The Greeks took Përmet and captured 500 Italians. Greek forces have captured Përmet, Pogradec, and Sarande in Albania. Greek troops early today were entering the abandoned and shell-blasted Fascist strongholds of Porto Edda and Premeti after driving Italians from a 1,000-mile-square triangle of southernmost Albania in day-long savage fighting, official statements said. On the rugged far northern front Greece’s warriors, ousting enemy troops from a defense line in the Frasari mountains north of captured Pogradec, were reported driving close to the Italian main base at Elbasan, only 24 miles from the Albanian capital of Tirana.
The Greeks continue to advance on 4 December 1940, and Mussolini has had enough. He fires Marshal Pietro Badoglio, who has been Chief of Staff (Capo di Stato Maggiore Generale) since 1925, who “resigns.” He is replaced by Ugo Cavallero, who in turn is replaced as Deputy Chief of the Supreme General Staff by General Alfredo Guzzoni. Mussolini also fires the governor of the Italian Dodecanese, Cesare Maria De Vecchi, and Admiral Cavagnari either today or within a few days.
In Albania, the Greek 2nd Division completes the capture of Suhë Pass, and the 8th Division captures Kakavia Pass when the Italians withdraw during the night. The 8th Division has taken 1500 Italians prisoner and captured numerous artillery pieces and 30 tanks, which the Italians have found ineffective in the steep terrain.
Greek II Army Corps captures Përmet ten miles across the border in southern Albania, while the Italians abandon Argyrokastro in southwest Albania. Greek III Corps is now in full possession of the Kamia Mountain. The advances mean that the Greeks now occupy a continuous line from the port of Sarande to Pogradec on Ohrid Lake.
The Greeks are advancing on the left side of the line, but they still lag the more advanced troops on the right side. By order of Commander-in-chief Papagos, those troops on the right are waiting for the rest of the Greek forces in the south to catch up. While their advance appears to be going quickly, the weather is foul and the Greek troops are on foot grinding through the snow and slush. They are advancing steadily, but slowly. The choice by the Italians to invade at the onset of winter is now working in their favor — but in a way that wasn’t part of the plan.
The RAF based near Athens is in action over Albania, claiming eight victories.
Italian dictator Benito Mussolini instructs Dino Alfieri, the Italian Ambassador to Germany, to fly to Berlin and request German assistance in the invasion of Greece. German Chancellor Adolf Hitler sees no choice but to assist Italy. The Italian Fascists know their pride has now been broken once they ask for help. The military’s confidence in Mussolini is now beginning to disappear due to his hasty and ignorant orders.
Increased railroad, highway and pipeline construction to speed up delivery of oil to Germany was foreseen in informed circles as the immediate result of the signing of the Rumanian-German trade treaty in Berlin today. The announcement of the treaty coincided with Rumania’s expropriation of all oil pipelines, reservoirs, pumping stations and the land on which they are situated in a decree that would include the Romano Amercano properties owned by Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey. The chief bottleneck in deliveries of oil to Germany deliveries on which she has depended heavily to carry on her war with Britain has been the lack of adequate transportation facilities. The importance placed on transport was emphasized further by the expropriation decree which embraced all Danube barges, tugs, tankers and sea-going ships owned and used by companies having Jewish stockholders.
Rumania is beginning to emerge today from a week-long “revolution.” It is estimated that the death toll is nearly 400, with more than 300 wounded. The capital and major provincial cities lived in a reign of terror for eight days and seven nights. The Rumanian army manages to contain the civil unrest which has been going on for a week. The Antonescu government begins to regain control of the country after the recent re-burial of the founder of the Iron Guard, which inspired massive unrest.
Adolf Hitler meets with Abwehr boss Admiral Canaris. They discuss the prospects for Operation FELIX, the subjugation of Gibraltar. Any attack, they conclude, requires Spanish cooperation and perhaps assistance.
The Germans begin their penetration into the Mediterranean by instituting Fliegerkorps X at Taormina, Sicily.
Diplomatic circles reported tonight that Premier Antonio Oliviera Salazar of Portugal was sounding out the European belligerents on the chances of bringing about a negotiated peace, which might be facilitated by President Roosevelt, the Pope and other neutrals.
