July 5 - July 14, 1942: War continues all
over the world, and all sides
look to new equipment to meet their opponents.
Peloponesseus campaign threatens Italy, with losses on Zanthe.
Pedestal convoy fights through to Singapore.
Algiers:
Arrival of Gen. J. Doolittle (USAAF) in company of A.V.M. Tedder (RAF)
to discuss with AdA chief of Staff Gen. Bouscat the forthcoming offensive
against Ploesti (Operation "Blowlamp").
Later in the day, coming from Great-Britain, arrival of A.M. Sir Arthur
"Bomber" Harris, Commander RAF Bomber Command.
Rome:
The Italian Navy Chief of Staff decides to cancel the convoy operation
planned for the following night. After losses suffered the Italian Navy
can't successfully protect slow ships in the Patras Gulf where Allied forces
are now operating. Supplies will have to be landed in Dubrovnik, and from
there carried to the Balkan railway line.
Peloponnesus-Zanthe
As the situation is still all-quiet in Peloponnesus, French and Yugoslav
planes try without result to detect and attack the two surviving Italian
destroyers after the battle in the Zanthe straits.
The 2nd IFSS is allocated to support of "Operation AJAX" to replace monitors
lost during the night battle.
Rhodes:
Arrival of the LL convoy bound to Russia. Ships are welcomed by the Aegean
Squadron, which is to escort them up to the entry into Turkish waters. The
Soviet Black sea Fleet command has warned that Odessa is no longer secure
from enemy bombing. The convoy is therefore to go to Azov.
Rabaul:
Towed by Futugami, IJN Kikuzuki arrives Rabaul in the afternoon. The same
day the 24th Air Flotilla begins to concentrate at Rabaul before moving
to Guadalcanal.
JULY 6th:
Liverpool
Arrival on a French liner of 1st FW men. This unit is to re-form in GB
on Spitfire-IX to participate in offensive operations over occupied France.
With its 3 squadrons of highly experiences airmen, the wing is to operate
from Biggin Hill after converting to the newest British fighter. Among the
66 pilots landed at Liverpool, there are however some younger ones, just
out the Meknes fighter school.
On the I/1 "Journal de marche" (Operational Record Book) one can read:
"Sgt Clostermann, self-confident as ever has disembarked with his three
spectacular fishing-rods he had carefully hidden during the usual inspection
when embarking from Casablanca. When asked by Cptn. Martell (real name Pierre
Montet) if he really expected to catch German planes with worms, Sgt. Clostermann
answered that British trout would save the squadron from starving or suffering
British porridge".
The 1st FW ORB is well decorated by many Clostermann's hand drawings, including
one where he can be seen fishing from the ship and asking to a dismayed
ship's captain "are you really sure not to be able to slow down? I got a
good catch".
Algiers:
Discussions begin between Doolittle, Tedder, Harris and Bouscat. Three
issues are specifically discussed during this meeting. One is linked to
the "night attack" RAF component of the operation. Even if reluctant to
allow some of his few precious "heavies" allocated to anything else than
pounding German cities, Harris confirms arrival of a second Stirling Wing
specially formed for this operation (251th Wing - 196, 622 and 623 SQN -
70 Stirling) as well as a Manchester bombers wing. This last is so far the
only one still equipped with the large twin-engined "Medium-Heavy" RAF bomber
but has received planes powered by the highly modified Vulture mk.X engine
(203rd Wing - 9, 12 and 57 SQN - 72 Manchester Ic). This wing is temporarily
to be under command of Wing. Co. Guy Gibson, on temporary leave from 106
Sqn. Manchester-Ic bombers have a fairing over their nose turret (not very
useful for night bombers) to reduce empty weight and reduce drag.
RAF experts have computed that if taking-off from the now quite lengthened
Heraklion runways, Stirling could carry up to 8,000lb of bombs to Ploesti
and back. Manchester and 202th Wing Wellington could carry respectively
9,000lb and 4,500lb if taking off from Heraklion but landing in Chios or
Mytilene (Lesbos). The RAF plans to engage no less than 12 squadrons in
this operation.
