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http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/14.htm

June 14th, 1941

FRANCE: A year ago the Germans occupied Paris. A humiliating surrender was only days away. Twelve months later, despite the acquiescence of the pro-Nazi regime in Vichy, there are signs that resistance is beginning to stir in occupied France.

A coal-miners’ strike has just ended in the Pas-de-Calais region, which cost the Germans 500,000 tons of coal. 100,000 miners downed tools on 26 May, shouting “No coal for the enemy” and paralysing two entire regions.

This show of strength, along with the student demonstration in Paris in 11 November, is the most spectacular resistance action France has yet seen. But so far the Resistance lacks both finances and organisation within France. Most would-be resistants prefer to work alone or in small groups.

The circles of intellectuals, like the famous group ‘Musee de l’Homme’ which suffered severe losses in February, prefer to hand out pamphlets or clandestine newspapers. Others have opted for concrete action, like sabotaging some military installations, storing weapons, helping Jewish prisoners to escape and organising uprisings.

Paul Koepfler managed to help 120 people escape to the south on Christmas Eve; soon after he was arrested by the Germans. The risks are extremely high, regardless of the type of resistance chosen - especially since informing on one’s neighbours is encouraged by the Vichy rulers.

Many French citizens oppose the enemy by means of individual gestures, like placing flowers at the ‘Arc de Triomphe’ or tearing up German posters. Despite the arrests, the torture and the deportation awaiting the resistance, the number of people joining the resistance movement continues to grow.

GERMANY: Commander Theodore Eicke of the SS Death’s Head division informs his officers of Hitler’s “Commissar” order to kill all Communist officials on sight.

U-303, U-414 laid down.
U-333 launched. (Dave Shirlaw)

U.S.S.R.: Moscow: The foreign minister, Vyacheslav Molotov, says that “only a fool would attack Russia.”
Arrests begin after Soviet Union occupied Estonia in July 1940, but they are made quietly. There were about 7,000 people arrested before 14 June, mostly Estonian politicians, high level officers and others whom the Communists considered dangerous. (Rainer Korsen)

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: HMS Ark Royal and HMS Victorious bring more Hurricane fighters to Malta.

LIBYA: Wavell launches Operation Battleaxe, which has as its aim the destruction of Rommel’s forces and to achieve a decisive victory in North Africa. If all else failed the attack might at least relieve Tobruk. The attack was to be led by the new commander of 13 Corps. Lt-General Beresford-Pierse, who had replaced the captured General Neame.

To achieve this aim, the British had to capture the old frontier posts at the Halfaya Pass, Fort Capuzzo and Sollum in the first attack. This would be achieved by the Indian 4th Division with the Matilda tanks of the 4th Armoured Brigade in close support. Once they had succeeded in penetrating the enemy line, 7th Armoured would come forward, join with 4th Armoured and break through to Tobruk. This done, 7th Armoured, now reinforced by the Tobruk garrison, would push on and secure a line along the axis between Derna and Mechili. Wavell estimated that Rommel had 13,000 men and 100 tanks close to the wire with another 25,000 men and 200 tanks around Tobruk, 80 miles to the west.

The true figures were that the British had 300 assorted tanks to Rommels 200, of which only about 100 were the gun-armed PzKw IIIs and IVs. But Rommel had prepared a defensive line and moved all his anti-tank forces forward, including 88mm guns, which could easily penetrate the thick armour of the Matildas.

SYRIA: 25 Aust Brigade captures Jezzine after long truck journey from Merdjayoun to the coast. On the eastern axis French in Kiswe continue to resist fiercely. Eight Ju-88s of Italian Air Force attack British warships off Tyre. Tomahawks of 3 Sqn RAAF claim three Ju-88s shot down. (Michael Alexander)

AUSTRALIA: Minesweeper HMAS Lithgow commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Lachine launched Levis, Province of Quebec.

NEWFOUNDLAND: Depot ship HMS Forth arrived St John’s and joined NEF until replaced by HMS Greenwich in September. (Dave Shirlaw)

U.S.A.: Washington:
The sinking of the American freighter Robin Moor by a German U-boat decided President Roosevelt to freeze Axis assets in the United States. Naval activity here is hectic. Two destroyers were launched yesterday in Boston. Large cargo ships are being converted into escort carriers capable of launching 15 aircraft, and Congressmen believe that the next step will be to arm merchantmen.

Germany and Italy have taken measures with a view to freezing US assets, said to be worth GBP 105 million in Germany and GBP 36 million in Italy.

The first tests of the launcher, rocket antitank, T1, codenamed “The Whip”, this is later known as the bazooka. (Pat Holscher)

Destroyers USS Fitch and Forrest launched.

Destroyers USS Doran and Earle laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)

ATLANTIC OCEAN: SS St Lindsay sunk by U-751 at 51N, 30W. (Dave Shirlaw)