Monday, October 28, 2024

Saturday, October 28, 1944. Slovaks put down, French Resistance ordered to disarm, Bulgaria quits, Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Fascist Invaders (День визволення України від фашистських загарбників).

The Slovak National Uprising came to an end.

Charles de Gaulle ordered French Resistance elements to disarm.

Bulgaria signed an armistice with the Allies.  Bulgarian troops were placed under Soviet command.

Agreement Between the Governments of United States of America, the United Kingdom, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, on the One Hand, and the Government of Bulgaria, on the Other Hand, Concerning an Armistice

The Government of Bulgaria accepts the armistice terms presented by the Government of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria.

Accordingly the representative of the Supreme Allied Commander in the Mediterranean, Lieutenant General Sir James Gammell, and the representative of the Soviet High Command, Marshal of the Soviet Union, F. I. Tolbukhin, duly authorized thereto by the governments of the United States of America, the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom acting on behalf of all the United Nations at war with Bulgaria, on the one hand, and representatives of the Government of Bulgaria, Mr. P. Stainov, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. D. Terpeshev, Minister Without Portfolio, Mr. N. Petkov, Minister Without Portfolio and Mr. P. Stoyanov, Minister of Finance, furnished with due powers, on the other hand, have signed the following terms:

ARTICLE ONE.

(A) Bulgaria having ceased hostilities with the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on September 9, and severed relations with Germany on September 6, and with Hungary on on September 26, hostilities has ceased against all the other United Nations.

(B) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to disarm the German armed forces in Bulgaria and hand them over as prisoners of war. The Government of Bulgaria also undertakes to intern nationals of Germany and her satellites.

(C) The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to maintain and make available such land, sea and air forces as may be specified for service under the general direction of the Allied ( Soviet) High Command. Such forces must not be used on Allied territory except with the prior consent of the All Government concerned.

(D) On the conclusion of hostilities against Germany the Bulgarian armed forces Bust be mobilized and put on a peace footing under: supervision of the Allied Control Commission.

ARTICLE TWO.

Bulgarian armed forces and officials must be withdrawn within the specified time limit from the territory of Greece and Yugoslavia in accordance with the pre-condition accepted by the Government of Bulgaria on October 11; the Bulgarian authorities must immediately take steps to withdraw from Greek and Yugoslav territory Bulgarians who were citizens of Bulgaria on January 1, 1941, and to repeal legislative and administrative provisions relating to the annexation or incorporation in Bulgaria of Greek or Yugoslav territory.

ARTICLE THREE.

The Government of Bulgaria will afford to Soviet and other Allied forces freedom of movement over Bulgarian territory in any direction if, in the opinion of the Allied (Soviet) High Command, the military situation so require the Government of Bulgaria giving to such movements every assistance with its own means of communication, and at its own expense, by land, water and in the air.

ARTICLE FOUR.

The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release all Allied prisoners of war and internees. Pending further instruction the Government of Bulgaria will at its own expense provide all Allied prisoners of war, internees and displaced persons and refugees, including nationals of Greece and Yugoslavia, with adequate food, clothing, medical services and sanitary and hygienic requirements and also with means of transportation for the return of any such persons to their own country.

ARTICLE FIVE.

The Government of Bulgaria will immediately release, regardless of citizenship or nationality, all persons held in confinement in connection with their activities in favor of the United Nations or because of their sympathies with the United Nations cause or for racial or religious reasons, and will repeal all discriminatory legislation and disabilities arising therefrom.

ARTICLE SIX.

The Government of Bulgaria will cooperate in the apprehension and trial of persons accused of war crimes.

ARTICLE SEVEN.

The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to dissolve immediately all pro-Hitler or other Fascist political, military, para-military and other organizations on Bulgarian territory conducting propaganda hostile to the United Nations and not to tolerate the existence of such organizations in the future.

ARTICLE EIGHT.

The publication, introduction and distribution in Bulgaria of periodical, or non-periodical literature, the presentation of theatrical performances or films, the operation of wireless stations, post, telegraph and telephone services will take place in agreement with the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE NINE.

The Government of Bulgaria will restore all property of the United Nations and their nationals, including Greek and Yugoslav property, and will make such reparation for loss and damage caused by the war to the United Nations, including Greece and Yugoslavia, as may be determined later.