The situation is unfortunately not so bright for the Day attack force,
which is the meeting’s second point. Only two USAAF Bomber Groups (98th
and 376th) could participate. The AdA is to commit the full weight of its
60th Heavy Bomber Wing (60è Escadre de Bombardement Lourd) but this
means 80 planes (with however 12 in operational reserve). The Day strike
force is then to be formed of just 176 B-24D bombers (with 12 reserve planes)
and is to be supported by 2 USAAF P-38F equipped Fighter Groups 1st FG (27th,
71st, 94 th FS) and 14th FG (48th, 49th, 50th FS) both with 54 P-38F, which
are now in the process of being re-deployed in North Africa and the 60 P-38E
of the French 2nd Fighter Wing. Consolidated Liberators are also to be based
in Heraklion, from where they could carry 8,000lb of bombs to Ploesti and
fighters are to be based in Mytilene, with Limnos acting as a possible safeguard
airfield. In this context, day attacks are to be used mainly to light sufficiently
important fires to allow night bombers to attack with a reasonable degree
of accuracy.
The third point is of course related to deception measures needed to prevent
the enemy to take counter-measures when noticing such a bomber force concentration
in Crete. A.V.M. Tedder announces that the flight of Spitfire-VI operating
from Heraklion to prevent Ju-86P reconnaissance flights is to be boosted
by mid-July with new Spitfire-VII.
Lesbos Island
French NA-73 take off before dawn for a major rail and road interdiction
operation over Continental Greece. Flying in units of 8, 7th Fighter Wing
(7ème Escadre de Chasse) planes are to maintain constant attacks
throughout the day, both to disrupt as much as possible enemy transport
and communications and to prevent the Luftwaffe from launching raids against
the LL convoy bound to Russia. 88 combat missions are completed during the
day, resulting in 6 trains stopped, nearly 60 enemy vehicles destroyed, and
11 planes destroyed (4 in the air and 7 on the ground) for the loss of 7
planes (of which 2 by the ever-dangerous Flak and one hitting the ground
for an unknown reason south of Larissa) and 4 others damaged.
Teheran:
The first Polish soldiers and officers released by the Soviet Government
from their internment camp in Uzbekistan arrive by plane to Teheran, where
they are welcomed by a joint delegation of the Polish in exile government,
French and British authorities.
JULY 7th:
New York
The old Clemson-class destroyer DD-190 Satterly renamed Goumier after conversion
as fast Destroyer transport (APD) is handed over to the French Navy.
Augsburg.
Fl.Kptn. Fritz Wendel begins taxiing trial of the Me-262 V3, the first
prototype to be powered only by jet turbines (Jumo 004). After two runs
on Messerchmitt own runway, the test is to be stopped after a compressor
failure on the port turbine.
Rastenburg (the Wolf's Den)
Meeting of the Special Tank Committee of Heereswaffenamt to discuss results
of the mission sent to investigate deficiencies of German armour on the
East Front. To the not inconsiderable consternation of all commanding officers
present to the meeting, it was soon obvious from all reports gathered that
German armoured vehicles were seriously outclassed by Russians T-34 and
KV-1. Vehicles like Pz-II or Pz-38(t) were now virtually useless. The Pz-III,
which was the mainstay of German Panzer Division was completely outclassed
both in hitting power and protection by new Russian medium and heavy tanks
and the brand new Pz-V "breakthrough" tank clearly lacked hitting power.
The only solution was to develop new tanks, but this was a process of at
least 18 months duration before new vehicles could enter operational service.
As a quick fix to what was seen as a very serious situation it was decided
to use the reliable mechanical basis of Pz-II and Pz-38(t) to develop tank-hunters
with the 50mmL60 gun and the new 75mmL48 when available in quantity. The
StuG-III SP vehicles was also to be up-armed, either with a 75mmL48 gun or
with a 105mm howitzer able to fire a powerful HEAT shell.
Regardless of its limitations, Pz-III production could not be stopped until
new tanks were ready without putting German forces in jeopardy. There was
no other solution but to re-arm the vehicle either with the 50mmL60 gun
or with the short 75mmL24 gun used on Pz-IV. Improved Pz-III will compete
with the Tank-Hunter programme for scarce effective 50mm AT guns, but the
tank turret ring prevented fitting a bigger gun.
The Pz-IV and Pz-V could however be more significantly improved. Designing
a new turret would allow for fitting the 75mmL48 in the Pz-IVF. German engineers
expects a 5 month delay before the tank would roll from the production line.
The Pz-V turret could immediately accept the long 75mm gun, but, with some
redesign, the turret could accept the new 75mmL70, which had completed trials.
It was then decided to equip Pz-V with the 75mmL48 till the Pz-IVF2 could
be ready (early December 1942). In the same time Henschel was to develop
a new turret with the 75mmL70 and improve front armour to 100mm. The Pz-VD
was to be available early 1943 and was expected to be a fair competitor to
the Soviet T34. However, improvements were to raise tank weight to 41 tons
(against 36) and its armour could not be sloped. The PZ-VD would then be
no more than a stop-gap.
