Month: August 2015

Book Review – Operation Sealion – Leo McKinstry – 2014

The Book Operation Sealion: How Britain Crushed the German War Machine’s Dreams of Invasion in 1940; Leo McKinstry; John Murray, London. 2014. Summary In the summer and fall of 1940, England was faced with the very real threat of a German invasion. Pushed off of the Continent by the German Army, the Allied forces were

Book Review – Operation Sealion – Leo McKinstry – 2014 Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 18 – German spy Josef Jakobs buried at St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery

Today in 1941, on August 18, Josef Jakobs was buried in an unmarked grave at St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Cemetery in Kensal Green, London. Fr. Edward J. Griffith, an Army Chaplain, had ministered to Josef in the days between the court martial and the execution. Fr. Griffith likely attended the funeral, only returning to his

Today in 1941 – August 18 – German spy Josef Jakobs buried at St. Mary’s R.C. Cemetery Read More »

Podcast – On This Day in History: Execution of Josef Jakobs – HistoryPod – Scott Allsop

A few weeks ago, I received a kind email from Scott Allsop, a UK history teacher. Since April of this year, Scott has been hosting a daily podcast about significant or interesting historical events. He wanted to let me know that he would be posting a podcast about Josef Jakobs’ execution on 15 August. Scott’s

Podcast – On This Day in History: Execution of Josef Jakobs – HistoryPod – Scott Allsop Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 15 – Josef Jakobs Shot at the Tower of London

Today in 1941, on August 15, German spy, Josef Jakobs was executed by firing squad at the Tower of London. Josef and his Military Policemen guards left Wandsworth Prison at around 5:00 a.m. and arrived at the Tower at around 5:30 a.m. Josef was offered, and eventually accepted, a sedative to calm the nerves. The

Today in 1941 – August 15 – Josef Jakobs Shot at the Tower of London Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 13 – King George VI rejects Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy

Today in 1941, on August 13, Josef Jakobs received word that his petition for mercy to King George VI had been rejected. Josef’s petition had wended its way through military, legal and political channels before finally being passed before the eyes of the King around August 9. None of the authorities had recommended mercy and

Today in 1941 – August 13 – King George VI rejects Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 9 – Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy reaches King George VI

Today in 1941, on August 9, Josef Jakobs’ petition for mercy reached King George VI. Josef had begun to craft his petition after his court martial found him guilty on August 5 and condemned him to death. By August 8, the petition was wending its way through the military, legal and political channels. It passed

Today in 1941 – August 9 – Josef Jakobs’ Petition for Mercy reaches King George VI Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 6 – Condemned German Spy Josef Jakobs receives Spiritual Care

Today in 1941, on August 6, Roman Catholic priest, Fr. Edward Jackson Griffith visited Josef Jakobs to provide him with spiritual care. Josef had requested the services of a Catholic priest when he met with Lt. Col. Hinchley Cooke on July 31. The part-time Catholic Chaplain at Wandsworth Prison had tried to visit Josef but

Today in 1941 – August 6 – Condemned German Spy Josef Jakobs receives Spiritual Care Read More »

Today in 1941 – August 5 – Second Day of Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial

Today in 1941 – August 5 – The Second Day of Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial took place at the Duke of York’s Headquarters (Chelsea). The second day of the court martial began with the Prosecution re-commencing their cross-examination of Josef. Lt. Col. Hinchley-Cooke was re-called to the stand at one point to provide some clarification

Today in 1941 – August 5 – Second Day of Josef Jakobs’ Court Martial Read More »

Scroll to Top