Air Operations, Europe

The BOAC begin regular, clandestine, night flights between northern Scotland and Stockholm, using modified Whitley bombers. Being transported on these flights are agents, diplomats, Swedish ball-bearings and electrical equipment.

Balkans

Following the treaty agreement on the previous day German troops begin crossing the Danube into Bulgaria in force effectively controlling the country through occupation. Remaining resistance to German domination is ruthlessly squelched. The move is explained to the Russians as a 'precautionary measure to prevent the British from gaining a foothold in Greece.' The Russians protest the move anyway.

The German units entering Bulgaria are part of List's 12th Army. Included are 5 army corps: IV, XI, XIV, XVIII and XXX; the 1st armored group of 3 divisions (5th, 9th and 11th) under von Kleist; the 2nd Pzr Div attached to XI Corps; and the 8th Airborne Corps commanded by Gen Wolfram von Richthofen.

The British mission returns form Ankara to Athens. The talks in Turkey have not achieved an anti-Axis coalition.

Eden confers with Greek officials in Athens to complete plans for the introduction of British troops into Greece. The Greek government has hesitated permitting the landing of Commonwealth forces until the Germans crossed the Danube. With the Germans in Bulgaria, the British quickly issue orders for the rapid deployment of their forces.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-95 sinks the British steamer Pacific (6034t) from Convoy HX-109 180 miles west-southwest of the Faroes with the loss of 35 of her crew. 1 survivor is picked up by the Icelandic fishing trawler Dora.
• U-147 sinks the Norwegian steamer Augvald (4811t) from Convoy HX-109 150 miles northwest of Loch Ewe with the loss of 29 of her crew. 1 survivor is rescued by the British corvette Pimpernel.
• The British steamer Castlehill (690t) is sunk by German bombing east of Mine Head with the loss of almost all of her crew. There is 1 survivor.
• The Dutch steamer Simaloer (6533t) is also sunk by German bombing northwest of Ireland with the loss of 2 of her crew.

Greek-Albanian Front

Mussolini takes a troop inspection trip to Albania.

Rumania

A series of anti-Semitic measures, similar to those in force in Germany, are passed.

Turkey

Turkey imposes tighter controls on traffic through the Dardanelles, allowing ship transits by permit only.

German tanks of the Afrika Korps in a propaganda parade in Tripoli

Tank Parade in Tripoli