military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (08/05/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Sunday, 4 August, 1940 Force H is withdrawn from Gibraltar to Britain, as fears of a German invasion grow. Australian troops also arrive to bolster the island's defenses. Japan exerts full military control over French Indo-China and the French- leased Chinese port of Kwangchowan, with the acquiescence of French officials. General John "Black Jack" Pershing, now age 79, appeals for immediate aid to Britain in the form of at least fifty World War vintage flush-deck destroyers. Britain has lost some 25 destroyers so far. References: C.Argyle, _Chronology of World War II_ R.Dupuy and T.Dupuy, _The Encyclopedia of Military History_ J.Keegan, ed., _The Times Atlas of the Second World War_ C.Messenger, _Atlas of World War Two_ J.Piekalkiewicz, _Tank War 1939-1940_ C.Salmaggi and A.Pallavisini, _2194 Days of War_ Brig. P.Young, _The World Almanac of World War II_ The New York Times, daily editions Time magazine Newsweek -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "If the destroyers help save the British fleet, they may save us from the danger and hardness of another war." - General John Pershing