High priority was then to be given to new projects. Both MAN and Daimler-Benz
were ready to compete for the future medium battle tank, which had to have
sloped armour, large road wheels, a maximum speed of 55km/h and be armed
with either the 75mmL70 or a 88mm gun. Porsche and Henschel were ready too
for competing on a second requirement for a heavy tank to be armed with the
88mmL71 anti-tank gun, to be developed by Krupp and using the same ammunition
as the Rheinmetall 88mm Flak 41. This heavy tank was to have sloped armour
150mm thick on turret front and 80mm on sides. Both requirements were to
have considerable urgency and Waffenprüfamt-6 (AFV development section
of Heereswaffenamt) asked for designs to be submitted no later than December
20th for the new medium tank, with the first production tank to be ready
by August 1st, 1943.
Hitler had asked why the 88mm Flak 36 or 37 could not be put in open chassis
to make up quickly for mobile highly poweful AT vehicles. Actually Hitler
had already pointed to the AT potential of the 88mm gun in 1938. Heereswaffenamt
officers had to explain to the Fuhrer that in the mid-30's it had been expected
that any European war would be intense but of short duration. All 88mm guns
had been built with the R.A.9 barrel, which consisted of a jacket, a sleeve
and an inner tube in three sections, the centre one carrying the first part
of the rifling and the forcing cone. It would then have been possible to
disassemble the barrel and change only the centre section after 900 rounds,
which was the expected life of the barrel. The R.A.9 barrel then allowed
to stockpile only centre sections and not a whole barrel. This was quite
economical by peace-time standard. However, manufacture of the new barrel
had to be very fine tolerances especially on the inner sections, and the
number of man hours needed was well in excess of conventional production.
Here again, this was not a problem if the war was to be short. Now, this
was raising a serious bottle neck to quickly increase 88mm gun production,
be it the "old" Flak-36 or 37 or the new Rheimetall Flak-41. Production lines
could not be quickly re-organised as nearly all machinery in the factories
had been designed to produce multi-section barrels and therefore not large
enough to produce simpler one-piece barrels.
Few solutions seemed at hand. French production of the 90mm Mod.26/39 could
be resumed, as some captured guns had been already introduced in German
service as 9cm Flak M.39(f). This gun could be modified to accept German
88mmL56 ammunitions. However Schneider production facilities could probably
not deliver more than 20 guns a month. The Italian Ansaldo 90/53 was a very
good gun but already in high demand for AA defence. Skoda could be asked
to join the 88mm programme, but that would be at the detriment of field guns
and howitzers. By the way, if Skoda was to be asked to develop a one-piece
barrel production method, this could not be done without some significant
delays. Some naval 88mm guns existed too but were needed by the KM. One promising
solution was Krupp proposal to develop a specifically adapted AT-gun and
tank gun from the Flak-41 produced by Rheinmetall (Krupp had been bypassed
by the RLM, which had sent specification for the "new" 88mm AA gun only to
Rheimetall in 1939). However, Krupp guns were not to be available before
late 1943.
Zanthe:
Allied positions in the Islands are attacked by 12 high-flying Italian
SM-79-II. No losses are suffered but all Italian planes escapes interception.
Algiers-Maison Blanche:
The French 11th Bomber Wing (11ème Escadre de Bombardement) begins
to re-equip on B-26A (Marauder-I) medium bombers. Surviving crews from LeO-451
bombers are selected first for conversion on what is considered as an effective
bomber but quite a "hot" ship to fly (The LeO-451 was also known for its
performance but also its difficulties at take-off or landing).
Northern Aegean:
At dawn, the Aegean squadron ships send a farewell signal through blinkers
to freighters entering Turkish waters north of Tenedos Island.
JULY 8th:
Algiers-Maison Blanche:
In company with Mr. P.H. Spaak, head of the Belgian in exile government,
Gen. Bouscat commission a new fighter wing, the 41st, entirely formed of
Belgian pilots. The I/41 squadron (Groupe) being the heir of the Belgian
"Comet" 1st Fighter Group and the II/41 proudly wearing the "paper hen" insignia
of the 4th Fighter Group. The 3 squadrons of the 41st FW are flying on Hawk-87.
Peloponnesus:
After a lull of several days, the Aegean Air Force resumes its bombing
operations against Axis logistic facilities, joining low-level attacks made
by Chios and Mytilene based NA-73. 36 French B-25 (12th Bomber Wing) attack
the Athens Marshalling yard escorted by RAF Spitfire, Hurricanes and French
Hawk-87. But for a very heavy Flak, claiming one B25 and damaging 4 more,
there is no German reaction.
