January 1940
Dateline Kenya-January 1st Building on their recent success in Somalia and Sudan, Italian forces crossed the border into Kenya this morning. Fighting has been sporadic as UK troops have yet to gather for a stand-up fight.
Dateline Helsinki-January 1st France and Finland reaffirm their friendship with a tighter mutual defense and assistance treaty.
Dateline France-January 4th Sporadic German attacks have highlighted the first few days of the month, as both sides husband their strength. German air units appear to have control of the skies, but French aircraft do appear from time to time.
Dateline North Africa, NW of the Quatarra Depression - January 4 Here near Sidi Barrani, the scene of a major British victory over advancing Italian troops just two weeks ago, the British forces have now launched another combined attack on Italian ground troops. This time Italian air support was in action and engaged British Whitley bombers and Gladiator fighters in the skies near the Mediterranean. Reports from the scene indicate that the Italians again took heavy losses, with the Brescia, Sirte and Catanzaro infantry divisions all disintegrating in the battle and streaming to the rear. Again, the 44th Northhamptonshire Infantry Division was the lead attacking unit along with the British 8th Infantry Division and other elements of the 8th. For a conflict that is less than 30 days old in North Africa, a lot of blood has been spilled.
As in December, major action is also reported between the Italian Southern Army and British armored units west of Sofali, Egypt. Large numbers of British MK-IV tanks have been seen moving in attack formation in the area. Although British military sources will not confirm, this reporter has learned that British armored units are now also in control of Gambut, Libya and moving toward Tobruk. If true, this would be a major advance for Commonwealth forces. Finally, rumors are rampant over another Italian army approaching southern Egypt from Sudan, where last month Italian units overwhelmed the small British garrison. The Egyptian army is expecting to mobilize to face that potential threat, and has sworn to keep Italian forces from entering their southern borders.
Dateline Holland-January 5th The last allied ships left under cover of darkness last night. The Dutch rear guard units apparently snuck away from their positions last night and boarded several small boats, leaving their equipment in place behind them. All in all, the allies couldn't have asked for a cleaner withdrawal, as the terrain allowed them to channel the attackers into a narrow area. The RAF also played a part in safeguarding the withdrawal. Skeptics are quick to point out that the allies should never have allowed things to get to this point.
Dateline Egypt-January 5th Spurred by reports of atrocities committed by Italian forces in Sudan, the Egyptian government has ordered the mobilization of their army in support of UK forces.
Dateline France-January 7th Up til now a non-factor in the land battles, the French Navy today executed a quick sweeping raid of German-held French coastline. Several capital ships harrassed supply units and bombarded enemy airfields before fading back into the fog of the Channel.
Dateline Central Africa- January 8th Italian forces have crossed the border from Kenya into Uganda. The Ugandan military is mobilizing to assist the British.
Dateline North Africa-January 8th Faced with numerous English ships in the area, Italian reinforcements land in Tobruk under the cover of darkness.
Dateline Egypt-January 9th Despite the failure of all personnel to report to their assigned units, the mobilized Egyptian army has taken up defensive positions in several cities along the Nile.
AP Wire-Dateline January 10th MAJOR NAVAL BATTLE OFF GIBRALTAR!! Italian Navy defeats UK! Surrounds British Possession! As many of our readers know, last month the forces of Italy made an armed landing using various methods of subterfuge against the British possession of Gibraltar. Despite initial success, their forces were slowly forced away from their goals by British defenders. Now, with a new month upon us, the Italian Commando Supremo has apparently upped the ante in their bid to close one end of the Mediterranean to British ships. On the morning of January 4th, two Italian fleets set sail from Sicily, with transport ships gliding along not far behind. By the morning of the 5th, all combat ships were at general quarters, and closing on a British fleet of unknown strength. Although the orders of battle for both sides were confused for the first day of battle, we now have been able to obtain a list of combatants. The Royal Navy contingent consisted of the Battleship Revenge, the Battlecruiser Repulse, the Carrier Hermes, 2 Heavy Cruisers, 4 Light Cruisers, and 5 Destroyers. The Italian naval force contained the Battleship Imperio, 3 Heavy Cruisers: Zara, Pola, and Fiume, 2 Light Cruisers, 4 Destroyers, and 6 Submarines.
