Air Operations, Europe

This begins a month-long series of daylight fighter sweeps by RAF Fighter Command over the Channel and northern France.

Air Operations, North Africa

During the night Alexandria is bombed by Italian fighters.

Axis Diplomacy

Croatia signs the Tripartite Pact.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-751 sinks the British steamer St Lindsay (5370t) from Convoy OG-64 southwest of Iceland with the loss of all 43 of her crew.

Britain, Command

Air Chief Marshal Sir Philip Joubert become AOCinC RAF Coastal Command.

Germany, Policy

Hitler informs his senior generals that during the forthcoming attack on the Soviet Union, prisoners of war do not have to be treated according to the Articles of the Hague Convention since the USSR has not signed. Soviet Commissars are 'not to be considered PoWs', they are to be summarily executed.

Italian East Africa

The British continue their pressure around Gondar and Debra Tabor and in the Galla Sidamo area.

Mediterranean

The carriers Ark Royal and Victorious fly another cargo of Hurricanes to Malta. Of the 47 sent 43 arrive.

North Africa

Operation BATTLEAXE begins which is the British attempt to raise the siege of Tobruk. During the afternoon British troops advance from Sidi Barrani to within 25 miles of the Libyan frontier. Towards evening, seeing the advance has been reinforced and is continuing, Rommel begins to prepare his troops.

The German 88mm, a Deadly Weapon against British Tanks

Secret War

The Lucy Spy Ring informs Moscow that the German attack on the USSR will begin on June 22. The Lucy Ring is part of the so-called Red Orchestra spy ring that has three main branches: in France, Belgium and Holland; in Berlin; and in relatively safe neutral Switzerland. The Lucy Ring contains some high-level German officers, including Lt-Gen Fritz Theile, a senior officer in the Wehrmacht's communications branch; and Col Freiherr Rudolf von Gersdorff, who will be the intelligence officer of Army Group Center on the Eastern Front. The Berlin-based Red Orchestra agents include Harro Schulze-Boysen, an intelligence officer assigned to the German Air Ministry; and Arvid von Harnack, an employee of the German Ministry of Economics.

United States, Politics

Pres Roosevelt freezes all German and Italian assets in the US following the sinking of the US freighter Robin Moor on May 21st. Following this action, Italy and Germany start reciprocal freezing of American assets.