12 November 1939

1927 (SATURDAY)

U.S.S.R.: Joseph Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Communist Party. Trotsky had been second in command after Lenin after the Russian Revolution. In 1918 Trotsky was appointed People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs, and as such he managed the founding of the Red Army. In 1922, Lenin became ill and died two years later, Stalin, who hated Trotsky, expelled him from the Executive Committee of Comintern and gained the control of the Soviet Union.

1931 (THURSDAY)

CHINA: The Japanese send an ultimatum to General Ma Chan-shan, the Governor of Heilongjiang Province, to begin a withdrawal of Chinese troops from Tsitsihar by 15 November and disperse his forces.

1933 (SUNDAY)

GERMANY: New Reichstag (the German parliament) elections are held. Approximately 93 percent of German voters approve the German government's decision to withdraw from the League of Nations and 92 percent vote in support of National Socialist candidates. While there were no official opposition candidates, 3 million voters submit invalid ballots to protest the regime. As a result of this election, the Reichstag loses all of its political significance.

1934 (MONDAY)

GERMANY: The armored ship (or pocket battleship) "Admiral Scheer" is commissioned.

UNITED STATES: The USN issues a contract to the Northrop Corporation for the XBT-1, a two-seat Scout and l,000-pound (454 kilogram) dive bomber. This aircraft is the initial prototype in the sequence that led to the SBD Dauntless series of dive bombers introduced to the fleet in 1938 and used throughout World War II.

1935 (TUESDAY)

CANADA: The prototype of the Nooruyn Norseman makes its first flight at Montreal, Quebec; 904 Norsemans are built before production ends in 1959. During World War II, 762 Norsemans are purchased by the USAAF and designated UC-64s and the RCAF buys 99 more. Major Alton Glenn Miller is flying in a UC-64A when it disappeared in December 1944. (Jack McKillop

1937 (FRIDAY)

JAPAN: The Japanese again refused to attend the Nine-Power Conference on the Sino-Japanese dispute at Brussels stating ". . . the Imperial Government adheres firmly to the view that its present action, being one of self-defense force upon Japan by the challenge of China, lies outside the scope of the Nine-Power Treaty, and that there is no room for discussion of the question of its application. It is certainly impossible to accept an invitation to a Conference convened in accordance with the stipulations of that Treaty after Japan has been accused of having violated its terms."

November 12th, 1939 (SUNDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: London: In his Sunday evening broadcast Mr. Churchill told his listeners that the first ten weeks of the war had gone well for the Allies. But no one supposed it was going to be a short or easy war. "It may be that at any time violent and dire events will open," said Churchill. "If so, we shall confront them with fortitude." He disregarded the peace appeal issued last week by King Leopold of the Belgians and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The two sovereigns offered "in a spirit of friendly understanding" to assist in seeking "the elements of an agreement" before war started in western Europe. The appeal is seen as a forlorn attempt to avert a German invasion.

FRANCE: The first concert given by ENSA (Entertainment National Service Association) took place "somewhere in France" with the BEF behind the Front today. ENSA - which has been organised by Basil Dean, the theatre director - is a union of professional organisations of actors and musicians. The veteran actor-director Sir Seymour Hicks was master of ceremonies and appeared in a sketch with Claire Luce. Gracie Fields was the star. There were also songs from Dennis Noble, conjuring by Duveen and tap dancing by the Three Astors.

GERMANY: Hundreds of dissidents and Jews have been arrested in the search for the Munich bombers.

Clothes rationing cards are issued.

ROMANIA: King Carol offers his services as a mediator between the belligerents.

MALTA: U.S. freighter SS Express, with cargo earmarked for Greece, Turkey, and Rumania, is detained by British authorities at Malta.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-41 sank SS Arne Kjøde and Cresswell. After sinking the British steamer Cresswell, U-41 took seven survivors on board. Some hours later the U-boat stopped another ship and turned the survivors over to that vessel.

12 November 1940

November 12th, 1940 (TUESDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: RAF Bomber Command: 2 Group: While piloting a Whitley V (P 5005) of 102 Sqn. in a night raid on Cologne, Leonard Cheshire displays such gallantry that he is awarded an immediate D.S.O.

ASW trawler HMS Rumba commissioned.

GERMANY: Berlin: Molotov arrives in Berlin. The Soviet Army is massing on the Romanian border and the Soviets want to know the German position on a Romanian invasion. He has a two and-a-half hour conversation with von Ribbentrop. He expounds yet again on the imminent collapse of England. But this collapse may need to be accelerated by invasion.

After lunch Molotov met with Hitler. The Fuhrer said that he had reached several conclusions:

1. Germany was not seeking to obtain military aid from Russia.

2. Because of the tremendous extension of the war, Germany had been forced, in order to oppose England, to penetrate into territories remote from her and in which she was not basically interested politically or economically.

3. There were nevertheless certain requirements, the full importance of which had only become apparent during the war, but which were vital to Germany. Among them were certain sources of raw materials.

