May 2nd, 1944 (TUESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: London: The crossword in the Daily Telegraph has caused uproar among the D-Day planners today by apparently revealing two of the most closely guarded codewords of the invasion. The clue to 17 across is "One of US" and that of 3 down is "Red Indian on the Missouri", the answers - "Utah" and "Omaha" - are the names given to two of the American invasion beaches.
These clues were spotted with horror by senior officers who are among the devotees of the crossword. Their immediate reaction was that the invasion's secrets were being leaked to the Germans.
Their fears have been increased by the discovery that, in a puzzle prepared by the same compiler for publication a few days before D-Day, the answer to one clue is "Overlord", the codename for the whole invasion. MI5 is now investigating the compiler, Leonard Dawe, a 54-year old teacher from Leatherhead, Surrey.
FRANCE:
D-Day Countdown
The German Perspective
02 May, 1944
It is a lovely spring day. Field Marshal Rommel, up early as usual,
is on a tour of the Mediterranean positions - perhaps for the last
time before the impending Allied invasion. He leaves with his
entourage at 0630, off to inspect the units along the coast.
They start with the nearest unit, the 338th Infantry Division, and
move eastward. Through La Marargue, the ancient town of
Aigues-Mortes, Le Grau-du-Roi, and Port St-Louis, where they
pass fields of plowed trenches. The staff officers note with
amusement that these furrows will make excellent cover for
airborne troops that might land nearby.
Onward, to the areas of the 244th and 242nd Infantry, Port-de-Bouc,
and finally to Couronne, where Rommel finds himself facing a assembly
of officers from the two divisions. Time for another one of his famous
pep talks. Partially for effect (it never hurts to add a little ginger
to his subject) and partially because of the beautiful weather, he
gives his speech outside. He stands atop of a small knoll facing
inland, with the men gathering around him.
He started off by telling them about the North African campaign.
"Look," he continues. "I understand that you men want to use your own
experiences instead of the experiences of troops who have already
faced the enemy. That's perfectly understandable."
He points his marshal's baton at them. "But men, time has just about
run out for us. The clock stands at five minutes to twelve, and we
can no longer take time to gather our own separate experiences on
how to fight the enemy. That's why I'M here."
A few quiet cheers here.
"Don't get me wrong; what you've done so far is a good start. But
nobody should believe that our goal has been reached yet. "
He went on to explain his objectives in detail, before winding up.
"I've heard that the enemy is reputed to say, `Kill the Germans
wherever you find them.' Such behaviour is alien to us. We fought
as respectable soldiers; but we were just as tough as the others.
The crushing defeat of this enemy attack on the coast of France
will be OUR contribution to vengeance."
To his surprise, they applauded him and cheer. Somewhat embarrassed,
he walks down the hill.
He dines that evening in Avignon with *General der Artillerie*
Sodernstern, commanding the 19th Army.
---Peter Margaritis
GERMANY: U-2503 laid down.
CANADA: Destroyer
HMCS Niagara assigned as training ship to
Torpedo School Halifax, Nova Scotia.
U.S.A.: While getting underway in Boston, Massachusetts for Norfolk, Virginia USS Parrott (DD-218) is rammed by SS John Morton. She was beached by tugs and later towed to Norfolk Naval Shipyard. (Ron Babuka)
Baseball star Ted Williams earns a his wings and a commission to become a pilot in the USMC. (234)
Destroyer escorts USS Walter C Wann, McCoy Reynolds and Lough commissioned.
Destroyer USS Lyman K Swenson commissioned.
Minesweeper USS Scuffle commissioned.
Destroyer escort USS Johnnie Hutchins launched.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: