“My Luftwaffe is invincible. And now we turn to England. How long will this one last — two, three weeks?”
— Hermann Göring in June 1940.
British Blenheim bombers attacked Tobruk in North Africa. Following the raid, Italian Governor-General of Libya Marshal Italo Balbo returned from a reconnaissance flight. Italian anti-aircraft crews, still jumpy from the raid, misidentified his SM-79 aircraft for a British bomber and opened fire, killing Balbo. Given Balbo’s opposition to Mussolini’s alliance with Germany, some believe this friendly fire incident was actually an assassination. Marshal Rodolfo Graziani was appointed to replace him.
The British government today gave its formal recognition to General Charles de Gaulle as leader, in exile, of the French nation. The move follows the formation by de Gaulle of a French National Committee in London on 23 June. Two days ago the general, who was Undersecretary for National Defence in the Reynaud administration which handed over to Petain, also announced the creation of a French volunteer legion in Britain and of a French center for armament and scientific research. It is de Gaulle’s belief that the Petain government gave in too easily to the Germans, “before all means of resistance had been exhausted,” as he said in a broadcast on 23 June. He went on: “The French National Committee will take under its jurisdiction all French citizens at present on British territory, and will assume the direction of all military and administrative bodies which are now, or may be in the future in this country.” De Gaulle ended on a defiant note: “The war is not lost, the country is not dead, hope is not extinct. Vive la France!”
High flying German bombers, making their nightly foray against England, dropped bombs along the southeast coast early today. The thud of the explosives could be heard at a distance. The bombers came singly, spaced at almost regular intervals. British defense planes were in the air by the time the first raiders reached the coast. Some of the raiders were reported driven back to sea without crossing the coast line.
Luftflotte 2 & 3 reconnaissance flights had not produced a clear picture on the defences on the Channel Islands, so a bombing raid of Jersey and Guernsey was ordered to take place. At 17:30 on the 28th of June 1945, six Luftwaffe Heinkel He111 Bombers of 8th Staffel, 1/Gruppe Kampfgescgawder 55, departed from their base at Villacoublay (close to Paris). At 18:45 three of the bombers attacked La Rocque harbour moving on to St Helier. The other three bombers attack St Peter Port, Guernsey.
The Germans bombed the harbours of Saint Helier and La Roque on the island of Jersey and Saint Peter Port Harbour on Guernsey, killing around 40 people and injuring about 40 more [sources vary, listing from 33 to 45 killed]. German bombers attacked the islands as farmers were lined up at the harbours of St Peter Port and St Helier weighing and preparing vegetables for export. Luftwaffe reconnaissance has mistaken tomato trucks for troop carriers.
The British Channel Islands were partially evacuated after being demilitarized to minimize casualties to be caused by the imminent German attacks. Over 25,000 civilians are evacuated On the same day, German Luftwaffe aircraft bombed Guernsey and Jersey, killing 33 and injuring 40.
British circles today welcomed the nomination of Wendell L. Willkie as the Republican presidential candidate, saying that he was the most pro-allied among those seeking the post. While official sources were silent because of the politics involved, the nomination was interpreted unofficially as indicating a swing in United States’ opinion away from isolation.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill declines an offer to make a radio broadcast in the United States, noting that only events, not words, will move public opinion for good.
At Pulborough, Sussex, General Montgomery holds a commanders conference on the proposed invasion of Southern Ireland and seizure of Cork and Queenstown by the 3rd Division. The plan is shelved by the War Office, (along with the proposals to invade the Azores and Cape Verde Islands).
The first success of ‘helle Nachtjagd’ (night interception with searchlights) occurs when the crew of a Do.17 succeed on their first operation in shooting down a bomber captured by the searchlights.
Soviet paratroopers and armored formations of General Zhukov’s Kyiv Special Military District begin entering Bessarabia and Northern Bukovina without waiting for the end of the minimal grace period granted by Molotov.
