Year 1940

Diary for Wednesday, November 27, 1940: Sea War Mediterranean – Battle of Cape Spartivento: Action off Sardinia as Italian fleet attempts to disrupt major British convoy movements (Operation Collar). British […]

Diary for Tuesday, November 26, 1940: Air War Heavy RAF raid on Cologne (repeated following night). Home Fronts Britain: Death of Lord Rothermere (Harold Northcliffe), founder of ‘Sunday Pictorial‘ and

Diary for Monday, November 25, 1940: Air War Slight German air activity over southeast England, but prototype De Havilland Mosquito makes uninterrupted maiden flight from Hatfield. RAF night raids on

Diary for Sunday, November 24, 1940: Politics Slovakia joins Tripartite Pact. (see September 27, 1940). Air War Heavy night raid on Bristol by 130 German bombers (3 lost). Sea War

Diary for Saturday, November 23, 1940: Politics Rumania signs Tripartite Pact. (See September 27, 1940) US appoints Admiral Leahy Ambassador in Vichy (France). Air War Heavy night raids on Southampton

Diary for Friday, November 22, 1940: Balkans Greeks capture Koritsa – important town in southeast Albania. Politics Willington Trade Mission arrives in Rio de Janeiro to promote British interests.

Diary for Thursday, November 21, 1940: Secret War Dies Committee Report on German espionage and ‘fifth Column’ activity in Britain published.

Diary for Wednesday, November 20, 1940: Politics Hungary signs Tripartite Pact. (see September 27, 1940) Air War Air Marshal Boyd, RAF, captured by Italians when his plane makes forced landing

Diary for Tuesday, November 19, 1940: Air War Heavy night raid on Birmingham by 350 aircraft; second raid, by 116 aircraft, on following night is unsuccessful; third raid (200 aircraft),

Diary for Monday, November 18, 1940: Balkans All invading Italian forces have now been driven back over river Kalamas.

Diary for Sunday, November 17, 1940: Air War Heavy night raids on Southampton by 150 aircraft. RAF’s Army Co-operation Command established. RAF Night raids on Gelsenkirchen (Ruhr) oil plant.

Diary for Saturday, November 16, 1940: Sea War Three German cargo ships leave Tampico (Mexico), but fail to break through the British blockade: Phrygia scuttled; Idarwald and Rhein return to

Diary for Friday, November 15, 1940: Air War Heavy night raids on London (350 aircraft).

Diary for Thursday, November 14, 1940: Air War COVENTRY ‘BLITZ’ (Operation ‘Mondlicht Sonate’ = ‘Moonlight Sonata’): 440 aircraft (2 lost) led by He 111 ‘pathfinders’. City centre and Cathedral largely

Diary for Wednesday, November 13, 1940: Air War RAF night raid on Berlin and Italian Taranto naval base.

Diary for Tuesday, November 12, 1940: Politics Molotov, Russian Foreign Minister, begins 3-day official visit to Berlin to discuss closer collaboration with Axis Powers. He is forced to take shelter

Diary for Monday, November 11, 1940: Sea War Mediterranean: THE TARANTO RAID (Operation Judgement): 21 Swordfish torpedo-biplanes (2 lost) from carrier Illustrious carry out surprise torpedo/bomb attack on Italian Fleet

Diary for Sunday, November 10, 1940: Air War RAF bomb Danzig, Dresden, Krupp’s Works, Essen and many other targets in Germany, Occupied territory and Italy (night November 10-11) despite severe

Diary for Saturday, November 9, 1940: Home Fronts Britain: Death of Neville Chamberlain, aged 71. (Funeral in Westminster Abbey, November 14). Sea War Liner Empress of Japan (26,000 t) attacked

Diary for Friday, November 8, 1940: Air War Ju 87 Stukas attack shipping in Straits of Dover and Thames Estuary, sinking 1 ship. Hurricane fighter squadron drives off the raiders.