military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (02/02/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Wednesday, 31 January, 1940 Six British merchantmen are lost, bringing the month's total to 73, grossing some 214,500 tons. British representatives secretly order 300 Caproni Re2000 fighter planes from Italy. (Germany cancels the purchase in April, however) Prime Minister Chamberlain appeals to the neutral countries to be tolerant of British wartime measures, promising a return to free trade upon the war's end. He points out that while Britain's actions may seem severe, they have not resulted in the loss of a single neutral ship or life, unlike Germany's policies. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@cbnews.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "The modern soldier is an expert, trained in the use of enormously powerful and complicated machinery, which is an essential ingredient in modern warfare." - Neville Chamberlain