Air Operations, Europe

Brest is attacked 7 times by R.A.F. bombers and among the other targets for Bomber Command are Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Mannheim.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German U-boat fleet now has 32 operational boats which means that about 20 are on patrol at any one time. There are a further 81 boats on trial or in training in the Baltic. In the Atlantic the trend is for the U-boats to hunt farther west looking for unescorted ships to attack but the British are countering this by providing escorts as far as 35 degrees West (more than halfway across).

Fueling bases for the British escorts have now been established on Iceland. The number of aircraft based on Iceland has also been increased to give even more protection. On 15 April R.A.F. Coastal Command is brought under the operational control of the Admiralty which will lead increase in its effectiveness in the battle against the U-boats. This month the U-boats sink 43 ships of 249,000 tons but only 10 of these are from convoys. The only convoy battles are round SC-26 and HX-121. It is a good month for German aircraft - they sink 116 ships in all theaters. The total Allied loss from all causes is 195 ships of 687,000 tons. (Allied Ships Lost to U-boats)

Air Operations, Europe

The first 4000-pound bombs are dropped by R.A.F. Wellingtons on Emden, Germany.

Battle of the Atlantic

In an air attack on Convoy HXM-114 The British tanker San Conrado (7982t) and the Norwegian tanker Hidlefjord (7639t) are bombed and sunk by He-111s in the Bristol Channel.

Axis Diplomacy

The Japanese Foreign Minister makes an official visit to Rome. He meets separately with King Victor Emmanuel III and with Mussolini. He has come straight from discussions with Hitler and Ribbentrop in Berlin. He tells the king Japan is in complete sympathy with Italy's war aims.

Iraq, Politics

A coup begins and by 3 April a new government has been installed. The Regent Faisal escapes to Transjordan. The coup is led by the nationalist politician Rashid Ali and a group of pro-German officers calling themselves the 'Brethren of the Golden Square'. They are opposed to the British presence in the country. The British react quickly and soon troops are being sent from India and the Middle East to ensure access to the vital oil supplies.

Italian East Africa

Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, is taken by the men of the 4th and 5th Indian Divs under Gen Platt, who have been advancing into the area from the Sudan since 19 January.

Japan, Home Front

Rationing of rice begins in Tokyo and other cities.

Pacific

The German steamer Muenchen (5619t) scuttles herself when intercepted by the Canadian armed merchant cruiser Prince Henry off the coast of Peru. The German steamer Hermonthis (4833t) also scuttles herself when intercepted by the same Canadian ship. Both German ships had left Callao 31 March. Unable to leave port, several other German ships scuttle themselves in western South African ports: Cerigo (1120t) at Guayaquil; Eisenbach (4323t) at Puntarenas; Friesland (6310t) at Paita, Peru; Leipzig (5898t) and Monserrate (5578t) at Callao.

German Freighter Hermonthis Scuttled

Air Operations, Europe

• The R.A.F. drops 75,000 tea bags over Holland imprinted with the words: 'Holland will arise. Keep your courage up.' Blenheims attack shipping off the Dutch coast.
• The world's first experimental jet fighter, the He-280, makes its maiden flight at Rostock, Germany.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In an attack on Convoy SC-26 southwest of Iceland U-46 sinks the British tanker British Reliance (7000t). The entire crew of 50 is picked up by the British steamer Tennessee.
• U-48 sinks the British steamer Beaverdale (9957t) southeast of Cape Farewell with the loss of 21 of her crew. There are 58 survivors. Some make it in a lifeboat to Ondverdarnes, Iceland, some are picked up by the Icelandic trawler Gulltoppur.
• The British steamer Fermain (759t) is sunk by German bombing east-southeast of Eastbourne. The entire crew is rescued.

Diplomatic Relations

The Chief of the Imperial General Staff, Gen Sir John Dill, meets with the head of the Yugoslav government, Gen Dusan Simovic, in Belgrade for 'top secret' talks. Despite his assurances Gen Simovic will not enter into an official alliance with Britain.

Germany, Politics

Hitler appoints Nazi ideologist Alfred Rosenberg to be Reich Commissioner for the Eastern Territories. A firm believer in the policy of Lebensraum, he wrote in 1932: 'the understanding that the German nation, if it is not to perish in the truest sense of the word, needs ground and soil for itself and its future generations, and the second sober perception that this soil can no more be conquered in Africa, but in Europe and first of all in the East - these organically determine the German foreign policy for centuries.' His published works include The Myth of the Twentieth Century, which declares the existence of two opposing races: the Aryan race, creater of all values and culture; and the Jewish race, the agent of cultural corruption.