The Rumanian government agreed to submit to the Soviet Union’s territorial demands. Without explanations, the Soviet forces also occupied also the Hertza Region, part of the Rumanian Old Kingdom, which was neither in Bessarabia, nor Bukovina. There are armed clashes and some casualties, but the Rumanians withdraw. The pretext for the invasion is liberating ancestral Russians from foreign domination. The liquidation squads follow the troops, armed with lists of “subversives” such as lawyers, doctors, and teachers. One of the goals is swiftly accomplished: blowing up churches.
The Rumanian Government orders general mobilization of armed forces.
Hungary sent her troops marching to the Rumanian frontier tonight and official quarters said they would continue across the border with the full support of Germany and Italy if the Russian Army of Occupation in Rumania kept moving toward the Carpathian Mountains.
Stafford Cripps was appointed the British Ambassador to the Soviet Union.
Mussolini and Badoglio tour their newly conquered territories.
British General Wavell visits French General Mittelhauser in the Levant. The latter confirms that he continues to report to the French government in Bordeaux.
Former French Prime Minister Paul Reynaud is injured in an automobile accident. His mistress, Countess de Portes, a strong voice against further French resistance, perishes.
Pope Pius XII offers to be a mediator for the warring powers.
King Zog of Albania and family take up residence in London.
A Turkish naval squadron steamed through the Straits of Bosporus today to the Black Sea, ready to defend the straits against attack. This historic guardian of the Dardanelles felt deep concern over Russia’s ultimatum to Rumania, demanding not only large land cessions but, apparently, naval bases on the Black Sea and Danube. Turkish planes circled over the straits and anti-aircraft guns were in position. Turkey’s main fear was of a general move in this direction, with the straits as the ultimate goal.
A new government is formed in Egypt.
Italian artillery bombards 1st King’s African Rifles outpost at Moyale, Kenya.
Douglas Bader was named the commanding officer of No. 242 Squadron RAF, flying Hurricane fighters, based at RAF Coltishall at Norwich, England, United Kingdom.
First delivery of Blackburn Bothas to No. 608 Squadron, RAF Coastal Command, to replace Avro Ansons.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 20 Blenheims to attack Merville airfield in France and on reconnaissance flights during the day; all abandoned operations because of weather. No losses. The RAF continues its raids on Holland, blowing up ammunition stocks at Willemoord.
RAF Blenheim bombers attack Tobruk, Libya.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 108 aircraft to industrial targets in Germany, airfields in Holland and minelaying overnight. No losses.
Luftwaffe bombers attack Channel Islands.
Italian Regia Aeronautica bombers attack Mersa Matruh airfield in Egypt.
Kriegsmarine establishes liaison staff attached to Regia Marina.
U-30, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Fritz-Julius Lemp, sank British steamer Llanarth in 47 30N, 10 30W. At 0202 hours the unescorted Llanarth (Master John James Perry) was hit aft by one torpedo from U-30 about 220 miles west by south of Ushant and sank after two hours and 30 minutes in 47°39N/10°17W. The ship had been spotted at noon the day before and missed with a spread of two torpedoes at 1657 hours. The master and 15 crew members were picked up two days later by HMS Gladiolus (K 34) (LtCdr H.M.C. Sanders RNR), escorting the convoy OA.175 and landed at Plymouth. The chief officer and 18 other crew members were all rescued by a Spanish trawler and landed at San Sebastian. The 5,053-ton Llanarth was carrying flour and was headed for Aberdeen, Scotland.
The 211-ton British steam trawler Castleton was probably sunk about this date by the U-102, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt, off the Orkneys in the North Sea. The U-102 did not return from this patrol.
U-25 encountered a British submarine in the North Atlantic, but neither boat attacked.
