1939: The Graf Spee sinks the merchantman Africa Shell off Mozambique.1940: RAF squadrons deploy from their bases in the Middle East to Greece under the command of Air Vice-Marshal J D'Albiac.
1940: Blenheims and Wellingtons of the Western Desert Air Force attack targets deep inside enemy territory, and Lysanders and Blenheims provide complete reconnaissance of Italian defences at Sidi Barrani.
1940: The prototype de Havilland Mosquito takes off for the first time; designed as a bomber fast enough to dispense with defensive armament, it has a top speed of 400 mph (644 km/h).
1941: Heeresgruppe Mitte begins the second phase of the battle for Moscow, employing the forces of three Panzergruppen, 2nd, 3rd and 4th, as well as three infantry armies, 2nd Army, 4th Army and 9th Army.
1941: A Japanese special negotiator arrives in Washington.
1941: The de Havilland Mosquito light bomber enters service with No. 105 Sqn at RAF Swanton Morley, Norfolk. However, it was on 31 May 1942 that the Mosquito took part in its first operational raid (Cologne).
1942: Another night action off Guadalcanal costs the US Navy three destroyers for Japanese battleship Kirishma.
1943: The allied expeditionary airforce is formed in Britain for the invasion of Europe.
1943: Mark Clark calls off the U.S. Fifth Army's offensive. The British counter-attack on Leros fails as the Luftwaffe flies 600 sorties a day. A State of emergency is declared in Milan as unrest in northern Italy continues. The Germans take 1,750 hostages, machine guns are in the streets and 8pm curfew enforced.
1943: The 2nd Tactical Air Force (2nd TAF) is formed; this in turn forms part of the Allied Expeditionary Air Force (AEAF), commanded by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory, in preparation for the invasion of mainland Europe.
This Day in WWI
1917: Georges Clemenceau becomes Premier of France, succeeding Painlove.
1917: Kerensky flees and Bolsheviks take command in Moscow.
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"Its a dog eat dog world out there, and I'm wearing Milkbone underwear!"
posted 11-15-2002 08:45 AM