Molotov for his part gives a non-committal assent but enquires about the Tripartite Pact. What is the meaning of the New Order in Europe and the Greater East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere and where does the USSR fit in it? Issues regarding Russia's Balkan and Black Sea interests must be clarified.

Meanwhile Hitler issues his 18th war directive, ordering political measures to bring Spain into the war and death by slow strangulation for Britain. France is to be treated as a non-belligerent power, required to allow German war measures on French territory, and support these measures with her own forces. Gibraltar is to be captured. Possible actions in neighboring countries, both defensive (Spain, Portugal, Rumania, Bulgaria) and offensive (Egypt, Greece, Russia, England) are to be considered. One part of the directive was identified as Operation FELIX, the code name for the capture of Gibralter, the Canary Islands and the Cape Verde Islands. It is never put into operation, partly because of the refusal of Spain to join the Axis. Spain is in no position to fight another war; the civil war of 1936-39 has left the country a shambles, her cities in ruins.

The meeting disturbs the Turks who are confident that the stage has been reached when she will be obliged to join the Axis or remain a non-belligerent ally of Britain.

U-91 laid down.

ITALY: The Italian High Command announced:

Last night enemy aircraft raided the Italian naval port of Taranto. The anti-aircraft artillery in the harbour and on the ships anchored there, emitted strong defensive fire. Only one shipping unit was severely hit. Six enemy aircraft were shot down and a portion of their crews taken prisoner. We can count on 3 more machines being lost [later from damage].

In fact, three battleships were sunk at their berths (two of the three were raised, repaired, and back in action within six months).

British losses were two planes shot down (two aircrew taken prisoner when one Swordfish splashed down safely in the harbor) and two damaged by Italian fire, which was impressive in volume but obviously less so in accuracy. (Mike Yaklich)

FRENCH EQUATORIAL AFRICA: In Gabon, the Free French take Port Gentil, the last Vichy stronghold. The sole casualty is former Governor Masson who goes along to persuade the garrison to surrender peacefully. Masson having declared for Free French Brigadier General Charles DeGaulle and later reneging only to be replaced by Vichy has despaired of facing the consequences of his actions and commits suicide.

CANADA: Corvette HMCS Quesnel launched.

Corvette HMS Hepatica commissioned with Canadian crew Quebec City, Province of Quebec.

Colonel Burns again proposes a parachute force to the Chief of General Staff. The idea is shelved, and no action is taken.

The Canadian government bans the import of comic books.

U.S.A.: Stark drafts a memo to Knox advocating “Plan Dog”, a defensive posture in the Pacific and a full-court press in the Atlantic. This was shared with the Army, the White House, and the British. (Marc Small)

Submarine USS Greenling laid down.

As a result of the British raid on Taranto, the Secretary of the Navy asks the Special Naval Observer in London, Rear Admiral Robert L. Ghormley, to "learn more details of how the attack was carried out, especially as to what extent aerial torpedoes were used." Knox tells Ghormley the successful operation "did not a little to promote an most optimistic attitude hereabouts."

ATLANTIC OCEAN: The German armored ship (or pocket battleship) "Admiral Scheer" is refueled by the tanker Eurofeld in the central Atlantic .

12 November 1941

November 12th, 1941 (WEDNESDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: Destroyer HMS Ulster laid down.

FRANCE: Nimes: General Huntziger, the Vichy war minister, was killed 50 miles north of here today, in a plane accident. He was returning from a mission to North Africa, to consult General Weygand on a possible German bid to use French North Africa.

Though Huntziger signed the armistice with the Germans in June last year, he was a staunch defender of French interests against German encroachment and the strongest opponent of Laval's efforts to open French ports to Germany.

FINLAND: Finland again rejects the U.S. suggestions that she make peace with the Soviet Union.

U.S.S.R.: At Orsha senior German commanders are shown the plans for the continuing attacks on Moscow. Three Panzer groups and three infantry armies will participate.

The Red Army uses its ski troops in combat for the first time in the Great Patriotic War today. (Patrick Holscher)

Germans sink cruiser Chervona Ukraina, the only one lost by Soviets in World War Two.

Winter comes to the Russian Front. The highest temperature measured by the Germans is 5F (-15C).

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: U-331 left Salamis with eight members of a special service team on board for the African front in Tobruk.

The British aircraft carriers HMS Argus (D 49) and Ark Royal (91) fly off 37 Hurricanes to Malta. The two carriers are escort by Force H, formed by battleship HMS Malaya (010, light cruiser HMS Hermione (74) and seven destroyers.

CANADA: Corvette HMCS Ville de Quebec (ex-HMCS Quebec) laid down Quebec City, Province of Quebec.

U.S.A.: Minesweepers USS Pursuit and Requisite laid down.

In California, 15 Japanese-American businessmen and community leaders in Los Angeles Little Tokyo are picked up in an F.B.I. raid. Records and membership lists for such organizations as the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and the Central Japanese Association are seized. The 15 would cooperate with authorities, while a spokesman for the Central Japanese Association states: "We teach the fundamental principles of America and the high ideals of American democracy. We want to live here in peace and harmony. Our people are 100% loyal to America."

ATLANTIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Decatur (DD-341), screening convoy HX-159 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.), twice depth charges sound contacts that are later evaluated as "non-submarine." Destroyer USS Badger (DD-126), depth charges sound contact that is later evaluated as perhaps Decatur's wake. Coast Guard gunboat USCGC Campbell (WPG-32) reports sound contact and conducts search; she is joined by destroyer USS Livermore (DD-429).

12 November 1942

November 12th, 1942 (THURSDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: In London, Free French Brigadier General Charles DeGaulle, Commander in Chief Free French Forces, informs Admiral Harold Stark, Commander, U.S. Forces in Europe, that there is no chance of the Free French coming to an agreement with Admiral Jean-Francois Darlan, the civil and military chief of French North Africa. .

NORTH SEA: U-336 collided with the escort minesweeper M 1906. The damaged U-boat had to return to base.

FRANCE: German troops occupy Marseilles and approach Toulon, where the Vichy fleet is ordered to sail to Africa to avoid capture.

GERMANY: First flight of the Heinkel He219 Night Fighter Prototype. (Ron Babuka)

U-292, U-399 laid down.

U-388 launched.

U-360, U-648 commissioned.

BALTIC SEA: U-272 sunk near Hela, in position 54.45N, 18.50E, after a collision with U-664. 29 dead and 19 survivors.

During training in the Baltic Sea, U-665 collided with the support ship Wilhelm Bauer.

U.S.S.R.: The Germans extricate their 13th Panzer division after it is encircled south of Terek in the Caucasus.
Baltic Fleet, Ladoga and Onega Flotillas: Submarine "Sch-306"is mined or sunk due to collision with U-boat, at the West part of Finland Gulf. (Sergey Anisimov)(69)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Minesweeper HMS Algerine is torpedoed and sunk off Bougie at 36 47N 05 11E by the Italian submarine Ascianghi.

U-660 scuttled in the Mediterranean near Oran, in position 36.07N, 01.00W, after damages by depth charges from corvettes HMS Lotus and Starwort. 2 dead and 45 survivors.

FRENCH MOROCCO: German submarine U-130 slips in among the ships anchored in Fedhala Roads and fires three torpedoes at three USN transports. All three transports, USS Edward Rutledge (AP-52), Hugh L. Scott (AP-43) and Tasker H. Bliss (AP-42), are hit and burst into flames and are abandoned. The first two hips sink shortly but USS Tasker H. Bliss burns until 0230 hours tomorrow before sinking.

ALGERIA: The British First Army takes Bone, 150 miles (241 kilometers) east of Bougie, without opposition, but German planes make damaging attacks later in day. The British No. 6 Commando lands by sea and secure the port. USAAF Twelfth Air Force C-47 Skytrains drop two companies of the 3d Parachute Battalion at Duzerville airdrome, 6 miles (9,7 kilometers) southeast of Bone. Duzerville Airfield is bombed by German aircraft during the night of 12/13 November. The Paratroop Task Force (USAAF 60th Troop Carrier Group and the 2d Battalion of the U.S. 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment) is placed under operational control of the British First Army at Algiers. In the air, USAAF Twelfth Air Force fighters fly patrols over a wide area around Oran.

EGYPT: The US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) is dissolved and replaced by Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron, Ninth Air Force, commanded by Lieutenant General Lewis H Brereton. The major components of this unit are: IX Bomber Command (Brigadier General Patrick W Timberlake) at Ismailia, IX Fighter Command (Colonel John C Kilborn) en route to Egypt, and IX Air Service Command (Brigadier General Elmer E Adler). The Ninth Air Force begins combat operations in Egypt, providing tactical air support to the British in the drive westward across North Africa.

LIBYA: Units of the British 1st and 7th Armoured Division enter Tobruk. The town is a shell, its port installations largely destroyed.

TUNISIA: German reinforcements land.

CHINA: Lieutenant General Josepeh Stilwell, Commander-in-Chief U.S. China-Burma-India (CBI) Theater of Operations, Chief of Staff to Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek and Commander of the Northern Area Combat Command in Burma, sends a memorandum to Chinese Foreign Minister T.V. Soong suggesting that a commander be chosen at once for the Yunnan Force (Y-Force); that units to participate in the offensive be designated and reorganized; that available 75-mm guns be sent to Yunnan; and that incompetent commanders be removed.

NEW GUINEA: In Papua New Guinea, Gorari falls to the Australian 25th Brigade. During the Japanese retreat across the Kumusi River. Lieutenant General Horii Tomitaro is drowned during the retreat and 600 soldiers die. Japanese resistance outside their beachheads at Buna and Gona has collapsed.

The 2d Battalion of 126th Infantry Regiment, U.S. 32d Infantry Division, moves toward Gora and Bolu. The 3d Battalion of the 126th, is airlifted from Port Moresby to Pongani and the troops immediately start overland toward Natunga.

