Battle of Britain: The chief features of the day were 8 raids were reported off the East Coast, two of which attacked convoys. No hits were reported. In the early morning 2 raids approached the Isle of Wight and were intercepted. There were also attacks on shipping off Portland and an engagement off Dover in the afternoon. During the night fighters were dispatched to intercept a few enemy raids but no there were no interceptions. Minelaying was suspected in the Thames Estuary and between Middlesborough and The Wash. [battleofbritain1940 web site]
Weather: Early fog covered much of southern England and restricted any flying operation until mid-morning. Then clearing conditions but low cloud persisted.
Most commanders kept their squadrons “confined to quarters” because of the weather. There was very little activity, even by the Luftwaffe. As the conditions seemed to improve during the morning, a couple of attacks were made on the port of Dover. 43 Squadron Tangmere (Hurricanes) responded and engaged a force of He111 over the Channel. Early afternoon saw a couple of feint attacks on a convoy off the Essex coast near Harwich. Later in the afternoon, enemy aircraft were detected again in the Channel area and attacked the convoy “Bread” off the Dorset coast near Lyme Bay and 56 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes), 64 Squadron Kenley (Spitfires) and 238 Squadron (Hurricanes) were scrambled to intercept. One Do17 was shot down during the afternoon by 238 Squadron while another five were destroyed in mid-Channel.
RAF Statistics for the day: 143 patrols were flown involving 473 aircraft. Luftwaffe casualties: Fighters – 6 confirmed, 3 unconfirmed; Bombers – 6 confirmed, 2 unconfirmed. RAF casualties: 3 Hurricanes confirmed.
RAF Casualties: (July 13th 1940)
1135hrs. Tatsfield (nr Biggin Hill). Spitfire R6807. 610 Squadron Biggin Hill. (Aircraft destroyed)
Sgt P.J. Watson-Parker Killed. (Crashed. Reasons not recorded.)
1520hrs. Southdown (Sussex). Hurricane P2950. 238 Squadron. (aircraft destroyed)
F/Lt J.C. Kennedy Killed. (Believed injured by gunfire from Do17 [above] crashed on returning to base)
1645hrs. Calais. Hurricane N2432. 56 Squadron North Weald. (aircraft destroyed)
Sgt J.R. Cowsill Missing. (Last seen in combat with Bf109, believed ditched in Channel)
1645hrs. Calais. Hurricane P2922. 56 Squadron North Weald. (aircraft destroyed)
Sgt J.J. Whitfield Missing. (Hit by gunfire from Bf109 over Channel. Crashed into sea)
1900hrs. Balsham (Cambs). Spitfire R6688 (Aircraft destroyed)
Sgt R.R.G. Birch Killed. (Stalled while attempting steep turn during dogfight practice)
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 22 Blenheims to attack various targets in Germany, France, and Belgium during the day. Only 8 bombed, 2 lost.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 97 aircraft to attack various targets in Germany and the Netherlands overnight. No losses.
RAF Squadron No. 302 officially formed. It is composed of 13 Polish airmen flying Hurricane fighters – of much higher quality than anything they had available in defending their own country.
There is an air raid alert on Malta at 05:45, but it is just an Italian fighter sweep. At 22:10, there is a bomber raid, with bombs dropped on a flying boat base at Marsaxlokk, on Marsamxetto Harbor, and on Zeltun.
Pilot Officer Burges, who flies a Gladiator in defense of Malta, is awarded the DFC for having shot down six aircraft. His citation:
“Although normally a flying boat pilot, and only transferred to fighter duties since the commencement of war with Italy, Flight Lieutenant Burges has shot down three enemy aircraft and so damaged three more that they probably failed to reach their base. He has shown great tenacity and determination in seeking combat, usually in the face of superior machines.”
Italian Regia Aeronautica bombers attack Sidi Barrani in the Western Desert.
The RAF raids El Aden, El Gubbi, Bardia, and Tobruk.
Adolf Hitler met with top German military leaders at Obersalzberg, München-Oberbayern, Germany. Hitler is still setting the agenda for the Battle of Britain. He meets with Göring, Army Commander-in-chief von Brauchitsch, and other top commanders at the Berghof and tentatively decides on 5 August as the beginning of the full air offensive against England, followed by a possible invasion — Operation SEALION — depending upon how air operations go.
