
Convoy OG.33F was formed from (1) convoys OA.163GF, which departed Southend on the 7th escorted by corvette HMS Gladiolus, and (2) OB.163GF, which departed Liverpool on the 7th escorted by sloop HMS Scarborough, with a total of fifty two ships. Corvette HMS Periwinkle escorted the convoy from 9 to 10 June and was then detached to convoy HG.33F. HMS Scarborough escorted the convoy from 9 to 13 June and was then detached to convoy HG.34F. Destroyer HMS Douglas joined on the 13th and escorted the convoy into Gibraltar, arriving on the 14th.
Convoy FN.192 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Vivien. Destroyers HMS Jackal and HMS Foresight were ordered to close the convoy for the night of 9/10 June and remain with it until daylight. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 11th.
Convoy MT.85 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer HMS Woolston and sloop HMS Fleetwood. The convoy arrived at the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.191 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer HMS Woolston and sloop HMS Fleetwood. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 11th.
Convoy HX.49 departed Halifax at 0900 escorted by Canadian destroyers HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Assiniboine, which were detached on the 10th. Ocean escort was armed merchant cruiser HMS Ausonia. Armed merchant cruiser HMS Laconia had departed with the convoy but ran aground in Halifax Harbor, and Ausonia was sailed in her place at 1900/9th. She was detached on the 20th. Also on 20 June, sloops HMS Fowey and HMS Sandwich joined the convoy. Fowey was detached on the 23rd. Sandwich escorted the convoy to Liverpool, arriving on the 24th.
The War at Sea, Sunday, 9 June 1940 (naval-history.net)
French submarine RUBIS, which had departed Dundee on the 5th, arrived off Fedjeonsonfjord, near Bergen. She sighted German destroyer RIEDEL, which had departed Trondheim on the 8th for Wilhelmshaven. RUBIS dived to evade, but RIEDEL did not pursue, continuing south. RUBIS laid mines at 2210 in Fedjeosonfjord in 60‑36N, 04‑54E for minefield FD.17. On the 10th, Norwegian steamer SVERRE SIGURDSON (1081grt) was lost on this minefield.
Submarines PORPOISE and NARWHAL departed Immingham to lay minefields FD.18 on the 14th off Fro Havet in 63‑30N, 08‑12E and FD.19 on the 12th off Haugesand 59‑26N, 05‑10E, respectively.
Submarines STURGEON, H.28, and H.31 departed Blyth on patrol.
Late on the 9th, German battlecruiser SCHARNHORST arrived at Trondheim with sister-ship GNEISENAU and were escorted into harbour by torpedo boats GREIF and KONDOR which were just arriving from Germany.
Destroyers ESCORT and ELECTRA departed Scapa Flow at 0900 to rendezvous with heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE and escort her to the Clyde, but they were recalled to Scapa Flow for other duty.
Light cruiser NEWCASTLE (CS.18) and heavy cruiser SUSSEX was ordered to leave the Iceland area for a position off the west coast of Iceland.
At 1030/9th, hospital ship ATLANTIS met battleship VALIANT and the first intelligence of Marschall’s forces was received by the Admiralty and the Home Fleet. She advised she had observed a pocket battleship engaging a two-funnel transport in 67-44N, 0-52E at 0900/8th. This was presumed to be liner ORAMA. ATLANTIS arrived at Scapa Flow on the 10th at 1600.
Battleship RODNEY, battlecruiser RENOWN, destroyers ZULU, KELVIN, INGLEFIELD (D.3), ELECTRA, and ESCORT departed Scapa Flow at 1245 to escort the convoys. Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL was ordered to join this force on the 10th.
A Swordfish of 810 Squadron from ARK ROYAL ditched in the sea after missing the aircraft carrier on its return from a reconnaissance mission looking for SCHARNHORST. S/Lt R. C. Eborn, Midshipman G. T. Shaddick and Leading Airman P. W. Clitheroe were picked up by Norwegian fishery protection vessel SYRIAN and taken to Iceland.
Battlecruiser REPULSE, heavy cruiser SUSSEX, light cruiser NEWCASTLE, and destroyers MAORI, FOXHOUND, and FORESTER were still in Icelandic waters. They were ordered at 1026 to sweep northeast and join Troopship Group II and the slow auxiliary convoy which were travelling together. NEWCASTLE arrived at Scapa Flow on the 11th. MAORI, FOXHOUND, and FORESTER arrived at Sullom Voe for refueling at 0100/10th and departed at 0800 after refueling.