SOLOMON ISLANDS:

Eleven Japanese transports carrying 13,500 troops and supported by a force of cruisers and two battleships, HIJMS Kirishima and Hiei, leave the Shortland Island area and head for Guadalcanal Island; during the afternoon the reconnaissance value and defensive capability of the B-17 Flying Fortress are ably demonstrated when a single B-17 sights a carrier 350 nautical miles (648 kilometers) off Guadalcanal Island and maintains contact for two hours before returning to base with claims of six "Zeke" fighters (Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighters) shot down.

The Naval Battle of Guadalcanal opens: Six U.S. transports of USN Task Force 67 (Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner) are unloading about 6,000 troops, including Regimental Combat Team 182 of the Armybs Americal Division, in Lunga Roads under the protection of air and surface forces. These are reported to Japanese headquarters at Rabaul, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, by Japanese observers, as three battleships, three heavy cruisers, 11 destroyers and five transports. At 1305 hours local, 19 "Betty" bombers (Mitsubishi G4M, Navy Type 1 Attack Bombers), escorted by "Zeke" fighters (Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighters), make a low-level torpedo attack against the ships. The Japanese aircraft are intercepted by USMC F4F Wildcats and USAAF P-39 Airacobras and 16 "Betty" bombers and seven "Zeke" fighters are shot down by the fighters and antiaircraft fire. Three transports are damaged and the heavy cruiser USS San Francisco (CA-38) is damaged when hit by a crashing bomber; destroyer USS Buchanan (DD-484) is hit by friendly 5-inch (12,7 centimeter) shell. Twenty four sailors on San Francisco are killed, 45 are wounded and the after fire control radar is destroyed; five men are killed on Buchanan and Their unloading is interupted shortly afternoon by an Japanese Navy air strike.

U.S. search planes spot the Japanese Bombardment Force consisting of the battleships HIJMS Hiei and Kirishima, the light cruiser HIJMS Nagara and 13 destroyers under Rear Admiral ABE Hiroaki, steaming south at 25 knots. They also spot Destroyer Division 4 and Rear-Admiral TANAKA Raizobs 13 transports trying to catch up with the battleships.

Rear Admiral Richmond K. Turner pulls his transports out in the evening. He leaves Rear-Admiral Daniel J. Callaghan with Rear Admiral Norman Scott and heavy cruisers USS San Francisco (CA-38) and Portland (CA-33); light cruisers USS Helena (CL-50), Atlanta (CL-51) and Juneau (CL-52); and destroyers USS Aaron Ward (DD-483), Barton (DD-599), Cushing (DD-376), Fletcher (DD-445), Laffey (DD-459), Monssen (DD-436), O'Bannon (DD-450) and Sterett (DD-407), to face the Japanese battleships. Admiral Callaghan is in tactical command, due to 15 days seniority over Admiral Scott. Scott had successfully commanded the US forces in their victory at the Battle of Cape Esperance in October.

The first 12 P-38 Lightnings as well as USMC and USN aircraft, are moved from Tontouta Airfield on NoumC)a, New Caledonia Islands and Espiritu Santo Island to Henderson Field to bolster the defense of Guadalcanal Island.

USAAF Fifth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses bomb Japanese shipping at Tonolai harbor in southern Bougainville Island.

The US Army 182nd Regiment lands on Guadalcanal.

On Guadalcanal, a Japanese pocket along Gavaga Creek is completely eliminated. The action has cost the Japanese 450 killed, and the few who have eluded the trap are being harassed, while retiring toward Mt Austen, by the 2d Marine Raider Battalion marching west from Aola Bay. The Kokumbona assault force completes withdrawal across the Matanikau River.

TERRITORY OF ALASKA: ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: USAAF Eleventh Air Force bombers are on alert at Umnak and Adak Islands to attack any reported naval targets; intermittent fighter patrols fly over Adak Island.

CANADA: Corvette HMCS Kamsack commenced refit Liverpool, Nova Scotia.

U.S.A.: The draft age is lowered from 20 to 18. It is estimated that US armed forces will amount to 10 million by the end of 1943.

Submarine USS Billfish launched.

Canadian SS Lillian E Kerr sunk after a collision off Massachusetts Bay. No survivors.

The Air Corps Board, which had been established before World War II to develop and determine military requirements, is redesignated the Army Air Forces Board.

GUATEMALA severs diplomatic relations with France.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Whilst covering the returning convoy MKF.1 escort carrier HMS Archer is torpedoed and sunk West of Gibraltar at 36 15N 07 45E by U-155 (Kapitanleutnant Adolf Piening). The torpedo caused a sympathetic explosion of the contents of the carrier’s bomb room and she sank very quickly leaving only 12 survivors to be rescued by HMS Gladiale.

HMS Sanguenay collides with merchant ship Azara, East of Newfoundland, and accidental release of her depth charges blows off her stern. She is towed to St. Johns and then Halifax but never repaired. (Alex Gordon)(108)

Off Dutch Curacao The gun boat USS Erie is torpedoed by U-163. She has to be beached and is gutted by fire.

U-163 torpedoed gunboat USS Erie in Convoy TAG-20. Damaged beyond repair.

U-130 sank transports USS Edward Rutledge, Hugh L. Scott and Tasker H. Bliss in Convoy UGF-1.