The Defence Committee meets in London to decide the strategy for the anti-U-boat offensive and what roles Coastal Command and the Royal Navy should play. Churchill decides that the operational control of the U-boat war must rest with the sailors not matter what the opinions of the RAF.
The supply situation in England isn’t getting any better, but Minister of Food Lord Woolton announces that the inmates’, er, population’s rations of sugar and tea will be increased — temporarily — by four and two ounces, respectively for Christmas.
Major General Richard O’Connor, Commander, Western Desert Force, moves to his battle headquarters in preparation for Operation COMPASS (the attack against Italian troops in North Africa). Operation COMPASS, the projected British attack on Italian positions in Egypt, is only days away. British Major General Richard O’Connor, Commander of the Western Desert Army, who prefers to lead from the front (unlike many British Generals), transfers his headquarters to an advance location where he can better supervise the offensive. Leading from the front is a two-edged sword: it provides certain benefits such as inspiring the troops, but it also exposes the commander to danger.
At Malta, Royal Navy submarine HMS Upright (Lt J E Brooks RN) arrives. It is the first of three U class submarines assigned to Malta. The commander notes that the sub is not fit for long patrols due to the inability to carry sufficient provisions, and the long trip from Gibraltar, which included a patrol off Palermo, Sicily, taxed the crew.
Britain and Turkey sign a trade agreement to “bring about a considerable increase in trade through commercial exchanges.” Turkey joins Spain and other neutral countries in wringing concessions from both sides as they play a very dangerous game in strategic areas. The British sign a trade agreement with Turkey calculated to keep that country from drifting toward the Axis. Hitler, meanwhile, always has his eye on Turkey because it controls the Dardanelles, and his focus will become only sharper the closer his forces draw to it — and past it.
The Palestine administration announced this afternoon that in view of the loss of the French liner Patria, which sank in Haifa harbor on November 25 after an explosion, the government has decided as “an exceptional act of mercy after taking all circum-stances into consideration, particularly the terrible experience undergone by the refugees,” not to proceed with the proposal to send the survivors to another British colony. The administration added that their number will be deducted from the next Jewish immigration quota. The position remains unchanged regarding other illegal immigrants and it is the intention to send them overseas as soon as shipping is available, the statement concludes. About 1,800 Jewish refugees are affected by this order, which reverses the decision to deport them, announced on November 20.
During the day, the Germans raid Dover. After dark, the Luftwaffe sends 62 bombers against Birmingham, England. They drop 77 tons of high explosives and 184 incendiary bombs. London also receives some attention.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 7 Blenheims during the day; 3 aircraft bombed. No losses.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 83 aircraft overnight to Dusseldorf and Turin; only 30 reached these targets. 1 Blenheim and 1 Wellington lost 3 Hampdens minelaying off Brest.
The Luftwaffe’s Fliegerkorps X establishes headquarters at Taormina, Sicily.
U-37, commanded by Oberleutnant zur See Asmus Nicolai Clausen, sank Swedish steamer DAPHNE (1513grt) off the southwest coast of Spain, 38-12N, 9-26W, straggling behind convoy OG.46. At 0457 hours on 4 Dec 1940 the unescorted Daphne, a straggler from convoy OG.46, was hit aft by one torpedo from U-37 and sank within three minutes southwest of Cabo Espichel, Portugal. Eighteen crewmen were lost on the Swedish steamer. The 1,513-ton Daphne was carrying coal and was bound for Lisbon, Portugal.
U-52 attacked and claimed sinking a steamer west of Ireland, but no confirmation is available.
Battleship HMS King George V with destroyers HMS Escapade, HMS Brilliant, HMS Beagle, and HMS Bulldog arrived at Scapa Flow at 1500 after gun trials west of the Orkneys.
Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Curacoa departed Scapa Flow at 1200 to join convoy WN.48, then transfer to convoy EN.36 when met.
Light cruiser HMS Phoebe was repairing in the Clyde to complete on the 14th.
Destroyers HMS Douglas and HMS Keppel departed Scapa Flow at 1800 and proceeded to Loch Alsh as additional escorts for Rear Admiral Minelayer for operation SN.10 A.