British Force H was formed under the command of Vice Admiral Sir James F. Somerville at Gibraltar. Battleship HMS Resolution, which had departed Scapa Flow on the 4th, arrived off Gibraltar on the 10th and was escorted into port by destroyers HMS Douglas and HMS Vidette. Aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal, battlecruiser HMS Hood, and destroyers HMS Foxhound, HMS Fearless, HMS Faulknor, and HMS Escapade departed Scapa Flow on the 17th arrived at Gibraltar on the 23rd. Destroyer HMS Jervis which departed Plymouth on the 26th, en route to the Mediterranean Fleet arrived at Gibraltar on the 29th and sailed for Malta on the 30th. Battleship HMS Valiant departed Scapa Flow at 1900/26th with destroyers HMS Escort, HMS Forester, and HMS Foresight and arrived at Gibraltar on 2 July. Light cruiser HMS Arethusa departed Portsmouth on the 28th with Admiral Somerville embarked and arrived at Gibraltar at 1745/30th. Light cruiser HMS Enterprise departed Plymouth on the 29th and arrived at Gibraltar on 1 July. At Gibraltar was the 13th Destroyer Flotilla which was composed of destroyers HMS Active, HMS Wrestler, HMS Vidette, HMS Douglas, HMS Keppel, HMS Vortigern, HMS Wishart, HMS Velox, and HMS Watchman which were attached to Force H as required. In July, destroyers HMS Keppel, HMS Douglas, HMS Active, HMS Watchman, HMS Vortigern, HMS Vidette, and HMS Velox departed Gibraltar on 14 July and arrived at Liverpool on 20 July. Destroyers Vidette and Velox were in England for refitting and eventual return to Gibraltar, but the rest were taken and formed into the 12th Destroyer Flotilla for service with the Home Fleet.
Italian destroyers Espero (Captain Baroni, D1), Zeffiro, and Ostro were sighted by air reconnaissance. At 1100/27th, light cruisers HMS Gloucester, HMS Liverpool, HMS Neptune, HMS Orion, and HMAS Sydney departed Alexandria. At 1800, light cruisers Gloucester and Liverpool, supported by the other light cruisers, contacted the Italian force. Destroyer Espero was sunk in the Ionian Sea in 35 18N, 20 12E, but the other two destroyers were able to escape and continue to Tripoli. Light cruiser Liverpool was struck by a single 4. 7 inch shell which cut the degaussing wire. Australian light cruiser Sydney attempted to rescue survivors, but Italian air attacks hampered the effort. Only forty four crewmen were picked up by the cruiser.
The light cruisers that sank Italian destroyer Espero were covering allied convoy AS.1 of eleven merchant ships that had departed Port Helles on the 28th en route from the Dardanelles and Greek ports to Port Said. The convoy was escorted by light cruiser HMS Caledon and destroyers HMS Garland and HMAS Vampire which departed Alexandria at 1800/26th and light cruiser HMS Capetown and destroyers HMS Nubian and HMS Mohawk which departed Port Said on the 27th. The convoy was covered by battleships HMS Royal Sovereign and HMS Ramillies, aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, and destroyers HMS Havock, HMS Hasty, HMS Hero, HMS Hereward, HMS Hyperion, HMS Juno, and HMS Janus of the 2nd Flotilla, all of which departed Alexandria on the 28th. On 29 June, destroyer HMS Imperial departed Alexandria to escort oilers between Alexandria, Port Said, and Haifa. During the afternoon of 30 June, the 7th Cruiser Squadron with the convoy was attacked by Italian bombers. Light cruiser HMS Neptune suffered some splinter damage and had three crewmen wounded. After the escort brought the convoy from Cape Helles, the British 7th Cruiser Squadron arrived at Alexandria on the 30th. The battleships, aircraft carrier Eagle, their destroyers arrived at Alexandria on 2 July. The convoy arrived that afternoon.
Aircraft carrier HMS Argus was damaged in heavy weather when she was grounded at Reykjavik. The aircraft carrier was refloated on the 29th with no apparent damage.