French NA-73 flying from Mytilene and Mudros maintain rail interdiction
missions over Continental Greece. 48 low-level missions are flown this day,
resulting in 5 trains stopped, their locomotives destroyed, 6 Axis planes
destroyed (of which 3 on the ground), for the loss of 4 French fighters.
Black Sea:
At dawn, the LL convoy is welcomed by Soviet ships as it exits Bosphorus
and leaves Turkish waters. The escort sent includes cruisers Voroshilov
and Molotov as well as destroyers Bditelnyi, Besposhchadnyi, Bezuprechnyi,
Bodryi, Boikyi, Bystryi, Smyshlonnyi and Soobrazitelnyi.
JULY 9th:
London:
Speaking at the Commons, British Prime-Minister Mr. Winston Churchill hailed
"gallantry and persistence of allied crews, who have enabled the Pedestal
convoy to get through to Singapore and inflicted the enemy a serious defeat".
Churchill speech is emulated some hours later by a declaration on Radio-Algiers
by French Navy Chief of Staff Adm. Lemonnier.
Turnhouse (Scotland):
French pilots of the 1st FW begin to get acquainted with their new planes,
a handful of Sptifire-V for familiarisation training and 32 brand new Spitfire
H.F. IX.
Berlin:
Considering the increase of Allied air activity in Mediterranean theatre
of Operations, Luftwaffe Chief of Staff, Gen. Jeschonek asks authorization
to strengthen both the Greek and Balkan commands. However, it becomes soon
clear that demands of the Eastern front preclude allocating more significant
assets to the Southern flank. Jeschonek however obtains authorization to
move some Luftwaffe specialised anti-shipping units held in Norway to the
Mediterranean, including Ju-88 equipped KG 30 and Ju-87 equipped I/StG 5.
They are to join in Southern France the newly formed IV/KG 100 to mount offensive
operations against Allied convoys.
JULY 10th:
Great Britain:
Following high losses suffered during May and June by planes engaged in"Circus"
operations over occupied France (including the loss of 8 of 12 403 SQN Spitfire
on June 2nd) RAF Fighter Command asks for accelerating deployment of high
performance fighters (Spitfire-IX and XII, Hawker Tornado) to restore operational
balance before extensive air operations planned for late August.
The capture on June 23rd of a Fw-190A3 (the plane piloted by Oberleutnant
Arnim Faber had landed by error at RAF Pembrey airfield) had allowed extensive
tests of the plane showing it clearly superior to the Spitfire-V.
It is intended that Tornado equipped 56, 609, 174, 181 and 245 Sqn working
with Spitfire-XII are to maintain a constant watch under 15,000ft, with
Spitfire-IX equipped squadrons working as top-cover. The slightly redesigned
Spifire Mk.VIII being intended to supplement the Mk.IX from early 1943 on.
As more Griffon powered Spitfire-XII are to enter service by fall 1942,
the Tornado is intended to progressively switch to ground attack, as its offensive
capaibilities have been demonstrated by Wing. Commander R.P. Beamont.
Tobruk:
The 1st Greek Infantry Division and the the 1st Greek Armoured Brigade
are commisioned by the King of Greece and the government. These forces are
to join other Greek units already operating in the Peloponnesus.
Taganrog:
Late in the day the LL convoy arrives the Soviet port of Taganrog (on the
Azov sea) where its freight can be unloaded either onto rolling stock of
the Taganrog-Kharkov main railway line or onto river barges going on the
Don river and from the Volga-Don canal up to the heart of the Gorki-Moscow
industrial bassin.
Guadalcanal.
The 24th IJNAF Air Flotilla Detachment begins to deploy from Tenaru Airfield.
JULY 11th,
Algiers:
A.V.M. A. Tedder (RAF), Gen. Bouscat (AdA) and Gen. Brereton (USAAF) review
Allied air assets for forthcoming operations in the Mediterranean. USAAF
units arriving now on a regular basis are to operate as a distinct Air Force,
but are to be integrated into existing Allied tactical commands until there
will be enough of them to form a tactical grouping. The division of the Mediterranean
Theatre of operations into two tactical theatres, Greece-Aegean and North
Africa is to be maintained till the operation against Italy has succeeded.
Singapore:
Evacuation of PEDESTAL surviving sailors and officers begins at night as
the two Short "G" class flying-boats and three of the four PB2Y-2 of n°119Sqn,
helped by French Flotilla S-45’s two LeO H-470 and lone Laté 611
lift a significant number of survivors.
