Battle of the Atlantic

• The Norwegian steamers Prins Olav (2147t) and Ariadne (2129t) are sunk by German bombing northeast of the Shetlands. 1 crewmen is missing from the Prins Olav and 9 from the Ariadne. The British destroyer Arrow rescues 72 male and 9 female survivors.
• U-46 sinks the Finnish steamer Margareta (3598t) 350 miles from Cape Finisterre with the loss of 5 crewmen. 19 of the crew are rescued 3 days later and taken to Vivero, Spain.
• The British steamer Dulwich (4102t) is sunk by German bombing off Villequier. The vessel is later salvaged by the Germans and renamed Hotenau for German service.
• French auxiliary minesweepers Notre Dame Des Dune (481t) and Madeleine Louise (464t) are sunk by German bombing off Dunkirk.

Diplomatic Relations

The USSR and Japan agree on an accord regarding the disputed frontier of Manchukuo. This frees Soviet troops for the European theater.

Mediterranean

• The Italian steamer Avvenire (957t) is sunk by an Italian mine north of Pantelleria.
• The Italian steamer Angiullin (873t) is sunk off Cape Granitola on an Italian mine.

Norway

The king and his prime minister order the loyal Norwegian forces to cease fighting at midnight. Gen Eduard Dietl receives the surrender of Gen Otto Ruge at Narvik. The last Allied troops leave Norwegian soil and a preliminary armistice comes into force between the Germans and the military and political authorities remaining in Norway.

Western Front

German Army Group A (45 divs) attacks on the Aisne. The German forces reach the Seine at Rouen and the 5th Pzr Div takes the city. Dieppe and Compiègne are both captured as the Germans also reach the Marne. The battle of the Somme becomes a French rout. The left wing of the French 10th Army, left completely isolated, retires on Saint-Valèry to attempt a withdrawal by sea. Guderian's forces are now in full attack against the French positions around Reims. They have been joined by von Kleist's Pzr Group who have been switched east after being held between Amiens and Peronne. In the fighting the French defenders manage to hold most of their positions but take heavy losses.[MORE]

Do 17Z 1.KG55 G1+CH shot down by Armee de I'Air Caudron C.710 flown by the all-Polish squadron known as the 'Warsaw Group' GC 1/145

Air Victory

Erwin Rommel commanded 7th Panzer Division during the invasion of France. They were frequently far in advance of the rest of the German Army and earnt the nickname the 'Ghost Division' because their exact location was often unknown.

German Forces Reach the Seine