Destroyer HMS Tynedale arrived at Scapa Flow at 1025 to work up.
T/Lt (A) R- H. Ridley RNVR, was killed when his Fulmar of 759 Squadron crashed near Shaftesbury.
British special service vessel Empire Seaman (1927grt) was lost.
Belgian fishing vessel Helene (145grt) was sunk on a mine in 51‑41N, 05‑09W.
Light cruiser HMS Despatch departed Gibraltar for Bermuda.
Light cruiser HMS Dragon departed Freetown.
Convoy OB.254 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers ORP Blyskawica, ORP Garland, and HMS Vesper, sloops HMS Chevreuil and HMS Sandwich, and corvette HMS Heartsease. The corvette was detached on the 5th. Destroyer Blyskawica and sloop Chevreuil were detached on the 6th and the rest of the escort on the 7th.
Convoy FN.350 departed Southend, escorted by destroyer HMS Vivien and sloop HMS Londonderry. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 6th.
Convoy FN.351 did not sail.
Convoy FS.353 departed Methil, escorted by destroyer HMS Woolston and sloop HMS Lowestoft. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 8th.
Convoy BS.10 departed Suez, escorted by sloops HMS Clive and HMS Grimsby. The sloops were detached on the 7th when relieved by light cruiser HMAS Hobart, sloops HMS Auckland and HMIS Indus, armed patrol yacht HMS Sagitta. Destroyers HMS Kandahar and HMS Kimberley joined on the 8th. The convoy was dispersed on the 11th.
USS Tuscaloosa, carrying President Roosevelt on a “strictly business” cruise of the Caribbean and the south Atlantic, encountered neutrality patrol planes today. U.S. naval flying boats on patrol duty sighted the Tuscaloosa and Its escort destroyers, the Mayrant and Trippe. The two planes flew low to identify the vessels, then turned away. The first leg of the president’s defense inspection cruise began with perfect weather and smooth seas on the fast run from Miami, where the Tuscaloosa and the destroyers left yesterday. Mr. Roosevelt still has not revealed details of his itinerary, but he is expected to include a visit to Kingston, Jamaica.
America is headed straight for war, and “only a miracle can keep us out,” Senator Hiram W. Johnson warned interviewers today. “There is no doubt that the United States will go to war,” the veteran isolationist declared. “Those in command are perfectly mad to be ‘in the game’.” Senator Johnson, elected last November to his fifth consecutive term by the largest vote ever cast for a single California candidate, came home for the Christmas holidays and to visit his grandson, seriously ill in a hospital here. He predicted congress soon would see a drive for repeal of the Johnson act, his own measure which prohibits loans to nations in default on previous debts. Without predicting outcome of the drive, Senator Johnson assured that “I hope to make a few of these mad hatters realize they have to fight.”
On the theory that a balanced budget for non-defense items and a partial pay-as-you-go plan for national defense is as much a patriotic duty as voting additional billions for armaments, a group of conservative Democrats is laying the groundwork for concerted action to that end during the next Congress. Conversations are being held along the line that unless the rank and file of Democrats show a greater degree of cooperation than has been displayed during the last few years there will be an even more effective coalition of conservative Democrats with Republicans to achieve conservation of the national finances. The idea for a “new type of leadership” is part of the plan announced yesterday by Representative Clifton A. Woodrum of Virginia, who proposed a joint committee chosen from the four major appropriating and revenue committees of Congress to look through one lens at the government’s revenues and outlays.
The Maritime Federation of the Pacific, which said it represented 45,000 coast maritime workers, protested tonight that a proposed transfer of American merchant ships to Britain would aggravate unemployment of seamen. Jay Sauers, secretary-treasurer of the federation, also declared in telegrams to President Roosevelt and the maritime commission that ‘such action will seriously undermine the national defense of our country.”
Nineteen California men, between the ages of 21 and 35, were Indicted today by a federal grand jury on charges of violating the selective training and service act. They are charged with varying offenses, including failure to notify draft boards of changes in addresses, failure to register, failure to keep appointments for physical examinations and failure to return questionnaires.
