June 11, 1940: Italian Air Raids and Post-Norway Developments
Savoia-Marchetti SM.79, unknown location, 1941
Battle Context: Italy’s Entry into the War
Following Italy’s declaration of war on June 10, the Italian Regia Aeronautica launched its first air raids against British positions. Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 bombers from 15th Stormo targeted Malta, initiating the Siege of Malta to disrupt Allied Mediterranean operations. The raids kill 11 civilians and six soldiers.
Italian forces, including the Italian 5th Army (under General Giovanni Messe), prepared for an offensive in the Alps against France, though major ground actions were delayed.
Paris is in chaos after the government fled to Tours the day before. Trains are departing from Gare d’Austerlitz filled with refugees.
Post-Norway Campaign:
After the Allied Operation Alphabet evacuation from Norway, German Mountain Corps Norway (under General Eduard Dietl) completed occupation, with the 3rd Mountain Division securing Narvik. The Luftwaffe’s Junkers Ju 52 transports supported logistics.
The Royal Navy, reeling from the June 8 sinking of HMS Glorious, HMS Ardent, and HMS Acasta, began investigating the disaster, with survivors’ accounts (40 out of 1,519) reaching Britain via Norwegian ships.
Key Personalities:
Benito Mussolini: His war declaration expanded Axis operations, though Italy’s military was ill-prepared.
General Eduard Dietl: Solidified German control of Norway, securing strategic resources.
Outcome:
Italian raids marked the start of the Mediterranean Theater; Germany’s Norwegian victory strengthened its Atlantic position.
June 11, 1941: Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter)
Henri Dentz, High Commissioner of the Levant 1940 – 1941
Battle Context:
The Allied Operation Exporter against Vichy French-controlled Syria and Lebanon continued. British 7th Division, Australian 7th Division (under Major General John Lavarack), Free French 1st Division (under General Paul Legentilhomme), and 5th Indian Brigade advanced against Vichy forces led by General Henri Dentz.
Units and Actions:
Australian 25th Brigade pushed toward Merdjayoun, engaging Vichy 17th Senegalese Tirailleurs in fierce fighting. Free French 1st Marine Infantry Battalion clashed with Vichy 6th Foreign Legion on the Damascus road.
Allied air support from No. 3 Squadron RAAF (Hawker Hurricanes) countered Vichy Dewoitine D.520 fighters, while HMS Phoebe provided naval gunfire support.
Key Personalities:
Major General John Lavarack: Led Australian advances, adapting to Vichy defensive tactics.
General Henri Dentz: Organized stubborn Vichy resistance, delaying Allied progress.
Outcome:
Allies gained ground, setting up key victories in Damascus and Beirut, securing the region by July.
June 11, 1942: Pacific Planning and North Africa
Free French Legionnaires at Bir Hakeim, 1942
Pacific Theatre: Guadalcanal Preparations
Post-Battle of Midway, the U.S. Pacific Fleet (under Admiral Chester Nimitz) planned the Guadalcanal Campaign. Task Force 16 (USS Enterprise, USS Hornet, under Rear Admiral Raymond Spruance) refitted at Pearl Harbor, while 1st Marine Division (under Major General Alexander Vandegrift) trained for landings.
PBY Catalina aircraft of VP-24 Squadron scouted Japanese positions on Tulagi and Guadalcanal.
North Africa: Gazala Line Battles
General Erwin Rommel’s Afrika Korps (15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division) pressed the British Eighth Army (under General Neil Ritchie) at the Gazala Line and break out. The 1st Free French Brigade faced heavy assaults near Bir Hakeim and resistance continues until tonight. Out of ammunition and having endured a raid by 100 ‘stuka’ dive bombers, the defenders withdraw in the night. About 2,700 of the original 3,600 men escaped including 200 wounded.
Key Personalities:
Admiral Chester Nimitz: Directed U.S. strategy, leveraging Midway’s momentum.
General Erwin Rommel: Outmaneuvered Allied forces, nearing Tobruk’s capture.
Outcome:
U.S. preparations advanced Pacific offensives; Rommel’s gains threatened British control in Egypt but the delays caused by the fierce French resistance at Bir Hakeim influence the cancellation of the Axis invasion of Malta and bought time for the British and Empire forces to stop the Axis later at El Alamein. .
June 11, 1943: Air Raids and New Georgia Buildup
Men of 1st Battalion, The Duke of Wellington”s Regiment attacking on Pantelleria. Left to right: Lance Sergeant A Haywood, Private C Norman and Private H Maw
June 11, 1943: Air Raids and New Georgia Buildup
European Theatre: Combined Bomber Offensive
RAF Bomber Command (under Air Marshal Arthur Harris) and U.S. Eighth Air Force (under Major General Ira Eaker) bombed German targets. No. 1 Group RAF (Avro Lancasters) struck Bochum, while 100th Bomb Group (B-17 Flying Fortresses) hit Wilhelmshaven’s U-boat facilities.