Naval strategists around the world will be interested to know that the Hermes' air units found the enemy first, and drew first blood. At approximately 9 AM on the morning of January 5th, a spotter plane launched from the Hermes found the Italian escorts, and directed a squadron each of Skua and Swordfish bombers down onto the Italian destroyers. By 9:30,one Italian Destroyer was sunk, and another was aflame. Not to be outdone, the Italian AA gunners managed to down all of the Swordfish and 2 of the Skuas. With their presence detected, the Italian fleet accelerated, heading straight for the British warships. Late arrivals from Britain meant that the UK ships were slightly disorganized when the Italians reached gunnery range. Seizing the opportunity, the Imperio led the Italian fleet as they crossed the British "T". Shells from the Imperio, the Fiume, and both Light Cruisers found their marks as the Revenge took a pounding. Swathed in smoke, the Revenge fell out of line badly hurt. The Italian destroyers attempted to make a torpedo run on the injured leviathan, but found only large-caliber shells and watery graves for their trouble. Seeing the flagship afire, the Repulse emerged from the smoke to light up the Imperio with her own big guns. Escorts dodged in and out over a period of 3 hours as gunners on both sides tried to find the range. Individual ships engaged each other at distances usually reserved for rifle fire as smoke obscured the battlefield. Unwilling to leave their transports uncovered, the Italian fleet did not press for Gibraltar, but spent the early afternoon sparring with the British ships in an attempt to clear a lane to the beaches. When dusk settled in, both sides had lost 4 destroyers, while the Battleship Revenge was still afloat, and the Fiume was now trailing smoke. Almost no ship was damage-free, save the Hermes and the submarines.
January 6th dawned bright and early, and the Imperio's crew was eating breakfast at their guns when the Skuas returned. Two torpedoes found their mark, but the big ship hardly even slowed. Switching tactics from the day before, the Italian fleet approached the British en masse, using their submarines to pick off individual ships. Having lost most of their Destroyers on the 5th, both sides used their Light Cruisers to feel out the enemy, resulting in heavy casualties on board those ships. Unable to determine what was causing them so much damage, the Royal Navy lost a Destroyer and a Light Cruiser before breaking contact at 1 PM. Still unable to land their troops safely, the Italians were forced to keep their distance from Gibraltar and her shore batteries.
On the 7th, the British fleet sallied forth once more to attempt to drive away the invaders. The Naval Air boys once again led the way, putting two more torpedoes into the Imperio, who now had a visible list to port. Distracted by the air attack, the Italians didn't notice shells from the Revenge falling nearby until it was too late. Packed tightly due to a squall the night before, two Light Cruisers were taken out in a single volley, as a giant explosion lit the morning sky. Passing nearby, the Fiume also took major damage, barely staying afloat. Determined to carry the fight to the enemy, the Repulse engaged the Imperio for the second time in two days. Her shells knocked out the Imperio's #3 turret, but the big ship continued to fight. No longer aflame, but still hurting the Revenge moved into the midst of the Italian fleet, guns blazing.
As she became separated from the rest of the UK ships, she found herself the center of a lot of attention. Finally unable to withstand no more damage, the big ship rolled over and sank at 11:15 in the morning. The British fleet had just lost their flagship, and the momentum shifted squarely to the Italians. With the sinking of the Revenge, the British fleet made a fighting retreat, sinking the Fiume while losing two Light Cruisers to further submarine attacks. As night fell, both sides knew that the next day would determine the battle.
Unable to win the battle without attacking the enemy's submarines, the British admiral decided that he would use the 8th to seek out and harass the subs to the greatest extent possible while his remaining big ships went for the throat. His plan got off to a great start, as a dawn air raid caught Italian Submarine #55 recharging her batteries. The three remaining British planes put a torpedo into the 55, but she managed to submerge. Knowing that they were now being targeted, the Italian submariners spread out, opening the way for the British to move in. Knowing that much of the plan depended on her, the Repulse more than did her duty, as volley after volley from her forward batteries turned the Imperio into a flaming hulk, and the Imperio exploded, sending the Italian flagship to Davy Jones' locker at 10:11 AM. The Zara and the Pola, being the last two Italian warships afloat, pulled back to protect the transports, fending off a British slash by sinking a Light Cruiser. Sensing blood, the UK naval forces moved in for the kill. And into a trap.
Seeing their flagship sunk, the Italian submarines responded with a massive torpedo assault. Hit after hit rocked the British ships, as the ones left afloat were ill equipped to fight off submarine attack. They did manage to sink submarine #55, but by 2:20 in the afternoon, there were no British ships left in the area. A huge oil slick marked the Repulse's burial site, and two smoke clouds marked the last vestiges of two UK Heavy Cruisers. The remaining three planes from the Hermes appeared overhead one last time, sending Sub #56 to the bottom, but the Hermes quietly withdrew to the Atlantic while her planes headed for Gibraltar.
Still needing to see their charges safely to shore, the Zara and the Pola moved to engage Gibraltar's shore batteries. Eight 10-inch guns marked the entrance to the Atlantic, and they out ranged the guns on the Italian Heavy Cruisers. The first volley from Gibraltar rocked the Zara, but as the ranged closed, the Italians were able to use their heavier volume of fire to destroy the gun emplacements one by one. Less than an hour before sunset, the last British gun ceased firing--her entire crew dead or wounded. The Zara was badly wounded, but in no danger of sinking. Getting her fires under control, Zara turned for home at reduced speed while the Pola guarded her wards until they hit the beach. When dawn broke yesterday morning, the British defenders on Gibraltar were faced with a new predicament: fresh Italian invaders, and the guns of a Heavy Cruiser.
