Air Operations, Europe

The RAF bombs targets in Germany including the Kiel naval base.

Battle of Britain

Day 99

Weather - Misty and rain throughout most of the day and foggy over the channel.

Combat - Air activity on this Wednesday is greatly reduced due to poor weather conditions.

There are a few small reconnaissance and nuisance raids made by Ju-88's and Me-109's during the day with one of these being intercepted by the Hurricanes of No: 302 (Polish) Squadron, scrambled from Northholt.

As the weather closes in during late afternoon, the night-time raids start early at about 1900hrs with Do-17's and He-111's crossing the coasts of southern England for their targets.

The Defiants of No: 164 and 264 Squadrons and Anti-Aircraft guns claim more aircraft during the night than the fighters during daylight hours.

During the night, heavy raids are made on London, South Wales, the Midlands and Liverpool. Mines are dropped in the Thames Estuary, off Harwich, the Wash and the Humber.

R.A.F. Losses: 8 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 1 pilot killed and 1 wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses:22 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 33 pilots and aircrew killed or missing and 10 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• 4 U-boats operating off the north Channel sink 4 merchant ships and damage 3 others including the armed merchant cruiser Cheshire (10,552 t).
• U-124 sinks the Canadian steamer Trevisa (1813t), a straggler from Convoy SC-7, 218 miles west of Rockall with the loss of 7 crewmen. 14 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Bluebell.

The Blitz

During a period when there were not many defensive successes, 5 bombers are brought down on this night.

A German raid smashed this hall in an undisclosed London district, on October 16, 1940. (AP Photo)

Bomb Damage

Diplomatic Relations

Beginning today and continuing until October 19 discussions are held between the Japanese and the authorities in the Dutch East Indies concerning the supply of oil. It is agreed to supply the Japanese with 40 percent of the production for the next six months. There are British attempts to block this agreement.

Occupied Poland

The Warsaw Ghetto was established on October 16, 1940. Frank ordered Jews in Warsaw and its suburbs rounded up and herded into the Ghetto. At this time, the population in the Ghetto was estimated to be 400,000 people, about 30% of the population of Warsaw, however, the size of the Ghetto was about 2.4% of the city's size.

Construction of Ghetto wall

United States, Home Front

Registration begins for the draft according to the provisions of the Selective Service Act. The first drafts will be balloted on October 29. 16 million men are registered.

North Carolina State College students registering for selective service, October 16, 1940

Registering for the Draft