Just prior to the invasion of the USSR, he stated that the job of feeding Germans was at the top of Germany's claim on the East; that there was no obligation to feed the Russian people; and that the Russians were in for many hard years. Rosenberg would be hanged by the Allies at Nuremberg in October 1946.

Hungary, Politics

The Hungarian Prime Minister, Count Pal Teleki, discovers that Gen Henrik Werth, COGS, has made secret arrangements for entry of German forces into Hungary. He denounces Werth as a traitor and commits suicide because he does not wish to lead his country in collaboration with Germany. The British government has warned him that Hungarian intervention in Yugoslavia will result in a British declaration of war. The regent, Adm Miklos Horthy, and the new prime minister, Laszlo Bardossy, continue to work with the Germans.

Italian East Africa

British troops push on from Asmara towards Massawa.

Mediterranean

• The carrier Ark Royal flies a small contingent of Hurricane fighters to Malta.
• German bombers attack Convoy AS-23 in the Aegean. The British steamer Homefield (5324t) and the Greek steamer Coulouras Xenos (4914t) off Gavdo Island.
• The Yugoslavian steamers Karadjordje (1293t) and Prestolonaslednik Petar (1726t) sink on mines off Sibenik. The crews of both steamers are rescued.

Battle of the Atlantic

• During the next 2 days German U-boats sink 10 ships out of a 22-vessel convoy in the North Atlantic. These losses prompt US naval leaders to bring American ships operating in the area under convoy protection.
• The German tanker Thorn (5436t) is sunk by the British submarine Tigris 100 miles southeast of St Nazaire.
• In attacks on Convoy SC-26 U-73 badly damages the British steamer Athenic (5351t) 340 miles south of Reykjavik. The entire crew is rescued. The ship sinks on the 5th. The u-boat next sinks the British steamer Westpool (5724t) with the loss of 35 crewmen. 8 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Havelock. The British tanker British Viscount (6895t) is the next ship sunk by this u-boat. 28 crew are lost, 20 are rescued by the Havelock.
• U-69 sinks the Finnish steamer Daphne (1939t) south of Iceland with the loss of all 22 of her crew.

The Blitz

There is a heavy night raid on Bristol. 76 planes are in the raid led by KG100. There is damage in Bristol and the Avonmouth docks.

Diplomatic Relations

• Either this day or the next (sources differ-1 says the 7th) Britain breaks off diplomatic ties with Hungary. German diplomats leave Belgrade.
• Sir Stafford Cripps, the British ambassador in Moscow, tells Stalin that German units are being deployed along their eastern front for an attack on the Soviet Union.

Hungary

In the early morning hours the Hungarian Premier Count Pál Teleki commits suicide. He feels that the honor of his country has been forfeited by the decision taken by Adm Horthy to collaborate with Germany in the invasion of Yugoslavia, a country with which Hungary has agreed to a non-aggression treaty less than a month before. He is succeeded by the notoriously pro-German Foreign Minister László Bárdossy, who retains the foreign affairs portfolio.

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.

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

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-105 sinks the British steamer Ena de Larringa (5200t) 205 miles east of St Paul Rocks with the loss of 5 of her crew. There are 38 survivors some of which are picked up by the Brazilian passenger ship Almirante Alexandrio.
• U-76 is sunk by the British destroyer Wolverine and the sloop Scarborough south of Iceland with the loss of 1 crewman. 34 of the crew are rescued.

U-76

Diplomatic Relations

The Soviet-Yugoslav Non-Aggression Treaty is signed in Moscow. It pledges war material to Yugoslavia in the event of a German attack, though not outright military support. The treaty is an attempt to form a barrier against further German-Soviet interests in the region.

Italian East Africa

The Italians evacuate Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital. The Duke of Aosta disperses the remaining troops under him to several mountain strongholds: the redoubts of Amba Alagi, Galla Sidamo and Amara. South African and Commonwealth troops enter Addis Ababa.

Japan, Policy

Japan declares it will control all rubber exports from Thailand, Indochina and the Dutch East Indies through a Japanese association of rubber dealers. At this time Japan has only a month's supply of rubber stocks.

Mediterranean

The Greek steamer Sifnos (2290t) is sunk by German bombing at Milos.