Destroyer HMS Codrington was ordered to pick up a Hurricane pilot seven miles 270° from Boulogne. The destroyer was taken under fire from German guns at Boulogne, but no damage was done. The pilot was not located.
During the night of 28/29 June, two motor torpedo boats from Dover were damaged when they struck wreckage.
Armed patrol yacht HMS White Bear, escorting steamer Shoalfisher and oiler Cairndale, attacked a submarine contact in 58 23N, 5 33W at 2300/28th. The patrol yacht expended all her depth charges and claimed sinking the contact. Destroyer HMS Fortune arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500/29th. She joined the hunt later on the 29th. Destroyer Fortune fired three patterns of depth charges on this contact before being recalled to Scapa Flow.
Italian submarine Anfitrite was bombed by aircraft of RAF 230 Squadron and damaged off Tobruk.
Italian submarine Argonauta was sunk in 35-24N, 20-10E by the Destroyers of Cdr Thomas’ group.
Italian steamer Maria (440grt) was sunk by British bombing thirteen miles north of Tobruk.
Italian steamer Alessandro Podesta (663grt) was sunk on a mine in 40 59N, 08 34E in Asinara Gulf.
Italian steamer Paganini (2427grt) was lost in the Adriatic in 41-47N, 19-11E in a fire.
Convoy FN.207 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers HMS Vega and HMS Vivien and patrol sloop HMS Puffin. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 30th.
Convoy FS.207 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers HMS Wolsey and HMS Winchester, sloop HMS Egret, patrol sloop HMS Shearwater. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 30th.
Convoy MT.98 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers HMS Wallace and HMS Wolfhound. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.
Convoy HG.36 departed Gibraltar with twelve ships, escorted by destroyer HMS Douglas which was detached on 2 July. The convoy was escorted by sloop HMS Wellington from 28 June to 7 July. Convoy HG.36 arrived at Liverpool on 8 July.
The War at Sea, Friday, 28 June 1940 (naval-history.net)
Aircraft carrier ARGUS was damaged in heavy weather when she was dragged ashore at Reykjavik.
The aircraft carrier was refloated on the 29th with no apparent damage.
Destroyers FURY and VANSITTART escorting Minelayers PORT QUEBEC and PORT NAPIER arrived at Loch Alsh.
Destroyer CODRINGTON was ordered to pick up a Hurricane pilot seven miles 270° from Boulogne. The destroyer was taken under fire from German guns at Boulogne, but no damage was done. The pilot was not located.
During the night of 28/29 June, two motor torpedo boats from Dover were damaged when they struck wreckage.
Destroyer FORTUNE and minesweeping trawler HAZEL (530grt) departed Methil escorting Aircraft transport ship FOSSBECK and cable ship ARIEL at 1200.
The British ships arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500/29th.
Armed patrol yacht WHITE BEAR, escorting steamer SHOALFISHER and oiler CAIRNDALE, attacked a submarine contact in 58‑23N, 5‑33W at 2300/28th. The patrol yacht expended all her depth charges and claimed sinking the contact.
Destroyer FORTUNE arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500/29th. She joined the hunt later on the 29th.
Destroyer FORTUNE fired three patterns of depth charges on this contact before being recalled to Scapa Flow.
Submarine TAKU departed Rosyth on patrol after exercising in the Firth of Forth.
Submarine L.26, escorted by Dutch torpedo boat Z.5, arrived at Scapa Flow. Submarine L.26 relieved submarine L.23.
Submarine L.23 and torpedo boat Z.5 departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth later that day.
Destroyer IMOGEN and submarine TALISMAN exercised in the Firth of Clyde.
Convoy FN.207 departed Southend, escorted by destroyers VEGA and VIVIEN and patrol sloop PUFFIN. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 30th.
Convoy FS.207 departed the Tyne, escorted by destroyers WOLSEY and WINCHESTER, sloop EGRET, and patrol sloop SHEARWATER.
The convoy arrived at Southend on the 30th.
