Atlantic

The destroyer Venetia hits a mine and sinks in the Thames Estuary.

Battle of Britain

Day 102

Weather - Generally cloudy and overcast in most areas.

Combat - The morning is relatively quiet with scattered reconnaissance raids being plotted over the Channel and coastal areas.

Only one main raid materializes during the day, just after 1500hrs, by Ju-88's, Do-17's and Me-109's cros the Kent coast at Dungeness and make for London. Spitfires of No: 66, 92 and 222 Squadrons and Hurricanes of No: 253 and 605 Squadrons are scrambled to intercept.

During the night heavy raids are made on London, Liverpool, Manchester, Coventry, Birmingham, Bristol and South Wales.

R.A.F. Losses: 3 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 2 pilots killed and no wounded.

Luftwaffe Losses: 9 aircraft damaged or destroyed, 4 pilots & aircrew killed and 6 wounded.

NOTE: Losses include non-combat patrols and accidents.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Convoy HX-79 of 49 ships loses 12 between October 19-20. The total convoy losses during these few days are 31 ships totalling 152,000 tons. Following the convoy losses of the past few days, the British decide to increase their convoy escorts and this can only be done by dismantling some of the anti-invasion measures.
• In attacks on Convoy SC-7 U-101 sinks the British steamer Assyrian (2962t) and the Dutch steamer Soesterberg (1904t) about 100 miles northwest of Barra Head, Outer Hebrides. 17 crewmen are lost from the Assyrian and 6 from the Soesterberg. 34 survivors from the British ship and 19 from the Dutch one are picked up by the British sloop Leith.
• U-123 sinks the Dutch steamer Boekelo (2188t) which was in the process of rescuing survivors from the Beatus. The entire crew of 25 is rescued by the British sloop Fowey.
• In attacks on Convoy SC-7 U-99 sinks the British steamer Empire Brigade (5154t), the Greek steamer Thalia (5875t) and the Norwegian steamer Snefjeld (1643t) about 100 miles east-southeast of Rockall. 6 crewmen are lost from the Empire Brigade; 35 survivors are picked up by the British sloop Leith. 22 are lost from the Greek ship with 4 crewmen surviving. All 21 of the crew of the Snefjeld are eventually picked up by the British corvette Clematis.
• U-123 sinks the British steamer Sedgepool (5556t) from Convoy SC-7 about 80 miles south west of St Kilda with the loss of 3 of her crew. 36 survivors are picked up by the British rescue tug Salvonia.
• U-99 damages the British steamer Clintonia from Convoy SC-7 about 200 miles west of St Kilda. She is sunk a short time later by gunfire from U-123. 1 crewman is lost in the action. 35 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Bluebell.
• U-38 sinks the British steamers Matheran (7653t) and Uganda (4966t) 250 miles west of Skerryvore Light House. Both ships are from Convoy HX-79. 9 crewmen are lost from the Matheran. 72 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Loch Lomond. All 40 of the crew of the Uganda are picked up by the British minesweeper Jason.
• U-47 sinks the Dutch steamer Bilderdijk (6856t) from Convoy HX-79 about 250 miles west of Skerryvore Light House. Her entire crew of 39 is picked up by the British minesweeper Jason.
• U-47 badly damages the British tanker Shirak (6023t) from Convoy HX-79. She sinks 45 minutes later when hit by a torpedo from U-48. Her entire crew of 37 is picked up by the British anti-submarine trawler Blackfly.
• The British steamer Wandby (4947t) from Convoy HX-79 sinks when hit by torpedoes from U-46 and U-47. The entire crew of 37 is picked up by the British anti-submarine trawler Angle and the Norwegian steamer Indira.
• U-46 sinks the British steamer Ruperra from Convoy HX-79 about 90 miles southwest of Rockall with the loss of 31 of her crew. 7 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Induna.

The Blitz

In a raid on London 174 civilians are killed.

Dutch East Indies

The Dutch East Indies agrees to supply with 40% of their oil production for the next 6 months.