Air Operations, Europe

The RAF bomb German communications and dumps on the Meuse River near Namur and north of the Aisne River. During the night there is an attempted raid on the Leipzig power station.

Allied Planning

Churchill is again in Paris discussing plans for an Allied offensive. Once more Weygand proposes an attempt to cut the German line to the Channel by attacks from the north and south. It is agreed that this should be attempted but in reality there is little with which to implement the plans.

Atlantic

• The French steamer Portrieux (2257t) is sunk by German bombing off Gravelines. Survivors are rescued by the French steamer Tlemcen.
• The Belgian yacht Aloha sinks on a mine off Ostend.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German steamer Helene (2160t) sinks on a mine in Hubert Bay near Borkum.

Britain, Home Front

Parliament passes an Emergency Powers Act giving the government sweeping powers over life, liberty and property of British citizens. They also pass the Treachery Act widening the scope of traitorous acts punishable by the death penalty. At the pumps the price of gasoline goes up.

Secret War

The British Government Code and Cipher School at Bletchley Park breaks the Luftwaffe 'Red' key 'Enigma' cipher for May 20. Luftwaffe administrative and operational messages will now be read daily for the rest of the war.

Western Front

Guderian's Pzr Corps on the Channel coast turns its attacks to the north from Abbéville toward Boulogne, Calais and Dunkirk. The Belgian forces retreat to the Lys.

At the Chateau de Vincennes on the outskirts of Paris, Gen Weygand explains his plan to avoid defeat to Reynaud and Churchill. Weygand proposes that the Belgians should fall back on the Iser, while the British and the French 1st Army counterattack in force towards the southwest. At the same time the armies advancing from the south must cross the Somme and attack northward in an attempt to join up with the Allied forces in that sector. The necessary air support would be provided by the RAF.

The politicians approve Weygand's plan, but none of the planned moves can be carried out, despite an unexpected halt in the German advance from May 23 to 25. The Belgians, in particular, are most reluctant to retire further west of the Lys River, so far from attacking southward, the British Expeditionary Force is forced to evacuate Arras during the night of May 23. The Allied attack from the north is, therefore, put off to May 26. But on the evening of the 25th Lord Gort has to send 2 of his divs to attack in the direction of Arras, to plug a gap in the Allied line that has appeared just at the point where the British and Belgian defensive lines should have joined. Moreover, coordination between the French and British is virtually non-existent.[MORE]