Battle of Britain: There was very little activity during the day, probably owing to bad weather. A few Luftwaffe raids occurred in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth and Southampton areas, off the Thames Estuary and Norfolk Coast. A certain amount of activity was also experienced over convoys on the south and east coasts. [battleofbritain1940 web site]
Weather: Low cloud persisted most of the day with occasional heavy rain.
Not the most ideal weather conditions for flying, and neither side saw, or undertook much activity. The Luftwaffe made a few reconnaissance missions over the North Sea and the English Channel. The convoy “Pilot” was making its way through the Thames Estuary when spotted by the German reconnaissance aircraft and its position and course were radioed back to German HQ. By late-morning the weather had broken up enough for 15 Do17 bombers of KG2 to take off for an intended attack on the convoy.
1130 hours (11.30am): A number of He111 bombers were attacking industrial and dock areas along the Scottish coast. 603 Squadron Dyce (Spitfires) intercepted and avoided any major damage, although quite a number of bombs fell causing only minor damage. A He111 of 2/KG26 was shot down at 1212 hours which crashed into the sea.
1350 hours (1.50pm): A number of German bombers made an attack on an aircraft works at Yeovil in Somerset in the west of England. One of the runways received slight damage, as did one of the hangars and a number of craters appeared, but damage was kept to a minimum. 213 Squadron Exeter (Hurricanes) intercepted and one Hurricane was shot down although the pilot Bailed out. Interception was also made by 92 Squadron Pembrey (Spitfires) in which the Luftwaffe lost one Ju88 and another damaged.
1415 hours (2.15pm): Through broken cloud and rain squalls a Dornier formation arrived over the convoy “Pilot” but Fighter command had ‘seen’ them coming and scrambled 56 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) and 151 Squadron North Weald (Hurricanes) to meet them before the Dorniers had time to attack the convoy. Although some attempted an attack, they were turned around without causing any damage. Once the attack was aborted, the Hurricanes returned to base without scoring.
Very slight activity was encountered during the night, the weather still being very bad. 6 to 8 raids crossed the coast between Newcastle and Flamborough Head, and proceeded to Liverpool Bay. These aircraft were suspected of minelaying. Later, about 12 raids appeared between the Norfolk coast and the Tyne, 6 of which crossed the coastline and the remainder cruised around as though minelaying.
Casualties were light on both sides, in fact the RAF suffered more aircraft damaged or lost in flying accidents than they did on operational sorties. Some were damaged in heavy landings, another crashed in inclement weather whilst attempting to land and another crashed into a accumulator trolley while taxiing into a hangar.
RAF Statistics for the day: 154 patrols were flown involving 470 aircraft. Luftwaffe losses: Fighters – none; Bombers – 1 confirmed, 3 unconfirmed. RAF losses: 4 Hurricanes confirmed (3 crashed on landing).
RAF Casualties: (July 15th 1940)
There were none recorded on this day.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 17 Blenheims to attack the French airfields of Lisieux and Evreux, France, during the day. Only 4 bombed, no losses.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 33 Hampdens to Hamborn, Hannover, Osnabruck, and Paderborn and minelaying. No losses.
Hampden bombers from RAF Hemswell in England, United Kingdom were sent, in one of the most daring attacks of the war, to raid Wilhelmshaven, Germany in an attempt to cripple the Tirpitz and Admiral Scheer. Six aircraft were detailed to attack Tirpitz and two to attack Admiral Scheer. Other aircraft were detailed to carry out diversionary raids. The raid was not a success. Four bombers were shot down and most of the survivors damaged (one was found to have 150 holes on its return). No damage was incurred by the German warships.
Luftwaffe bombers attack coastal convoys and targets in England.
German aircraft bombed and sank Estonian ship Merisaar off Cobh, County Cork, Ireland. The bombers failed to realize that the ship had been captured by the German Navy back on 12 July. The German crew survived the sinking, but would be rescued by the British and would become prisoners of war.
The first German air raid of the Brighton Blitz occurred. Today is often called the beginning of the “Brighton Blitz.” The beaches are closed and mined, and civilians have been evacuated. Junkers Ju 88s take advantage of the cloud cover and bomb two airfields and a railway around Avonmouth. Raids occur in the Cardiff, Swansea, Portsmouth, and Southampton areas.