U-224 sank SS Buchanan.

U-515 sank destroyer tender HMS Hecla and damaged destroyer HMS Marne during Operation Torch.

U-77 damaged sloop HMS Stork.

U-593 sank SS Browning in Convoy KMS-2.

U-521 transferred an ill crewmember to U-117; and U-413 transferred an ill crewmember to U-71, both in the North Atlantic.

12 November 1943

November 12th, 1943 (FRIDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: US Lieutenant General Lewis H. Brereton takes command of the US Ninth Air Force at Sunninghill Park, Berkshire, England. Headquarters Ninth Air Force issues Tables of Organization for the IX Fighter Command, authorizing two air support divisions, five fighter wings, a reconnaissance group, 21 fighter groups, and 65 fighter squadrons. Three combat wings are activated for the IX Bomber Command: the 97th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium) at Marks Hall, Essex, which will control light bomber groups; the 98th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium), formerly the 3d Bombardment Wing, at Earls Colne, Essex; and the 99th Combat Bombardment Wing (Medium), formerly the 44th Bombardment Wing (Heavy), at Great Dunmow, Essex.

Minesweepers HMS Persian and Pincher commissioned.

Submarine HMS Stygian launched.

GERMANY: Grand Admiral Donitz complains that in the Atlantic "the enemy holds every trump card ... (he) knows all our secrets"

During the night of 12/13 November RAF Bomber Command dispatches seven Mosquitos to attack three targets: two each bomb Rheinmetall armaments factory at Dusseldorf, the Krupps armaments factory at Essen and the Edelstahlwerke steel factory at Krefeld.

U.S.S.R.: The Russians capture Korostyshev and enter Zhitomir, west of Kiev. This is an important rail center on the last rail line available to the Germans east of the Pripet marshes.

A treaty is signed between Czechoslovakia and the Soviet Union in Moscow "pledging mutual aid in prosecuting the war, no separate peace, and mutual respect for each other's sovereignty."

ALBANIA: USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers hit Kucove airfield at Berat and an oil refinery after failing to locate targets near Athens, Greece.

USAAF Fifteenth Air Force P-38 Lightnings fly an air-sea rescue patrol off the mouth of the Semeni River.

GREECE: The Germans land units of the 22nd Infantry Division on British and Italian-held Leros Island in the Dodecanese.

ITALY: The Allied advance is at the Germans Reinhard Line. The British 56th Division is forced to withdraw from some positions on Monte Camino.

In the U.S. Fifth Army's VI Corps area, the 157th Infantry Regiment of the 45th Infantry Division makes limited progress toward Acquafondata but is threatened by Germans on Hills 769 and 640. The 135th Infantry Regiment, 34th Infantry Division, makes contact with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, which has pushed past Fornelli to Colli and is maintaining contact with the British Eighth Army.

Northwest African Tactical Bomber Force light bombers hit guns, troops, and railway facilities near Palena, the town of Atina, and the road at Acquafondata. During the night of 12/13 November, light bombers attack the Arezzo marshalling yard and Perugia airfield; fighter-bombers of the USAAF Twelfth Air Force's XII Air Support Command and RAF Desert Air Force continue to provide close support to the U.S. Fifth and British Eighth Armies, blasting gun positions and motor transport, and also attacking targets (aircraft, guns, rail yards, bridge, and trains) around Lake Bracciano, Orbetello, Rieti, Sant'Elia Fiumerapido, Opuzen, Ancona, and Iesi.

USAAF Fifteenth Air Force B-26 Marauders attack railroad bridges and tracks in the Montalto di Castro and Orbetello areas, but heavy cloud cover prevents effective hits on the targets.

During the night of 12/13 November, RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group attack three targets: 32 bomb the marshalling yard at Pontessieve, five bomb a railroad bridge at Cecina and one bombs the railroad at Ortebella. Two other bombers drop leaflets over Turin.

LEBANON is placed under martial law by the Free French. (Glenn Stenberg)

CHINA: Ten USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and 24 P-40s attack Yoyang, hitting the warehouse area, railroad yards, and AA positions; five B-25s bomb the Yangchi Kang waterfront area and attack waterfront targets at Puchi; six B-25s and 12 fighters hit targets at Yoyang; 15 P-40s and a B-25 on armed reconnaissance hit several targets of opportunity in the Lungling area and between Yang-Chia-Kang and Sichai.

BURMA: Two USAAF Tenth Air Force B-24 Liberators mine the Rangoon River during the night of 12/13 November.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Eight USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells knock out a railway bridge and damage two others near Thanh Hoa. Meanwhile, fighter-bombers hit various targets of opportunity at several other locations scattered throughout northern French Indochina.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators attack targets on Java and on Ceram Islands.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders bomb villages between Finschhafen and Saidor.