Air Operations, Europe

• In Operation BESTRAFUNG ('PUNISHMENT') the Luftwaffe attacks Belgrade and raids several Yugoslav air bases. German bombers and Stukas fly 500 sorties against the undefended Yugoslav capital. Many huge fires are started and many public buildings, hospitals and the Royal Palace are destroyed. Fleeing civilians are even strafed by the aircraft. The attacks are repeated over the next couple of days with Yugoslav dead numbering about 17,000.
• During the night there is an important air raid on the port of the Piraeus in which the British ammunition ship Clan Fraser blows up, sinking 13 other vessels and extensively damaging the port installations.
• An R.A.F. Beaufort torpedo-bomber hits the Gneisenau at Brest. Wellington bombers hit Sofia, Bulgaria.

Atlantic

• The German battlecruiser Gneisenau is badly hit by a British torpedo plane while on exercise just outside the port of Brest. On the night of 10th of April the same ship is hit another 4 times by bombs during a British raid. The Scharnhorst is also in the port undergoing engine repairs. Neither battlecruiser will be able to join the Bismarck in its cruise in May.
• The British armed merchant cruiser Comorin (15,400t) is accidentally destroyed by fire en route to Freetown carrying military personnel and military stores for Suez with the loss of 14 on board. The British destroyer Lincoln rescues 121 survivors, the British steamer Glenartney 124 and the British destroyer Broke 180.

Balkans

At 5:15am German forces invade Yugoslavia and Greece in Operation CASTIGO. Italian and German newspapers announce: 'Axis forces are on the march against Serbian treachery and the British threat.' The attack begins with advances by List's 12th Army from Bulgaria and with bombing raids on Belgrade and targets in Greece. The initial forces from the 12th Army, will be joined over the next few days by von Kleist's 1st Panzer Group also part of 12th Army, Weich's 2nd Army and other German, Hungarian and Italian forces. Besides infantry forces the Germans employ 6 armored and 4 motorized divisions.

Yugoslav Unit Surrenders

Yugoslav Royal Palace of King Peter II

Street Damage in Belgrade

Nazi SS Troops Move into Greece

German Artillery in Action

The Yugoslav Army has 28 infantry and 3 cavalry divisions but these are widely dispersed in a cordon defense of the frontier and only 5 infantry and 2 cavalry units will do any real fighting. The Germans also have overwhelming air support of around 1,000 planes from Fliegerkorps IV and VIII personally directed by Göring. Apart from the forces facing the Italians in Albania, in Greece the Allies have 7 weak Greek divisions, the New Zealand Div, part of the 6th Australian Div and 1 British armored brigade. There are about 80 R.A.F. planes. Gen Wilson commands the British and Anzac forces which are based on positions known as the Aliakmon Line. There is a mixed tank and infantry force holding the route into Greece from Yugoslavia by the so-called Monastir Gap. Some of the Greek force are also on the Aliakmon Line but rather more are in frontier positions known as the Metaxas Line in Macedonia and Thrace.

Bomb Damage in Piraeus

Bombing of Belgrade

The main German attack on the first day falls on these advanced Greek troops. The German 2nd Army advances on Belgrade from Austria and Hungary. The I Panzer Group advances from Bulgaria towards Nis in the north and Skopje and Monastir in the south in order to keep Yugoslav troops from linking up with the Greeks. On this first day of hostilities the Germans seize the Yugoslav bank of the Iron Gate, the rocky gorge through which the Danube flows along the frontier between Rumania and Yugoslavia between Orsova and Turno-Severin. They also threaten Nis. The 12th Army attacks both in Yugoslavia towards Strumica and in Greeece against the Metaxas Line. The Yugoslav government flees from Belgrade to Uzice.

Germans Under Sniper Fire

Stukas Over Yugoslavia

Italy declares war on Yugoslavia, and Italian troops occupy some frontier villages in Venezia Giulia.

Air Operations, Europe

• During the night British bombers raid Sofia, Bulgaria. It looks like nothing more than a British version of Operation CASTIGO, for, as with the German raids on Belgrade, these raids can have no other object that to sow terror among the civilian population.
• During the night there is a heavy R.A.F. raid on the Kiel shipyards.
• In a change of tactics, German bombers fly missions from the French Channel ports against sites in Scotland. The Luftwaffe is being increasingly taken in by dummy installations and the jamming of their radio navigational aids. Dozens of mock airfields litter the countryside complete with dummy aircraft and simulated runway lighting. They are also fooled by the scattering of flares which the German bomber pilots think are signals from their own pathfinder aircraft.