Destroyers VOLUNTEER and WHIRLWIND departed Scapa Flow at 2000 for Sullom Voe. FOXHOUND experienced a turbine problem and returned to Sullom Voe, to be replaced by WHIRLWIND, which sailed from Sullom Voe at 1530/10th.
FOXHOUND departed Sullom Voe at 0845/11th and arrived at Scapa Flow at 2100. WHIRLWIND was soon detached to hunt a U-boat in 60‑04N, 1‑50E, sighted by air at 0633/10th, and was ordered to hunt for twenty-four hours.
Destroyer FIREDRAKE at 1300, with Group II, attacked a submarine contact in 68-05N, 2-30E. Destroyers FEARLESS, AMAZON, ANTELOPE, and ESCAPADE departed Sullom Voe at 2230/11th to join the Home Fleet at sea.
Late on the 11th, VALIANT and REPULSE with destroyers TARTAR (D.6), BEDOUIN, MAORI, DIANA, ACHERON, and FORESTER arrived at Scapa Flow at 2200 for refueling.
While following the British slow convoy, Norwegian steamers PRINS OLAV (2147grt) and ARIADNE (2029grt) were sunk by German bombing in 67‑55N, 02‑10E, northeast of the Shetlands. One crewman was missing from PRINS OLAV and nine from ARIADNE. Destroyer ARROW rescued seventy-two male and nine female survivors.
Destroyers VETERAN and VANOC arrived at Sullom Voe at 2350.
Destroyers WARWICK and WITCH departed the Clyde at 2330 for Liverpool.
Minelayers TEVIOTBANK and PLOVER escorted by destroyers GALLANT and WALPOLE departed the Humber to lay minefield BS 12 in the North Sea, arriving back in the Humber on the 10th after the minelay.
Operation CYCLE, the evacuation of the French north coast was set into action.
Destroyers HMCS RESTIGOUCHE, BROKE, HMCS ST LAURENT, CODRINGTON and sloop WELLINGTON were ordered at 1509/9th to proceed to rendezvous with destroyer SALADIN seven miles 270° from Cape De Le Havre. At 1533 the same orders were sent to anti-aircraft cruiser CALCUTTA and destroyers BULLDOG and BOADICEA. The ships were ordered not to arrive at Havre before 0400/10th.
Destroyers AMBUSCADE, HARVESTER, and FERNIE and corvette GARDENIA from the Western Approaches were also ordered to CYCLE and departed Portland on the 9th.
Drifter DEWEY EVE (109grt) was sunk in an accidental collision at Scapa Flow with British trawler GOLD CROWN (178grt).
Destroyer ENCOUNTER, sailing with a convoy to Aberdeen, was delayed by fog. They were able to proceed and departed Scapa Flow at 1345/10th. British steamers ST MAGNUS, LOCH NAGAR, and ROYAL SCOTSMAN and Norwegian steamer IRIS were escorted by ENCOUNTER and trawlers ANGLE, INDIAN STAR, ST KEENAN, and LADY ELSA for Aberdeen, arriving at 0430/11th. ENCOUNTER returned to Scapa Flow.
Trawlers BARBARA ROBB, MOUNT ARD, and FORT RYAN arrived at Scapa Flow from Norway.
U-46 sank Finnish steamer MARGARETA (3598grt) in 44‑04N, 12‑30W. Five crew were lost.
Steamer EMPIRE COMMERCE (3857grt) was badly damaged on a mine five cables west, northeast, 220° of the NE Spit Buoy, near Margate. Two crew were missing. She was beached 19 cables 261° from NE Spit Buoy, refloated on the 11th and again beached on the 12th in 51-26N, 01-24E.
Steamer DULWICH (4102grt) was sunk by German bombing off Villequier. She was later salved and renamed HOLTENAU for German service.
French auxiliary minesweepers NOTRE DAMES DES DUNES (481grt) and MADELEINE LOUISE (464grt) were sunk by German bombing at Dunkirk.
Greek steamer MAX WOLF (6694grt) was sunk by German bombing in the English Channel between Roque and Berville. Two crew were killed and she was beached at Tancarville. The wreck was later used as a target for German aircraft.
Convoy OA.164 did not sail.
Convoy OB.164 departed Liverpool escorted by sloop SANDWICH from 9 to 12 June. The sloop was detached to convoy HX.47.