AUSTRALIA: Between 0353 and 0530 hours, Japanese aircraft bomb Parap, Adelaide River and Batchelor Airfield in the Northern Territory. This is the 64th and last bombing attack against northern Australia since February 1942.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Japanese withdraw the remaining 52 aircraft of their aircraft carrier groups that have been flying off land bases at Rabaul on New Britain Island. Of 173 aircraft that arrived on 20 October, 121 have been lost, most with their pilots.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: The Japanese withdraw the remains of their carrier groups that have been flying off land bases at Rabaul. Of 173 aircraft that arrived on October 20, 121 have been lost, most with their pilots.

In the Treasury Islands, the 8th Brigade Group, New Zealand 3d Division, completes the elimination of a small Japanese garrison on Mono Island, the large island north of Stirling Island. For 205 Japanese dead counted, 40 New Zealanders and 12 Americans lost their lives.

On Bougainville Island, 18 USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb Tarlena; six others bomb the Matchin Bay area south of Buka Island; and eight P-38 Lightnings strafe Bonis Airfield on the northern tip of Bougainville.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese submarine I-34 is sunk by HMS Taurus off Penang. (Mike Yared)(144 and 145)

Japanese submarine HIJMS I-21 torpedoes and sinks the U.S. troopship SS Cape San Juan about 242 nautical miles (448 kilometers) south of Suva, Viti Levu Island, Fiji Islands, in position 22.08S, 178.06E. The ship was en route from San Francisco, California, U.S.A., to Townsville, Queensland, Australia, with 49 crewmen, 41 USN Armed Guards and 1,348 Army troops. Sixteen men are killed when the torpedo hits the ship and a further 114 drown while abandoning ship. The survivors are picked up by a merchant vessel, a USN destroyer and a Pan American Airways flying boat. Attempts are made to tow Cape San Juan to port, but she sinks tomorrow.

CANADA:

Frigate HMCS Montreal commissioned.

Frigate HMCS Lasalle launched Lauzon, Province of Quebec.

Frigates HMCS Joliette launched Quebec City, Province of Quebec.

U.S.A.: President Franklin D. Roosevelt embarks on the battleship USS Iowa (BB-61) to go to sail to Casablanca, French Morocco, where he will continue to the Allied conferences at Teheran, Iran, and Cairo, Egypt

Destroyer escort USS Alger commissioned.

Large cruiser USS Guam launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-508 and US Navy Liberator aircraft (Squadron VB-103/C) engaged in a deadly duel. Both the aircraft and the boat perished. The aircraft was forced to ditch a few miles away from where the u-boat sank due to three damaged engines caused by the attack of a Ju-88 squadron.

According to one of the survivors, Frank Kittle, the first report that came back to Dunkeswell was that the U-boat and the B24 crew all perished.

Frank says the whole crew of the B24 survived completely unhurt.

57 men died from the u-boat. (Dave Shirlaw and Jim Richardson)

12 November 1944

November 12th, 1944 (SUNDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: The operational tour of duty for USAAF Eighth Air Force fighter pilots is set at 270 hours.

FRANCE: US troops ford the Moselle river at Cattenom.

In the U.S. Third Army's XX Corps area, the Germans, in an effort to reach the Mailing bridge, counterattack in regimental strength with support of tanks and assault guns against the 359th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, forcing outposts from Kerling and again threatening Petite-Hettange, but are driven off with heavy losses. Mailing bridge is destroyed by German artillery fire after two tank destroyers have crossed. The 357th Infantry Regiment, 90th Infantry Division, which has been joined by its reserve battalion, continues an attack along Bois de Koenigsmacker ridge, pushing beyond Breistroff-la-Petit to positions overlooking Inglange River; the 358th Infantry gains the line Elzange-Valmestroff and both of these villages. Bridge construction is begun at Cattenom. On the southern flank of the corps the 2d Infantry Regiment, 5th Infantry Division, crosses into 6th Armored Divisionbs bridgehead at Sanrysur-Nied (XII Corps Zone) and during the night of 12/

13 November repels a German counterattack. In the XII Corps area, Combat Command B, 6th Armored Division expands the Sanry bridgehead and outposts the main road junction between Bazoncourt and Berlize. One Combat Command A task force attacks toward Faulquemont from the Han-sur-Nied bridgehead, overcoming strong resistance at Herny; another crosses the Nied Francaise River at Baudrecourt. German efforts to stop 80th Infantry Division in the triangle between the Nied Francaise River and Rotte Creek subside when a 6th Armored Division task force pushes south and outflanks the Germans, and the creek is bridged at three points. After the 137th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division, seizes Faxe, restoring contact between columns of Combat Command B, 4th Armored Division, Combat Command B pursues the Germans to Oron and takes a bridge across Nied Francaise River at Oron while the 137th Infantry advances in the region to the east; the 320th Infantry Regiment clears the rest of Foret de Chteau-Salins and is withdrawn to reserve; the 134th Infantry drives to Bellange, where it halts upon order. The 26th Infantry Division, having regrouped to turn the 101st Infantry Regiment east along the southern slopes of Koecking ridge and place the 328th Infantry in the center on Koecking ridge, continues attack on the southern flank of corps. The Germans, committing armored reserve, succeed in halting Combat Command A, 4th Armored Division, and 104th Infantry, 26th Infantry Division: a Combat Command A column drives through Rodalbe toward Bermering but is forced back to Bois de Conthil to await tank replacements; an all-out German counterattack regains Rodalbe and virtually destroys the 3d Battalion, 104th Infantry Regiment there; the right flank column of Combat Command A takes Hill 337, southeast of Lidrezing; elements recover Conthil and reopen the main supply route. The 104th Infantry Regiment, badly depleted in strength, establishes itself along the Conthil -Lidrezing road, where it forms an exposed salient. The 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, reinforced by a battalion of the 101st Infantry, begins clearing the forest on Koecking ridge, reaching Berange Farm, where a stubborn strongpoint is overrun; the 101st Infantry attempts unsuccessfully to take St Medard and then breaks off the attack.