Battle of the Atlantic

• US naval and air bases open in Bermuda. The carrier Ranger and other ships are to based there as the Central Atlantic Neutrality Patrol. These forces will be considerably increased by 3 battleships and 2 carriers later in April and during May and June.
• U-24 sinks the Canadian steamer Portadoc (1746t) 150 miles southwest of Freetown. The entire crew of 20 make landfall 6 days later in French Guinea are interned by Vichy French authorities.
• The British steamer Elisabeth sinks on a mine 5 miles east-southeast of Porthscatho, Cornwall with the loss of 10 crewmen.

The Blitz

There is a raid on Merseyside. 172 aircraft bomb Clydeside with 200 tons of high explosives and 26,000 incendiaries. The targets are Hillington, Dumbarton and Greenock. Thousands lose their homes but casualties are light. The shipyards are struck but sustain minor damage.

Britain, Home Front

The government budget for 1941-42 is submitted. Income tax is increased by 1s 6d to 10s in the pound.

Greece

• As well as the frontal pressure on the Metaxas Line its left flank is being threatened by a German armored div which is moving south into Greece after having reached Strumica in the advance in Yugoslavia. The Greek Commander in Chief, Gen Papagos, further weakens the Aliakmon Line by sending forward a Greek force from it to try to block this last German advance.
• A 12,000-ton ship laden with TNT explodes in Piraeus severly crippling the port facilities there. 6 merchant ships and 60 lighters are lost in the blast. An ammunition train is ignited on the shore. The accident creates a logistical hardship for the British in the crucial days ahead.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-107 sinks the British steamer Eskdene (3829t) southeast of the Azores. All 39 crew members are picked up by the British steamer Penhale. U-107 next sinks the British steamer Helena Margareta (3316t) 330 miles west of Madeira with the loss of 27 crew members. 9 survivors are picked up by the British fleet oiler Cairndale.
• U-124 sinks the British steamer Tweed (2697t) southwest of Freetown with the loss of 3 of her crew. 28 survivors in lifeboats make it to French Guiana.
• The British tanker Ahamo (8621t) sinks on a mine east of Grimsby with the loss of 14 of her crew.
• The British armed merchant cruiser Bulolo captures the French steamer Fort de France (4279t) in the middle of the Atlantic. She is sent toward Gibraltar under armed guard.

Italian East Africa

Massawa, the last center of Italian resistance, falls to the Allied forces. Of the 13,000 men defending it, over 3,000 have been killed and 5,000 wounded. 17 large Axis merchant ships are taken in the port along with many smaller military and civilian vessels. The 4th Indian Div, which has played a large part in the Allied campaign in Eritrea, is immediately prepared for shipping to Egypt where the Allied forces are under great pressure. The priority in the East African campaign is now to clear the road between Asmara and Addis Ababa. Forces are being sent to this task from both ends of the road.

The Blitz

There is a second heavy raid on Coventry. 230 aircraft drop 315 tons of high explosives and 25,000 incendiaries. There is wide destruction to factories and to public and commercial buildings. Casualties result from the Coventry and Warwickshire Hospital being hit. The casualties from this raid and a minor raid on 10 April are 451 killed and 720 seriously hurt. Many lessons had been learned from the November raid. Civilian defense services, from fire brigades and police to block wardens to rescue parties, work hard to limit the effects of the raid.

School Damage

Air Operations, Europe

There is an R.A.F. night raid on Berlin. The State Opera House is gutted by fire.

Unter den Linden after British Raid

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-107 sinks the British steamer Harpathian (4671t) southeast of the Azores with the loss of 4 crewmen. 39 survivors land in the Canary Islands. The u-boat next sinks the British tanker Duffield (8516t) west-southwest of Madeira with the loss of 25 of her crew. 28 survivors land in the Canary Islands.

• U-98 sinks the Dutch steamer Prins Willem II (1304t), straggling behind Convoy HX-117, southwest of Iceland with the loss of 3 of her crew. 22 survivors are picked up by the Swedish steamer Klipparen and the British steamer Tuscan Star.
• German air attacks sink the British steamer Dudley Rose (1600t) about 4 miles south Berry Head. The entire crew is rescued. Another casualty of the bombing is the Norwegian tanker Buesten (5187t) with the loss of 28 on board.

The Blitz

Birmingham is the subject of a heavy raid. 235 bombers of Luftflotte II drop 280 tons of high explosives and 40,000 incendiaries. The center of the city suffers greatly. Huge fires burn in the Bull Ring, High Street, New Street and Dale End as well as at the Midland Arcade. Firefighting is impeded by low water pressure as a result of damage to the mains. Other districts affected in this raid include Small Heath, Aston and Nechells. Many houses, churches and public buildings are destroyed.