Convoy OG.33F was formed from (1) convoys OA.163GF, which departed Southend on the 7th escorted by corvette GLADIOLUS, and (2) OB.163GF, which departed Liverpool on the 7th escorted by sloop SCARBOROUGH, with a total of fifty-two ships. Corvette PERIWINKLE escorted the convoy from 9 to 10 June and was then detached to convoy HG.33F. SCARBOROUGH escorted the convoy from 9 to 13 June and was then detached to convoy HG.34F. Destroyer DOUGLAS joined on the 13th and escorted the convoy into Gibraltar, arriving on the 14th.
Convoy FN.192 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VIVIEN. Destroyers JACKAL and FORESIGHT were ordered to close the convoy for the night of 9/10 June and remain with it until daylight. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 11th.
Convoy MT.85 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at the Tyne later that day.
Convoy FS.191 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyer WOOLSTON and sloop FLEETWOOD. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 11th.
Convoy HX.49 departed Halifax at 0900 escorted by Canadian destroyers HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS ASSINIBOINE, which were detached on the 10th. Ocean escort was armed merchant cruiser AUSONIA. Armed merchant cruiser LACONIA had departed with the convoy but ran aground in Halifax Harbour, and AUSONIA was sailed in her place at 1900/9th. She was detached on the 20th. Also on 20 June, sloops FOWEY and SANDWICH joined the convoy. FOWEY was detached on the 23rd. SANDWICH escorted the convoy to Liverpool, arriving on the 24th.
German steamer DOCKENHUDEN (216grt) was sunk at Stolpmunde.
German auxiliary patrol boat Vp.801 (trawler BAYERN, 437grt) was sunk off Ameland in 53‑33N, 06‑02E on a mine. Auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 (trawler WIESBADEN, 325grt) on patrol nearby rescued the survivors. Although some German sources indicate that Vp.801 was a victim of a submarine attack, auxiliary patrol boat Vp.803 reported that Vp.801 struck a mine. Two British submarines in the area, TRIAD and SWORDFISH, reported no vessels sighted on their respective patrols and the French submarines had since been withdrawn to Brest in preparation for duty in the Mediterranean.
Between 7 and 9 June, thirty-three Italian submarines departed Italian ports on patrol in the Mediterranean.
During the night of 9/10 June, Italian light cruisers BARBIANO and CARDONA, destroyers CORAZZIERE and LANCIERE, and torpedo boats CALIPSO and POLLUCE laid mines between Lampedusa and Kerkenah. Feared intervention by Bizerte-based French units did not materialize.
Italian steamer AVVENIRE (957grt) was sunk north of Pantelleria on an Italian mine.
Italian steamer ANGIULLIN (873grt) was sunk off Cape Granitola on an Italian mine.
President Roosevelt will deliver “a very important pronouncement” on the international situation in a speech at Charlottesville, Virginia, tomorrow evening, the White House announced late tonight. Stephen Early, the president’s secretary, said the address would deal with “the world war and the present state of international affairs” and would be rebroadcast internationally in seven languages. The president will speak in connection with graduation exercises the University of Virginia, of which Thomas Jefferson was the founder, from 6:15 to 6:30 p.m. (3:15-3:30 p.m. P.S.T.)
Demands came from several sources tonight that fiscal expenditures be trimmed as Congress prepared to put the finishing touches on national defense bills. This week should furnish the answer as to whether Congress will adjourn sine die within two weeks, a goal evidently desired by most of the Democrats but opposed by many Republicans who believe that the legislative branch should stay in session to discharge its constitutional obligations during the emergency.
The adjournment decision may be made tomorrow when the legislative leaders meet President Roosevelt for their weekly conference. The demands for saving in all non-defense expenditures were made by Senators Byrd of Virginia and Vandenberg of Michigan and by the National Economy League. Representative Martin of Massachusetts, the House minority leader, said there should be no reckless spending of money either for defense or for the ordinary needs of the government.
Asserting that American foreign policy had traded “neutrality” for “non-belligerency,” Senator Vandenberg urged tonight that this country give all help possible to the Allies short of going to war or impairing its own defenses. Mr. Vandenberg, who once was a member of the “isolationist” group in the Senate, said that Americans could no longer be isolationists but still might be “insulationists.” The problems of the United States would be simplified, he added, if the Allies won.
