On this day
Revisit the news, notable people, and historical moments connected to this date.
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activity in Low Countries and France summarized
German methods of fighting described
Germany's war for the Low Countries developed yesterday into a series of violent attacks along a 200-mile front from the Netherlands to the Moselle River. It was a full Blitzkrieg effort, utilizing armored columns and airplane bombers and strafers. The Allies met it with delaying actions. Paris military authorities emphasized main bodies were not yet engaged. [Page 1.]
Roosevelt to ask more funds; conf with Treas, War and Navy Dept heads and Cong leaders; increased debt limit hinted; S T Early comments
Major battle begins just inside Belgian eastern border
1940H. Jones, English colonel, Victoria Cross recipient (died 1982)[†]
Lieutenant Colonel Herbert Jones,, known as H. Jones, was a British Army officer and posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross (VC). He was awarded the VC after being killed in action during the Battle of Goose Green for his actions as commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment, during the Falklands War.
1940Emma Goldman, Lithuanian author and activist (born 1869)[†]
Emma Goldman was a Russian-born anarchist revolutionary, political activist, and writer. She played a pivotal role in the development of anarchist political philosophy in North America and Europe in the first half of the 20th century.
1940Menno ter Braak, Dutch author (born 1902)[†]
Menno ter Braak was a Dutch modernist writer, critic, essayist, and journalist.
1940World War II: Rotterdam, Netherlands is bombed by the Luftwaffe of Nazi Germany despite a ceasefire, killing about 900 people and destroying the historic city center.[†]
World War II or the Second World War was a global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies and the Axis powers. Nearly all of the world's countries participated, with many nations mobilising all resources in pursuit of total war. Tanks and aircraft played major roles, enabling the strategic bombing of cities and delivery of the first and only nuclear weapons ever used in war. World War II is the deadliest conflict in history, causing the death of 70 to 85 million people, more than half of whom were civilians. Millions died in genocides, including the Holocaust, and by massacres, starvation, and disease. After the Allied victory, Germany, Austria, Japan, and Korea were occupied, and German and Japanese leaders were tried for war crimes.