While Hitler’s start date is three weeks away, Göring must hurry to get his force ready. The main issue is that the Luftwaffe is neither suited for a strategic operation nor has its planes efficiently dispersed at its forward bases for an air offensive. Bases themselves must be prepared. Instead, many of the elite fighter squadrons remain in Germany, resting and refitting, while the Luftwaffe’s bomber force is inadequate no matter where it is based.
General der Artillerie Franz Halder (the Army Chief of Staff) presents detailed planning proposals that outline an operation incorporating 39 divisions and around 500,000 men (published 20 July) to land on the southern coast near Brighton. Hitler still does not feel an invasion will be necessary due to a British capitulation but authorizes some half-hearted preparations such as barge collection at the Channel ports.
At his meeting at the Berghof, Hitler offhandedly mentions that the UK is only fighting on because of the looming presence of the Soviet Union. While not making any official plans, he suggests that it may first be necessary to eliminate this threat to the German rear to enable a successful prosecution of the war against Great Britain.
German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop, in an extremely rare direct communication with a British government official, cables the Duke of Windsor in Lisbon and states that “Hitler wants peace with England. Hold yourself ready for future developments.” The Duke of Windsor and American wife have met Hitler and are considered, if not overtly pro-Hitler or pro-German, at least holding some sympathy with the Hitler regime. However, the Germans vastly over-estimate the extent of such feelings, if any. The Duke is in Lisbon for transport to his new posting as Governor of the Bahamas.
German teacher Damian Kratzenberg, a professor at the Athénée de Luxembourg, organizes the Volksdeutsche Bewegung (VdB) in Luxembourg City. Its mission is to foster Hitlerism in the populace. The organization uses the standard German phrase Heim ins Reich (roughly, “”Back into the Fatherland”).
The British Army’s new parachute force began training at Ringway Airport, Manchester, England, United Kingdom.
British housewives donate piles of aluminum pots as requested to aid in the construction of new fighters.
Amicable settlement between Britain and Ireland under which British troops will cross Eire’s frontiers only after a raid by a hostile power was reported today in quarters close to the premier’s office.
The authorities on the island of Malta ban private cars without a special permit. This includes taxis. The government suggests using the bus.
The fascist regime receives reports that some Italians are not taking the war sufficiently seriously and are using the blackouts as an excuse for romantic endeavors that are not designed to aid the war effort. They begin issuing regulations banning certain such activities.
Soviet Foreign Minister Vyacheslav Molotov leaked diplomatic communications between Britain and the Soviet Union, which should had been held confidentially between the two countries per general rules of international diplomacy, to Germany.
Italian forces in Abyssinia crossed the border from Ethiopia into Kenya and attacked the British garrison in small town of Moyale.
Aircraft carrier HMS Furious, escorted by destroyers HMS Hambledon, HMS Atherstone, and HMS Fernie departed Liverpool at 1800 for Prestwick to fly on aircraft. The British ships then went on to Scapa Flow, arriving at 0615 on the 14th.
Destroyer HMS Tartar (D.6) departed Scapa Flow at 1015 for Liverpool for docking repairs to asdic installation and damage to propellers.
A redisposition of Destroyers in the North Atlantic Command was made. Destroyers HMS Douglas, HMS Active, HMS Watchman, HMS Keppel, and HMS Vortigern left the North Atlantic Command on the 14th to join the Home Fleet Command. Destroyers HMS Hotspur and HMS Encounter of the Home Fleet and three G class destroyers of the Nore Command were to join the North Atlantic Command. Three worked up Hunt class escort destroyers were to leave the Home Fleet and join the Dover Command.
German armed merchant cruiser Atlantis, disguised as the Dutch freighter MV Tarifa, sank British steamer Kemmendine (7769grt) in the Indian Ocean at 04-12S, 81-47E. Fifty seven crew, twenty two passengers, and three distressed British seamen (DBS) were made prisoners of war. One crewman later died in France. Eighteen crew, eleven passengers, and one DBS were lost when steamer Tirranna, to which they later were transferred, was lost. One crewman died on the raider. Thirty one crew and three gunners were transferred to steamer Durmitor and taken to Italian Somaliland. They were released in early 1941.
German armed merchant cruiser Widder sank British steamer King John (5228grt) in the Central Atlantic at 20-40N, 59-26W, two hundred and fifty miles east, northeast of Sombrero Channel. Five crew were made prisoners of war.
While under heavy attack by Axis aircraft, Sea Gladiator aircraft launched from HMS Eagle shot down three Italian bombers in the Mediterranean Sea.