ARTICLE TEN.

The Government of Bulgaria will restore all rights and interests of the United Nations and their nationals in Bulgaria.

ARTICLE ELEVEN.

The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to return to the Soviet Union, to Greece and Yugoslavia and to the other United Nations, by the dates specified by the Allied Control Commission and in a good state of preservation, all valuables and materials removed during the war by Germany or Bulgaria from United Nations territory and belonging to state, public or cooperative organizations, enterprises, institutions or individual citizens, such as factory and works equipment, locomotives, rolling-stock, tractors, motor vehicles, historic monuments, museum treasures and any other property.

ARTICLE TWELVE.

The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over as booty to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all war material of Germany and her satellites located on Bulgarian territory, including vessels of the fleets of Germany and her satellites located in Bulgarian waters.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN.

The Government of Bulgaria undertakes not to permit the removal or expropriation of any form of property (including valuables and currency), belonging to Germany or Hungary or to their nationals or to persons resident in their territories or in territories occupied by them, without the permission of the Allied Control Commission. The Government of Bulgaria will safeguard such property in the manner specified by the Allied Control Commission.

ARTICLE FOURTEEN.

The Government of Bulgaria undertakes to hand over to the Allied (Soviet) High Command all vessels belonging to the United Nations which are in Bulgarian ports no matter at whose disposal these vessels may be, for the use of the Allied (Soviet) High Command during the war against Germany or Hungary in the common interest of the Allies, the vessels to be returned subsequently to their owners.

The Government of Bulgaria will bear full material responsibility for any damage to or destruction of the aforesaid property up to the moment of its transfer to the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE FIFTEEN.

The Government of Bulgaria must make regular payments in Bulgarian currency and must supply goods (fuel, foodstuffs, et cetera), facilities and services as may be required by the Allied (Soviet) High Command for the discharge of its functions.

ARTICLE SIXTEEN.

Bulgarian merchant vessels, whether in Bulgarian or foreign waters, shall be subject to the operational control of the Allied (Soviet) High Command for use in the general interest of the Allies.

ARTICLE SEVENTEEN.

The Government of Bulgaria will arrange, in case of need, for the utilization in Bulgarian territory of industrial and transport enterprises, means of communication, power stations, public utility enterprises and installations, stocks of fuels and other materials in accordance with instructions issued during the armistice by the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE EIGHTEEN.

For the whole period of the armistice there will be established in Bulgaria an Allied Control Commission which will regulate and supervise the execution of the armistice terms under the chairmanship of the representative of the Allied (Soviet) High Command and with the participation of representatives of the United States and the United Kingdom. During the period between the coming into force of the armistice and the conclusion of hostilities against Germany, the Allied Control Commission will be under the general direction of the Allied (Soviet) High Command.

ARTICLE NINETEEN.

The present terms will come into force on their signing.

Done at Moscow in quadruplicate, in English, Russian and Bulgarian, the English and Russian texts being authentic.

OCTOBER 28, 1944.

For the Governments of the United States of America, the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the United Kingdom:

Marshal F. I. TOLBUKHIN, representative the Soviet High Command.

Lieutenant General JAMES GAMMELL, representative of the Supreme Allied Commander for the Mediterranean

For the Government of Bulgaria: P. STAINOV, D. Terpeshev N. PETKOV and P. STOYANOV.

Protocol to the Agreement Concerning an Armistice With Bulgaria

At the time of signing the armistice with the Government of Bulgaria, the Allied Governments signatory thereto have agreed to the following:

One.

In connection with Article IX it is understood that the Bulgarian Government will immediately make available certain foodstuffs for the relief of the population of Greek and Yugoslav territories which have suffered as a result of Bulgarian aggression. The quantity of each product to be delivered will be determined by agreement between the three governments, and will be considered as part of the reparation by Bulgaria for the loss and damage sustained by Greece and Yugoslavia.

Two.

The term "war material" used in Article XII shall be deemed to include all material or equipment belonging to, used by, or intended for use by enemy military or pare-military formations or members thereof.

Three.

The use by the Allied (Soviet) High Command of Allied vessels handed over by the Government of Bulgaria in accordance with Article XIV of the armistice and the date of their return to their owners will be the subject of discussion and settlement between the Allied Governments concerned and the Government of the Soviet Union.