Diplomatic Relations

The Yugoslav Government issues a protest 'to all civilized nations' against the indiscriminate German bombing of Belgrade. This 'open and undefended city was bombed without a declaration of war....Never...were such cruelties committed, even by the most primitive invaders'.

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. again attacks the 2 German battlecruisers in Brest harbor. The Gneisenau is hit above the waterline.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-52 sinks the Dutch steamer Saleier (6563t) from dispersed Convoy OB-306 southwest of Iceland. All 63 of her crew are picked up by the American destroyer Niblack (DD-424).
• The first hostile action by the Americans against Germany occurs off Iceland. During an operation to pick up survivors from a Dutch freighter sunk there, the American destroyer Niblack (DD-424) detects a submarine in the area and drops depth charges on it. The u-boat manages to leave the area apparently undamaged.

The Blitz

There is a minor raid on Coventry. (See April 8 for casualty summation.)

Greece

The Germans begin their attacks through the Monastir Gap. Gen Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, haunted by the specter of a second Dunkirk, orders the British expeditionary force to retire.

Japan, Politics

Military and conservative factions gain greater influence in a cabinet reshuffle. Musatsume Ogura, Adm Teijiro(Soemu?) Toyoda and Lt-Gen Teichi Suzuki, all considered pro-expansion, are added to the cabinet. In another move strengthening the 'war hawk' point of view, Adm Asami Nagano replaces Prince Hiroyasu Fushimi as chief of the Naval General Staff.

Japan, Preparations

Yamamoto forms the First Air Fleet consisting of 4 carriers and 200 planes.

North Africa

The Australian 9th Div withdraws to Tobruk. The Libyan strongpoint, in which the British have taken refuge under the battering of the German and Italian forces led by Rommel, is soon completely cut off. The Axis forces, advancing in echelon, literally besiege it. Every inch of the defensive perimeter is within range of German and Italian artillery.

United States, Policy

• As the US extends is security zone, Greenland, a Danish possession, will receive US protection. This move is made to prevent Greenland from falling into German hands. There are valuable weather-observation points for Britain located there. The Azores are also included in the extended security zone.
• The US Navy changes its Atlantic policy from convoy protection to patrol work.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In the new Atlantic security zone the destroyer USS Niblack fires the first American shots of the war when she drops 3 depth charges on a German submarine. This is the beginning of the undeclared naval war in the Atlantic.
• U-124 sinks the Greek steamer Aegeon (5285t) 170 miles west-southwest of Freetown with the loss of 4 of her crew. 27 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Sheaf Holme.

The Blitz

There are further extensive night raids on Bristol. 150 bombers of Luftflotte III are involved in what becomes known as the 'Good Friday Raid'. 200 tons of high explosives and 35,000 incendiaries are dropped. There is widespread destruction in Bristol and Avonmouth. St Philip's Bridge is hit breaking communications. There are about 150 people killed with another 146 seriously injured.

Birmingham is also a target as 245 planes form both Luftflotten drop 245 tons of high explosives and 43,000 incendiaries. Many fires cause considerable damage especially in Solihull, Halls Green and Erdington. In the 2 successive night raids 350 people are killed and hundreds are injured. Neither casualties nor damage are sufficient enough to interrupt general life and production in this industrial center.

Mediterranean

The Greek hospital ship Attiki (2561t) is sunk in the Doro Channel by a German air attack with the loss of 28 of her crew.

North Africa

The isolation of Tobruk is now complete, all the remainder of the Allied force having retreated to the Egyptian border. Rommel launches a violent attack on Tobruk using the Italian Trento and Bresci along the coast along with the German 5th Panzer Div. Under the command of Gen Leslie Morshead the defenders are ready, however, and the combination of Australian infantry and British artillery proves too strong for them and they fail to break through.

United States, Policy

Roosevelt tells Churchill that the US Navy will extend the American Defense Zone up to the line of 26 degrees West. The Red Sea is declared to be no longer a 'combat zone' and under the terms of US law US ships may now carry cargos to ports there including supplies for the British in Egypt.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-124 sinks the British steamer St Helena (4313t) 100 miles southwest of Freetown. All 41 of her crew are rescued by the British destroyer Wishart.
• German air attacks sink the Belgian steamer Arbel (901t) west of St Ives with the loss of 3 crewmen and the Swedish steamer Kexholm (3816t) south-southwest of the Faroes. The entire crew of the Swedish ship are rescued.

