military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (07/08/90)
From: military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) Monday, 8 July, 1940 Two destroyers and two torpedo boats purchased from Italy by Sweden are mistakenly bombed by British aircraft, with light damage sustained. France considers a change in its government; Vichy France would become a virtual dictatorship, under a triumvirate of Vice-Premier Laval, General Weygand, and Adrien Marquet. Marshal Petain would remain as a figurehead. Lord Woolton, Minister of Foods, asks Britons to limit themselves to a tea ration of 2 ounces per person per week, sufficient for 25 cups. The Luftwaffe stages a number of air attacks over Britain, the largest so far. US Marines in Shanghai arrest 16 armed Japanese Gendarmes disguised in civilian clothing. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Bill Thacker military@att.att.com Send submissions for "50 Years Ago" to military-request@att.att.com "These sailors whom you have killed were the same who, a few weeks ago, saved four-fiths of the British Army onf the shore of Flanders, while only half the French forces succeeded in embarking." - Jean Provoust, French Information Minister.