Salutations All
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2nd to 4th August 1940: German and Italian air units in North Western Africa complete their deployments.
5th August 1940: German bombers and fighters from Luftflotte 4 launch Operation Felix with a pre-dawn attack on the RAF base in Gibraltar destroying aircraft on the ground, and heavily damaging the RAF bases infrastructure. A second wave attacks just after dawn and as the second wave attacks the RAF base, 35 S.M-79 II torpedo bombers attack Taskforce H. Within minutes Taskforce H suffers catastrohic losses with the main loss of HMS Hood, Ark Royal, Resolution and Valiant. During the rest of the day German and Italian aircraft continue to attack Gibraltar.
5th/6th August 1940: During the night the Heavy units of the Royal Italian and French Republic ships move into position undetected.
6th August 1940: 0730hrs Delegation on behalf of Vice Admiral Gensoul is sent into Gibratlar to issue an ultimatum of unconditional surrender to the British, upon delivering the delegation returns.
1000hrs the ultimatum expires all Italian and French battleships and cruisers open fire on Gibraltar, this is in conjunction of heavy aerial bombing from German and Italian aircraft.
1230hrs Gibraltar capitulates, German forces begin to enter Gibraltar as an occupational force.
1300hrs Admiral Sir James Sommerville signs the surrender terms.
2200hrs Vice Admiral Gensoul convenes a court martial and charges Admiral Sir James Sommerville with war crimes for its unprovoked attack on the Oran/MSK Fleets, this includes 200 officers from Taskforce H.
2230hrs all are found guilty and are condemned to death.
7th August 1940: With a French film crew filming Admiral Sir James Sommerville and 200 other officers are executed. Later that day in London Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill announces to Parliament of the capture of Gibraltar and the executions of its servicemen. Fuhrer Adolf Hitler is bouyed by the capture of Gibraltar and confirms that Britain will be invaded.
Regards
Roddoss72