There also are attacks near the Scottish border by LG1. Among the targets are a Westland Aircraft factory and the airfields at Yeovil and St Athan RAF Station. RAF Nos. 213 and 92 Squadrons intercept and shoot down a Junkers Ju 88 of LG1.
JG26 begins transferring back to the French coast, winding up its period of rest and refit and indicating that serious operations against the British were about to begin.
Italian S.82 bombers conduct an attack on Gibraltar.
RAF Blenheim bombers unsuccessfully attack Italian positions at Gazala.
At Malta, there is an air raid alert at first light, but it is just reconnaissance.
Some bombs, presumably Italian, drop in the Haifa area. This is the area’s first air raid and is aimed at a key oil pipeline from Iraq.
Alsace and Lorraine were effectively annexed by Germany. Although Germany had not formally re-annexed the old territory of Alsace-Lorraine from France in June’s armistice treaty, the moving of the customs line between the two countries to the old pre-World War I frontiers effectively served as de facto annexation.
Germany demanded unrestricted access through French North Africa.
Vichy France turns down Berlin’s request for use of bases in North Africa.
France is through being “a humanitarian crusader for other nations” and will devote her efforts toward a national reconstruction within the framework of a European bloc of states, according to Vice-Premiere Pierre Laval.
Paul Pazery, French vice consul in Philadelphia, submitted his resignation to the French Ambassador at Washington today rather than serve the Petain government which surrendered to Nazi Germany.
Prime Minister Winston Churchill orders RAF pilot training cut from three months to one, reasoning that the pilots can get their final training against the Luftwaffe. This flies against military orthodoxy, and the order stands despite protests by General Sir Alan Brooke.
The Air Ministry appealed tonight for an unlimited number of trained airplane pilots and Morse operators from the United States to serve in the Royal Air Force.
Unemployment figure in Britain increased by 60,431 to 827,266 in June 1940 when compared to the previous month, but it was still drastically lower than the level one year prior.
The British Home Office banned fireworks, flying kites, and flying balloons.
The rector of Old Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom was sentenced to four weeks in prison for ringing his church bell, which violated the 14 June 1940 restriction.
Operation AMBASSADOR: Destroyers HMS Scimitar and HMS Saladin delivered 140 British commandos to the Channel Island of Guernsey. 40 men from the No. 3 Commando reached the shore on launches, but found their target barracks actually not used by Germans; 37 men returned to the destroyers, leaving 3 who could not swim behind to later become prisoners of war. Elsewhere, some of the launches landed at the Channel Island of Sark by mistake.
German radio agrees with Winston Churchill’s 14 July speech that London indeed is now a legitimate military target.
Erich Mußfeldt was assigned to Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland.
Hitler offers Rumanian King Carol German protection only if the nation remains flexible about its frontiers.
The results of the rigged plebiscites conducted in Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia the previous day were announced and supposedly showed a unanimous desire to join the Soviet Union.
The British Admiralty considers options for resupplying Malta, which has been isolated since France signed its armistice on 22 June. There are no good options, the best being the long way around the Cape of Good Hope and back up through the Suez Canal.
A forecast was flung out of Italy today that the Axis powers in a few days would give Great Britain her chance to line up with their “renovating, restorative” plan for a new Europe or else face an onslaught of arms to force her “final overthrow.” The authoritative Fascist editor, Virginio Gayda hinted that an ultimatum to that effect would be forthcoming. Signor Gayda’s editorials in the Giornale d’Italia are frequently regarded as the voice of Premier Mussolini himself. His declaration today seemed to be an answer to Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s defiant speech yesterday.
The Italian press today gives more prominence to the appeal of A. V. Alexander, First Lord of the British Admiralty, to the United States for help, than to Prime Minister Winston Churchill’s determined speech. All newspapers compare Mr. Alexander’s plea to that of the former French Premier, Paul Reynaud, just before France crumbled. Behind the scene staged by the press, however, one finds a realization that this might be a much longer war than at first supposed. Virginio Gayda claims that Mr. Churchill’s optimism is based upon the hope of aid from America but that in reality the British situation is hopeless.
Italian Prime Minister Benito Mussolini ordered Marshal Rodolfo Graziani to launch an attack into Egypt by August 8. Graziani would miss this deadline as he believed that his forces were not properly equipped for such an operation and that an attack into Egypt could not possibly succeed.
Italians captured British territories in Kenya. The outnumbered British garrison at Moyale, Kenya completed withdrawing from the town in face of attacking Italian forces.