In the U.S. Seventh Army's VI Corps area, the 100th Infantry Division begins an attack on the north flank of the corps to outflank Raon-l'Etape: the assault regiments cross the river at Baccarat to attack Raon from the rear and block German movement.

GERMANY: Berlin: Hitler tells the German nation "my life does not matter" in a proclamation read out by Himmler.

In the U.S. First Army's VII Corps area, two companies of the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, break through to the isolated forces on the plateau southwest of Huertgen, but they too become encircled.

Weather prevents operations by the USAAF Ninth Air Force's 9th Bombardment Division; fighter operations are limited but IX and XIX Tactical Air Command's fly patrols and armed reconnaissance in W Germany and along the French-German border. .

U-2361 laid down.

One man from U-541 died on 22 Nov after an accident in Flensburg. [Maschinengefreiter Valentin Seile].

NORWAY: At anchor in Tromsofiord the German battleship Tirpitz is attacked by the RAF. Using 18 Lancasters of 617 Squadron and 13 of No. 9 Squadron, with 12,000 pound "Tallboy" bombs, the raid is successful. After several direct hits and some near misses, the Tirpitz capsizes.

The Lancasters operated from Lossiemouth in Scotland and were led by Wg./Cdr. J. B. Tait.

TIRPITZ took two direct hits and one probable hit. The first hit is recorded at 0842 hour local. In the next ten minutes, another twenty eight "Tallboys" are dropped. One bomb hit between turrets Anton and Bruno, pierced the armor decks, but failed to explode. A second bomb struck the port side between the catapult and the funnel, went through all the decks, and detonated in a wing tank. It was this bomb that caused the severe flooding that ultimately caused the ship to capsize. A third bomb probably hit turret Caesar and started a fire, eventually leading to a massive magazine explosion. A 100 foot tear is made in the hull and several near misses cause the ship to capsize. Her upperworks hit the shallow bottom leaving her stuck there with only her red keel above the water. rapped inside are 971 crewmen who slowly die as the water rose inside. Only 76 men survive by making their way up to the bottom of the hull which is then cut open by rescue teams. German fighters which are stationed nearby to protect the battleship fail to take off in tim e and only one Lancaster is severely damaged, by flak; it lands safely in Sweden with its crew unhurt. (65)(22)(Keith Allen)

A RN-RCN force made up of two RN cruisers and three destroyers plus HMCS Algonquin attacked a German convoy off the coast of Norway. Two German minesweepers, M-416 and M-427, along with six others ships, were sunk.

FINLAND: Sales of alcohol is banned in Finland until 6 December, so that the demobilized soldiers can't make trouble.

U.S.S.R.: In Lithuania, for a second day, the German armored ship (pocket battleship) "LC<tzow" heavy cruiser "Prinz Eugen," destroyers Z25 , Z35 and Z36 and torpedo boats T13 , T16 and T20 support the German army at Memel and Sworbe.

ITALY: In the British Eighth Army area, the Polish II Corps attacks toward the line Castrocaro-Converselle-St. Lucia, south of Faenza, in conjunction with V Corps. In the V Corps area, the 4th Division is held up north of Highway 9 at St. Tome, a little short of the Montone. The 138th Brigade, 46th Division, attacks across the Montone River southwest of Forli.

Bad weather grounds USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers; fighter-bombers support ground forces in the northern Apennines and hit railway targets in the Po Valley, cut rail lines in 18 places and destroy or seriously damage eight bridges.

One hundred seven fighter-escorted USAAF Fifteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators strike at bridges at Ora, Albes, and Mezzocorona, a viaduct at Avisio, plus the alternate target of Casarsa della Delizia railroad bridges and targets of opportunity in northeastern Italy including the Latisana railroad bridge and an airfield to the north.

During the day, RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group attack six targets with the loss of two aircraft: 41 bomb the railroad bridge at Bressanone, 24 hit a railroad viaduct at Aviso, 22 attack the railroad bridge at Ora; 16 bomb the railroad bridge at Casara; six hit the railroad bridge at Mezza Corona; and five attack Aviano Airfield. Forty nine other bombers drop supplies to partisans in northern Italy.

During the night of 12/13 November, USAAF Twelfth Air Force A-20 Havocs bomb ammunition dumps, pontoon bridge, and targets of opportunity in the Po Valley.