JULY 12th
Dessau (Germany)
First trial at the Focke-Wulf plant of the FW-190 V13 powered by a DB-603
engine. this plane, the first of a number of "development" airframes (hence
"V" designator) is part of the "FW-190 improvement" programme aiming at
increasing plane's performances at altitude. This programme includes DB-603
powered planes, Turbo-supercharged BMW-801 engines one, and planes powered
by the Jumo-213 engines.
As the turbo-supercharged BMW-801TJ is seriously behind schedule, hopes
now are grounded on the DB-603 and the Jumo-213 engines.
Algiers:
Arrival from London of Lieutenant General Bernard Law Montgomery, former
South Eastern Command forces commander, who is to take command of British
troops involved in the forthcoming Torch operation.
JULY 13th
Argentia (Canada).
Captain Donald Macintyre, after months spent organizing convoys along Canadian
and US north-easten shores embarks back on HMS Hesperus to take command
of B2 escort group.
London:
Meeting of the Combined Operations staff (Lord Louis Mountbatten) with
representative of the Allied Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee to review Operation
Rutter.
This operation, decided to create a powerful strategic diversion days before
a major offensive in Mediterranean Theatre of Operations and to fix as many
as possible German troops in Northern France and Belgium is also seen as
a good way to give Canadian troops operational training.
Because the short distance with Great-Britain and the nature of German
forces deployed, the small port of Dieppe has been chosen for is no more
described as a "large raid" but as a "reconnaissance in force" and the chosen
date to correspond with the best tide situation is September 2nd.
After much discussion between British, French and Canadian planners, the
initial plan had been amended following operational experience gained in
Peloponnesus during "Crusader" and particularly high losses British forces
suffered during the frontal attack at Gythion. Tanks and infantry are to
be landed on both side of Dieppe combined with airborne landing on the Dieppe
airfield and commando attacks on the two heavy gun batteries of Varengeville
and Berneval. The second variant of the attack plan discussed during early
planning and including a major frontal attack against Dieppe has been abandonned
after careful study of Allied landings in Gythion, Kalamata and Pyrgos.
Lord Louis Mountbatten had insisted from the start for a heavy naval support
to the operation but engaging even an old battleship so close to German
air power had seemed too risky for their Lordships. However, operational
experience had pointed to the fact that naval gun support could be a decisive
factor. Hence the two heavy monitors Marshal Soult and Marshal Ney (which
both have been rebuilt during winter 1940/41) and eight of the new small
monitors forming the 3rd Inshore Fire Support Squadron are to be allocated
to this operation.
Another important point raised by French officers included into the planning
phase was that pebbles found on beaches near Dieppe could lead to some problems
with the new Churchill tank. The Canadian 14th Tank Battalion (Calgary Regiment,
Lt.Col. Andrews) is then to use a mix of Churchill and Canadian Ram tanks.
Army forces, mostly Canadians but including British commandoes, French
commandoes and airborne troops (notably the Gambiez shock group and and
the 1st Airborne Regiment (1er RCP)) and a handful of US Rangers are to
be under Major General John H. Roberts (of Canadian 2nd Infantry Division)
command. Naval forces are to be under Capt.John Hughes-Hallett command.
Air assets, which are quite large as the RAF expects to force the Luftwaffe
to fight are to be under A.V.M. Trafford Leigh-Mallory command.
Benghazi:
USAAF B-24D bombers of the two newly arrived 98th and 376th BG begin to
train with French B-24 for "Blowlamp". The 376th BG arrived first in North
Africa had coined itself the "Liberandos" and the 98th, whose officers eagerly
expect their basing to Rhodes, the one of "Colossus". (It has been said too
that the personality of their barrel chested commander Col. John Riley Kane
could have played a role in this choice).
JULY 14th:
Algiers:
Several significant speeches by Prime-Minister Paul Reynaud, Vice-PM Leon
Blum and Georges Mandel, as well as by Minister of War Gen. Charles de Gaulle
are aired on Radio-Algiers this day.
To feast the "Bastille Day" French planes have attacked from 0430 Axis
airfields in Sicily as a beginning of the softening of enemy defences. 373
combat missions are delivered between 0430 and 0800 and 285 more by mid-day.
The AdA admits the loss of 14 planes, mostly from AA defence and claims
9 enemy planes destroyed in the air and 27 on the ground (actually respectively
5 and 14).
Penang:
French flying boat LeO H-246 n°1 (ex F-AREL) is damaged beyond repair
during the night by a Japanese bombardment when unloading stores for the
Penang garrison.