While their fleet was decimated, the Italians had done what they came to do: reinforce their invasion force. And in the meantime, they had managed to win what is now known as The Battle at Rock Sea.
Dateline Malta-January 10th UK and Italian naval forces are squaring off throught the Mediterranean, and both sides are claiming several subs and ship sunk.
Dateline France-January 11th German pressure on French forces east of Paris is increasing. Trench warfare rules in several sections of the front, but not here. While the landscape is beginning to resemble a wasteland, units have no time to dig in as each side attacks, falls back from counterattacks, and then sweeps forward again. Both units are pouring in the last reserves in the attempt to force a decision.
Dateline North Africa-January 15th British warships bombard Italian postions the Libyan border, and retreat to deeper water before Italian air units can retaliate.
Dateline France-January 18th Allied forces experience a day of good news, as German attacks are rebuffed from Troyes, Nancy, Chaumont, and Saverne.
Dateline North Africa- January 21st The fighting here has become very fluid, as British and Italian troops have repeatedly cut and resecured supply lines. What has become clear, is that the Italians are getting the worst of it. The remnants of the original Italian army in North Africa are surrounded in what has been termed a "circle of firepower" by high-ranking British sources. Italian reinforcements are struggling to free the trapped forces, but a UK armored brigaded has stopped their advances down the coastal road.
Dateline Gibraltar-January 21st Despite their recent losses in the Battle at Rock Sea, the Royal Navy has once again reasserted their dominance at sea around Gibraltar. Sometime yesterday evening, a large British task force entered the area, and engaged a few Italian submarines still in the vicinity. The Italian Heavy Cruiser Pola left just hours before the British arrived, as she was obviously outgunned by the new arrivals. The submarines that remained to cover her withdrawal managed to ambush and sink a UK light cruiser before they fell prey to air strikes and depth charge attacks from a combination of ship types. Royal Navy officials have claimed three sinkings of Italian submarines, but at least one sub is known to have escaped the area with only moderate damage. Several Italian units on Gibraltar have apparently fled the island aboard their transports, as they were unable to unseat British forces in what consisted of surprisingly light fighting. With the region now secured through at least the end of the month, the British warships have turned their attention to the Italian troops still ashore on Gibraltar. Italian transports rumored to be in the area have not materialized, and any approach by such vessels would now be suicidal.
Dateline France-January 22nd Allied forces again rebuff German attacks, this time successfully Troyes, Nancy, Chaumont, Saverne, and Beauvais.
Dateline North Africa-January 22nd Violent sandstorms have hit the several areas of fighting today, and are predicted to last for several days. Both sides are taking shelter until the storms subside. UK officials have assured this reporter that the surrounded Italian forces will be destroyed as soon as the weather clears.
Dateline Gibraltar-January 25th The last cohesive Italian unit on Gibraltar surrendered this morning, as Highland bagpipes serenaded the surrender ceremony. A few individuals may still be loose, but the commanding officer here assured the crowd that measures were being taken to ensure the citizenry's continued safety. The Italian troops were commended for their audacity and outstanding courage, and they are currently being shipped back to England, hopefully for eventual exchange back to Italy.
Dateline Kenya-January 30th Italian forces are closing in on the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, but for every threatening Italian spearhead, another is cut off from supplies. Rumors of South African troops heading for the region mean that time is of the essence for the Italians to secure the country. Italian losses for the month are being estimated at 2,000, slightly more than double what the Allies are purported to have suffered.
Dateline: France-January 31st After several days of house-to-house fighting, Axis forces still have been unable to take the French town of Troyes. Their offensive to encircle Paris has stalled as the key city's defenders refuse to give way. Should Troyes fall, French forces on the front lines will be split almost in half. On a positive note for the French, only a single division was lost in its entirety this month. Germany purportedly lost one infantry division of its own, while a motor division suffered crippling losses. Allied losses for the month are estimated at 19,500, while the Axis took nearly 55,000. Sources say both sides have nearly exhausted their replacement pools in their infantry units, and that a decision point can't be long in coming.
Dateline Mediterranean-January 31st The naval fighting to protect their respective supply lines has hurt both the UK and Italy. The UK supposedly has had several destroyers heavily damaged, but they are also claiming that they sunk a like number of Italian warships, including the light cruiser Vipsanio Agrippa. Italy is not denying these claims, but is reporting a much higher tonnage of UK shipping sunk than Italian.
Dateline Atlantic-January 31st UK sources are claiming another successful month, with minimal merchant tonnage sunk, and 13 claims of sub sinkings. Germany has responded with the report that only 6 subs were sunk, and that they took 15 destroyers and 2 light cruisers with them.
Dateline North Africa-January 31st Sources close to the Italian high command are putting Italian losses in North Africa at slightly over 16,000 for the month. Compared to the less than 6,000 losses the UK forces suffered, it's obvious who's getting the short end of the stick.