WE REMEMBER AUGUST 21st

August 21

We Remember:

1939:     Chamberlain reaches London early in the morning, having travelled overnight from Scotland. (Andy Etherington)

British Intelligence suggests that Field Marshal Hermann Goering, founder of the Gestapo and head of the Luftwaffe should come to London for discussions.
(Andy Etherington)

Hitler receives a letter from Stalin announcing his willingness to receive Ribbentrop on August 23. (Andy Etherington)

Drax and Doumenc decide to dispense with Polish permission and on the responsibility of their own governments allow Soviet forces to enter Poland. Marshal Voroshilov (knowing of Ribbentrop's impending arrival) postpones indefinitely any continuation of Anglo-French-Soviet talks.  (Andy Etherington)

The German Panzerschiffe "Admiral Graf Spee" sails from Wilhelmshaven in readiness for raider activities in the South Atlantic, and Indian Ocean in the event of a declaration of war. (Alex Gordon)

Khalkin-Gol: 6th Tank and 8th Motorised Armour brigades envelope the Japanese flank and occupy the area in the rear of the Japanese forces active south of the Khailstyn-Gol River. Southern group infantry units drive a deep wedge into the Japanese main defensive zone, destroying his close-in tactical reserves and capturing several artillery positions. Red Air Force bombers make 256 sorties and drop 90 tons of bombs.  (Andy Etherington)

In the Vatican, the Pope appeals for world peace. (Jack McKillop)

1940:     Bulgarian troops are tonight poised to enter Romanian territory after talks here ended with an agreement to revert to pre-1912 borders. Southern Dobruja, containing the two provinces of Durastor and Caliacra bordering the Black Sea, will be ceded to Bulgaria, and up to 100,000 Romanians moved to their diminishing homeland. Romania has already lost control of Bessarabia to Russia. And Romania's troubles are not over yet: Hungary is eyeing eagerly the province of Transylvania, in western Romania, and Germany would like access to Romanian oil. (Andy Etherington)

RAF Fighter Command: Enemy operations mainly limited to fighter 'tip and run' raids. Airfields in East Anglia, south and south-west attacked. Burnham Market, Mablethorpe, Harlesdon, Ipswich, Southwold and Leicester are raided. Bombing at St. Eval damaged six 236 Squadron Blenheims. Convoy CE9 ran the Dover Straits under shell-fire and high-level bombing. Low-level raiders were driven off by intense AA fire and the difficulty of flying through the convoys' kite-barrage Losses: Luftwaffe, 14; RAF 1. (Andy Etherington)

1941:     Chudovo, NE of Novgorod falls to the Germans.  This cuts the rail link between Leningrad and Moscow.

Finnish attacks capture Kexholm from the Soviets.

The Red Army retreats from Gomel after a long series of unsuccessful counterattacks against the Germans.

Finnish attacks capture Kexholm from the Soviets. In southern Karelia IV Corps (Lt. Gen. Lennart Oesch) starts its attack today, one day earlier than originally planned. The Corps cosists of 12th ID (Col. Vihma), IR 25 and 8th ID (Col. Winell) with 4th ID (Col. Viljanen) in reserve. It is opposed by the three divisions of the Soviet 23rd Army (123rd, 43rd and 115th divs). The aim is to encircle and destroy the Soviet troops around Viipuri and western Karelian Isthmus. The attack is originally planned for 22 Aug, but on the 21st it is found out that the Soviet troops are withdrawing along the whole front. The Finnish troops are ordered to immediately pursue the enemy. (Mikko HŠrmeinen)

In the U.S., President Franklin D. Roosevelt addresses the U.S. Congress about the Atlantic Charter. He says, "Finally, the declaration of principles at this time presents a goal which is worth while for our type of civilization to seek. It is so clear cut that it is difficult to oppose in any major particular without automatically admitting a willingness to accept compromise with Nazism; or to agree to a world peace which would give to Nazism domination over large numbers of conquered nations. Over a week ago I held several important conferences at sea with the British Prime Minister. Because of the factor of safety to British, Canadian, and American ships, and their personnel, no prior announcement of these meetings could properly be made." (Jack McKillop)

