Atlantic

• There is an engagement in the South Atlantic between the German auxiliary cruiser Thor and the similar but less well-armed British merchant cruiser Alcantara. Thor is only lightly hit but Alcantara is forced to break off and head for Rio. Only proper British cruisers are adequate to catch and fight such useful German vessels.

  The Alcantara encounters the German auxiliary cruiser Thor in the South Atlantic. Thor scores three hits on Alcantara, and is hit twice by Alcantara's 6-inch guns. One of the hits on Alcantara floods the engine room, which forces her to reduce speed, allowing Thor to escape.

  The British Armed Merchant Cruiser Alcantara (F-88)

• 3 Italian submarines begin operations in the Azores-Madeira area sinking 2 ships.

Battle of Britain

Day 19

Weather - Fine conditions early and through the morning with cloud arriving later.

Combat - A quiet Sunday morning sees a few plotted raids off Montrose, Plymouth, Cromer and towards Swanage and Bournemouth. All fail to reach their targets and the various Squadron scrambles make no contact.

Just before 1400hrs a large raid of about 100 aircraft approaches Dover. Spitfires of No: 41 and 74 Squadrons are scrambled to engage the Me-109's along with Hurricanes of No: 111 Squadron to attack the bombers. The 12 Spitfires of No: 74 Squadron are led by the famous South African pilot, Fl.Lt. Adolph 'Sailor' Malan (became C.O. of Squadron in August) who on this day claims 2 Me-109's, one being flown by the equally famous, high scoring ace, Major Werner Molders. The German commander is wounded and crash-lands in France.

Several raids are plotted during the remainder of the afternoon and early evening, but none reach their targets with most turning back upon the approach of R.A.F. fighters. The only combat reported is a Hurricane of No: 257 Squadron being shot down near Maidstone by a Me-109 at about 1830hrs.

During the night bombs are dropped on Perth, Newcastle, near Edinburgh, areas in Essex, Tyne and Wear, Thames Estuary, Crewe, Alnwick, Hungerford, Staplehurst, Sealand, near Gatwick airfield, Edenbridge, near Sittingbourne, Seaford, near Neath, Brixham, Shaftsbury, near Lydd, Lichfield, near Derby, Salford and South Wales.

R.A.F. Losses: 6 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 1 pilot killed and 4 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 16 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 11 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 17 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-99 sinks the British steamer Auckland Star (13,212t) west northwest of Valentia Island. All 74 crewmen make it to Ireland.
• The British steamer Orlock Head (1563t) is badly damaged by German bombing and sinks later in the day about 7 miles from Strathie Point. 6 crewmen are lost.

Britain, Policy

All destroyers are withdrawn from Dover to Portsmouth. This is a significant achievement for the Luftwaffe implying that they may be able to dominate the Channel Narrows during the hours of daylight.

Diplomatic Relations

The Act of Havana is passed. In conference at Havana, the United States and 20 Latin American republics agree to take immediate action if any European colony in the Americas is threatened with aggression (See September 27, 1940).