[SIZE=+2]Today in[/SIZE] [SIZE=+2]World War II History.[/SIZE] 1937 - The German Condor Legion change of command arrived in Spain to assist Franco’s forces in Spain's Civil War. Shortly after the bombing of Guernica, with over 1000 killed and 60% of the houses destroyed and was a clear indication of what would happen to many cities during the Second World War. Franco demanded Sperrle's recall and replaced him with Generalmajor Hellmuth Volkmann. Oberleutnant Adolf Galland arrived in Spain on May 7, 1937, and, as was the procedure for new Condor Legion officers. Spanish Civil War: German Condor Legion's Tactical Air Power » HistoryNet The Condor Legion Hitler Honed the Blitzkrieg in the Spanish Civil War Mar 8, 2010 Wayne Smith Read more at Suite101: The Condor Legion: Hitler Honed the Blitzkrieg in the Spanish Civil War http://spanish-history.suite101.com/article.cfm/the-condor-legion#ixzz0nGHxQGgS 1939 - Germany and Italy announced a military and political alliance known as the Rome-Berlin Axis. 1940 - Winston Churchill became British Prime Minister. 1942 - In the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japanese and American navies attacked each other with carrier planes. It was the first time in the history of naval warfare where two enemy fleets fought without seeing each other. The Links has nice Pictures Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 Overview and Special Image Selection Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of the Coral Sea, 7-8 May 1942 -- Japanese Air Attacks & Damage to USS Lexington, 8 May 1942 Battle of the Coral Sea -- Japanese Air Attacks & Damage to USS Lexington Battle of the Coral Sea, Lt. James Flatley, Lt. Noel Gayler, Comm. Bob Dixon, Lt. Stanley "Swede" Vejtasa, Lt. John Leppla 1943 - The last major German strongholds in North Africa, Tunis and Bizerte, fell to Allied forces. The Holocaust in Tunisia Tunis and Bizerte fell May 7 and the last remaining German units surrendered may 13, 1943. war and social upheaval: World War II -- the Holocaust in Tunisia North African Campaign: Information from Answers.com 1945 - Germany signed unconditional surrender ending World War II at Allied headquarters in Rheims, France, to take effect the following day, ending the European conflict of World War II. New York Times News Paper Article of the day. The War in Europe is Ended! Surrender Is Unconditional; V-E Will Be Proclaimed Today; Our Troops on Okinawa Gain On May 7th 1945 - Baseball owner Branch Rickey announced the organization of the United States Negro Baseball League, there were 6 teams, a change of the times.
interesting to note that German forces in the Ost did not totally obey the order of unconditional surrender and fighting continued even into June of 45 in small isolated sections especially on the coast
Wow? Really? Never heard that! Were they just disbanded Wehrmacht or Waffen SS not in the defence of Berlin? Where in the East were they fighting?
Army and Naval forces, small boots with plenty of punch from their AA guns as they tried to retrieve Heer personell and the escape towards the west. this was along the Hela Bay-Danzig and islands and west to Gotenhafen which had already fallen earlier there were many spots still holding out almost fighting to the death if you will waiting for the Kriegsmarine to rescue them
Very interesting! And all along, the allies were worried about disbanded SS fighting a guerilla war around Berctesgarten for months to come. Funny to see who really does fight to the end!
Germans fighting in the Ost including some of my relatives knew the possible outcome if captured, again some of the most viscious fighting was done in the last two months of the war, not just in Berlin.
It's also to be noted that Many SS surrendering to the Russians was I'll advised, and fighting continued past 8th in small scrimmages. Many Germany soldiers fought the Russians till the end or made their way and surrendered to US British Troops which was more favorable.
