Air Operations, Europe

• During the night 189 RAF bombers raid Hanover. 4-engined Stirling bombers are used for the first time in an attack on oil tanks at Rotterdam.
• In Operation Colossus British paratroops destroy the Tragino Aqueduct in southern Italy after being dropped from Malta-based Whitleys.

Axis Diplomacy

An agreement is reached between Germany and Spain by which Spain pledges to resist any attack by the forces of the Western Allies.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the British steamer Brandenburg (1473t) from Convoy HG-53 west of Gibraltar with the loss of 23 of her crew. 27 survivors from the Courland, sunk the day before, are also lost.
• U-52 sinks the British steamer Canford Chine (3364t), straggling behind Convoy OG-52, 165 southwest of Rockall with the loss of all 36 of her crew.

Britain, Strategy

Churchill formally instructs Wavell to regard help for Greece as having a higher priority that exploiting the success in Africa. He mentions the important effect on American opinion of being seen to fulfill promises to smaller nations. Col Bill Donovan has recently been on a tour of the Balkans on Roosevelt's behalf and is known to value the idea of fighting the Germans there. Churchill says: 'The destruction of Greece would overshadow the victories won by British forces in Libya and our indifference to the fate of our allies might induce Turkey to change its attitude.' The British hope to make a good impression on Turkey and perhaps even establish a Balkan coalition against Hitler.

Diplomatic Relations

Britain breaks off diplomatic relations with Rumania because its territory is 'being used by Germany as a military base in furtherance of her plans for prosecuting the war. These measures are being taken without a word of dissent from the Rumanian Government.' About 680,000 German troops will soon be stationed in Rumania.

Indian Ocean

8 Italian and 2 German merchant ships leave Kismayo, Italian Somaliland in an attempt to reach Diego Suarez, Madagascar. The British heavy cruiser Hawkins captures the Italian steamers Adria (3809t), Savoia (5490t), Erminia Mazzella (5644t), Manon (5594t) and Leonardo da Vinci (7515t). The German steamer Uckermark scuttles herself on the 12th when intercepted by aircraft from the British carrier Eagle. The Italian steamer Pensilvania (6861t) and the German steamer Askari (590t) are sunk on the 13th by aircraft from the Eagle. Only 2 Italian ships, the steamers Duca Degli Abruzzo and Somalia, are successful.

Italian East Africa

The attacks of 4th Indian Div at Keren go on with renewed effort. The fighting is fierce over the next two days but Italian counterattacks prevent the Indian troops from making any gains. A long lull follows for the rest of the month while the British commanders bring up more forces and supplies for the formal offensive which will be necessary to break the Italian positions.

Gen Sir Alan Cunningham's forces extend their advance from Kenya into the Italian Somaliland and take Afmadu.

Italy

The first ever paratroop action mounted by British forces features a surprise assault on the aqueduct serving Taranto. The entire unit is captured while escaping to their submarine. Although the channel is put out of action, it is fully operational again within days.

North Africa

British forces under the command of Lt-Gen Sir Alan Cunningham begin advancing into Italian Somaliland and Ethiopia from Kenya. A force made up of the South African 1st Div and 2 African divisions are heading for the Indian Ocean port of Kismayu.