Battle of the Atlantic
- U-96 sinks the British steamer Empire Ridge (2922t) 90 miles west of Bloody Foreland with the loss of 31 of her crew. 2 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Vanquisher.
- The British steamer Winkfield (5279t) sinks on a mine southwest of the B4 Buoy in the Thames Estuary with the loss of 10 crewmen.
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]Britain, Command
Prime Minister Churchill tells Sir John Dill, Chief of the Imperial General Staff, that the time has come for a change at the head of the British command in Africa. He intends to appoint Gen Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander-in-Chief in India, to replace Gen Wavell, but he agrees with Dill that this is not the best moment for such a step, since important operations are under way and others are about to be launched.
[ | ]Crete
The 6 British fighters left in Crete, having lost 29 to the Luftwaffe since the beginning of the month, are transferred to Egypt. It is felt that there is no point in sacrificing them in the light of the enemy's overwhelming superiority.
Germans Prepare to Invade Crete |
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| ]Italian East Africa
The formal surrender of the Italian forces at Amba Alagi takes place. The Allied forces have now killed or captured 230,000 of the Italian East Africa force. About 80,000 remain.
[ | ]Iraq
The British forces based at Habbaniyah airfield begin to operate more aggressively, attacking and capturing Fallujah. The British airfield is bombed by German planes.
[ | ]United States, Politics
The mayor of New York City, Fiorello La Guardia, is appointed head of the Office of Civilian Defense.
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