U-34, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Wilhelm Rollmann, sank Greek steamer Evdoxia (2018grt) forty miles southwest of Bull Rock, southwest Ireland, in 51° 09’N, 10° 55’W. At 0321 hours the unescorted and neutral Evdoxia was hit amidships by one G7a torpedo from U-34 and sank capsizing after 10 minutes about 40 miles southwest of Bull Rock, Ireland. The U-boat had spotted the Greek flag painted on the side of the illuminated ship prior to the attack, but nevertheless attacked her with its last torpedo. One crew member was lost. The survivors, three of them wounded, were landed at Swansea. The 2,018-ton Evdoxia was carrying 3,090 tons of coal and was bound for Piraeus, Greece.
Battleship HMS Nelson with destroyers HMS Bedouin, HMS Punjabi, and HMS Mashona departed Scapa Flow in the evening to conduct night firings. Because of heavy fog, they were unable to return to Scapa Flow until 1635 on the 16th.
Heavy cruiser HMS Devonshire departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth to change secondary armament.
Light cruiser HMS Aurora arrived at Scapa Flow from the Humber.
Escort destroyers HMS Hambledon and HMS Atherstone departed Scapa Flow at 1315 to rendezvous off Aberdeen at 2000 with steamer Highlander (1216grt) and tanker Prestol (2629grt) for Lerwick and Scapa Flow, respectively. On the 16th, Hambledon and Prestol arrived off Scapa Flow, but due to heavy fog, the ships could not enter Harbor until 1100. Atherstone arrived at Scapa Flow at 1113 on the 17th.
A mine explosion close aboard damaged mine destructor ship HMS Burlington at Aultbrea. The ship, escorted by anti-submarine trawler HMS Thirlmere, proceeded to Stornoway on the 17th for repairs. She returned to Aultbrea on the 18th, again escorted by Thirlmere.
At 1142 on the 15th, suspicious ships were reported southwest of Land’s End in 4810N, 7-30W, steering 350°. Light cruiser HMS Newcastle with destroyers HMS Broke, HMS Mackay, HMS Wolverine, HMS Witherington, HMS Hesperus, and HMCS Restigouche departed Plymouth to investigate. At 1708, the force, less Mackay and Broke detached to assist steamer City Of Limerick, returned to Plymouth.
Steamer Bellerock (1199grt) was sunk on a mine in 51-20N, 03-47W. Seventeen crew were lost.
German bombing damaged steamer Heworth (2855grt) in convoy FN.223 ten miles south of Aldeburgh Light Vessel. She was taken in tow for Harwich, but was grounded three cables 267° from East Shipwash Buoy. Four crew were lost and the survivors rescued by destroyer HMS Valorous.
Steamer City Of Limerick (1359grt) was sunk by German bombing, 100 miles 270° from Ushant in 48-39N, 07-12W. Destroyers HMS Mackay and HMS Broke were ordered to the area to assist and hunt for survivors. Two crew were killed and the survivors rescued by Belgian trawler Roger Jeannine.
German bombing sank Panamanian steamer Fossoula (1282grt) 240 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre. Four crew went missing.
Polish steamer Zbaraz (2088grt) in convoy FN.223 was badly damaged by German bombing ten miles south of Aldeburgh Light Vessel. She was taken in tow by tug St Olaves, but sank near South Ship Head Buoy. There were no casualties and the survivors were rescued by trawler VIDONIA and tug MURIA.
German bombing sank Estonian steamer Merisaar (2136grt), captured by U-99 on the 12th, off Queenstown. The German prize crew was rescued and made prisoners of war. The 2,136 ton Merisaar was carrying lumber and was bound for Clyde, United Kingdom.
Portuguese steamer Alpha (853grt) was sunk by German bombing in 48-51N, 06-34W. The entire crew was picked up by destroyers HMS Bedouin, HMS Mashona, and HMS Tartar which were sweeping in the area.
Norwegian tug Draugen (184grt) was sunk on a German mine off Salhus, north of Bergen.
Submarine HMS Rainbow, which had departed Colombo on 24 June, Aden on the 7th, and Port Said on the 14th, arrived at Alexandria from Singapore for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet.
Convoy OB.184 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer HMS Warwick and corvette HMS Heartsease form 15 to 18 July. The escorts were detached to inbound convoy HX.56.
Convoy FN.223 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Valorous, sloop HMS Stork, and patrol sloop HMS Widgeon, and arrived in the Tyne on the 17th.
