Axis Diplomacy

The Japanese Foreign Minister, Matsuoka, and Hitler meet in Berlin. Hitler again urges the Japanese to attack the British and other Allies in Asia. He denigrates the United States, apparently to ease Japan's fears about possible US entry into a Pacific war. Hitler says, 'Germany has made her preparations so that no American can land in Europe. Germany will wage a vigorous war against Americans with U-boats and the Luftwaffe, and with her greater experience ... will be more than a match for America, entirely apart from the fact that German soldiers are, obviously, far superior to the Americans.' In the end Hitler assures Japan that Germany will fight against the United States if Japan gets into a war with the US.

Japanese foreign minister Yosuke Matsuoka visits Adolf Hitler in Berlin

Matsuoka and Hitler in Berlin

The Blitz

Bristol is hit for the second straight night. 85 bombers drop 80 tons of high explosives and 20,000 incendiaries. Avonmouth is the main target. Many fires are started, but the workers respond well.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-99 sinks the Norwegian steamer Helle (2467t) from dispersed Convoy SC-26 southwest of Iceland. The entire crew of 24 is picked up by the British destroyer Havelock. This u-boat next sinks the British steamer Welcombe (5122t) also from Convoy SC-26 with the loss of 20 crewmen. 21 survivors are also picked up by the Havelock.
• U-94 sinks the British steamer Harbledown (5414t) from Convoy SC-26 south-southwest of Iceland with the loss of 16 of her crew. 25 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Veteran.
• U-97 sinks the British tanker Conus (8132t) southeast of Cape Farewell with the loss of her entire crew of 59.
• U-124 sinks the British steamer Marlene (6507t) southwest of Freetown with the loss of 13 crewmen. 47 survivors land in Sierra Leone.
• German bombers sink the British steamer Salvus (4815t) north of Norwich with the loss of 4 of her crew.

German Raiders

The German raider Thor meets and sinks the British AMC Voltaire (13,300t) in the central Atlantic. 70 on board are lost, 154 are taken prisoner of war.

North Africa

Rommel's offensive in Cyrenaica develops further. There are 3 main lines of advance. To the north towards Benghazi, on the coast, are the Italian forces, namely the Trento and Brescia divisions, and the accompanying German battalion. To the northeast in the direction of Msus and Mechili, the force is making only slow progress but the third group, the most southerly heading towards Ben Gama and Tengeder, with part of 5th Light and the Italian Ariete Div, is going well. Another part of the 5th Light he sends in the direction of Msus and Mechili.

British Troops Dig In

To defend Libya the British commander, Gen Sir Philip Neame, has the 2nd Bde, 2nd Arm Div, the Australian 9th Div and and Indian motorized brigade. Gen Neame has been ordered to withdraw in the event of a large-scale attack by the enemy, since there are no reinforcements. Rommel therefore meets with little or no resistance. His troops take Benghazi and the British fall back eastwards to avoid being surrounded from the north.

Red Sea

Unable to make it to open water because of Allied ship presence, several German and Italian ships are scuttled at Massawa. These include the German steamers Crefeld (8045t), Frauenfels (7487t), Gera (5155t), Lichtenfels (7566t), Liebenfels (6318t) and Oliva (7885t) and the Italian steamers Adua (3564t), Brenta (5400t), Arabia (5493t), Romolo Gessi (5148t), Impero (488t), Vesuvio (5430t) and XXIII Marzo (5006t).

United States, Politics

• Roosevelt agrees to allow RN warships to be repaired in the US. Among the first ships to benefit from this order are the battleships Malaya and Resolution. RN warships are also to be allowed to refuel in the US when on combat missions.
• The United States rejects German and Italian protests of the March 30 ship seizures, and requests withdrawal of the Italian naval attaché.