World War II As It Happened
A MaritimeQuest Daily Event Special Presentation
Friday, October 10, 1941
Day 771

October 10, 1941: Front page of the News and Chronicle, London, England.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
Note the report in column 1: "Goering Reported In Army Plot"
(Another false report of Reichsmarschall Hermann Göring being placed under arrest. This report however, has an interesting claim. The writer claims that Hitler's generals are unhappy with the "victory at all costs" orders and were plotting to have Hitler's advisors removed. This was an absurd claim. In fact, support of the war effort by Hitler's generals was further strengthened on this day by the Reichenau order, showing at bottom of this page.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of The Daily Mail, Hull, England.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
Note the report at top right: "Nazi Reign Of Terror In Crete - Wholesale Murder of Women, Children"
Also note the report in column 2: "U-Boat Colours As R.A.F. Trophy"
(The unidentified U-boat was U-570. It was on its first war patrol, was forced to the surface and surrendered. It was towed into port and commissioned into the Royal Navy as HMS Graph. Used by the RN for testing, it was wrecked Mar. 20, 1944 and abandoned.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of The Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury, Leeds, England.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of the Western Mail and South Wales News, Cardiff, Wales.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
Note the report in columns 4-5: "Big U-Boat Surrenders to Trawler"
(The unidentified U-boat was U-111, which was sunk on Oct. 4, 1941. Eight of the U-boat's crew were killed, and one of Lady Shirley's crew was also killed, 1 man was killed, Seaman Leslie W. Pizzey, RNPS. The commanding officer, Lt. Cdr. Arthur H. Calloway was awarded the DSM, but he and his entire 32-man crew were lost on Dec. 11, 1941 when HM Trawler Lady Shirley was sunk by U-374.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of the Evening Telegraph and Post, Dundee, Scotland.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Examiner, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
Note the report in column 7: "Pocket Battleship In South Atlantic"
(The only German surface ships operating in the South Atlantic were Hilfskreuzer [auxiliary cruisers.]
Also note the report in columns 5-6: "Gestapo Executes 14 Czechs In Day: Resistance In Europe"


October 10, 1941: Front page of The Sydney Sun, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Telegraph, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Lethbridge Herald, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of the Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
 
Note the report in column 3: "Epidemic Shows Slight Upswing"
(Several more cases of infantile paralysis [polio] reported in the Manitoba area.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of the Biddeford Daily Journal, Biddeford, Maine.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Evening Star, Washington, D.C.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
 
Note the report in columns 2-3: "Hitler Is Reported Offering Armistice Terms to Russia"
(This report is a complete work of fiction. Hitler had no intention of peace with Russia, the complete annihilation and enslavement of Russia was the goal, nothing less. We know this as a historical fact, but this was not known to the world in 1941. However, on Oct. 7, 1941, three days before this report was published, Generaloberst Alfred Jodl, Chief of the Operations Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht [High Command of the German Armed Forces] sent a memo on behalf of Adolf Hitler about the possible surrender of Russian cities. The bottom line was that no surrender of any Russian city was to be accepted.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of The Evening Gazette, Xenia, Ohio.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Port Arthur News, Port Arthur, Texas.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Nevada State Journal, Reno, Nevada.
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October 10, 1941: Front page of The Southern Jewish Weekly, Jacksonville, Florida.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
 
Note the report at top right: "Thousands of Jews Slain By Nazi Troops in Ukraine"
Also note the report in column 2: "Nazis Mobilize Jewish Children"
(All Jewish children from 14 to 16 must register with the Nazi authorities in Poland. This is in addition to the forced labor order for Jews from the age of 16 to 60.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of The Bakersfield Californian, Bakersfield, California.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of the Teltower Kreisblatt, Kreis Teltow, Brandenburg, Germany.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
 
1. Die Entscheidung im Osten gefallen.
(The decision in the east made.)


October 10, 1941: Front page of the Völkischer Beobachter, the official newspaper of the NSDAP.
(Click on the image for a readable version.)
1. Die große Stunde ist da - Der Feldzug im Osten entschieden!
(The big hour is here The campaign in the east decided!)
Historical note: On this day Generalfeldmarschall Walter von Reichenau, Commander-in-Chief of the German Sixth Army, issued the following order.

Subject: Conduct of Troops in Eastern Territories.

Regarding the conduct of troops towards the bolshevistic system, vague ideas are still prevalent in many cases. The most essential aim of war against the Jewish-bolshevistic system is a complete destruction of their means of power and the elimination of Asiatic influence from the European culture. In this connection the troops are facing tasks which exceed the one-sided routine of soldiering. The soldier in the eastern territories is not merely a fighter according to the rules of the art of war but also a bearer of ruthless national ideology and the avenger of bestialities which have been inflicted upon German and racially related nations.

Therefore, the soldier must have full understanding for the necessity of a severe but just revenge on subhuman Jewry. The Army has to aim at another purpose, i. e., the annihilation of revolts in hinterland which, as experience proves, have always been caused by Jews.

The combating of the enemy behind the front line is still not being taken seriously enough. Treacherous, cruel partisans and unnatural women are still being made prisoners of war and guerilla fighters dressed partly in uniforms or plain clothes and vagabonds are still being treated as proper soldiers, and sent to prisoner of war camps. In fact, captured Russian officers talk even mockingly about Soviet agents moving openly about the roads and very often eating at German field kitchens. Such an attitude of the troops can only be explained by complete thoughtlessness, so it is now high time for the commanders to clarify the meaning of the present struggle.

The feeding of the natives and of prisoners of war who are not working for the Armed Forces from Army kitchens is an equally misunderstood humanitarian act as is the giving of cigarettes and bread. Things which the people at home can spare under great sacrifices and things which are being brought by the command to the front under great difficulties, should not be given to the enemy by the soldier not even if they originate from booty. It is an important part of our supply.

When retreating the Soviets have often set buildings on fire. The troops should be interested in extinguishing of fires only as far as it is necessary to secure sufficient numbers of billets. Otherwise the disappearance of symbols of the former bolshevistic rule even in the form of buildings is part of the struggle of destruction. Neither historic nor artistic considerations are of any importance in the eastern territories. The command issues the necessary directives for the securing of raw materials and plants, essential for war economy. The complete disarming of the civil population in the rear of the fighting troops is imperative considering the long and vulnerable lines of communications. Where possible, captured weapons and ammunition should be stored and guarded. Should this be impossible because of the situation of the battle so the weapons and ammunition will be rendered useless. If isolated partisans are found using firearm in the rear of the army drastic measures are to be taken. These measures will be extended to that part of the male population who were in a position to hinder or report the attacks. The indifference of numerous apparently anti-Soviet elements which originates from a "wait and see" attitude, must give way to a clear decision for active collaboration. If not, no one can complain about being judged and treated a member of the Soviet System.

The fear of the German countermeasures must be stronger than the threats of the wandering bolshevistic remnants. Being far from all political considerations of the future the soldier has to fulfill two tasks:

1. Complete annihilation of the false bolshevistic doctrine of the Soviet State and its armed forces.

2. The pitiless extermination of foreign treachery and cruelty and thus the protection of the lives of military personnel in Russia.

This is the only way to fulfil our historic task to liberate the German people once forever from the Asiatic-Jewish danger.
-Signed Walter von Reichenau


   
Page published October 10, 2022