Convoy MT.98 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers WALLACE and WOLFHOUND. The convoy arrived in the Tyne the next day.
U-30 sank British steamer LLANARTH (5053grt) in 47‑30N, 10‑30W.
The entire crew from the steamer were rescued by Corvette GLADIOLUS.
British Force H was formed under the command of Vice Admiral Sir James F. Somerville at Gibraltar.
Battleship RESOLUTION, which had departed Scapa Flow on the 4th, arrived off Gibraltar on the 10th and was escorted into port by destroyers DOUGLAS and VIDETTE.
Aircraft carrier ARK ROYAL, battlecruiser HOOD, and destroyers FOXHOUND, FEARLESS, FAULKNOR, and ESCAPADE departed Scapa Flow on the 17th arrived at Gibraltar on the 23rd.
Destroyer JERVIS which departed Plymouth on the 26th, en route to the Mediterranean Fleet arrived at Gibraltar on the 29th and sailed for Malta on the 30th.
Battleship VALIANT departed Scapa Flow at 1900/26th with destroyers ESCORT, FORESTER, and FORESIGHT and arrived at Gibraltar on 2 July.
Light cruiser ARETHUSA departed Portsmouth on the 28th with Admiral Somerville embarked and arrived at Gibraltar at 1745/30th.
Light cruiser ENTERPRISE departed Plymouth on the 29th and arrived at Gibraltar on 1 July.
At Gibraltar was the 13th Destroyer Flotilla which was composed of Destroyers ACTIVE, WRESTLER, VIDETTE, DOUGLAS, KEPPEL, VORTIGERN, WISHART, VELOX, and WATCHMAN which were attached to Force H as required.
In July, destroyers KEPPEL, DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, WATCHMAN, VORTIGERN, VIDETTE, and VELOX departed Gibraltar on 14 July and arrived at Liverpool on 20 July.
Destroyers VIDETTE and VELOX were in England for refitting and eventual return to Gibraltar, but the rest were taken and formed into the 12th Destroyer Flotilla for service with the Home Fleet.
Destroyer VELOX departed Gibraltar to relieve destroyer WATCHMAN on patrol duty off Casablanca. Destroyer VELOX was relieved by armed yacht SAYONORA which departed Gibraltar on 2 July.
Italian destroyers ESPERO (Captain Baroni, D1), ZEFFIRO, OSTRO were sighted by air reconnaissance.
At 1100/27th, light cruisers GLOUCESTER, LIVERPOOL, NEPTUNE, ORION, and HMAS SYDNEY departed Alexandria.
At 1800, light cruisers GLOUCESTER and LIVERPOOL, supported by the other light cruisers, contacted the Italian force.
Destroyer ESPERO was sunk in the Ionian Sea in 35‑18N, 20‑12E, but the other two destroyers were able to escape and continue to Tripoli.
Light cruiser LIVERPOOL was struck by a single 4.7-inch shell which cut the degaussing wire.
Australian light cruiser HMAS SYDNEY attempted to rescue survivors, but Italian air attacks cancelled the effort. Only forty-four crew were picked up by the cruiser.
The light cruisers that sank Italian destroyer ESPERO were covering allied convoy AS.1 of eleven merchant ships that had departed Port Helles on the 28th en route from the Dardanelles and Greek ports to Port Said. The convoy was escorted by light cruiser CALEDON and destroyers GARLAND and VAMPIRE which departed Alexandria at 1800/26th and light cruiser CAPETOWN and destroyers NUBIAN and MOHAWK which departed Port Said on the 27th. The convoy was covered by battleships ROYAL SOVEREIGN and RAMILLIES, aircraft carrier EAGLE, and destroyers HAVOCK, HASTY, HERO, HEREWARD, HYPERION, JUNO, and JANUS of the 2nd Flotilla, all of which departed Alexandria on the 28th.
On 29 June, destroyer IMPERIAL departed Alexandria to escort oilers between Alexandria, Port Said, Haifa.