Convoy MT.111 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne on the 16th.
Convoy FS.222 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloop HMS Black Swan and HMS Hastings, and arrived at Southend on the 16th.
Convoy HX.58 departed Halifax at 0730 escorted by Canadian destroyers HMCS Saguenay and HMCS Assiniboine which turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser HMS Ranpura, and returned to Halifax at 0835 the next day. While at sea, the Canadian destroyers investigated an aircraft down in the sea.
Convoy BHX.58 departed Bermuda on the 14th escorted locally by sloop HMS Penzance and an ocean escort of armed merchant cruiser HMS Jervis Bay. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.58 on the 19th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached. HMS Ranpura was detached on the 28th. On the 27th, destroyers HMS Skeena, and HMS Westcott, sloop HMS Enchantress, corvettes HMS Camellia and HMS Clarkia, plus anti-submarine trawlers HMS Lady Elsa and HMS St Kenan joined the convoy. Destroyer Westcott and sloop Enchantress were detached, and arrived at Liverpool on the 31st.
The War at Sea, Monday, 15 July 1940 (naval-history.net)
Battleship NELSON with destroyers BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, and MASHONA departed Scapa Flow in the evening to conduct night firings. Because of heavy fog, they were unable to return to Scapa Flow until 1635 on the 16th.
Heavy cruiser DEVONSHIRE departed Scapa Flow for Rosyth to change secondary armament.
Light cruiser AURORA arrived at Scapa Flow from the Humber.
Escort destroyers HAMBLEDON and ATHERSTONE departed Scapa Flow at 1315 to rendezvous off Aberdeen at 2000 with steamer HIGHLANDER (1216grt) and tanker PRESTOL (2629grt) for Lerwick and Scapa Flow, respectively. On the 16th, HAMBLEDON and PRESTOL arrived off Scapa Flow, but due to heavy fog, the ships could not enter harbour until 1100. ATHERSTONE arrived at Scapa Flow at 1113 on the 17th.
A mine explosion close aboard damaged mine destructor ship BURLINGTON at Aultbrea. The ship, escorted by anti-submarine trawler THIRLMERE, proceeded to Stornoway on the 17th for repairs. She returned to Aultbrea on the 18th, again escorted by THIRLMERE.
Convoy OB.184 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyer WARWICK and corvette HEARTSEASE form 15 to 18 July. The escorts were detached to inbound convoy HX.56.
Convoy FN.223 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer VALOROUS, sloop STORK, and patrol sloop WIDGEON, and arrived in the Tyne on the 17th.
Convoy MT.111 departed Methil, and arrived in the Tyne on the 16th.
Convoy FS.222 departed the Tyne, escorted by sloop BLACK SWAN and HASTINGS, and arrived at Southend on the 16th.
Convoy HX.58 departed Halifax at 0730 escorted by Canadian destroyers HMCS SAGUENAY and HMCS ASSINIBOINE which turned the convoy over to the ocean escort, armed merchant cruiser RANPURA, and returned to Halifax at 0835 the next day.
While at sea, the Canadian destroyers investigated an aircraft down in the sea.
Convoy BHX.58 departed Bermuda on the 14th escorted locally by sloop PENZANCE and an ocean escort of armed merchant cruiser JERVIS BAY. The convoy rendezvoused with convoy HX.58 on the 19th and the armed merchant cruiser was detached.
RANPURA was detached on the 28th.
On the 27th, destroyers HMCS SKEENA, WESTCOTT, sloop ENCHANTRESS, corvettes CAMELLIA and CLARKIA, plus anti-submarine trawlers LADY ELSA and ST KENAN joined the convoy. Destroyer WESTCOTT and sloop ENCHANTRESS were detached, and arrived at Liverpool on the 31st.
At 1142 on the 15th, suspicious ships were reported southwest of Land’s End in 4810N, 7-30W, steering 350°. Light cruiser NEWCASTLE with destroyers BROKE, MACKAY, WOLVERINE, WITHERINGTON, HESPERUS, and HMCS RESTIGOUCHE departed Plymouth to investigate. At 1708, the force, less MACKAY and BROKE detached to assist steamer CITY OF LIMERICK, returned to Plymouth.