At 17:48, a new twin-engine DC-3A of United Air Lines crashes while landing at Midway Airport, Chicago. The plane is on a standard flight from LaGuardia Airport (still called New York Municipal Airport and/or LaGuardia Field), which has only been in operation for a year. The mainliner, arriving from Cleveland and the east with 13 passengers and a crew of three, was reported by witnesses to have grazed a building, brushed against a power line, hit a garage and landed in a vacant lot. Flames immediately enveloped the plane. A light snow was falling and weather reports told of one-mile visibility and a ceiling of 1,200 feet as the pilot circled the field preparatory to a routine landing. Early reports from investigators left the definite cause of the accident undetermined. The FAA determines that the plane stalled during its approach because the pilot chose the wrong runway, one that was too short for his aircraft and thus required him to throttle back the plane’s speed until it passed the stall point. Seven passengers and all three crew perish. LaGuardia, incidentally, remains a very tough airport for landings.
Five men were killed and two others were seriously injured a little before noon yesterday at the site of the recent New York World’s Fair when a false ceiling in the Railroads Exhibit, which was being demolished in sections, collapsed and they fell with it about fifty feet to the floor of the building.
A proposal to set up immediately a board of planning and research through which industries expanded beyond normal may be regeared to produce a “better living in a time of peace” was made to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers last night by William L. Batt, former president of the organization and now an aid to Edward R. Stettinius Jr., member of the National Defense Advisory Commission in charge of the Industrial Materials Division.
The reduced exports of farm products caused by the war will make necessary a stimulation of domestic consumption to offset these losses, according to economists of State and Federal agricultural bureaus who addressed the annual regional conference of the Northeastern Division of the AAA, which opened a three-day session yesterday in the Hotel Barbizon Plaza in New York.
A program for rehabilitating “ghost towns” to speed up production for the national defense was described today by Morris L. Cooke, engineering consultant of the National Defense Advisory Commission on labor-management problems.
F4F-3 Wildcat fighters entered service with the US Navy; VF-41 received the first of these aircraft. They still have some problems with a poor cockpit layout, as pilots can easily confuse the flap settings with the fuel valve. The F4F already serves with the RAF in England as the Martlet due to previous purchases by the Anglo-French Purchasing Board before the fall of France.
Admiral William D. Leahy, USN (Retired) tenders his resignation as Governor of Puerto Rico effective the following day (see 5 December).
The swashbuckler film “The Son of Monte Cristo” starring Louis Hayward and Joan Bennett premiered at the Capitol Theatre in New York City.
Larry MacPhail continues his dealing and gets his catcher. The Dodgers trade for Mickey Owen, giving Gus Mancuso, pitcher John Pintar and $85,000 to the Cardinals.
The Cubs swap shortstop Bobby Mattick, outfielder Jim Gleeson and a player to be announced to the Reds for shortstop Billy Myers. Myers will split his time between Chicago and the minors in ‘41 and quit in 1942 rather than take a pay cut.
The White Sox release infielder Jackie Hayes, who had seen little action this year because of a cataract in his eye. Hayes is one of the few hitters who wears a batting helmet. It is referred to as a head helmet.
The Royal Canadian Navy corvette HMCS Collingwood arrives at Halifax from builder at Collingwood, Ontario.
Another step toward hemisphere defense was taken today when the Panama Canal Administration opened bids for the excavation of the third set of locks, designed to make the Canal less liable to stoppage by accident or enemy action.
[Ed: The Canal Expansion plans will be overtaken by the war and be abandoned for decades.]
Tass, official Russian news agency, reported today the Soviet Russian government had informed Tokyo that its “policy with regard to China” remains unchanged by Japanese recognition of the Chinese regime at Nanking headed by Wang Ching-wei. Tass said Russian Ambassador Smetanin had called at the Japanese foreign office yesterday and delivered the following statement on behalf of his government: “The Soviet government notes the statement of the Japanese government to the effect that an article of agreement has been concluded between Japan and Wang Ching-wei not directed in any way against the U.S.S.R. and that it will not affect Japan’s desire to adjust her relations with the U.S.S.R. “On its part the Soviet government desires to state that the policy of the Soviet Union with regard to China remains without change.”
