Monday, October 16, 1939 - Germans counterattack in the Saar region

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On the Western Front... Initially, German forces strike along a 4-mile frontage immediately east of the Moselle River. French gunfire is credited with ending this advance. Later in the day, German forces attack on a 20-mile frontage east of the Saar River. The French "covering forces" retire, according to plan. Within 48 hours, the Germans push the French back from the gains of the Saar offensive in September. There are few casualties on either side though the Allies claim German forces suffer 5000 casualties in the operations.

In Britain... Nine of the new Ju88 dive-bombers attack warships at Rosyth, Firth of Forth. An unexploded bomb penetrates the cruiser HMS Southampton. HMS Edinburgh also sustains damage. The crew of the destroyer HMS Mohawk suffers casualties. RAF Spitfires, piloted by "part-time" pilots of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, engage the German aircraft.

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From Berlin... German warships receive modified instructions for attacking: "All merchant ships definitely recognized as enemy ones (British and French) can be torpedoed without warning. Passenger steamers in convoy can be torpedoed a short while after notice has been given of the intention to do so."

In Berlin... The German High Command announces the official end to the Polish Campaign. Some Polish regulars continue to resist in remote areas.

In Paris... The Polish embassy claims that Polish troops continue to hold out against German and Soviet invaders in Suwalki, in the Carpathian Mountains, and in the Pripet Marshes at Bialowieza.
 
In Britain[/I]...[/B][/U] Nine of the new Ju88 dive-bombers attack warships at Rosyth, Firth of Forth. An unexploded bomb penetrates the cruiser HMS Southampton. HMS Edinburgh also sustains damage. The crew of the destroyer HMS Mohawk suffers casualties. RAF Spitfires, piloted by "part-time" pilots of the Glasgow and Edinburgh Auxiliary Air Force squadrons, engage the German aircraft.

On 16 October 1939, the Luftwaffe made its first attack on Great Britain. Junkers Ju-88s of 1/KG 30 led by Hauptmann Helmuth Pohle attacked British warships in the Firth of Forth.
Spitfires from 603 Squadron joined 602 Squadron aircraft in a defensive counter-air sortie.
Following the destruction of a Luftwaffe bomber aircraft by a 603 Squadron Spitfire, 602 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant George Pinkerton gained the second kill of the Second World War. (en.wiki)
 
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