military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (12/09/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Sunday, 8 December, 1940 Following its day off, the Luftwaffe strikes hard at London. Over a 14-hour period, 413 aircraft spread bombs over the city and vicinity, bombing industry, residences, and business districts. Also hit are seven hospitals and four churches. 387 tons of HE bombs and 115,000 2kg incendiaries are dropped, but the fires are quickly brought under control. Shakeups of the Italian High Command continue, as Admiral Cavagnari, Chief of Naval Staff, resigns, together with two other admirals. Cavagnari is replaced by Admiral Campioni. It is also announced that Generals Pietro and Pellegrini have been killed in an airplane crash. Greek troops secure the cities of Argyrocastro and Delvino. Following a breakout from Tampico harbor, Mexico the German freighter Idarwald is shelled and captured south of Cuba by the cruiser HMS Diomede. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "The patriotic passion of the French people is growing and this passion will throw its weight into the final liberation of France." - General Charles de Gaulle