World War II As It Happened
A MaritimeQuest Daily Event Special Presentation
Saturday, September 13, 1941
Day 744

September 13, 1941: Front page of the News and Chronicle, London, England.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
Historical note, on this day Generalfeldmarschall Wilhelm Keitel, Chief of Staff the the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, sent the following order.

The Situation in Norway.
To: Commanding General, Armed Forces, Norway, General von Falkenhorst

According to reports which have been submitted, the anti-German attitude of the Norwegian population has assumed intolerable proportions. That this state of affairs should continue, or, worse still, grow more acute, constitutes a direct threat to the security of the German troops and the defense of Norway.

All service departments should therefore receive instructions from now on to take much more severe measures-than hitherto in dealing with all offenses punishable by the Armed Forces. Service propaganda should clearly indicate that offenses against. the Armed Forces or the military security of the country entail an immediate threat to the life of the culprit

The judges should be informed that, in the case of offenses on the part of Norwegians who take action directly or indirectly against Germany, the most severe penalties are indicated. Only the death sentence will be a real deterrent in present conditions. It is to be recommended in all serious cases. In particular, acts of espionage, deeds of sabotage and attempts to enter the Armed Forces of a foreign power must, as a general principle, be punished by death. Also, sentence of death should generally be pronounced in serious cases of possession of arms against order.

These points should also be borne in mind when making decisions regarding the confirming or annulling of verdicts. Court martial judges should receive instructions to this effect.

The attitude of the military towards the population should conform to these general directions. In the case of clashes; arm should be used immediately, The greatest reserve must be demanded in dealings with Norwegians.

The Commanding General, Armed Forces. Norway is requested to inform the Armed Forces High Command of measures taken in individual cases. The Reich Commissioner is being sent a copy of this document.

Signed - Keitel


September 13, 1941: Front page of The Daily Mail, Hull, England.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury, Leeds, England.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of the Western Mail and South Wales News, Cardiff, Wales.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of the Press and Journal, Aberdeen, Scotland.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Examiner, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Sydney Sun, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Telegraph, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Lethbridge Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of the Biddeford Daily Journal, Biddeford, Maine.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Evening Star, Washington, D.C.
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Note the report at top right: "Atlantic Convoy Lost 8 Ships To Subs, Planes, British Say; Move to Arm U.S. Vessels Seen"
(The attack, which lasted from Sept. 9 to Sept. 19, was against SC-42, a 72 ship convoy. Fourteen ships were sunk in the attacks, most on Sept. 10th and 11th . Only two were sunk later, one each on the 16th. and 19th.)


September 13, 1941: Front page of The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Ohio.
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Note the headline report: "Is Hitler Debating War Declaration On U.S.?"
Also note the report in column 3: "Says Lindbergh's Should Shut Up"


September 13, 1941: Front page of The Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Texas.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California.
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September 13, 1941: Front page of the Völkischer Beobachter, the official newspaper of the NSDAP.
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1. U-Boote versenkten 22 Schiffe mit 134.000 BRT.
(U-boats sank 22 ships of 134,000 GRT.)
2. Front und Heimat - eine in Treue verschworene Gemeinschaft.
(Front and home - a community sworn in loyalty.)
3. Schluß mit dem Assimilantentum - Juden nur mit Judenstern!
(No more assimilation - Jews only with the Jewish star!)



   
Page published September 13, 2022