German Raiders

The Greek steamer Nicolaos D. L. (5486t) is sunk by the German raider Kormoran in the middle of the Atlantic. The entire crew are made prisoners of war.

Greece

After 2 days of continuous attacks the defending British and Australian forces pull back. The Germans have very powerful air support throughout. During this time the Allied forces to the east are pulling back from the Aliakmon Line to a position hinging on Mount Olympus.

Greenland

South Greenland's governor informs the American consul at Godthaab the he will not recognize the agreement concluded by the Danish minister in Washington giving the US military base rights in Greenland. He says he will resist any such move until he is 'faced with the fait accompli.' The US later presents him with such when it sends a contingent of US Marines and 3 Coast Guard cutters to Greenland.

Mediterranean

The British tanker Marie Maersk (8271t) is sunk by German bombing at Piraeus. The tanker is later salvaged and repaired at Trieste. She is renamed Luisa for Italian use.

North Africa

Rommel's troops capture Bardia.

Air Operations, Europe

R.A.F. bombers attack Sofia, Bulgaria.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Aircraft of Fliegercorps X carry out heavy bombing raids on the island of Malta.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The armed merchant cruiser Rajputana (16,400t) is sunk by U-108 in the Denmark Strait with the loss of 40 on board. 283 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Legion.
• U-124 sinks the British steamer Corinthic (4823t) southwest of Freetown with the loss of 2 crewmen. 39 survivors are picked up by the Dutch tanker Malvina.

Diplomatic Relations

• The USSR and Japan sign a 5-year Neutrality Agreement. For Stalin this is an invaluable piece of diplomacy which, backed by secret information from Soviet spies in Tokyo, will allow him to transfer forces from Siberia to face a possible German attack. These moves begin now and will be particularly important during the final German advance on Moscow later in the year.

The agreement represents a complete change in Japanese policy and marks the growing concern of the Japanese military leaders and statesmen to look south to the resources of the East Indies. The agreement has been negotiated almost alone by Foreign Minister Matsuoka, in Moscow on the way back from a European visit. Although it conforms well to the other Japanese leaders' ideas, they are upset at Matsuoka's brash and independent attitude.

Soviet-Japanese Neutrality Pact

• Churchill assures Roosevelt that the British will not abandon North Africa but says that US supplies can be crucial to the outcome.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-52 sinks the Belgian steamer Ville de Liege (7430t) about 700 miles east of Cape Farewell with the loss of 40 of her crew. There are 12 survivors.

Diplomatic Relations

• There are secret talks in New York between the Americans and the Icelandic consul. The Icelandic officials agree to do nothing to resist and American occupation to replace the present British force.
• King Farouk of Egypt sends a secret message to Hitler, via the Egyptian Minister in Iran, expressing hope that Germany will 'soon liberate Egypt from the British yoke'.

Antwerp Street Scene

Greece

The Allied forces on the Olympus position are attacked by the advancing Germans. In the Monastir Gap the rearguards are also under pressure throughout this time as they try to retire through Kozani.

Mediterranean

Australian Destroyer To Tow Hospital Ship

• The British steamer Clan Cumming (7264t) sinks on a mine in Eleusis Bay south of Athens. 77 of her crew are taken prisoner, 36 are rescued.
• The Turkish steamer Trabzon (2485t) is sunk by German bombing at Laurium while heading to Piraeus for repairs.

Air Operations, Europe

There is a night raid by the R.A.F. on Kiel. 210 people are killed.

The Blitz

There is a heavy night raid on Belfast, Northern Ireland by about 200 aircraft. The planes drop about 200 tons of high explosives and 29,000 incendiaries. The raid which begins at midnight lasts almost 7 hours. There is widespread damage to industrial targets including shipyards and factories along with residential and commercial properties. There are over 800 people killed along with about 1,500 injured. 1,600 homes are destroyed and 28,000 are damaged resulting in 20,000 people homeless. The Dublin Fire Brigade renders assistance.

Raid On Belfast

Battle of the Atlantic

The Italian submarine Tazzoli sinks the British steamer Aurillac (4733t) west of Portugal with the loss of the entire crew.

North Africa

Rommel's Afrika Korps drives into Egypt, capturing Sollum and moving through the Halfaya Pass.