Twenty native policemen were killed, nine others are missing and twenty-one were wounded in new native uprisings in Western Cochin China, the southern tip of French Indo-China, It was reported here today. French authorities arrested numerous leaders in the revolts and prepared to send gunboats to that sector in a demonstration of strength. The revolts came while there was a lull in the fighting on the Indo-China-Thai border. The French announced that “reprisals for Siamese attacks” had been halted “to permit diplomats every opportunity to effect a settlement” but there was no word here on progress of the negotiations. The border situation definitely seemed to have improved. The only incident reported yesterday was the flight of three Thai war planes over a frontier town, which was not bombed.
The French Government-General, presumably on instructions from Vichy, “is clinging to a last chance for a peaceful settlement” of the border dispute with Thailand, sources close to the government said. French “reprisal attacks” against Thai forces have been discontinued, It was said, and the French Minister in Bangkok, Roger Garreau, has received new instructions. The border was calm last night, it was said, and commanders have been ordered to do all possible to “localize” clashes.
A Japanese plane inaugurating weekly commercial service from Tokyo hopped off for Bangkok via Saigon.
Former Premier Baron Kiichiro Hiranuma will join the Japanese Cabinet as Minister Without Portfolio. The Privy Council has passed a special ordinance authorizing the government to make such an appointment.
Captured Norwegian freighter Ole Jacob arrives safely in Kobe, Japan. This ship was captured by raider Pinguin and carries extremely sensitive documents from the British War Cabinet that were taken from sunk freighter Automedon. Some historians believe that these documents are critical to the Japanese decision to attack the British and Americans in December 1941. The prize crew hands the Top Secret documents (which the British have no idea have been captured) to the German ambassador, who gives one copy to the Japanese government and sends another by courier to Berlin via the Trans-Siberian Railroad. This has been an exceedingly competently handled operation by the Germans — they sank the Automedon before it could get off any messages, have the British crew safely secured, and briskly got the information to a safe haven. In the long run, though, the information will prove to be a double-edged sword for the Axis.
Light cruiser HMS Dauntless was refitting at Hong Kong.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 130.75 (-0.03)
Born:
Gary Gilmore, American murderer, in McCamey, Texas (d. 1977, executed in Utah by firing squad for murder).
JoAnn Hardin Morgan, American aerospace engineer who was the first female engineer at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Kennedy Space Center, in Huntsville, Alabama.
Jim Thompson, AFL defensive tackle (Denver Broncos), in Peoria, Illinois.
Naval Construction:
The Royal Navy Bangor-class (VTE Reciprocating-engined) minesweeper HMCS Thunder (J 156) is laid down by the Dufferin Shipbuilding Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
The Nihon Kaigun (Imperial Japanese Navy) B1 type submarine I-36 is laid down by the Yokosuka Navy Yard (Yokosuka, Japan).
The Royal Navy Flower-class corvette HMS Samphire (K 128) is laid down by the Smiths Dock Co., Ltd. (South Bank-on-Tees, U.K.).
The Royal Canadian Navy Flower-class corvette HMCS Drumheller (K 167) is laid down by Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. (Collingwood, Ontario, Canada).
The Royal Canadian Navy Flower-class corvette HMCS Amherst (K 148) is launched by the Saint John Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. (Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada).
The Royal Navy Hunt-class (Type II) escort destroyer HMS Silverton (L 115) is launched by J.S. White & Co. (Cowes, U.K.). She will be transferred to the Marynarka Wojenna (Polish Navy) in April 1941 due to a shortage of Royal Navy crews and becomes the ORP Krakowiak (L 115).
The Royal Canadian Navy fuel oil barge HMCS Moonbeam (Z 43), formerly the Dept. of Transport Hopper Barge No. 1, is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Lieutenant T.D. Kelly, RCNR.
The Royal Navy (ex-French) British Power Boat 70-foot-class motor anti-submarine boat HMS MA/SB 61 is commissioned.
The Royal Canadian Navy armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry (F 70) is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is A/Captain Ronald Ian Agnew, OBE, RCN.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boat U-552 is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Oberleutnant zur See Erich Topp.
The U.S. Navy Gleaves-class destroyer USS Eberle (DD-430) is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Lieutenant Commander Edward Randolph Gardner, Jr., USN.
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