U-34 sank Greek steamer EVDOXIA (2018grt) forty miles southwest of Bull Rock, southwest Ireland. One crew was missing. The same U-boat also sank Greek steamer NAFTILOS (3531grt) in 48‑05N, 10‑25W. The entire crew was rescued, but one crewman later died.
U-58 torpedoed a tanker off Cape Wrath. She observed the torpedo breaking the tanker’s back, but there is no record of the damage.
Steamer BELLEROCK (1199grt) was sunk on a mine in 51‑20N, 03‑47W. Seventeen crew were lost.
German bombing damaged steamer HEWORTH (2855grt) in convoy FN.223 ten miles south of Aldeburgh Light Vessel. She was taken in tow for Harwich, but was grounded three cables 267° from East Shipwash Buoy. Four crew were lost and the survivors rescued by destroyer VALOROUS.
Steamer CITY OF LIMERICK (1359grt) was sunk by German bombing, 100 miles 270° from Ushant in 48‑39N, 07‑12W. Destroyers MACKAY and BROKE were ordered to the area to assist and hunt for survivors. Two crew were killed and the survivors rescued by Belgian trawler ROGER JEANNINE.
German bombing sank Panamanian steamer FOSSOULA (1282grt) 240 miles northwest of Cape Finisterre. Four crew went missing.
Polish steamer ZBARAZ (2088grt) in convoy FN.223 was badly damaged by German bombing ten miles south of Aldeburgh Light Vessel. She was taken in tow by tug ST OLAVES, but sank near South Ship Head Buoy. There were no casualties and the survivors were rescued by trawler VIDONIA and tug MURIA.
German bombing sank Estonian steamer MERISAAR (2136grt), captured by U-99 on the 12th, off Queenstown. The German prize crew was rescued and made prisoners of war.
Portuguese steamer ALPHA (853grt) was sunk by German bombing in 48‑51N, 06‑34W. The entire crew was picked up by destroyers BEDOUIN, MASHONA, and TARTAR which were sweeping in the area.
Norwegian tug DRAUGEN (184grt) was sunk on a German mine off Salhus, north of Bergen.
Submarine RAINBOW, which had departed Colombo on 24 June, Aden on the 7th, and Port Said on the 14th, arrived at Alexandria from Singapore for duty with the Mediterranean Fleet.
Heavy cruiser HAWKINS arrived at Montevideo.
President Roosevelt today issued orders freezing all funds in this country belonging to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. As usual in the case of “freezing” orders, no official explanation was given. It was assumed, however, that tonight’s orders resulted from Russia’s recent moves by which the Soviets assumed a large degree of control over the three nations.
The 1940 Democratic National Convention opened in Chicago. The Democratic Party today and tonight began three days of speechmaking that will make up the interlude before the long awaited word comes from Franklin D. Roosevelt. That President Roosevelt will bow to the demand of the convention and become a third term candidate is confidently expected by everybody in this great convention hall; that is, almost everybody. Here and there one encounters a prophet who doesn’t believe it, or who has just heard the latest mysterious message from so-and-so that on Wednesday Mr. Roosevelt will let it be known that he cannot accept the nomination. But just how this wildly enthusiastic convention is to elect Mr Roosevelt, nobody as yet seems to know. The Chicago Tribune insists that the president’s name will not be placed in nomination, but that on Thursday, after the names of Jim Farley, John Garner, and Senator Wheeler have been offered, the roll call will begin, that Alabama will cast its 22 votes for Roosevelt and a great parade will start and end in the tumultuous nomination of Roosevelt by acclamation. Tonight as Speaker William Bankhead got underway with the keynote address, the 20,000 roared out time and again their approval or the deeds of the man in the White House.
Shortly after the twenty-eighth Democratic convention opened today President Roosevelt took a direct hand in the handling of his precedent-smashing third-term draft movement. This became known when Secretary of Commerce Harry Hopkins revealed to new deal lieutenants here that Senator James F. Byrnes of South Carolina had withdrawn his candidacy for the vice-presidency to become floor manager for the Roosevelt forces. Hopkins is generalissimo of the third term chieftains. Unless there is some last-minute upset, Mr. Roosevelt will be nominated on Thursday on the first ballot and hs will accept.