Movement in North Africa

The Blitz

Fire Fighting in Southwark

There is a massive night raid on London by about 300 bombers which last about 8 and one half hours. Each bomber makes 2 or 3 sorties for a total of 685. 6 bombers are lost. They drop over 1,000 tons of bombs and mines. The targets are the docks, warehouses and factories along the Thames. Destruction is widespread. 60 public buildings are hit including the Admirlaty, the Law Courts and the Houses of Parliament. St Paul's Cathedral is also damaged in the bombing. Large shops in Leicester Square and Oxford Street are destroyed. 19 churches are destroyed or damaged along with 18 hospitals. 66 of the city's boroughs are hit covering most of the capital. 2,250 fires burn, mainly in central and south London. 50 of the fires are of the serious category. 1,180 people are killed and 2,230 are injured. This is a reprisal raid for the R.A.F. raid on Berlin 9 April.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In a German air attack the British steamers Angelesea Rose (1151t) and Amiens (1548t) and the Norwegian steamer Bolette (1167t) north of St Ives. The crews of both British ships are rescued, 8 are lost from the Norwegian ship.
• The Norwegian steamer Favorit (2826t) is sunk by German bombing southwest of the Faroes. The entire crew is rescued.

Diplomatic Relations

Talks begin in Washington between US and Japanese officials. Roosevelt opens outlining 4 essential points as a foundation for relations between nations: 1) territorial integrity; 2) noninterference in the affairs of other countries; 3) equal commercial opportunity; and 4) a status quo in the Pacific.

German Raiders

The Swedish steamer Sir Ernest Cassell (7739t) is sunk by the German raider Thor in the middle of the Atlantic. The entire crew are taken as prisoners of war.

Greece

Wavell gives orders, on the basis of the situation both in North Africa and Greece, that the sailing of the 7th Australian Div and the Polish Brigade from Egypt is to be cancelled. This is effectively a decision to abandon the Greek campaign and indeed Papagos is already suggesting that the British leave Greece in order to minimize the damage to his country.

German panzers from Macedonia reach the Pindus Mountain passes and cut off the escape routes of Greek troops in Albania. German 2nd Army units begin attacking Allied positions at the Servia Pass, with the plain of Thessaly lying open beyond it.

Air Operations, Europe

118 R.A.F. bombers, including Stirlings, make their heaviest bombing raids so far on Berlin during the night. There are minor raids on Cologne and Rotterdam. 8 bombers are lost.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In a sortie by a German motor torpedo boat flotilla against Convoy FS-464 off Great Yarmouth the British steamer Effra (1446t) and the Dutch steamer Nereus (1298t) are sunk. 2 crewmen are lost on the British ship.
• U-123 sinks the British steamer Venezuela (6991t) south-southwest of Rockall with the loss of all 49 of her crew.

German Raiders

The disguised German raider Atlantis sinks the Egyptian liner Zamzam (8,300t) in the South Atlantic and captures 312 passengers of which 138 are American.

German Raider Atlantis

The Blitz

There is a night raid on Portsmouth. In the 5-hour raid 250 aircraft drop 346 tons of high explosives and 46,000 incendiaries. The raid is begun by units of KG53 of Luftflotte II. They are followed by units armed with large parachute mines. Luftflotte III follows led by KG26 and 94 aircraft of other units. The dockyard is hit and electricity supplies fail temporarily. Many buildings and houses in the city are destroyed especially from the blast effects of the 200 mines that are dropped. Anti-aircraft fire accounts for 2 Ju-88's.

Yugoslavia

On the Dalmatian coast the Italians enter Dubrovnik. The Yugoslav army is virtually destroyed. The last centers of resistance, in Bosnia, surrender. The former prime minister, Cincar-Markovic (deposed 27 March), and Gen Jankovic and/or Gen Bodi for Yugoslavia, Gen von Weichs for Germany and Col Bonfatti for Italy, sign the act of surrender in Belgrade. The Axis forces have taken 334,000 prisoners. In the course of overrunning the country the Germans have lost less than 200 dead.

General Simovitch: Enough Was Enough

Germany, Home Front

The Me-262 fighter flies for the first time powered by a Junkers piston engine. The specified pair of jet engines will not be available until November. (see November 25, 1941)

Greece

The Greek Prime Minister Alexander Koryzis commits suicide. King George assumes temporary leadership of the government. Martial law is declared in Athens.

The German XVIII Army (mountain troops) forces the passage of the Aliakmon River against the resistance of the New Zealand 2nd Div. Mount Olympus is surrounded by the Germans and they take the town of Larisa. The XL Motorized Corps completes the encircling operation pressing on Florina and Trikkala. In this way a breach is opened between the left wing of the British expeditionary force and the right wing of the Greek forces. German troops pour through the gap. The rearguard will be considerably harried by the Luftwaffe as they fall back to Thermopylae.