Four.

It is understood that in the application of Article XV the Allied (Soviet) High Command will also arrange for the provision of Bulgaria currency, supplies, services, et cetera, to meet needs of the representatives of the Government of the United Kingdom and the United States Bulgaria.

Done at Moscow in triplicate, in English Russian languages, both English and Russian being authentic.

The Battle of Dukla Pass concluded with no practical result.

German actor and director Kurt Gerron was murdered at Auschwitz.

From a female Russian sniper's diary:

October 25-28, 1944

The last territory of what is now Ukraine, but what was then part of Hungary, was cleared of German control.  Hence, today is  the Day of Liberation of Ukraine from Fascist Invaders (День визволення України від фашистських загарбників).

Last edition:

Friday, October 27, 1944. Somewhere in Germany.

Today in World War II History—October 28, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—October 28, 1939 & 1944: 85 Years Ago—Oct. 28, 1939: A Heinkel He 111 bomber is shot down over Scotland, the first German aircraft shot down over Britain.

Blog Mirror: An American out looking for his people

 An American out looking for his people

Blog Mirror: All your questions about voting in Wyoming, answered

 

All your questions about voting in Wyoming, answered

The Work Truck Blog: International Scouts are back.

The Work Truck Blog: International Scouts are back.:   

First Model (Scout 80) International Scout.


On the occasion of the reintroduction of the Scout, an example of their very first model, which was manufactured from 1965 to 1970.  They were somewhat smaller than the Jeep CJ-5 of the same vintage.

International Scouts are back.

 Scout

Labels: 

Sunday, October 27, 2024

Choices and the 2024 Election. An Observation.


It's a real oddity that in a nation which adores choices, we've chosen not to have very many in politics.

You can go to the grocery store and find an endless number of option for bottled water, and I don't mean the mineral waters from far off regions.  Just regular old water.  Water comes right to the house at a cheaper rate through the municipal water system, but people still buy it contained in plastic bottles from the store.

And yet we have only two political parties we choose to take seriously, no matter how much they've failed us, and are failing us.

Not only that, we seriously listen to those who argue we must not consider any other options.

Indeed, it's sort of an interesting example of the Adam Sandler Effect.  That is, everyone agreeing to something because everyone else seems to agree that we should agree with it, combined with the Jo Jo Rabbit Effect of only hearing those right around us.

Everyone has had the experience of something being heralded in a locality with no real reason.  "It's great", they all say, even though it isn't.  

American politics right now in that sense, are like two restaurants in the same small town strip mall.  They're competing against each other fiercely, and even have their adherents, but frankly neither is very good.  Basically, you can go into one and have the crap sandwich on white bread, or the other the sh** sandwich on rye.  Out in the parking lot, however, there are food trucks with different menus.

Both restaurants agree you shouldn't go to the food trucks.


Well, if you live in a state where one of the two restaurants seems to be permanently closed for renovation, you can definitely go to one of the food trucks.

World War Two Amphibious Warfare Display: National Museum of Military Vehicles Dubois Wyoming.

World War Two Jeep coming off of LVT-4 amphibious tractor.

LVT-4 Amtrak.

DUKW amphibious truck.




Amphibious Jeep.



Last edition:

Sunday Morning Scene: Churches of the West: St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Albin Wyoming.

Churches of the West: St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Albin Wyoming.:   

St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Albin Wyoming.

 


This is St. Joseph's Catholic Church in the tiny town of Albin.  Presently, Masses for this community are being heard in nearby Carpenter, rather than here.

News flash. . . you ain't living forever.

 


On Catholic Twitter there's a Catholic conservative who posted this:
Sad and illustrative that the donut, perhaps the worst food product you could possibly put in your body, is the standard Sunday morning fellowship treat.
He goes on to note how only his family brings health food to Church functions.

Oh, just stuff it.

Friday, October 27, 1944. Somewhere in Germany.

The Spanish Army launched an offensive against Republican forces in the Pyrenees.

The 7th Infantry Division took Buri Airfield on Leyte.  Tacloban airstrip became operational.

The Navy conducted airstrikes on Luzon.

