military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (10/11/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Friday, 11 October, 1940 The British cruiser Ajax, veteran of the battle against the Graf Spee, encounters a group of Italian destroyers and torpedo boats south of Sicily. After two of the DD's are sunk, the rest of the Italian vessels retire; one damaged destroyer is later sunk by HMS York. A heavy raid again hits London, sinking four ships docked in the harbor. A gunnery duel also occurs between shore batteries on opposite sides of the Channel. Turkey warns that Axis efforts to push south into the Middle East through the Balkans will be opposed by "two million Turkish bayonets." Marshal Petain of France broadcasts, suggesting that France must re-think her opinions of allies and enemies. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "France must free herself from all so-called traditional friendships and enmities." - Marshal Petain