Air Operations, Europe

German bombers destroy Middelburg on Walcheren in Holland.

Atlantic

German aircraft commence minelaying operations outside French Channel ports, from Le Havre to Dunkirk.

Battle of the Atlantic

The Norwegian steamer Torgtind (298t) is sunk by German bombing off Batland, Helgeland.

Caribbean

The Venezuelan Navy seizes 2 German merchant ships at Maracaibo to prevent them leaving and causing diplomatic incidents.

Norway

The British cruiser Effingham hits uncharted rocks off Bodo, goes aground and capsizes. She was carrying men and stores to join the forces south of Narvik.

United States, Home Front

The Navy is ordered to recommission 35 destroyers.

Western Front

Von Reichenau's troops enter Brussels, which is declared an 'open city'. Antwerp and the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt are also being abandoned but have not yet been taken by the Germans. The British and French forces in Belgium have now fallen back to the Dendre River. The Belgian government has moved to Ostend. In the main German attacks Guderian's forces, instead of continuing his advance on Paris, turn north-west. Paris breathes a sigh of relief as the Germans are no longer on their way to the capital. By midday Guderian's advance troops reach the River Oise south of Guise, not far from Saint-Quentin. Gen von Kleist reprimands Guderian for the 'excessive' speed and extent of his advance. Guderian immediately resigns, but he is persuaded to reverse his decision later in the evening by List and von Rundstedt. XVI and XXXIX Pzr Corps are detached from the 6th Army in Belgium and sent south to the Meuse sector. On their left flank the French 4th Arm Div led by Col de Gaulle attacks Guderian's XIX Pzr Corps northward from around Laon. The attack does nothing to halt the thrust of Guderian's armored divs but it does earn de Gaulle promotion to the rank of general. The Luftwaffe attacks them fiercely and prevents any real gains.

Germans Enter Nivelles, Belgium Troops of the German 6th Army (Reichenau) enter Brussels. Antwerp and the islands at the mouth of the Scheldt are also being abandoned but have not yet been taken by the Germans. The British and French forces in Belgium have now fallen back to the Dendre River. General Gort is now worried by the growing threat to his right flank and rear areas and, therefore, forms a scratch force to defend this area. General Mason-Macfarlane is put in command. [He has up till now been Gort's Chief of Intelligence. Gort can be criticized for weakening this important department at such a vital stage.] In the main German attacks Guderian's forces, exploiting the loophole in their orders allowing reconnaissance in force, reach the Oise River south of Guise. On the German left flank, the French 4th Armored Division (Colonel de Gaulle) attacks northward from around Laon. The Luftwaffe attacks them fiercely and prevents any real gains.

Gen Gort is now worried by the growing threat to his right flank and rear areas and, therefore, forms a scratch force to defend this area. Gen Mason-Macfarlane is put in command. He has up till now been Gort's Chief of Intelligence. Gort can be criticized for weakening this important department at such a vital stage.[MORE]