military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (08/21/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Tuesday, 20 August, 1940 Little takes place in the way of air activity over Britain; bad weather has reduced visibility over most of the island. Prime Minister Churchill announces that an agreement has been reached concerning the leasing of British bases for American use. In his speech before the House of Commons, he also praises the efforts of the Royal Air Force. Roosevelt dismisses reports that the US will lend warships to Britain as "unadulterated speculation." Chief of Staff George C. Marshall states that an army of 4 million men would be required to defend the Western Hemisphere, but adds that 1.2 million will be a practical limit for the near future. The Italian Navy is ordered to blockade Gibraltar, Malta, and Suez, along with other British bases in the Mediterranean. In a pitched battle in the Tasman Sea, the German disguised raider Orion sinks the British freighter Turakina. A large Japanese bombing raid is conducted against Chungking; thousands are left homeless by the bombs and resulting fires. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." - Winston Churchill