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1927   (SATURDAY) 

U.S.S.R.: Joseph Stalin became the undisputed ruler of the Soviet Union as Leon Trotsky is expelled from the Communist Party. Trotsky had been second in command after Lenin after the Russian Revolution. In 1918 Trotsky was appointed People's Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs, and as such he managed the founding of the Red Army. In 1922, Lenin became ill and died two years later, Stalin, who hated Trotsky, expelled him from the Executive Committee of Comintern and gained the control of the Soviet Union.

1931   (THURSDAY) 

CHINA: The Japanese send an ultimatum to General Ma Chan-shan, the Governor of Heilongjiang Province, to begin a withdrawal of Chinese troops from Tsitsihar by 15 November and disperse his forces.

 

1933   (SUNDAY) 

GERMANY: New Reichstag (the German parliament) elections are held. Approximately 93 percent of German voters approve the German government's decision to withdraw from the League of Nations and 92 percent vote in support of National Socialist candidates. While there were no official opposition candidates, 3 million voters submit invalid ballots to protest the regime. As a result of this election, the Reichstag loses all of its political significance.

 

1934   (MONDAY) 

GERMANY: The armored ship (or pocket battleship) "Admiral Scheer" is commissioned.

 

UNITED STATES: The USN issues a contract to the Northrop Corporation for the XBT-1, a two-seat Scout and l,000-pound (454 kilogram) dive bomber. This aircraft is the initial prototype in the sequence that led to the SBD Dauntless series of dive bombers introduced to the fleet in 1938 and used throughout World War II.

 

1935   (TUESDAY) 

CANADA: The prototype of the Nooruyn Norseman makes its first flight at Montreal, Quebec; 904 Norsemans are built before production ends in 1959. During World War II, 762 Norsemans are purchased by the USAAF and designated UC-64s and the RCAF buys 99 more. Major Alton Glenn Miller is flying in a UC-64A when it disappeared in December 1944. (Jack McKillop

1937   (FRIDAY) 

JAPAN: The Japanese again refused to attend the Nine-Power Conference on the Sino-Japanese dispute at Brussels stating ". . . the Imperial Government adheres firmly to the view that its present action, being one of self-defense force upon Japan by the challenge of China, lies outside the scope of the Nine-Power Treaty, and that there is no room for discussion of the question of its application. It is certainly impossible to accept an invitation to a Conference convened in accordance with the stipulations of that Treaty after Japan has been accused of having violated its terms."

November 12th, 1939 (SUNDAY)

UNITED KINGDOM: London: In his Sunday evening broadcast Mr. Churchill told his listeners that the first ten weeks of the war had gone well for the Allies. But no one supposed it was going to be a short or easy war. "It may be that at any time violent and dire events will open," said Churchill. "If so, we shall confront them with fortitude." He disregarded the peace appeal issued last week by King Leopold of the Belgians and Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands. The two sovereigns offered "in a spirit of friendly understanding" to assist in seeking "the elements of an agreement" before war started in western Europe. The appeal is seen as a forlorn attempt to avert a German invasion.

FRANCE: The first concert given by ENSA (Entertainment National Service Association) took place "somewhere in France" with the BEF behind the Front today. ENSA - which has been organised by Basil Dean, the theatre director - is a union of professional organisations of actors and musicians. The veteran actor-director Sir Seymour Hicks was master of ceremonies and appeared in a sketch with Claire Luce. Gracie Fields was the star. There were also songs from Dennis Noble, conjuring by Duveen and tap dancing by the Three Astors.

GERMANY: Hundreds of dissidents and Jews have been arrested in the search for the Munich bombers.

Clothes rationing cards are issued.

ROMANIA: King Carol offers his services as a mediator between the belligerents.

MALTA: U.S. freighter SS Express, with cargo earmarked for Greece, Turkey, and Rumania, is detained by British authorities at Malta.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-41 sank SS Arne Kjøde and Cresswell. After sinking the British steamer Cresswell, U-41 took seven survivors on board. Some hours later the U-boat stopped another ship and turned the survivors over to that vessel.

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