Axis Diplomacy

Hitler and Mussolini meet at Brennero, Brenner Pass. Hitler warns Mussolini against undertaking new campaigns that is not 'of absolute use to the Axis'. Hitler also offers help in Africa, which is refused by Mussolini. Hitler would prefer them to fight to his direct orders rather than detract from his own strategic intentions by their own ineffectual actions.

The meeting at the Brenner Pass, where the two dictators spent three hours together in an armoured train, a gift from the Führer to the Duce. And what was particularly noteworthy was that Hitler was no longer talking about invading Britain. In Rome, the newspaper, Il Popolo di Roma, spoke of a long war in prospect, with Germany unable to invade Britain this year. That may have been unwelcome to Hitler, who had wanted a short war, but it spelled grave danger for Britain, which could not sustain its current shipping losses.

Hitler and Mussolini at Brenner Pass

Battle of Britain

Day 87

Weather - Poor conditions with mist and rain throughout the day.

Combat - Although weather conditions are poor, the Luftwaffe launches several small raids during the day.

The first is by Ju-88's just after 1000hrs during which one of the raiders is shot down by Hurricanes of No: 257 Squadron off the Suffolk coast.

Another Ju-88 bomber is intercepted, at 1100hrs, by Hurricanes of No: 229 Squadron over the Channel.

The biggest shipping center for London's food-supplies, Tilbury, has been the target of numerous German air attacks. Bombs dropping on the port of Tilbury, on October 4, 1940. The first group of bombs will hit the ships lying in the Thames, the second will strike the docks.

Bombs Hit Tilbury Port

At about midday a raid of He-111's is intercepted off the Sussex coast by Hurricanes of No: 501 Squadron, scrambled from Kenley and No: 607 Squadron, scrambled from Tangmere. As this raid subsides, more Ju-88's cross the coast near Beachy Head at about 1300hrs and are engaged by Hurricanes of No: 605 Squadron, scrambled from Croydon.

It is not until about 1700hrs that another raid of Do-17's and Ju-88's cross the Kent coast before turning back as the Hurricanes of No: 605 Squadron give chase.

During the night large raids are made on London and a few on the Liverpool and Bristol areas. Mines are dropped off the Norfolk and Suffolk coasts.

R.A.F. Losses: 5 aircraft damaged or destroyed with 1 pilot killed.

Luftwaffe Losses: 20 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 25 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 9 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

The Blitz

170 bombers hit London dropping parachute mines at Woolwich and Enfield and damaging the Willesden Power Station.

Britain, Command

Sir Charles Portal is chosen to be the new Chief of the Air Staff. The former chief, Sir Cyril Newall, becomes governor of New Zealand.

Diplomatic Relations

Churchill again asks Roosevelt to send U.S. naval ships to Singapore. The U.S. rejects the plea. Hull tells the British ambassador, 'It will not be wise, even from a British viewpoint, for two wars to be raging at the same time, one in the East and the other in the West. If this country should enter any war, this would immeadiately result in greatly cutting off supplies to Great Britain.'

Mediterranean

• The British submarine Triton sinks the Italian steamer Franca Fassio (1858t) 16 miles east of Capo Noli in the Gulf of Genoa.
• The British submarine Rainbow is lost after a collision with the Italian steamer Antonietta Costa. The submarine is declared lost on the 19th.