Sentiment against a third term among important figures attending the Democratic National Convention grew today as the convention got under way. Senator McCarran of Nevada is seriously considering offering an anti-third term plank in the resolutions committee, of which he is a member, but had not committed himself at a late hour tonight. He was being encouraged to take that step by several delegates and observers who felt that if President Roosevelt should accept a nomination for a third term it would harm the party by going counter to all the precedents. Senators Byrd of Virginia and Clark of Missouri unequivocally endorsed an anti-third term plank. Senator Wheeler of Montana, himself an aspirant for the nomination for President, likewise approved it, but refrained from active work on its behalf in the resolutions committee lest he be accused of selfish motives, although he has long opposed a third term for any President.
A “selection” from among four New Dealers acceptable as running mates to President Roosevelt was reported today to have been passed down the line from Washington as the fight over the Vice Presidential nomination, apparently the only contest of the convention, gained impetus. According to well-informed circles, the White House was said to have given the “okay” to Senator James F. Byrnes of South Carolina, Governor Lloyd C. Stark of Missouri, Representative Sam Rayburn, the House majority leader, and Associate Justice William O. Douglas. This development, coming late in the day, followed the “word” from Washington that Vice President Garner, twice the winning running mate of Mr. Roosevelt, would not be acceptable this time. Secretary Hull, according to a spokesman, declared he was not a candidate for the Vice Presidency and would not willingly permit his name to be offered. If his name were offered and accepted, the spokesman said,the Secretary would decline to accept the nomination.
Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt called today for rejection of a proposed “equal rights for women” plank in the Democratic platform and promptly drew the fire of Mrs. Emma Guffey Miller, sister of Senator Joseph F. Guffey of Pennsylvania. “Greatly as I admire Eleanor Roosevelt,” said Mr. Miller, who is a delegate from Pennsylvania, “I am forced to disagree with her on this matter.’
A plea that the Democratic National Convention include a plank to abolish the poll tax, prerequisite to voting in eight Southern States, was made to the convention today through a joint statement by Representative Geyer of California and Joseph S. Gelders, secretary of the Civil Rights Committee of the Southern Conference for Human Welfare. The Californian is author of a bill to abolish the poll tax in the eight Southern States: Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Georgia, and Virginia. According to the joint statement, the number of adult citizens exercising their right to vote has been cut down by the poll tax to less than one-quarter of the potential voters.
Calling for an aggressive campaign on the record of performance, Speaker William B. Bankhead voiced tonight a 1940 Democratic keynote of uncompromising resistance to malignant aggressors abroad and assailed the Republican platform as “political subterfuge.” Bankhead told the cheering delegates that “we do not propose to appease those aggressors whose doctrines wage war upon every principle of liberty” and called for rapid construction of a strong national defense. The Alabaman contended Republican administrations had brought about disarmament and a slowed up naval construction.
What one member described as a “little revolution” got under way in the California Democratic convention delegation tonight against the prospective candidacy of Gov. Culbert L. Olson for the vice-presidential nomination. Two influential Golden staters made identical predictions that the governor wouldn’t receive the unanimous vote of his own delegation as every sign indicated more and more definitely that the executive’s name would be presented to the convention. Talk around delegation headquarters was that Olson would be placed in nomination by a delegate from Utah, the state of his birth and where he underwent his initiation into politics. Olson’s supporters among the Californians radiated enthusiasm at his chances, but the likelihood of his becoming a candidate apparently was attracting little attention elsewhere in this convention city. This was due largely, perhaps, to the fact that the spotlight now is turned more in the direction of such nationally known figures as Jesse Jones of Texas, the federal loan administrator; Speaker William Bankhead; Senator James W. Byrnes of South Carolina and others.
Colonel George S. Patton, Jr., one of the original tank innovators of World War I, is part of the newly formed U.S. 2nd Armoured Division at Fort Benning, Georgia. The overall division is under the command of Major General Charles L. Scott, and Patton commands a brigade in addition to being in charge of training.
The United States Government awarded to the American Car and Foundry Company a contract to build 627 tanks, costing about $11,000,000. The tanks will be part of the equipment of the two German-model mechanized divisions recently organized.
The Stinson YO-49 (later L-1) Vigilant prototype aircraft took its first flight with pilot Al Schramm. The aircraft is capable of flying at an extremely low speed of 31 mph and in fact, is said by pilots to sometimes fly backward in a headwind.
The U.S. Navy light cruiser USS Trenton (CL-11) sailed from Lisbon with members of the royal family of the Duchy of Luxembourg embarked.
The United States Marine Corps established the Marine Detachment, London, in Britain, consisting of the 12th Marine Company.
