January 30, 1941: British Royalty Forced into Bunker During Air Raid as U-Boats Sink Allied Ships and Allies Gain Ground in North Africa
January 30, 1941, was a day of dramatic events, from the British royal family taking refuge in an air raid shelter to German U-boats sinking key Allied vessels in the Atlantic. The day was also marked by significant military victories and strategic moves that would shape the future of World War II. As King George VI and Queen Elizabeth sought safety from a German bombing raid, the Allies pushed forward on both land and sea, gradually turning the tide against the Axis powers.
British Royalty Sheltered from Bombing Raid as Harry Hopkins Meets the King
In London, Harry Hopkins, President Roosevelt’s special envoy, had lunch with King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. But their diplomatic meeting was quickly interrupted by a German air raid. As bombs fell on the city, the British royal family was forced to take refuge in an air raid shelter, a harrowing reminder of the constant danger the British faced during the Blitz. Despite the danger, the Royals remained calm, and the meeting with Hopkins continued the effort to strengthen U.S.-British ties as the war progressed.
Roosevelt’s Bold Move: U.S. Government Takes Control of British Assets
Across the Atlantic, the American press made a groundbreaking announcement: all British companies operating in the United States and British assets within the U.S. government would be sold to the U.S. government. This unprecedented move reflected America's growing commitment to the Allied war effort, solidifying the partnership between Britain and the United States as the conflict escalated.
Hitler’s Speech: Declaring 1941 the Year of “Final Victory”
Meanwhile, in Berlin, Adolf Hitler gave a speech to mark the eighth anniversary of his rise to power. Addressing a crowd in Sportpalast, Hitler proclaimed that 1941 would be the year of “final victory” and the establishment of a Nazi-controlled Europe. His vision for the future seemed all but assured, but little did he know, the Allies were already preparing for their counter-offensive.
Allied Victory in North Africa: The British Push Westward
On the North African front, the British 8th Army made significant progress in their campaign against the Axis forces. The British captured the strategic city of Derna along the Libyan coast, dealing a significant blow to the Italians. As the Italians retreated westward toward El Agheila, the Allies began to tighten their grip on the region, pushing Axis forces closer to defeat. The victory at Derna was a vital step in the North African Campaign, setting the stage for future Allied successes in the Mediterranean theater.
U-Boat Successes: A Deadly Day in the Atlantic
Meanwhile, in the Battle of the Atlantic, German U-boats continued to wreak havoc on Allied shipping. U-94, under the command of Herbert Kuppisch, sank the British ship Rushpool. U-106, captained by Jürgen Oesten, sent the Argentine vessel Seostris to the ocean floor. In addition, U-93, commanded by Klaus Korf, sank the Alkatirni, King Robert, and WB Walken, further demonstrating the deadly effectiveness of Germany’s submarine fleet. These attacks underscored the ongoing struggle for control of the seas, a crucial element of the global conflict.