In France, Vichy arrests 5,000 Jews to be sent to Drancy concentration camp which opened yesterday. (Jack McKillop)

In the U.S.S.R. the Soviets blow up Dnieper Dam to halt the German advance. (Jack McKillop)

GERMANY: Adolf Hitler orders the investment, not capture, of Leningrad, and the transfer of several divisions from the North and Center to capture the Crimea and the Donets basin, an industrial region vital to the Soviet war effort. (Jack McKillop)

In the U.S., the motion picture "The Little Foxes" is released today. Based on the play by Lillian Hellman, this drama is directed by William Wyler and stars Bette Davis, Herbert Marshall, Teresa Wright (in her film debut), Richard Carlson and Dan Duryea (his film debut). The plot describes the greed and corruption within a crumbling Southern family. Regina (Davis) needs money to invest in a business with her brothers but her husband Horace (Marshall) refuses. Regina's nephew Leo (Duryea) steals negotiable bonds from Horace's bank to give the brothers, and when Regina tries to blackmail them, Horace claims the money was a gift. Furious, Regina withholds Horace's medication knowing he will die without it and after he dies, she forces her brothers to give her two-thirds of their business. Her daughter Alexandra (Wright) learns what has happened and leaves her. The film is nominated for eight Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Wyler), Best Actress (Davis) and 
Best Supporting Actress (Wright). It does not win any awards. (Jack McKillop)

EIRE:  An RAF Hurricane Mk. IIB, s/n Z5070, which was on a delivery flight, makes a forced landing at Athboy, County Meath. This aircraft is repaired by the Irish Army Air Corps and becomes their sixth fighter aircraft in service; the six consist of three Gloster Gladiator Mk. Is, a biplane with a top speed of 253 mph (407 km/h), and three Hurricanes, two Mk. IIBs and a Mk. X. (Jack McKillop)

1942:     U.S.S.R.:  German Army Group A has reached Novorossiysk on the Black Sea while advance units of Army Group B have crossed the Don River near Kletskaya. German mountain troops reach the top of Mt. Elbruz, an 18,000-foot (5486 meter) peak in the Caucasus. (John Nicholas and Jack McKillop)

2nd Btn 1st Marines from dugin positions on the west bank of Alligator Creek on Guadalcanal successfully stop a fanatic attack by 900 IJA soldiers of the 28th Regiment, known as the Ichiki Detachment after its CO, Colonel Ichiki Kiyoano.  They had landed during the night 2 days prior to the battle east of the Lunga Perimeter. This battle becomes known to history as ÒThe Battle of the Teneru RiverÓ due to the incorrect and incomplete maps used by the Marines.  
     The battle starts about 0030 with some initial firefights.  At 0200, with a green flare, a headlong charge by IchikiÕs 2nd Company begins. The Marines with rifles, machine guns and 37mm canister defeat this first attack.  It ends with some Japanese actually reaching Marine foxholes and some hand to hand combat.  Other attacks follow.  Supported by the 75mm artillery of 3rd Btn 11th Marines, they all fail.  
     This battle welcomes the first aircrew of what will become the Cactus Airforce that arrived yesterday.  It also marks the first time American soldiers have decisively beaten an attack by the IJA.  Japanese KIA are counted by the Marines at 777, 15 are captured. Marine losses are 44 KIA and 71 WIA. Jacob Vouza, a native coastwatcher, reaches US lines during the attack.  He had been captured by the IJA earlier and after a severe beating and a slit throat left for dead.  Vouza survives  and is awarded the Silver Star by Vandegrift for his report and appointed Sgt Major in the USMC.
     Later in the afternoon the 1st Btn joins 3rd Btn 1st Marines to sweep upmost of the remaining IJA soldiers.