During the afternoon of 30 June, the 7th Cruiser Squadron with the convoy was attacked by Italian bombers. Light cruiser NEPTUNE suffered some splinter damage and had three crew wounded.
After the escort brought the convoy from Cape Helles, the British 7th Cruiser Squadron arrived at Alexandria on the 30th. The battleships, aircraft carrier EAGLE, their destroyers arrived at Alexandria on 2 July. The convoy arrived that afternoon.
Convoy HG.36 departed Gibraltar with twelve ships, escorted by destroyer DOUGLAS which was detached on 2 July. The convoy was escorted by sloop WELLINGTON from 28 June to 7 July.
Convoy HG.36 arrived at Liverpool on 8 July.
Italian submarine ANFITRITE was bombed by aircraft of RAFT 230 Squadron and damaged off Tobruk.
Italian submarine ARGONAUTA was sunk in 35-24N, 20-10E by the Destroyers of Cdr Thomas’ group.
Italian steamer MARIA (440grt) was sunk by British bombing thirteen miles north of Tobruk.
Italian steamer ALESSANDRO PODESTA (663grt) was sunk on a mine in 40‑59N, 08‑34E in Asinara Gulf.
Italian steamer PAGANINI (2427grt) was lost in the Adriatic in 41-47N, 19-11E in a fire.
At 1:02 AM, the Republican Party nominated Wendell Willkie of Indiana as its candidate for President of the United States. A dark horse candidate with a background in business, Willkie had never held public office before but won the nomination because he was seen as a moderate whose views were the closest match to those of the electorate. Wendell Willkie, Indiana-born utilities executive who has battled the new deal for years, this morning was nominated by the Republican Party as its presidential candidate. In third place on the first ballot, the convention dark horse passed Dewey and Taft and stampeded the delegates on the sixth roll call. Taft was the hope of old regulars who refused to believe that the call from the countryside was real. But when Dewey cracked on the fifth ballot, the tide turned to Willkie rather than to the Ohio hope. Dewey and Taft together held more than half of the votes for four ballots, but the Willkie storm steadily gathered force and the convention hall rocked with cheers as he hurtled to the top in fourth ballot totals.
Charles L. McNary of Oregon received the nomination for vice president at the Republican convention.
Willkie made his acceptance speech before the Republican convention, declaring, “I stand before you without a single pledge or promise or understanding of any kind except for the advancement of your cause and the preservation of American democracy.”
In a dramatic appearance before, the Republican national convention, Wendell Willkie this afternoon gave the nation a brief preview of the “crusading, aggressive, fighting campaign” he is about to launch, to “bring unity to America” in the “great cause of preservation of freedom.” “Democracy and our way of life is facing the most crucial test it has ever faced in all its long history,” he said, “and we here, not as Republicans alone but as Americans, dedicate ourselves to the democratic way of life in the United States because here stands the last firm untouched foothold of freedom in all the world.”
Informed of his selection on the first ballot as the Republican Party’s candidate for vice-president, Senator Charles L. McNary of Oregon said in Washington, that he was proud of the confidence reposed in him by the convention, but wished “they’d imposed the chore on someone else.”
At the Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, William Donovan begins recruiting Allen Dulles for what will become the OSS.
A roar of ayes by 1,000 excited but tired Republican delegates and as many alternates attending the Republican National Convention marked the adoption today of an adjournment resolution at 5 o’clock this afternoon.
President Roosevelt indicated today that he would ask Congress soon to appropriate more billions for national defense in order to reduce the cost to the government of planes, tanks and other mechanized equipment and provide manufacturers with a backlog of orders on which to plan production. The President told a press conference that the question was being studied, but that he was unable to give the exact amount of the appropriation to be asked. War Department sources have indicated, however, the need for equipment costing $3,000,000,000 over and above that already authorized. Other authorities said any further defense appropriations would go to the Army. As defense plans continued to dominate White House conferences, Secretary Morgenthau acted under the President’s proclamation of yesterday to forbid any ships to leave an American port on a foreign cruise without express permission of the Treasury Department. To enforce regulations carrying out the order the Secretary set up a new office of merchant ship movements under the direction of Assistant Secretary Herbert E. Gaston.
