By: Phil Kohn. Dedicated to the memory of his father, GM3 Walter Kohn, U.S. Navy Armed Guard, USNR, and all men and women who have answered the country’s call in time of need. Phil can be contacted at ww2remembered@yahoo.com.
In Vichy France, the government announces on June 13, 1941, that over 12,000 Jews have been arrested and are being “interned” at concentration camps because of a “Jewish plot” to hinder cooperation between Vichy France and Germany. Vichy laws are amended to include expropriation of Jewish-owned businesses without compensation. The Australian 7th Division overwhelms Vichy French defenders at Jezzine, Lebanon, located about halfway between the Palestine-Lebanon border and Beirut.
On June 14, President Roosevelt issues Executive Order 8785, authorizing the U.S. government to freeze all German and Italian assets held in the country, as well as those of other Axis-invaded and -occupied European countries.
German tanks advance in the desert shortly before the Battle of Sollum, Operation Battleaxe. Source: Wikipedia.
In North Africa on June 15, a major British offensive — “Operation Battleaxe” — is launched, with the aim of relieving the siege at Tobruk, Libya. Three columns move forward: one to Halfaya Pass, giving access to the Cyrenaica Plateau; one to Ft. Capuzzo, about 10 miles farther on; and one inland, to Hafid Ridge, around 6 miles west of Ft. Capuzzo. German 88-mm guns at Halfaya beat off the attack by Matilda heavy tanks and infantry, and the thrust at Hafid by lighter British tanks is also fended off. Although some gain is made at Ft. Capuzzo, by the end of the day the Allies have lost half their tanks, leaving them at a severe disadvantage against Rommel’s forces. In Syria, Indian and Free French troops clash with Vichy French forces near Kissoué. The Vichy troops are forced back after offering stiff resistance. In Lebanon, a counterattack by Vichy forces succeeds, allowing them to retake the southern town of Marjayoun and nearby positions.
In the U.S. President Roosevelt on June 16 orders all German and Italian consulates closed because of “improper activities.” Their staffs are to leave the country by July 10. In North Africa, the British attack continues but the momentum is swinging toward the Axis forces.
On June 17, Rommel begins consolidating his tank force for an attack on the weakened Allied position at Hafid Ridge. Gen. Wavell — having taken over 1,000 casualties and having lost almost 100 tanks — orders the entire Allied force to withdraw. He informs Prime Minister Churchill in London that “Operation Battleaxe” has failed. In Lebanon, Australian troops clear the last Vichy French resistance around Jezzine, just inland from Sidon.
In Ankara on June 18, the Turkish and German governments conclude a 10-year non-aggression treaty. In Syria, the Battle of Damascus begins. And in New York, at the Polo Grounds, boxer Joe Louis retains his heavyweight championship with a 13th-round knockout of challenger Billy Conn. Some writers call it one of the greatest heavyweight fights of all time.
Heavy fighting outside of Damascus continues on June 19. To the southwest, at Mezzeh, Syria, a village on the road from Damascus to Beirut, Vichy French forces manage to cut off and eliminate a battalion of Indian infantry. From Berlin and Rome come orders that all 31 U.S. consulates in Germany and Italy are to close. This is in retaliation for the U.S. action on June 16.
