Mark Scott Smith's Blog: Enemy in the Mirror, page 129

U-boat Sinks a U.S Tanker -1942

Even if you don’t speak German, you will surely understand this 1942 Nazi film .

SS Robin Moor sunk by U-boat – May 1941

SS Robin Moor; Wikimedia Commons

After allowing the passengers and crew to disembark to lifeboats, the German submarine U-69 sank the SS Robin Moor on May 21, 1941. The U-69 left some bread and butter for the survivors and explained that the ship had been sunk because she was carrying supplies to Germany’s enemy.

FDR’s response: 

“In brief, we must take the sinking of the Robin Moor as a warning to the United States not to resist the Nazi movement of world conquest. It is a warning that the United States may use the high seas of the world only with Nazi consent. Were we to yield on this we would inevitably submit to world domination at the hands of the present leaders of the German Reich. We are not yielding and we do not propose to yield.”—Franklin D. Roosevelt
”

Treaty of Tokyo – May 1941

Provinces ceded to Thailand by France 1941; Wikimedia Commons

From 1940-1941, Vichy France  and Thailand fought to control certain areas of French Indochina that had once belonged to Thailand. On May 9, with Japanese mediation, a peace treaty was signed in Tokyo that forced Vichy France to relinquish disputed border territories.

Although ostensibly a Thai victory, Imperial Japan was able to expand their influence in both Thailand and Indochina.

American-British-Dutch Conference in Singapore – April 1941

Fresh British troops arrive in Singapore 1941; Wikimedia Commons

American, British and Dutch military officials met in Singapore to develop a strategic plan for combined operations against Japan in the event the Japanese attacked the U.S.

American-British-Dutch (ABC) Conference in Singapore – April 1941

Fresh British troops arrive in Singapore 1941; Wikimedia Commons

American, British and Dutch military officials met in Singapore to develop a strategic plan for combined operations against Japan in the event the Japanese attacked the U.S.

USA begins Trans-Atlantic Escorts – April 1941

Atlantic Destroyer convoy 1941; Wikimedia Commons

As an ostensibly neutral USA increased military Lend Lease aid to Great Britain, Germany viewed the U.S. action as hostile.

The establishment of a Pan-American Security Zone extending over much of the Atlantic Ocean, provided American escorts to British and neutral merchant ships. Although American escorts generally did not attack the U-boats they encountered,  they informed British convoys of their location.

 

1941 The Japanese War Machine

OK, it’s in Italian, but a good picture of Imperial Japan’s military might just before Pearl harbor.

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If you haven’t read it, the Kindle version of my book Enemy in the Mirror: Love and Fury in the Pacific War is FREE July 7-12.

U.S. Occupation of Greenland and Iceland – 1941

Skipton Camp Reykjavik Iceland 1943 ; Wikimedia Commons

When Germany occupied Denmark in April 1940, ties were cut with Iceland which pursued a strict course of neutrality. However, in May 1940 British forces took de facto control of the country. American forces relieved the British a year later and remained there for the duration of the war.

With Germany threatening their colony of Greenland, the Danish envoy in Washington acting independently, requested the protection of the United States in May 1941. For the remainder of WWII the United States maintained extensive air and sea facilities in Greenland, as well as radio beacons, radio stations, weather stations, ports, depots, artillery posts, and search-and-rescue stations.

Destry Rides Again – Japan 1941

Destry Rides Again, Japanese poster 1941; Wikimedia Commons

American movies were still allowed (and popular) in Imperial Japan just before the onset of the Pacific War.