During the night of, six RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group drop supplies to partisans in northern Italy and three attack a railroad bridge at Casara.

YUGOSLAVIA: Kumanovo, on the Skoplje-Nis rail line, is now in Allied hands.

CEYLON: Allied Land Forces South East Asia (ALFSEA) is activated under British Lieutenant General Sir Oliver Leese. The new headquarters consists of former Headquarters, 11 Army Group, previously under General Sir George Giffard, and some U.S. officers; has control over British troops, the Northern Combat Area Command (NCAC), Chinese Army in India (CAI), and Chinese forces within the South East Asia Command (SEAC). American Lieutenant General Raymond A. Wheeler takes over Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell's former post of Deputy Supreme Allied Commander, SEAC.

CHINA: The East China Air Task Force, formed by Major General Claire Chennault, Commanding General USAAF Fourteenth Air Force, to help Chinese troops defend east China airfields from bases west and east of Japanese-held corridor, begins arriving at Suichwan and goes into action within a week.

Thirty eight USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-51 Mustangs and P-40s hit Hengyang Airfield and attack river, rail, and road traffic, artillery pieces, pillboxes, and storage around Hengyang, Lingling, and Kweilin; 13 P-40s hit the Changsha area while 40 P-51s and P-38 Lightnings hit various targets of opportunity at several other locations scattered throughout southern China.

The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XX Bomber Command flies Mission 16: 96 China-based B-29 Superfortresses are dispatched to bomb to bomb Omura, Kyushu Island, Japan. While en route, it is learned that there is bad weather at the target due to a typhoon and the aircraft are ordered to hit a target in China. Twenty four bomb Nanking while 15 hit targets of opportunity.

BURMA: Sixteen USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts support ground forces in the Pinwe area and near Indaw; 24 attack supplies and communications targets in the Kawlin area while nine bomb Japanese concentrations at Indaw and Man Hkong. The town of Pegon is attacked by 11 P-47 Thunderbolts and 20+ others and nine B-25 Mitchells hit targets of opportunity during the sweeps of the Irrawaddy River from Singu to Katha and along rail lines at several points in northern Burma.

Four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells bomb the town of Man Pwe while four attack Wanling.

JAPAN: In the Kurile Islands, two USAAF Eleventh Air Force B-24 Liberators fly armed reconnaissance over Onnekotan and Matsuwa Islands.

The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XX Bomber Command flies Mission 16: 96 China-based B-29 Superfortresses are dispatched to bomb to bomb Omura, Kyushu Island. While en route, it is learned that there is bad weather at the target due to a typhoon and the aircraft are ordered to hit a target in China. Twenty nine bombers do not get the word and bomb Omura with the loss of five aircraft.

VOLCANO ISLANDS: Twenty nine USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators based on Saipan with P-38 Lightning escort bomb the airfield on Iwo Jima. During the night a B-24 Liberator on a snooper mission also bombs Iwo Jima.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte Island, the 21st Infantry Regiment, the 24th Infantry Division gains the crest of Breakneck Ridge shortly after noon but is unable to advance south along Highway 2 from there. The 1st Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment, after receiving its first airdrop of supplies, moves through Consuegra to Cabiranan. The 2d Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, blocks Highway 2 south of Limon and maintains the block with difficulty until 23 November.

USAAF Far East Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb Alicante (Escalente) Airfield on northeast Negros Island while on Leyte Island, fighter-bombers hit Linao barges on the west coast and shipping in Ormoc Bay and B-25 Mitchells bomb Degos (Digos or Daliao or Degosu) and Matina Aerodromes on Mindanao Island.

Major Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. shoots down two "Jack" fighters (Mitsubishi J2M, Navy Interceptor Fighters Raiden) over Leyte bringing his total victories to 28.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators and fighter- bombers over northeastern Celebes and Halmahera Islands attack shipping and Djailolo Aerodrome on Halmahera Island.

NEW GUINEA: In Dutch New Guinea, over 50 USAAF Far East Air Force B-25 Mitchells blast Mapia and Asia Islands.

CAROLINE ISLANDS: In the Palau Islands, USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from Angaur Island bomb Koror Island.

U.S.A.:

Submarine USS Carp launched.

Destroyer USS Higbee launched.

12 November 1945

November 12th, 1945 (MONDAY)

YUGOSLAVIA: Tito's National Front wins the general election.

U.S.A.: William Jay Stone arrives back in the US after more than two years fighting in Europe. (William Jay Stone)

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1948 (FRIDAY)

JAPAN: An international war crimes tribunal in Tokyo passes death sentences on seven Japanese military and government officials, including General TOJO Hideki, who served as premier of Japan from 1941 to 1944. The trial ended on 8 November and all 25 defendants were found guilty of war crimes. In addition to the death sentences imposed on TOJO and others principals, such as MATSUI Iwane, who organized the Rape of Nanking between December 1937 and March 1938, and KIMURA Heitaro Kimura, who brutalized Allied POWs in Burma, 16 others are sentenced to life imprisonment. The remaining two of the 25 defendants are sentenced to lesser terms in prison.

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