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In January 1939, Mr. William Reed OBE of Smith's Docks Co. at Middlesbrough, England, United Kingdom was approached by the British Admiralty with a request for a design of a cheap and simple multi-role warship capable of being built in the multitude of small civilian shipyards not usually accustomed to building to naval standards.
source and image courtesy: [World War Two Database] -
The battlecruiser Scharnhorst was commissioned early 1939, but returned to the shipyards in mid-1939 for a new main mast and a new bow that was more fitting for North Atlantic duties. Her first operation was a sweep into the Iceland-Faroes passage in Nov 1939 along with her sister ship Gneisenau; she sank the British Armed Merchant Cruiser Rawalpindi.
source: World War Two Database -
Richelieu was the lead ship of her class of two battleships. The Richelieu-class ships were unusual in that all of the main turrets are in the forward part of the ships; this was a characteristic inherited from the Dunkirque-class battleship design which she was developed upon.
source: World War Two Database -
Lieutenant Commander Wilhelm Fröhlich took command of U-36.
source: [World War Two Database] -
In the fall of 1937, the United States Army Air Corps issued a request for an attack aircraft. Douglas Aircraft Company's response to the request did not win the contract, but did attract attention from France.
source: World War Two Database -
A Hurricane fighter is sent to Canada in preparation for license production.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Built to a USAAC specification, the Maryland is only ever employed by France and Britain. It would be the first US supplied bomber to be used by the RAF in North Africa.
source: World War Two Database -
Grossadmiral Tirpitz's daughter Frau von Hassel christens the battleship named after her father.
source: [World War Two Database] -
Hans-Joachim Marseille is promoted to the rank of Fahnenjunker-Gefreiter.
source: [World War Two Database] -
The Focke-Wulf Fw-190 fighter makes its maiden flight at Bremen, Germany. The aircraft displays excellent handling characteristics and is highly maneuverable, but suffers from engine overheating problems which requires the fitting of a redesigned engine cowling.
source: [World War Two Database] -
HMS Edinburgh was commissioned into service and was assigned to the 18th Cruiser Squadron of the Home Fleet of the British Royal Navy.
source: World War Two Database -
The He 112 fighters were designed by Walter and Siegfried Günter at Heinkel as the response to Luftwaffe's call for designs for a fighter contract.
source: World War Two Database -
Erwin Rommel is promoted to the rank of Generalmajor.
source: World War Two Database -
Among the opening acts of the European War, the German Luftwaffe bombed the town of Wielu in Poland, causing 1,200 civilian casualties.
source: World War Two Database -
The prototype of the Percival Proctor, designed to British Air Ministry Specification 20/38 for a communications and radio training aircraft, makes its maiden flight.
source: World War Two Database -
Adolf Hitler issues directive No. 9 which calls for German aircraft and submarines to attack British shipping and port facilities.
source: World War Two Database -
On this date HMS Rawalpindi stumbled upon the German battlecruisers Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. When asked to abandon ship, Captain Edward Kennedy turned toward the German ships in an attempt to get into range of her 6-inch guns. She was to be sunk by the German 11-inch guns before she could get close enough.
source: [World War Two Database] -
King George VI arrives in France to inspect British Army and RAF units and to view the French Maginot Line.
source: World War Two Database -
The British Military Intelligence Section 9 (MI9) is established under the command of Major Norman Crockatt. It is charged with aiding resistance fighters in enemy occupied territory and recovering Allied troops, including downed airmen and prisoners of war.
source; World War Two Database -
The first Royal Australian Air Force personnel arrive by boat at Pembroke, Wales, United Kingdom for anti-submarine duty in Sunderland flying boats with No. 10 Squadron.
source: World War Two Database -
The Finnish 9th Division secure the village of Suomussalmi after four days of heavy fighting.
source: World War Two Database
