Air Operations, Europe
The RAF bombs Hamburg.
[
| 
]Battle of the Atlantic
U-201 sinks the British tanker Capulet (8190t) which was torpedoed and abandoned on 28 April.
[ | ]The Blitz
Liverpool and Merseyside are hit in the second of seven consecutive night raids. (See May 7 for summary).
Houses Destroyed during the Blitz |
 |
| ]Germany, Home Front
The 'Oldenburg Plan' is introduced. The German Economic Staff formed to plan large-scale economic exploitation of conquered Russian territories reports: '...many millions of people will starve to death in Russia if we take out of the country the things necessary for us.'
[ | ] Sound Detector to Direct Anti-Aircraft Fire |
 |
Greece
The Allied evacuation is completed.
[ | ]Iraq
The British airfield at Habbaniyah is attacked by considerable Iraqi ground forces. The British have about 80 obsolescent aircraft at Habbaniyah, many of them training types. Despite their age and unsuitability they are immediately employed against the Iraqi forces with considerable success. The British are, therefore, encouraged to hold Habbaniyah although their ground force there is very small.
There are also some skirmishes at several points near the Persian Gulf, especially at Basra where there are riots and some shooting in opposition to further British landings.
[ | ] Captured Italian Equipment |
 |
Mediterranean
- The British destroyer Jersey hits a mine and sinks at the entrance to Valletta Harbor, Malta. 35 of the crew are killed, 48 are wounded.
- The British steamer Parracombe (4702t) carrying 21 Hurricanes and other stores bound for Malta in Convoy OG-59 sinks on a mine northeast of Cape Bon. 18 of her crew are interned at Bizerte.
- The British ocean boarding vessel Hilary intercepts the Italian tanker Recco (5595t) in the middle of the Atlantic west of Portugal. The ship scuttles herself to avoid capture.
| ]North Africa
The fighting at Tobruk continues with little change in the positions on either side.
[ | ]