Physicist Donald Kerst becomes the first person to accelerate electrons using electromagnetic induction, reaching energies of 2.3 MeV, when his betatron device (for particle acceleration) becomes operational in Urbana, Illinois.
Robert Wadlow, 22, who recently incurred an infected foot at an appearance, passes away. Wadlow is the tallest person in recorded human history.
Major League Baseball:
A makeshift Red Sox batting order produced fifteen hits off four St. Louis Browns pitchers today to sweep their three-game series with a 10–6 triumph. The defeat was the thirteenth straight for St. Louis. Joe Cronin hit his ninth homer of the year for Boston.
Detroit scored eight runs in the fourth inning today, but it took a sixth-inning home run by Rudy York and Paul Trout’s relief pitching to give the Tigers a 9–8 victory over the Athletics. The victory put Detroit back into first place in the American League, two percentage points ahead of the Indians. The Tigers got their eight runs in the fourth on five hits, one being Hank Greenberg’s seventeenth homer with two on, coupled with three Philadelphia errors.
Eddie Smith shuts out the Yankees for 7 innings, finally allowing 2 runs in the 8th as the White Sox edge the New Yorkers, 3–2. Jake Powell makes his first appearance of the year after suffering a serious concussion when he was beaned in spring training. He’ll have just 27 at bats this year. Joe Kuhel’s eighth-inning homer provides the winning run for the Sox.
Cleveland lost its American League lead today as Washington won, 8–6, behind the seven-hit pitching of Sid Hudson and thereby moved out of the cellar into sixth place. Hudson pitched no-hit ball until Rollie Hemsley doubled in launching the sixth. Roy Weatherly was the only Indian to reach base in five innings, gaining first on Shortstop Jimmy Pofahl’s error in the fourth.
The Reds gained another one-run victory today, their second such in two days over the Phillies, as Bucky Walters outstayed Ike Pearson for his thirteenth triumph. The score was 3–2, increasing Cincinnati’s league lead over the Dodgers to three games. With the score tied at 1–1, the Reds went ahead in the seventh when Frank McCormick scratched a single and Ernie Lombardi, a left-field hitter, scorched one into wide-open right field for a double to drive in Frank. The Reds made the winning run in the eighth off Syl Johnson as Walters and Bill Werber singled and Ival Goodman doubled.
Behind the excellent pitching and hitting of John Whitlow Wyatt, the Dodgers routed the Pirates with ease, 10–1, in the opening engagement of a doubleheader today. But they lost the second game, 4–3, and this setback, coupled with a triumph for the Reds, put the Dodgers three games behind the National League leaders. An extraordinary Monday crowd of 19,579 fans, including 7,364 boys admitted free, had a bad case of jitters before the second game ended. This contest ended with Peewee Reese getting picked off second base by catcher Alfonso Lopez’s smart throw while Joe Medwick was swinging at the plate and threatening to drive in the tying run.
Hank Leiber unloaded a terrific home run that cleared the left-field wall and bleachers of Wrigley Field and won today for the Cubs over the Giants, 5–3. The smash came in the seventh inning with two aboard the bases, and Jimmy Lynn, who only in that inning had succeeded Cliff Melton on the mound, was the victim. It gave the Cubs a 2–1 lead in the series and dropped the fading Giants to a distance eight and a half lengths behind the leaders.
The Cardinals collected twenty hits off two pitchers to crush the Boston Bees today, 12–2, for their fifth straight victory. Ernie Koy, who came to St. Louis from Brooklyn in the Joe Medwick trade, got four safeties, as did Mickey Owen and Joe Orengo.
St. Louis Browns 6, Boston Red Sox 10
New York Giants 3, Chicago Cubs 5
Philadelphia Phillies 2, Cincinnati Reds 3
Chicago White Sox 3, New York Yankees 2
Detroit Tigers 9, Philadelphia Athletics 8
Brooklyn Dodgers 10, Pittsburgh Pirates 1
Brooklyn Dodgers 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 4
Boston Bees 2, St. Louis Cardinals 12
Cleveland Indians 6, Washington Senators 8
In Chile the police announced that they had thwarted a conspiracy by believers in Nazi and Fascist principles to overthrow the Popular Front Government. The police early this morning defeated a subversive movement staged by Rightist reactionary forces with the support of the Nacionalista party, the Popular Socialist Vanguard party (the former Chilean Nazi party), and the various Opposition elements grouped as the Frente de la Patria. Raiding the offices offices of the Nacionalista party, which for many months has been actively sponsoring fascist principles of government, the police say they discovered proofs of a conspiracy to overthrow the existing Popular Front administration and lists of cell members containing the names of many leaders in the movement, which is stated to have been inspired by Rightists.