The Japanese send G4M "Betty" bombers and A6M "Zeke" fighters to attack Henderson Field on Guadalcanal. The Marines have been warned by coastwatchers and the incoming raid is met by F4F Wildcats of VMF-223. The "Zekes" block the Marines attempt to attack the bombers and the G4Ms bomb Henderson Field; 3 "Zekes" are shot down and 1 F4F and 1 SBD is destroyed.    (Jack McKillop)

In the Aleutians, a US 11th Air Force B-24 Liberator trying to fly reconnaissance over Kiska Island aborts due to weather.  (Jack McKillop)

At Lieutenant General Henry H "Hap" Arnold's request, Lieutenant General Dwight D Eisenhower gives Major General Carl Spaatz, Commanding General 8th Air Force, additional duties as Air Officer for the European Theater of Operations US Army (ETOUSA) and head of the air section of its staff, thus assuring active participation by the US 8th Air Force in theater planning.  (Jack McKillop)

In England, the US 8th Air Force flies Mission 4: 12 B-17 Flying Fortresses are dispatched to the bomb the shipyards at Rotterdam, the Netherlands but the mission is aborted due to an attack by 25 Bf 109s and Fw 190s; the bombers claim 2-5-6 Luftwaffe aircraft; lack of proper coordination with the USAAF Spitfire escorts is a major factor in the failure of the mission.  (Jack McKillop)

US Army Middle East Air Force (USAMEAF) B-24s attack a convoy southwest of Crete, claiming 2 ships probably sunk; enemy fighters attack a straggling B-24 and force it to crash land at sea.    (Jack McKillop)

1943:     Election returns in Australia  show that Premier CurtinÕs Labor Party on top.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, Komiatum, 3.6 miles (5,8 kilometers) east-southeast of Salamaua, is captured by Australian troops. Meanwhile, B-25 Mitchells of the USAAF's 5th Air Force bomb But Airfield (But West) and Dagua Airfield (But East).  (John Nicholas and Jack McKillop)

During the Aleutian Campaign, 3 June 42 to 21 August 43, the US Eleventh Air Force destroyed 69 aircraft, sank 21 and damaged 29 ships, and lost 29 of its own aircraft.    (Jack McKillop)

ITALY: During the day, 67 USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24 Liberators visually bomb the railroad station, marshalling yard, and air depot at Cancello Arnone. B-26 Marauders and 33 B-17 Flying Fortresses of the Northwest African Strategic Air Force (NASAF) visually bomb marshalling yards at Villa Literno and Aversa; the P-38 Lightning escort also attacks Aversa. The attacking force claims 20+ enemy fighters shot down.  During the night of 21/22 August, 51 RAF Liberators of No. 205 Group visually bomb the Battapaglia marshalling yard.    (Jack McKillop)

DENMARK:  Riots, strikes and sabotage paralyze Copenhagen and other Danish cities and towns. The Germans rush 40,000 troops from Norway to quell the disturbances.   (Jack McKillop)

U.S.S.R.: Field Marshal von Manstein warns Adolf Hitler that the Soviet Army's crunching offensives may overwhelm out-numbered German forces in the Ukraine. Wehrmacht intelligence has determined 287 Soviet divisions are battering 52 German divisions. (Jack McKillop)

In the U.S., the motion picture "The 7th Victim" is released today. This horror film, directed by Mark Robson, stars Tom Conway and Kim Hunter. The plot has Mary Gibson (Hunter) going to New York City in search of her missing sister and finding a group of devil-worshippers. (Jack McKillop)

1944:     A rapid advance across northern France begins by Allied units in pursuit of retreating German units.  The US 3rd Army patrols reach Versailles.

The US VI Corps is advancing on Aix-en-Provence and French forces on their left are moving on Toulon and Marseilles in the south of France.

U.S.S.R.: The Soviet 3rd Baltic and Leningrad Fronts move forward on both sides of Lake Peipus. Sandomierz on the west bank of the Vistula River falls to the First Ukraine Front.  (John Nicholas)
     German forces of Heeresgruppe Mitte retake Tukkum in Estonia, reestablishing contact with Heeresgruppe Nord (Schoerner).  (Jack McKillop)

The Dumbarton Oaks Conference begins.  This conference marks the beginning discussions about a postwar assembly that will become the United Nations.  Stettinius for the US, Cadogan for Britain and Gromyko for the USSR are in attendance.  The conference will last through the 29th.

HUNGARY: During the day, 102 B-24 LIberators of the USAAF's Fifteenth Air Force in Italy visually bomb Boszormeny Airfield at Hajdu with the loss of two B-24s. During the night of 21/22 August, 70 RAF Liberators of No. 205 Group visually bomb Szony Airfield at Komoron with the loss of three aircraft.  (Jack McKillop)

YUGOSLAVIA: During the day, 117 B-24 Liberators of the USAAF's Fifteenth Air Force in Italy visually bomb the airfield at Nis without loss.  (Jack McKillop)

In southern France, US Twelfth Air Force fighter-bombers and fighters again
blast enemy communications lines and gun positions and motor transport and
train cars. (Jack McKillop)

Radar-equipped B-24s of the US Thirteenth Air Force continue their nightly
sorties against Japanese positions in the Palau Islands.    (Jack McKillop)

Three German submarines are lost:
     U-230 runs aground in the Mediterranean in the Toulon roadsteads,
France, in position 43.07N, 06.00E. She is scuttled by her crew during the
Allied invasion of southern France. All 50 crewmen survive.
     U-743 is listed as missing in the Arctic Ocean or the North Atlantic
with all hands, 50 men.
     U-766 is stricken near La Pallice, in position 46.10N, 01.14W, when
unable to put to sea and surrendered to France. (Jack McKillop)

ARCTIC OCEAN: Whilst escorting convoy JW.59 (Loch Ewe, Scotland to Kola Fjord, U.S.S.R.),  RN sloop HMS Kite (U 87) is torpedoed and sunk about 268 nautical miles (495 kilometers) west-southwest of Bjornoya (Bear Island), Norway, by U-344 (Kapitanleutnant Ulrich Pietsch) using a spread of FAT torpedoes which ran a wandering course with regular 180-degree turns. There are 183 casualties and just 9 survivors. Position is 73 01N, 03 57E.

ENGLISH CHANNEL: Two Allied ships are sunk:
   - The RCN corvette HMCS Alberni (K 103) is torpedoed with a Gnat torpedo amidships by U-480 (Oberleutnant Hans-Joachim Forster) and sinks about 41 nautical miles (76 kilometers) southwest of Brighton, Sussex, England, within 30 seconds. Only 31 of her 90-man crew survive. Location: 50 18N 00 51W.  (Alex Gordon and Jack McKillop)
   - The RN Flower class corvette HMS Orchis (K 76) is mined off Normandy in Seine Bay. Her bows are blown off as far back as the gun, and she is beached "Juno" Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer, and subsequently declared a Constructive Total Loss.  (Alex Gordon and Jack McKillop)

In the U.S., the motion picture "When Strangers Marry" is released today. Directed by William Castle, this mystery stars Robert Mitchum, Kim Hunter, Dean Jagger and Rhonda Fleming. A naive small-town girl (Hunter) goes to New York City to meet her husband (Jagger) and learns he may be a murderer. Her ex-boyfriend (Mitchum) plays it cool in his first important role. (Jack McKillop)

1945:     US President Truman orders Lend-Lease aid to stop.  This action stands in stark contrast to the earlier generosity of Lend-Lease or later the Marshall Plan. The Lend-Lease program shipped some $50 billion in aid to America's allies during World War II. 
     You can read the original Lend Lease Act at:
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq59-23.htm
(Jack McKillop)

In the Kurile Islands, 2 US Eleventh Air Force B-24s are prevented by cloud cover from taking photos of the Soviet occupation; 4 others abort a photo mission to Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands due to weather.   (Jack McKillop)

Off China, 2 Chinese junks manned by 7 Americans and 20 Chinese guerillas
are attacked by a Japanese junk. In a 45-minute battle, the Allied forces use bazookas, machine guns and grenades to repel the Japanese.    (Jack McKillop)