Convoy CW.5 departed Dover escorted only by destroyer HMS Vanessa. The convoy was immediately taken under German air attack between Dover and Eastbourne and destroyer Vanessa was disabled by near misses of air bombs. Destroyer Vanessa was towed by destroyer HMS Griffin to Sheerness where Vanessa was repaired completing on 4 November.
Convoy OB.183 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer HMS Vanquisher and corvette HMS Clarkia until 16 July. The escorts were detached to convoy SL.38.
Convoy FN.221 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Winchester and sloops HMS Lowestoft and HMS Weston. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 15th.
The War at Sea, Saturday, 13 July 1940 (naval-history.net)
Aircraft carrier FURIOUS, escorted by destroyers HAMBLEDON, ATHERSTONE, and FERNIE departed Liverpool at 1800 for Prestwick to fly on aircraft.
The British ships then went on to Scapa Flow, arriving at 0615 on the 14th.
Convoy CW.5 departed Dover escorted only by destroyer VANESSA. The convoy was immediately taken under German air attack between Dover and Eastbourne and destroyer VANESSA was disabled by near misses of air bombs.
Destroyer VANESSA was towed by destroyer GRIFFIN to Sheerness where VANESSA was repaired completing on 4 November.
Destroyer TARTAR (D.6) departed Scapa Flow at 1015 for Liverpool for docking repairs to asdic installation and damage to propellers.
A redisposition of Destroyers in the North Atlantic Command was made.
Destroyers DOUGLAS, ACTIVE, WATCHMAN, KEPPEL, and VORTIGERN left the North Atlantic Command on the 14th to join the Home Fleet Command.
Destroyers HOTSPUR and ENCOUNTER of the Home Fleet and threeG class destroyers of the Nore Command were to join the North Atlantic Command.
Three worked up HUNT-class destroyers were to leave the Home Fleet and join the Dover Command.
Convoy OB.183 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer VANQUISHER and corvette CLARKIA until 16 July. The escorts were detached to convoy SL.38.
Convoy FN.221 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer WINCHESTER and sloops LOWESTOFT and WESTON. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 15th.
German armed merchant cruiser ATLANTIS sank British steamer KEMMENDINE (7769grt) in the Indian Ocean at 04‑12S, 81‑47E.
Fifty-seven crew, twenty-two passengers, and three distressed British seamen (DBS) were made prisoners of war.
One crewman later died in France.
Eighteen crew, eleven passengers, and one DBS were lost when steamer TIRRANNA, to which they later were transferred, was lost.
One crewman died on the raider.
Thirty-one crew and three gunners were transferred to steamer DURMITOR and taken to Italian Somaliland. They were released in early 1941.
German armed merchant cruiser WIDDER sank British steamer KING JOHN (5228grt) in the Central Atlantic at 20‑40N, 59‑26W, two hundred and fifty miles east, northeast of Sombrero Channel.
Five crew were made prisoners of war.
Democrats determined to “draft Roosevelt,” some happy and some unhappy about it but nearly everyone convinced he will accept the nomination, poured into the convention city of Chicago today to join in a carnival prelude to next week’s national convention. President Roosevelt, making no effort to stem the rising tide of the movement to draft him for a third term, slipped away from the White House tonight for 24 hours of seclusion on a cruise down the Potomac river. With virtually every member of the delegation convinced President Roosevelt will seek a third term, talk turned to the vice-presidential choice, with California Governor Olson’s name figuring prominently in the discussions.
The plan of the New Dealers and their political allies among old-line Democrats to have the Democratic National Convention, which will convene hers Monday, give a unanimous draft call to President Roosevelt struck seemingly insurmountable obstacles today. Senator Byrnes of South Carolina, the Roosevelt floor leader, and Secretary Hopkins, liaison officer with the White House, not only failed to get other aspirants for the Presidential nomination to agree to withdraw but also made no progress in their efforts to get Postmaster General Farley to consent to continue as Democratic National Chairman, even if only for the duration of the campaign. As the situation stood tonight, the names of Vice President Garner, Senator Wheeler of Montana and Mr. Farley will be presented formally to the convention as candidates for the Presidential nomination. With supporters of Mr. Garner asserting that he is certain to receive more than 50 votes in the balloting, it was said that considerably more than 100 votes would be cast for Presidential candidates other than Mr. Roosevelt.
