military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (07/28/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Monday, 29 July, 1940 Another Stuka raid over Portland leaves the British destroyer HMS Delight sinking. Eleven German aircraft are lost, along with three British fighters. Britain warns that German air-sea rescue seaplanes which behave "suspiciously" will be shot down even though bearing the Red Cross. To date, 4 have been downed. The Admiralty responds by ordering destroyers to avoid the entire eastern portion of the Channel. Berlin claims 200,000 tons of British shipping sunk in the last three days. A magazine in Gibraltar explodes, killing four British soldiers there. A Supreme Court is convened in Vichy France to try leaders of the Third Republic government on charges of "war guilt." The Chinese government announces that a Japanese peace offer has been unconditionally refused. The German Navy issues a memorandum stating that a Channel crossing will be impossible prior to the second half of September, and that even then the Navy cannot guarantee the safety of the invasion fleet. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "It is impossible to accept responsibility for any such operation during the current year... the prospect looks very doubtful." - Admiral Schniewind, Chief of Staff of the Kreigsmarine