Himmler, from his headquarters in Berlin, orders the liquidation of all Jewish ghettos in Poland.
12,000 Italians surrender on the island of Pantelleria to British forces under the command of Major General Walter Clutterbuck. The British had flown 5,285 bombing sorties against the island, which was heavily fortified. But the garrison had received permission from Rome to surrender the same morning as the first British Commandos landed.
Pacific Theatre: New Georgia Campaign
U.S. forces, including 43rd Infantry Division (under Major General John H. Hester) and 4th Marine Raider Battalion, prepared for the New Georgia invasion (launched June 30). P-38 Lightning fighters of 339th Fighter Squadron escorted reconnaissance missions over Munda Point.
Key Personalities:
Air Marshal Arthur Harris: Intensified RAF bombing to disrupt German industry.
Major General John H. Hester: Led planning for the Solomon Islands offensive.
Major General Walter Clutterbuc: British commander who captured Pantelleria in Operation Corkscrew.
Outcome:
Allied air raids weakened German infrastructure; Allied control in the Mediterranean strengthened, New Georgia preparations progressed the island-hopping campaign.
June 11, 1944: Normandy Campaign (Post-D-Day)
British troops in Douet, 11th June 1944
Battle Context: Operation Overlord
Five days after D-Day, Allied forces expanded Normandy beachheads. The British 51st (Highland) Division and Canadian 3rd Infantry Division (under General Bernard Montgomery) fought German 12th SS Panzer Division near Caen. The U.S. 2nd Infantry Division (under Major General Walter Robertson) reinforced Omaha Beach against German 352nd Infantry Division.
The U.S. 101st Airborne Division battled 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division to secure Carentan, linking Utah and Omaha beaches.
Units and Actions:
British 7th Armoured Division engaged Panzergruppe West (under General Leo Geyr von Schweppenburg) at Villers-Bocage, with Panzer IV and Tiger I tanks clashing against Cromwell tanks. Allied air support from RAF 2nd Tactical Air Force (Typhoon fighters) and U.S. Ninth Air Force (P-47 Thunderbolts) targeted German supply lines.
Key Personalities:
General Bernard Montgomery: Pursued Caen’s capture, facing fierce resistance.
General Erwin Rommel: Led German Army Group B, coordinating counterattacks with dwindling resources.
Outcome:
Allies solidified beachheads but struggled at Caen, prolonging the campaign.
June 11, 1945: Pacific Theatre and Occupation Planning
Men of US 383rd Infantry Regiment preparing to fire M18 Recoilless rifle at Japanese pillbox, Okinawa June 1945
Pacific Theatre: Battle of Okinawa / Borneo Campaign
The U.S. 10th Army (under Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.) advanced in the Battle of Okinawa against Japanese 32nd Army (under Lieutenant General Mitsuru Ushijima). The 6th Marine Division and 96th Infantry Division captured Oroku Peninsula positions, facing kamikaze attacks from Japanese A6M Zero fighters.
B-29 Superfortress bombers of XXI Bomber Command (under Major General Curtis LeMay) firebombed Osaka, intensifying pressure on Japan.
Australian 24th Brigade continues it’s advance in Labuan. Japanese defenders were stationed away from the coast which meant they were largely unopposed. Australian 20th Brigade, which had landed on Muara Island on the mainland north of Brooketon also advance, supported by Dayak tribesmen who were fighting a guerilla action to disrupt the Japanese behind their lines.
Post-War Planning:
Allied leaders, including General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Marshal Georgy Zhukov, finalized Germany’s occupation, assigning Berlin sectors to the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, British 7th Armoured Division, and Soviet 8th Guards Army, per Yalta Conference agreements.
Key Personalities:
Major General Curtis LeMay: Led air raids to cripple Japanese morale and infrastructure.
Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner Jr.: Commanded U.S. forces in Okinawa, enduring high casualties.
Outcome:
Okinawa’s intense fighting highlighted the cost of invading Japan; occupation plans shaped post-war Europe. The Australian forces make steady advances in Borneo.
Each Day in World War II – 11th June
June 11, 1940: Italian Air Raids and Post-Norway Developments
June 11, 1941: Syria-Lebanon Campaign (Operation Exporter)
June 11, 1942: Pacific Planning and North Africa
June 11, 1943: Air Raids and New Georgia Buildup
June 11, 1943: Air Raids and New Georgia Buildup
June 11, 1944: Normandy Campaign (Post-D-Day)
June 11, 1945: Pacific Theatre and Occupation Planning