An immediate declaration of war against Germany was urged today in a statement signed by thirty prominent men and women. Such a declaration, they said, would give “official recognition” of the idea that our frontier lies on the Somme, where the present great battle is taking place.
A demand that President Roosevelt start the drive against the fifth column by ousting 563 persons in the government service who were listed by the House Committee to Investigate Un-American Activities as members of the League for Peace and Democracy, was made today by Representative James E. Van Zandt of Pennsylvania.
American cruiser USS Vincennes and destroyers USS Truxton and USS Simpson arrived at Casablanca, French Morocco. They began taking on what would be 200 tons of gold from the French reserves to be brought back to the United States for safekeeping. The gold was brought to Casablanca by French auxiliary cruiser Ville d’Oran. The precious metal cargo (Bank of France gold reserves) will be transported to New York for deposit in U.S. banks (see 10 and 20 June). This is not the first time a cruiser is dispatched on a mission of this kind. Light cruisers Nashville (CL-43) and Honolulu (CL-48) bring back $25 million in gold, stabilization funds lent to the Bank of England but brought back because of wartime fears in the late summer-early autumn of 1938.
U.S. Navy destroyer USS Dickerson (DD-157), from Squadron 40-T, departs Casablanca, French Morocco, with American nationals who desire passage on board U.S. passenger (liner Washington, which is slated to leave Lisbon the next day for Ireland and the United States. Washington departs Bordeaux for Lisbon with 813 U.S. citizens on board (see 10-11 and 15 June).
With a hot sun beating down on the city and the temperature in the eighties most of the day, the roads in the New York metropolitan area were jammed yesterday as thousands fled to nearby beaches, parks and woodlands.
U.S. Open Men’s Golf, Canterbury Golf Club: Lawson Little defeats Gene Sarazen by 3 strokes in an 18-hole playoff to win his only professional major title.
Major League Baseball:
The Cubs pounded seven Boston pitchers for twenty-seven hits today and a double victory, 7–1 and 15–8, before 17,714 spectators, running their winning streak to seven games. Larry French tossed a six-hitter in the first game for his seventh victory of the season, coasting to the decision after the Cubs hopped on Bill Posedel for five runs on as many hits in the third inning. Posedel was banished from the bench in the fourth by Umpire George Magerkurth for shouting criticism at him. The Cubs took advantage of George Barnicle’s wildness in the nightcap to score six runs in the second inning, but the Bees rallied to take an 8–6 lead in the fourth when 41-year-old Charley Root was sent to the showers.
For half an hour today the Dodgers were back in first place, Brooklyn having won the opener of a doubleheader with the Reds, 9–1, behind the five-hit pitching of Tex (No-Hit) Carleton. But Junior Thompson and the Reds took the nightcap, 6–2, and the Durochers had to leave here tonight one game behind the National League leading Cincinnatians.
Mace Brown resumed his rescue role today and pitched shut-out ball for three innings as the Pirates won the nightcap of a double-header with the Phillies, 11–5, before 14,456 fans. The Phils won the opener, 6–1.
For the second time in two days, the Giants today belted the bewildered Cardinals in both games of a doubleheader. It took almost six hours. to do it and left Colonel Will Terry’s forces almost as wilted as were the Cards and 11,823 exasperated onlookers. The New Yorkers made off with the first game, 11–9, in eleven innings, a wild heave by Stu Martin paving the way for the deciding tallies. This after Johnny Mize dramatically tied the score in the ninth by hitting his sixteenth homer of the year, with two out and two on base. This done, the Giants, who trailed. in the nightcap by two runs as late as the seventh frame, despite a homer by Pinch Hitter Albie Glossop, went on the warpath in the eighth to rout Bill McGee with a five-run explosion. They won this one by 7–4.
The Yankees beat the Indians, 4–3. Babe Dahlgren, Joe DiMaggio, and George Selkirk hit for the circuit as the Yankees snapped a winning streak of five straight by Lefty Al Smith. It was the ex-Giant’s first reverse of the campaign. Selkirk’s four-ply blow decided the issue. DiMaggio’s, with one aboard, was the most productive, running in combination with Selkirk’s in a decisive Yankee thrust in the sixth inning. Dahlgren’s, the first of four exploded in the game, set the fashion and pointed Charley Ruffing and the Yanks on the victory path.
The St. Louis Browns, particularly Shortstop Johnny Berardino, drove the Philadelphia Athletics into the American League cellar today with a home-run bombardment that won both games of a twin bill, 8–7 and 4–2.
The Senators scored three runs in the ninth inning to tie a ball game with Chicago today, but the White Sox won a 4–3 decision in the eleventh. Luke Appling scored the winning run from third on a long fly by Eric McNair near the left-field wall. Gerald Walker dropped the ball, but Appling could have come home, anyway.
Boston Bees 1, Chicago Cubs 7
Boston Bees 8, Chicago Cubs 15
Brooklyn Dodgers 9, Cincinnati Reds 1
Brooklyn Dodgers 2, Cincinnati Reds 6
Cleveland Indians 3, New York Yankees 4
St. Louis Browns 8, Philadelphia Athletics 7
St. Louis Browns 4, Philadelphia Athletics 2
Philadelphia Phillies 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 1
Philadelphia Phillies 5, Pittsburgh Pirates 11
New York Giants 11, St. Louis Cardinals 9
New York Giants 7, St. Louis Cardinals 4
Chicago White Sox 4, Washington Senators 3
Clearing the Canal Zone of aliens who might engage in fifth-column activities and endanger the Panama Canal has been started by the military authorities, according to reports from a reliable source today.
Amid the Nazi scare a measure to gag news agencies and correspondents of foreign newspapers was rushed through the Argentine Chamber of Deputies at an all-night session on Friday and finally passed yesterday morning. It appears as part of an emergency law giving the government extraordinary powers to deal with Nazi organizations. An attempt to put similar anti-constitutional restrictions on local newspapers aroused the most vigorous revival of democracy that Argentina has seen for years. This attempt was included in a general bill entitled “For the protection of the press,” which established strict government control over all newspapers, news agencies and correspondents. This bill aroused tremendous opposition throughout the country and was overwhelmingly defeated.
The Soviet and Japanese governments signed an agreement which ended the dispute regarding the borders of Manchukuo. A communiqué of Tass, Soviet official news agency, said today:
“As the result of recent negotiations between the People’s Commissar for Foreign Affairs, [Vyacheslav M.] Molotov, and the Japanese Ambassador, [Shigenori] Togo, an agreement was reached June 9 with mutual recognition of the interests of both parties-the Soviets and Mongolia and Japan and Manchukuo-on a precise demarcation of the frontier area of last year’s conflict, a question which, due to time, was not solved by the mixed Soviet-Mongolian and Japan-Manchukuo mixed commission on the precise demarcation of the frontier in the said area and formed an obstacle to regulation of relations of the U.S.S.R. with Japan and the Mongolian People’s Republic with Manchukuo.”
Battle of Tsaoyang-Ichang: Japanese 11th Army breaks through Chinese line around Tungshih, Tangyang, and Yuanan.
The capture of Shashi, on the upper Yangtze, one of two main objectives in the present Japanese offensive in the Province of Hupeh, was claimed today in semi-official Japanese dispatches. The other objective is Ichang, about sixty miles northwest. The dispatches said that the Japanese troops swept into Shashi on Saturday afternoon and engaged the Chinese garrison in bloody street fighting. They also claimed that Tangyang, thirty miles northeast of Ichang, was almost within their grasp.
While Chinese troops fought desperately to stem the tide of the Japanese advance against Ichang and Shashi, the Chinese Government spokesman yesterday again formally repudiated renewed rumors of secret peace negotiations with the Japanese. These rumors, said to be “absolutely without foundation,” were described as circulated by the Japanese out of the desire to settle the China war so that Japan might devote all her powers to striking toward the south. The spokesman asserted:
“Let it be known once for all that as long as Japanese soldiers’ remain on Chinese soil and the Nine-Power Treaty is not upheld, there can be no peace between Japan and China. Let it be known that no outside influence nor suggestions of peace can alter China’s determination to carry on resistance until its objective is attained. Press and military reports from the Ichang front admit a considerable Japanese advance toward Ichang and Shashi. The Chinese are said to be striking at the flanks of the Japanese columns in an effort to halt their progress.
Meanwhile, mounting interest is displayed in the possibility of a Japanese move against the Shanghai concessions, Hong Kong and French Indo-China in the event that the German offensive in France is successful and that Italy joins the war. Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek is said to have asked for a constant and quick supply of information on the situation in the coastal area.
Naval Construction:
The Regia Marina (Royal Italian Navy) Littorio-class battleship RN Roma is launched by Cantieri Riuniti dell’Adriatico (Trieste, Monfalcone, Italy).
History Diaries 