Battle of the Atlantic

• 86 are killed on the Dutch liner Simon Bolivar (7906t) when it hits a mine in the North Sea as a result of the German destroyer minelaying operation the night of the 17th.
• The British steamer Blackhill (2492t) sinks after hitting a mine near Longsand Head Light Vessel losing 1 of her crew. The British destroyr Gipsy rescues the survivors.
• The Yugoslav steamer Carica Milica sinks on a mine laid by U-19 the previous night 3-1/2 miles from Shipwash. The entire crew is rescued.
• The German merchant ship Borkum (3670t) is captured by the British armed merchant cruiser California in the Denmark Strait.
• The German merchant ship Eilbek (2185t) is captured by the British armed merchant cruiser Scotstoun in the Iceland-Faroes Channel. She is taken to the Clyde where she enters British service under the name Empire Scout.
• U-22 sinks the British fishing trawler Wigmore (345t) 25 miles northwest of Rattray Head. 16 crewmen are lost.
• U-18 sinks the British steamer Parkhill (500t) about 25 miles northwest of Rattray Head. All 9 crewmen are killed.
• During the night the German destroyers Erich Steinbrink and Friedrich Eckholdt lay mines off the Humber. 7 merchant ships grossing 38,710 tons are sunk and one more is damaged in this field.

Czechoslovakia, Home Front

Martial law is declared in Prague.