President Roosevelt said today that he would be very glad to see Wendell L. Willkie if the Republican Presidential nominee felt inclined to come to the White House to talk over international relations.
Leaders of A. F. of L. and C. I. O. unions in New York evinced little enthusiasm for Wendell L. Willkie yesterday, although some said they would watch the Republican candidate’s campaign before passing final judgment on his qualifications for the Presidency.
That President Roosevelt will accept renomination in spite of tradition passed today from the stage of “curbstone” opinion to that of conviction among Administration officials, some of Cabinet rank, who have talked with him on the subject and now profess to see no other course open to him.
In a move to eliminate delays and competition among agencies, President Roosevelt today appointed Donald M. Nelson, 51-year-old mail order company executive, to supervise all defense purchasing. The chief executive announced this step at a press conference at which he also indicated a huge new expansion of the rearmament effort was in prospect but mentioned no figures. In well-informed quarters it was reported, however, as much as $5,000 000,000 more in appropriations and contract authority might be asked of congress. Such an increase would increase defense spending for the new fiscal year, beginning July 1, to about the level of the $11,011,387,000 the United States spent in the first year after its entry into the World war.
The U.S. Congress passed the Smith Act designed to strengthen existing laws regarding the admission and deportation of aliens in the United States. The law was designed to check subversive activities in the U.S. and made it unlawful for anyone to advocate or teach the overthrow or destruction of any U.S. government by force or violence or to be a member of a group that advocated such goals. The law also required all aliens over 14 years old to register.
President Roosevelt signs the Smith Act aka The Alien Registration Act of 1940. It requires non-citizen adult aliens to register with the government and makes it unlawful for anyone to advocate or teach the overthrow or destruction of any U.S. government by force or violence or to be a member of a group that advocated such goals.
“Wild Bill” Donovan buttonholes Allen Dulles at the Republican National Convention and begins working him to join the organization that will turn into the OSS.
The Southern California-Arizona Methodist conference opposes the United States intervening in the European war or defending itself against invasion. By a vote of 255 to 115 the conference adopted a resolution which urged, in part: “That we discipline ourselves in the realization of world community and regard nobody as an alien but everybody as a brother, so that in the event of an invasion we can treat the invader as a brother end not an enemy.”
Major League Baseball:
Charlie Gelbert’s batting, combined with seven-hit pitching by Emil (Dutch) Leonard, gave the Senators a 4–3 ten-inning victory today over the Red Sox. Gelbert cracked two doubles and a single to drive in three runs on the day.
The fortunes of the tottering Yankees took a favorable turn yesterday. Back home after the most disastrous trip in the ten-year reign of Joe McCarthy, the champions celebrated by defeating Connie Mack’s Athletics, 4–1. Charley Keller hit his 13th homer in the first. Four Philadelphia errors led to the later Yankee runs.
Pepper Martin applies the icing to the Cards’ cake as he hits a 9th-inning grand slam, off Dick Lanahan, to help beat the host Pirates, 8–2. The Cardinals score 5 runs in the frame. Elbie Fletcher had a homer for the Pirates.
An impending Boston Bees rally was nipped by a downpour in the ninth, and the Dodgers gained a 2–1 victory in eight innings. Whitlow Wyatt won his seventh of the year, out-dueling Richard Errickson.
The six-hit pitching of Jake Mooty led the Cubs to a 3–2 victory over the National League leading Reds tonight. Chicago jumped on Paul Derringer for eleven hits. Cincinnati tried desperately to win in the final inning when Frank McCormick clouted a long fly to center field, scoring Lonnie Frey, but Mooty quelled the rally.
Johnny Vander Meer, plagued with control problems, is optioned by the Reds to Indianapolis. Vandy was ineffective in the Reds pennant drive last year and was knocked out in his only 2 starts this year.
Washington Senators 4, Boston Red Sox 3
Boston Bees 1, Brooklyn Dodgers 2
Chicago Cubs 3, Cincinnati Reds 2
Philadelphia Athletics 1, New York Yankees 4
St. Louis Cardinals 8, Pittsburgh Pirates 2
Admiral Decoux and General Catroux confer with British Admiral Sir Percy Noble in Saigon, but the Royal Navy cannot offer effective support against Japanese demands.
Chungking is bombed again by the Japanese, who strike with 86 aircraft. The British Embassy is damaged as well as an American-run hospital and a school.
Japanese Foreign Minister Hachiro Arita enunciated today a mild Oriental “Monroe doctrine” under which he envisaged the countries of East Asia “uniting in a single sphere on the basis of common existence” with Japan as the “stabilizing” force for peace and prosperity. At the same time Arita, who made his statement in a radio broadcast to the empire, warned the western nations to keep out of the Japanese-Chinese situation. “We are determined,” he declared, “to leave no stone unturned in order to eradicate all activities assisting Chiang Kai-shek (head of the Chinese central government.)” The foreign minister likewise warned the western powers to keep their hands off foreign colonies in the South Seas and East Asia, using terms apparently sufficiently broad to include Germany and Italy. Arita declared that Japan expects the western powers will do nothing that will exert any undesirable influence on the stability of East Asia.
The Japanese Government is demanding larger supplies of essential commodities from the Netherlands Indies and increased opportunities for economic penetration by Japanese enterprises and the admission of Japanese. The Netherland replies, while going some way to meet Japan, have not been as thoroughgoing as Japan desires. It appears the Netherland authorities have not yet agreed to admit Japanese and their enterprises in the volume asked. In an interview with J. C. Pabst, the Netherland Minister, yesterday afternoon Masayuki Tani, Vice Foreign Minister, expressed appreciation of the concessions already made but declared these were not enough and emphasized the need for prompt compliance. The Foreign Office announced that negotiations had been going on with the Netherland Government in London and with the colonial government in Batavia regarding trade, enterprise and the entry of Japanese to the colonies.
“Japan,” the statement continued, the “is deeply concerned with maintenance and the further promotion of close economic relations and an amicable settlement of such questions is not only a demand arising naturally from each other’s needs but is an essential requirement in promoting friendly relations between Japan and the Netherlands Indies. In view of this fact the Japanese Government as a first step conducted negotiations in order to assure the export of those Netherlands Indies commodities that are deemed essential to Japan. The Netherland and Netherlands Indies Governments have declared they will not take any measures that would prevent the export of such commodities to Japan and that they would comply with Japan’s desires. The Japanese Government appreciates this sincere attitude. The Japanese Government, however, desires the Netherland and Netherlands Indies Governments to take appropriate measures to absolutely assure the export of desired quantities of required goods and also to dispose promptly of questions regarding Japanese enterprises and the entry of Japanese.”
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 122.06 (+1.37)
Born:
Muhammad Yunus, social entrepreneur, banker, economist and Nobel laureate, in Chittagong, British India (present-day Bangladesh).
Died:
Italo Balbo, 44, Italian aviator and Fascist leader (plane shot down by friendly fire).
Naval Construction:
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary fleet tanker RFA Gray Ranger is laid down by the Caledon Shipbuilding & Engineering Company (Dundee, Scotland).
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type IID U-boats U-139 and U-140 are launched by Deutsche Werke AG, Kiel (werk 268 and 269).
The Royal Navy rescue tug HMS Hudson (W 02) [requisitioned ex-Dutch tug] is commissioned.
The Royal Navy Fairmile A class motor launch HMS ML 103 is commissioned.
The Royal Navy Fairmile A class motor launch HMS ML 104 is commissioned.
History Diaries 