In a Santiago cabaret last week, one reporter saw German and Chilean Nazis giving the Hitler salute during a patriotic number featuring the Chilean national anthem. At the same time in the same room, adherents of the Popular Front government gave the clenched fist salute of the Communists and Left Wing Socialists. This was typical of the confusion in the Chilean situation.
The Royal Navy heavy cruiser HMS Hawkins arrived at Montevideo, Uruguay.
Less than twenty-four hours after the Japanese-sponsored regime of Wang Ching-wei at Nanking had issued a demand for the deportation from the International Settlement at Shanghai of Norwood F. Allman, an American member of the Settlement’s Shanghai Municipal Council, on the ground that he was the main owner of the antiJapanese and anti-Nanking American-registered Chinese language newspaper Shun Pao, the offices of the paper in Hankow Road were bombed at 9:30 this morning. No one was killed, but eight Chinese were wounded, some seriously.
In connection with Britain’s recently started effort to bring about peace between China and Japan, it was said in London that the British had agreed to close the Burma road for three months on the condition that the Japanese would seek during that time to effect a settlement with China. The Burma road has been one of China’s main munitions supply routes. Chinese expressed fears of a sellout when they heard of Britain’s peace efforts.
Domei, official Japanese news agency, reported today that six points on the Chinese coast, including Foochow, would be blockaded by the Japanese Navy starting at midnight. Vice-Admiral Shigetaro Shimada, commander of the Japanese fleet, advised diplomatic representatives that the navy would begin a blockade of Siangshanpu in Hangchow Bay, Wenchow Port, Lotsing Bay, Santuao and Loyuan Bay and Foochow, according to Domei. All shipping traffic will be suspended and any vessel attempting to break through will be detained and will be responsible for any damage sustained.
The Japanese Government, terming a British protest “inadequate,” will begin blockading China’s remaining unoccupied ports today, said a British radio announcement picked up in New York by the National Broadcasting Company last night. The British radio, quoting authoritative sources in China, said the Japanese Navy also refused to take responsibility for any damage incurred in sealing the harbors of Foochow, Sanchow, Wenchow, and Ningpo. The BBC asserted that the British still intended to hold the Japanese responsible for any damage to British ships that might result from typhoons, and pointed out that the harbors named by Japan include a number of typhoon anchorages.
Asking additional powers to revamp the Philippines’ social and economic structure, President Manuel Quezon presented to the National Assembly a grim picture of war-induced financial “emergency” similar in outline to the situation which has long been predicted to take place under independence. Any intention to step up the Philippine military defense program, to cope with steadily increasing Japanese encroachments upon neighboring countries, is conspicuous by its absence.
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Born:
Ronald Gene Simmons, American spree killer, killed fourteen members of his immediate family and two former coworkers in 1987, in Chicago, Illinois (Executed, 1990).
Died:
Robert Wadlow, 22, tallest person in recorded history (infection).
Donald Calthrop, 52, British actor (“Blackmail”, “Scrooge”, “Rome Express”), from a heart attack.
Eugen Bleuler, 82, Swiss psychiatrist (introduced the term schizophrenia to describe the disorder previously known as dementia praecox).
Naval Construction:
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Mignonette (K 38) is laid down by Hall, Russell & Co. Ltd. (Aberdeen, Scotland); completed by N.E. Marine.
The Royal Navy “P”-class destroyer HMS Panther (G 41) is laid down by the Fairfield Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. (Govan, Scotland).
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type IXB U-boat U-108 is launched by AG Weser, Bremen (werk 971).
The Вое́нно-морско́й флот СССР (ВМФ) (Soviet Navy) “K” (Katjusa)-class submarine K-22 is commissioned.
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Godetia (K 72) is commissioned. Her first commander is Lieutenant Commander George Victor Legassick, RNR.
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Primrose (K 91) is commissioned. Her first commander is Lieutenant Commander Charles Bettesworth Sanders, RNVR.
The Marine Nationale (French Navy) battleship Richelieu, lead ship of her class of 2, is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Capitaine de vaisseau (CV—Ship-of-the-line captain) Marzin.
History Diaries 