The Red Army's Gumbinnen Operation in East Prussia ended in failure.  

Sarah Sundin reports that Allied Offensive actions in Italy were halted for the season:

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944: 80 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1944: In Italy, Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson orders halt to Allied offensive for the winter due to fatigue, heavy rains, and flooding.

She also reports that that this was Navy Day for 1944, which it would have been, as Navy Day is always October 27.  I missed that, however.

The Germans put down the Slovak National Uprising.

A white cloud of smoke partly envelopes this German tank which is still smoldering in a street somewhere in Germany. U.S. infantrymen, crouching on both sides cover the tank. 27 October, 1944.

Last edition"

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—October 27, 1939 & 1944: 80 Years Ago—Oct. 27, 1944: In Italy, Gen. Sir Henry Maitland Wilson orders halt to Allied offensive for the winter due to fatigue, heavy rains, and flooding.

The Second Phase of the Synod on Synodality has commenced, and concluded.

But it isn't drawing a lot of attention, at least so far.

I think fatigue has just set in on these things.

Tuesday, October 27, 1874. Proclaiming Thanksgiving.

October 27, 1874

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

We are reminded by the changing seasons that it is time to pause in our daily avocations and offer thanks to Almighty God for the mercies and abundance of the year which is drawing to a close.

The blessings of free government continue to be vouchsafed to us; the earth has responded to the labor of the husbandman; the land has been free from pestilence; internal order is being maintained, and peace with other powers has prevailed.

It is fitting that at stated periods we should cease from our accustomed pursuits and from the turmoil of our daily lives and unite in thankfulness for the blessings of the past and in the cultivation of kindly feelings toward each other.

Now, therefore, recognizing these considerations, I, Ulysses S. Grant, President of the United States, do recommend to all citizens to assemble in their respective places of worship on Thursday, the 26th day of November next, and express their thanks for the mercy and favor of Almighty God, and, laying aside all political contentions and all secular occupations, to observe such day as a day of rest, thanksgiving, and praise.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

Done at the city of Washington, this 27th day of October, A.D. 1874, and of the Independence of the United States the ninety-ninth.

U.S. GRANT.

By the President:

HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.

Last edition:

Saturday, October 24, 1874. Domestic terrorists.

Saturday, October 26, 2024

Best Posts of the Week of October 20, 2024.

The best posts of the week of October 20, 2024

Friday, October 20, 1944. "This is the Voice of Freedom, General MacArthur speaking. People of the Philippines: I have returned."













Last edition:

Best Post of the week of October 13, 2024.


The Aerodrome: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. National Museum of Military Vehicles Dubois Wyoming.

The Aerodrome: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. National Museum of Milita...:   

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-21. National Museum of Military Vehicles Dubois Wyoming.

 

A Mig-21 at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming.

The Mig 21 was one of the greatest of the Cold War fighters.

Last edition:

Thursday, October 26, 1944. End of the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Damaged  Japanese cruiser Kumano bombed by planes of Task Force 38 on 26 October 1944,

The Battle of Leyte Gulf ended as a complete Japanese defeat, effectively ending the Imperial Japanese Navy as a cohesive force.  On this day the Japanese lost the cruisers Abukuma, Kinu and Noshiro, destroyers Hayashimo, Nowaki and Uranami and submarine I-26.

Princess Beatrice of the United Kingdom, Queen Victoria's youngest child, died at age 87.

Gertrude Tompkins Silver and the P-51D she was flying disappeared in a delivery flight from Los Angeles to Newark, NJ.


She was 33 years old and had jointed the WASPs after a boyfriend died fighting in the RAF.  She was the only WASP pilot to be classified as missing during the Second World War.

Sarah Sundin notes in her blog:

German 20th Mountain Army begins scorched-earth retreat in Finnmark region of northern Norway; 43,000 will be evicted & evacuated, their homes destroyed.

Last edition:

Wednesday, October 25, 1944. The biggest day of the biggest naval battle in history.

Today in World War II History—October 26, 1939 & 1944

Today in World War II History—October 26, 1939 & 1944: 80 Years Ago—Oct. 26, 1944: The Battle of Leyte Gulf concludes with a decisive US victory, despite heavy Japanese kamikaze attacks.

Sunday, October 24, 1924. A glimpse of Natrona County.

