military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/13/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Friday, 13 December, 1940 British forces in North Africa continue to advance. 38,000 Italians, including four generals, have now surrendered, and booty includes 237 guns, 73 tanks, and over 1000 trucks. Britain has lost only 624 men dead, wounded, or missing. The Royal Navy continues its bombardment of the Libyan coast, but the cruiser HMS Coventry is damaged by a torpedo from the Italian submarine Neghelli. Hitler orders the plans for the invasion of Greece, Operation Marita, to continue, and German troop strength in Rumania is increased. A total of 24 divisions are slated to participate in the attack. Marshal Petain of France dismisses Vice President and Foreign Minister Laval and has him placed under arrest. Laval favors closer collaboration with Germany. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "Every offensive action, no matter who launches it, can always boat an inevitable initial success... But this never decided any battle. One must wait and see what happens afterward." - Communique from Italian High Command