military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (01/16/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Thursday, 16 January, 1941 German Stukas, escorted by Italian fighters, raid Malta in force. The carrier HMS Illustrious is hit again, and the cruiser Perth is also damaged. Further, severe damage is done to the port facilities of Valletta. Of the 80 attacking bombers, 10 are lost. This series of raids becomes known among the Maltese as the "Illustrious Blitz." US Secretary of War Stimson warns that if the Royal Navy is defeated, the United States stands in jeopardy of an aerial invasion. He adds that while the US Army will soon be able to field 1 million men, they were equipped with only personal gear and will not be fully armed until 1942. President Roosevelt asks Congress for immediate funding for the construction of 200 cargo ships. Reporter: Bob Beville (rbeville@tekig5.PEN.TEK.COM) -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "We shall not keep America out of war by mere strong statements that she is to stay out of war. We will keep America out of war if we supply to the fighting men of Britain sufficient resources so they may crush and defeat the ruthless dictatorship of Hitler." - Wendell Willkie