military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (01/08/91)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Wednesday, 8 January, 1941 Royal Air Force Wellingtons bombs Naples by night. Three bombs strike near the battleship Guilio Cesare, causing significant damage, and forcing the Royal Italian Navy to rebase the ship to La Spezia. The Vittorio Veneto, Italy's only remaining operational battleship, accompanies her. President Roosevelt presents his proposed 1941 budget to Congress. Total expenditure is $17.5 billion, of which $10.8 billion is for defense. The Greek offensive in Albania begins to stall; efforts toward Berat and Valona bog down. Steady progress is made around Klisura, however. The US Navy announces the formation of three fleets, based in Atlantic, Pacific, and Asiatic waters. Admiral Stark is Chief of Naval Operations, and Admiral Kimmel becomes Commander in Chief. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker Moderator, sci.military military-request@att.att.com (614) 860-5294 Send submissions to military@att.att.com "Total defense is the only answer to total war." - Governor Lehman of New York