Put up for reasons that matter to me. 



Last edition:

Saturday, October 25, 1924. Contrasts.


Wednesday, October 26, 1774. The First Continental Congress concluded.

 Last edition:

Tuesday, October 25, 1774. Edenton Tea Party

Blog Mirror: The times when an average American consumed 90 bottles of whiskey a year

 

The times when an average American consumed 90 bottles of whiskey a year

Things wrong with this post by . . .

Dr. John Barrasso, our Senator:

Thousands of illegal aliens have registered to vote in our elections. Kamala Harris' administration has completely ignored this election security crisis. Proud to join @SenatorHagerty, @RepAndyBiggsAZ, and Wyoming to demand answers for American voters.

1.  It's not true, at least not in any actually significant sense.

2. There is not "Kamala Harris" "administration".  She's the VP, a position that has, frankly, about 0 power.

I imagine he knows all of this, and probably doesn't believe much of what he's stating like this.

Politics is a terrible business.

"First do no harm" (Primum non nocere).  Hippocrates.

“No one can prove that at times a lie is necessary”.  St. Thomas Aquinas.

Going Feral: A romantic feral nuisance in the news.

Going Feral: A romantic feral nuisance in the news.:   

Friday, October 25, 2024

A complete betrayal of the people of Wyoming.

 

Wyoming Joins Idaho, Alaska in Support of Utah’s Federal Public Lands Claim 

CHEYENNE, Wyo. – Governor Mark Gordon has announced that the State of Wyoming has filed an amicus brief in support of Utah on their federal public lands claims pending before the US Supreme Court. Wyoming joined with the states of Idaho and Alaska, as well as the Arizona Legislature in the Amicus. 

The Governor issued the following statement: 

“Federal ownership of unappropriated land negatively impacts Western states’ ability to regulate local land uses.  I consistently preach that the best land management policies are developed by those who live close to the lands. As we have seen with the Rock Springs and Buffalo Resource Management Plans, the whims of the current Administration can have immense impacts on the states where those lands are located.

The well-established legal principle of multiple-use of public lands is sacred to Wyoming citizens, and that concept is something we have lost in this era of Washington, DC constantly curtailing their uses. Wyoming believes it is essential for the states to be recognized as the primary authority when it comes to unappropriated lands within our borders. The Federal government’s indefinite retention of millions of acres of land is a critical question that impacts all Western states, which is why Wyoming has filed this amicus.”

The brief may be found here. 

Utah is going to lose, and deserves to. There's no excuse whatsoever for Wyoming joining with Utah in this effort.

Cont:

Wyoming politicians signing on to this land grabbing effort:

Governor Mark Gordon.

Congressman Harriet Hageman.

Senators

Bo Biteman (R-Ranchester), Brian Boner (R-Douglas),

Tim French (R-Powell), Larry Hicks (R-Baggs), Bob Ide (R-Casper), John Kolb (R-Rock Springs), Dan Laursen (R-Powell), Troy McKeown (R-Gillette), Tim Salazar (R-Riverton), Cheri Steinmetz (R-Lingle).

Representatives

Bill Allemand (R-Midwest), John Bear (R-Gillette), Jeremy Haroldson (R-Wheatland), Scott Heiner (R-Green River), Ben Hornok (R-Cheyenne), Christopher Knapp (R-Gillette), Chip Neiman (R-Hulett), Pepper Ottman (R-Riverton), Sarah Penn (R-Lander), Rachel Rodriguez-Williams (R-Cody), Daniel Singh (R-Cheyenne), Allen Slagle (R-Newcastle), Scott Smith (R-Lingle), Tomi Strock (R-Douglas), Jeanette Ward (R-Casper), John Winter (R-Thermopolis).

World War Two U.S. Airborne Displays, National Museum of Military Vehicles Dubois Wyoming.

Airborne display at the National Museum of Military Vehicles in Dubois, Wyoming.  Unfortunately, I just had my cell phone, so a lot of these photographs are not great.







This last series of uniform photographs demonstrates the actual colors (color batches varied) of the M1942 paratrooper uniform.  The uniform itself was already on the way towards being phased out in favor of he M1943 patterns of uniforms, but it was still the one issued during Operation Overlord.

Last edition: