military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (05/25/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Sunday, 25 May, 1941 Admiral Raeder, commander-in-chief of the German fleet, warns the United States that the use of American convoys to supply Britain will be considered an act of war. At 3:00 a.m. the cruisers shadowing the Bismarck lose contact, and the Royal Navy scrambles to contain the battleship. Most of the available ships have been spread to protect convoys, leaving the route to France unguarded, but Force H rushes north to fill this gap. The battleships King George V and Rodney, both low on fuel and the latter en route for a needed refit, are passed to Admiral Tovey's command and committed to the chase. German forces in Crete gain strength and ground. Galatas is captured, and though a British counterattack throws the Germans back at bayonet point, the position is regained and consolidated. Alikianou also falls, despite a tenacious defense by Greek troops there. Italian frogmen, using E-boats, penetrate Gibraltar harbor in a bold attack, but fail to achieve any success because of the failure of their torpedoes. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Thus, while it may be true that time is Britain's ally on her own shores, it is not true on Egyptian ground. General Wavell cannot wait, as did our McClellan, for perfect readiness. Good Generals do not halt for complete preparedness which is a will-o'-the-wisp that is never reached." - Maj. Gen. Stephen O. Fuqua, US Army, Retired