CalendarZ

  1. Home
  2. On This Day
  3. August
  4. 15
  5. Josef Jakobs

Events on August 15 in history

1941Aug, 15

Corporal Josef Jakobs is executed by firing squad at the Tower of London at 07:12, making him the last person to be executed at the Tower for espionage.

Josef Jakobs (30 June 1898 – 15 August 1941) was a German spy and the last person to be executed at the Tower of London. He was captured shortly after parachuting into the United Kingdom during the Second World War. Convicted of espionage under the Treachery Act 1940, Jakobs was sentenced to death and subsequently shot by a military firing squad. He was not hanged because he was captured as an enemy combatant.

References

Choose Another Date

Events on 1941

  • 17Mar

    Franklin D. Roosevelt

    In Washington, D.C., the National Gallery of Art is officially opened by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
  • 26Jul

    French Indochina

    World War II: In response to the Japanese occupation of French Indochina, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt orders the seizure of all Japanese assets in the United States.
  • 17Sep

    Great Patriotic War

    World War II: A decree of the Soviet State Committee of Defense, restoring Vsevobuch in the face of the Great Patriotic War, is issued.
  • 12Dec

    Hungary

    World War II: The United Kingdom declares war on Bulgaria. Hungary and Romania declare war on the United States. India declares war on Japan.
  • 14Dec

    Thailand

    World War II: Japan signs a treaty of alliance with Thailand.