Delegates to the Democratic National Convention eased today the strain caused by lack of information on whether President Roosevelt would run again by turning to copious speculation about the man who is to run as Vice President.
Just as expected, the equal rights amendment split the feminine legion of the Democratic party into two camps today, in and out of the preliminary hearings of the resolutions subcommittee which is preparing to draft the party’s platform.
The resolutions committee of the Democratic National Convention refused today to be impressed with a peace plank offered in behalf of the American Youth Congress by Joseph Cadden, national executive secretary.
While the nation speculated about his third-term intentions President Roosevelt left the capital for a week-end cruise today with his political counselor of former times, Justice Samuel I. Rosenman of the New York State Supreme Court.
Assurances the United States rapidly was being made independent of foreign sources for key arms materials came today from the defense advisory commission. In an initial progress report, Edward R. Stettinius Jr., former United States Steel corporation chairman, said surveys indicated adequate supplies of such materials as rubber, tin, aluminum and armor plate would be available as needed by defense industries. Stettinius, in charge of the commission’s materials division, asserted government agencies and industry, with “full White House support, were “getting things done. He described prospects for ample stocks of all kinds as generally “more hopeful than we anticipated six weeks ago when this commission was appointed by the president.”
The Departments of State and Justice unexpectedly eliminated today the red tape alleged to have hampered efforts to bring British children to the United States to get them away from Nazi bombings. A plan to grant visas to about 13,000 by August 1 was announced.
Despite testimony from General George C. Marshall, the army chief of staff, that enactment of a conscription law was immediately essential to defense, Senators Norris, Nebraska, Independent; Holt, West Virginia, Democrat, and Lundeen, Minnesota, farmer-labor, said they would oppose such a step. Several other senators indicated opposition.
Immediate enactment by Congress of the Burke-Wadsworth, bill providing for selective compulsory military training and service is endorsed by 87 percent of the nation’s editors and publishers, it is disclosed by a survey made public by the Military Training Camps Association in New York.
Organized labor is “united in its determination” to give “effective and expeditious cooperation” in the execution of the national defense program, sixteen leaders of they American Federation of Labor and the Congress of Industrial Organizations informed President Roosevelt in a letter made public today by the White House.
An engineer was killed and at least seven others injured in a head-on collision of a fast Memphis to Kansas City passenger train and a southbound freight on the Missouri Pacific railroad a half-mile north of Mt. Olive, Arkansas, today.
The merchant ship Tatsuta Maru arrived at San Francisco, California, United States; among the passengers disembarked were 40 Jewish refugees from Russia, Austria, Germany, Norway, and Britain.
American jazz pianist and bandleader Count Basie weds second wife American Catherine Morgan at the King County courthouse in Seattle, Washington, until her death in 1983.
Major League Baseball:
In a Fenway rarity, the White Sox whitewash the home team in both games of a doubleheader. Ted Lyons wins the opener, 5–0, and Jack Knott ties up the Red Sox in the nitecap, 7–0.
It’s lucky 13 for Buck Newsom as the Detroit ace wins his 13th straight. Newsom allows 2 Washington hits in shutting out the Nats, 4–0, in the nitecap of 2. Detroit wins the opener as well, 4–3.
The 4th-place Yankees chew up the Browns, winning 10–4 and 12–6 at Yankee Stadium. Charlie Keller has a grand slam off Slick Coffman for the Bombers. Joe DiMaggio hits three homers and two singles and drives in nine runs on the day.
The first-place Indians swept a threegame series from the Athletics today, taping advantage of five misplays to win, 6–4. Four of the errors came in the eighth and ninth innings and Ken Keltner and Lou Boudreau promptly followed them up with singles that shattered a 4–4 tie.
The Cardinals edge the visiting Giants in a brace of games, 7–6 and 4–3. Johnny Mize hits for the cycle in the opener for the Birds. In the second game, Terry Moore singled home the winning run in the bottom of the ninth.
The Dodgers and Reds split their twinbill, with Cincinnati winning the opener, 7–6, as Paul Derringer won his 11th, besting Tex Carleton. Brooklyn won the nightcap, 3–1, and snapped the Reds’ seven-game winning streak.
Manuel Salvo, the lanky Boston righthander obtained from the Giants last month, pitched his second straight shut-out and fourth victory today as the Bees defeated the erratic Cubs, 5 to 0, before 5,760 spectators.
The Pirates staged a three-run rally in the eighth inning today to edge out the Phillies, 9–8, before a slim Saturday crowd of 2,475. Pittsburgh went into the eighth leading, 6–3, but the Phils let loose a barrage of seven hits, including Mel Mazzera’s pinch triple, to register five tallies.
Chicago White Sox 5, Boston Red Sox 0
Chicago White Sox 7, Boston Red Sox 0
Boston Bees 5, Chicago Cubs 0
Brooklyn Dodgers 6, Cincinnati Reds 7
Brooklyn Dodgers 3, Cincinnati Reds 1
St. Louis Browns 4, New York Yankees 10
St. Louis Browns 6, New York Yankees 12
Cleveland Indians 6, Philadelphia Athletics 4
Philadelphia Phillies 8, Pittsburgh Pirates 9
New York Giants 6, St. Louis Cardinals 7
New York Giants 3, St. Louis Cardinals 4
Detroit Tigers 4, Washington Senators 3
Detroit Tigers 4, Washington Senators 0
A favorable reaction has been received from all the Pan-American nations to the Cuban proposal that a joint protectorate be established by the twenty-one American republics over the New World island possessions of European countries which have been conquered by Germany, diplomatic circles revealed today.
Cuban President Federico Laredo Bru issued a manifesto, to the public tonight urging calmness and tranquility at tomorrow’s elections when the Island will go to the polls to choose a new President, a new Congress and provisional and municipal officials.
Attacks on the Havana conference from foreign sources are thought to cloak plans for an economic campaign in Latin America by creating an atmosphere of distrust and trying to hamper conversations on economic measures, which are on the Havana agenda.
The U.S. Navy heavy cruisers USS Wichita (CA-45), under command of Rear Admiral Andrew C. Pickens, and USS Quincy (CA-39) reached Santos, Brazil. These ships were visiting South America “to furnish a reminder of the strength and the range of action of the armed forces of the United States.”
The U.S. Navy destroyers USS Walke and USS Wainwright departed Pará, Brazil for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Chinese hope Britain will receive United States backing in resisting the Japanese demand for closing the Burma road to all Chinese supplies. The road is China’s most important remaining transport link with the outside world.
Ordinances were published today dividing all Japan into four military areas, effective August 1, in what was regarded as a major reorganization of the national defense system. Each district is to be under a general or lieutenant general, appointed by the Emperor and directly responsible to him. It is understood there would be a special anti-aircraft regiment for each of the forty-six prefectures. The newspaper Asahi said that the reorganization was designed to meet the “new situation” in East Asia and the quickly changing European situation, providing stronger defenses at home, especially in the air, and stronger bases for expeditionary forces and colonial armies.
The newspaper Nichi Nichi said in its leading article today that Japan should take over the Netherlands Indies, even fighting the United States should America interfere. The article asserted that a large section of official and unofficial opinion in Japan favored an alliance with Germany and Italy and a “vigorous southward program” regardless of the American and British attitudes.
At least twenty persons are missing and are believed to have been killed, twenty-one were injured and thirtyfour houses have been destroyed in the eruption of the Yuzan volcano on Japan’s Miyake Island, according to reports today.
Kichisaburo Nomura was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 121.48 (-0.15)
Born:
Patrick Stewart, English actor (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”, “X-Men” movies), in Mirfield, Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom.
Paul Prudhomme, American celebrity chef, in Opelousas, Louisiana (d. 2015).
Jack Aker, MLB pitcher (Kansas City-Oakland A’s, Seattle Pilots, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Atlanta Braves, New York Mets), in Tulare, California.
Frank Bork, MLB pitcher (Pittsburgh Pirates), in Buffalo, New York.
Ed Pine, NFL linebacker (San Francisco 40ers, Pittsburgh Steelers), in Reno, Nevada (d. 2008).
Jerry Mazzanti, NFL defensive end (Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Pittsburgh Steelers), in Lake Village, Arkansas (d. 2025).
Naval Construction:
The U.S. Navy Curtiss-class seaplane tender USS Albemarle (AV-5) is launched by the New York Shipbuilding Corp. (Camden, New Jersey, U.S.A.).
The Royal Navy British Power Boat 63-foot-class motor anti-submarine boat HMS MA/SB 43 is commissioned.
The Royal Navy British Power Boat 70-foot-class motor anti-submarine boat HMS MA/SB 50 is commissioned.
The Royal Navy British Power Boat 70-foot-class motor anti-submarine boat HMS MA/SB 51 is commissioned.
History Diaries 