- Joined
- Oct 11, 2010
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From Rome... Mussolini issues declarations of war to Britain and France. Neither the Italian economy nor the Italian people are particularly well prepared for war. Their fleet is, however, of considerable strength and strategic significance. They have two battleships immediately available, with four more modern ships nearly completed. They also have a powerful force of cruisers and destroyers and the largest submarine force in the world, 116 strong. These forces, when all the battleships are available, will be comfortably stronger than the British and French forces in the Mediterranean, the more so when Britain is fighting alone. The only class of ship which the Italians do not have is the aircraft carrier. Two British ships of this type are in the Mediterranean at this time. The Italian army is not a formidable as the fleet. Although of considerable size its units are usually under strength and, as the coming battles will show, badly led and poorly equipped.
From Paris... French Prime Minister Reynaud appeals to President Roosevelt to intervene in the war in Europe. This appeal is repeated on June 13th but without success.
In Norway... The Allied campaign comes to an end. Strategically the campaign has been most significant for the naval losses on each side and the transformation it has helped to bring about in the potential of the available bases for the German fleets. The Allies have lost one carrier, two cruisers, nine destroyers and many smaller craft, also many ships were damaged. These losses do nothing to help the British ability to protect the trade routes. The Germans have lost three cruisers, 10 destroyers and several submarines. This forms a large proportion of the Kriegsmarine fleet and this loss cannot be replaced at all quickly. It limits ability German navy capability to help protect, for example, an invasion of Britain. Manpower losses in the Norwegian campaign are about 5600 for the Germans and 6100 military deaths for the Allies as well as many civilian casualties.
On the Western Front... The Germans are across the Seine west of Paris. Elements of the French 10th Army are still fighting around St. Valery along with some British forces. Some of these units are evacuated from the town. East of Paris the German advance is also very rapid. Evacuations also begin at Le Havre. In the next three days 11,059 British and some French will be taken off, some to go to Cherbourg but the bulk is bound for Britain. East of Paris the German forces begin to gain ground south of the Aisne.
From Paris... French Prime Minister Reynaud appeals to President Roosevelt to intervene in the war in Europe. This appeal is repeated on June 13th but without success.
In Norway... The Allied campaign comes to an end. Strategically the campaign has been most significant for the naval losses on each side and the transformation it has helped to bring about in the potential of the available bases for the German fleets. The Allies have lost one carrier, two cruisers, nine destroyers and many smaller craft, also many ships were damaged. These losses do nothing to help the British ability to protect the trade routes. The Germans have lost three cruisers, 10 destroyers and several submarines. This forms a large proportion of the Kriegsmarine fleet and this loss cannot be replaced at all quickly. It limits ability German navy capability to help protect, for example, an invasion of Britain. Manpower losses in the Norwegian campaign are about 5600 for the Germans and 6100 military deaths for the Allies as well as many civilian casualties.
On the Western Front... The Germans are across the Seine west of Paris. Elements of the French 10th Army are still fighting around St. Valery along with some British forces. Some of these units are evacuated from the town. East of Paris the German advance is also very rapid. Evacuations also begin at Le Havre. In the next three days 11,059 British and some French will be taken off, some to go to Cherbourg but the bulk is bound for Britain. East of Paris the German forces begin to gain ground south of the Aisne.
