[soc.history] 50 Years Ago: Tuesday, 7 May, 1940

military@att.att.com (Bill Thacker) (06/02/90)

Tuesday, 7 May, 1940

The House of Commons begins its "Norway Debate"; Prime Minister Chamberlain
attempts to defend the government's conduct of the war against attacks
from Admiral Sir Roger Keyes and Conservative L.S. Amery.  Chamberlain 
apologizes for the failure in Norway, citing the haste with which the
operation was put in place, and discloses that Winston Churchill has been
put in charge of the day-to-day conduct of the war.  The Italian Press
expresses its wish that P.M. Chamberlain remain in power, to guarantee
the continued misconduct of the war.

In Norway, fighting continues around Narvik.

Hitler postpones the western offensive until 9 May.  A French pilot
reports a German motorized column over 90km long, apparently heading
toward the Ardennes.

Norway cancels all military leaves, and cuts off telephone communication
with outside countries.   The Hungarian News Agency claims that Germany
had requested permission for passage of troops through that country.

In the USSR, Marshal Klimenti Voroshilov Vice Premier, with Marshal
Semyon Timoshenko to replace him as People's Commissar of Defense.

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"In the name of God, go !" - L. S. Amery