Mediterranean

• The British convoy service ship Fiona (2190t) is lost to a German air attack about 50 miles northwest of Sidi Barrani. 53 of the crew are lost.

The Blitz

There are massive night raids on London. 712 sorties are flown by the Luftwaffe dropping 1,180 tons of bombs and 153,000 incendiaries. They lose 2 aircraft. The docks and warehouses are the main targets. There is heavy damage to the East End, Walthamstow and East Ham. Among the notable places hit are the Royal Naval College at Greenwich and St Peter's Hospital in Stepney. Many public buildings are hit like museums, churches and hospitals. 1,400 fires are started. About 1,200 people are killed, 1,000 are seriously wounded and 150,000 houses are damaged.

Essex Road after the Bombing

Newcastle is hit by 120 planes from Luftflotte II. In the 5-hour attack 150 tons of high explosives and 50,000 incendiaries are dropped all across the region. Areas affected by this raid include Jarrow, North and South Shields, Hebburn, Gateshead, Wallsend, Tynemouth and Newcastle. Large fires are started in several of the Tyne Docks, timber stores and warehouses. There is much damage to residential and commercial properties. 40 people are killed and about 100 injured.

Britain, Home Front

The first registration of women for war work under a new Employment Order begins.

Greece

While the Italians advance in the Epirus, the Greeks find their retreat cut off by the SS Adolf Hitler Div, which has attacked on the Pindo and occupied the Metsovo Pass and the town of Grenená. For the Greeks, this is the end. The rearguards of the British expeditionary force take up position in Thermopylae to protect the re-embarkation of the main body.

Against the orders of his superiors, Gen Georgios Tsolakoglou, commander of the Greek army in western Macedonia, makes contact with the Germans to negotiate surrender.

Wavell is in Athens to meet Gen Wilson and Gen Thomas Blamey, the commander of the Australian forces. They decide that it will probably be necessary to evacuate their troops from Greece, but promise the Greeks that they will keep fighting as long as the Greeks themselves do so.

Italian East Africa

The 1st South African Brigade has been sent north from Addis Ababa along the road to Asmara in Eritrea and now comes up to Italian positions south of Dessie. The fighting lasts for 4 days before the Italians fall back before the advance.

Air Operations, Europe

90 German aircraft raid Athens. A small force of Hurricanes shoot down 15. Squadron Leader Pattle, the R.A.F.'s top-scoring fighter pilot with 41 victories, is killed.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-73 sinks the British steamer Empire Endurance (8570t) southwest of Rockall with the loss of 65 on board. 2 motor launches are also lost with the ship. 29 survivors are picked up by the British passenger ship Highland Brigade and the Canadian corvette Trillium.

Diplomatic Relations

The US and Canada agree on joint production of war materials for Britain.

Greece

The Greek forces in Epirus that have been fighting in the Albanian campaign are forced to surrender to the SS Adolf Hitler Div. Those fighting in Macedonia also capitulate.

Hammered by Stukas, the British retire on Nauplia, Kalamata and Monemvasia, the points fixed for their re-embarkation. The rearguard holds firm at Thermopylae which they hold until the 24th.

Mediterranean

• Tripoli is bombarded. The British battleships Warspite, Valiant, Barham and the cruiser Gloucester fire 350 tons of shells, damaging 7 ships and setting fire to oil installations. Valiant is damaged by a mine while returning to Alexandria.
• The Greek destroyer Psara is sunk by an Italian air attack off Megara.
• German air attacks sink the Greek steamer Assimina Baika (1344t) at Politika, north of Chalkis, and the Greek steamer Ithaki (675t) in Suda Bay.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

German bombers and Stukas sink the old Greek battleship Kilkis, 10 other warships and 43 merchant ships in Greek coastal waters in attacks over the next few days.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-107 sinks the British steamer Calchas (10,305t) 550 miles north of the Cape Verde Islands with the loss of 24 crewmen. 89 survivors make it in life boats to the Cape Verde Islands or Senegal.

The Blitz

There are heavy night raids on Plymouth. This is the first of 5 over the next few nights ending 29 April. 640 bombers are involved in the attacks, 17 are lost. Few public buildings escape damage. 600 people are killed, 450 seriously hurt and 40,000 are left homeless.

China

Japanese army forces occupy Foochow.

Greece

The SS Adolf Hitler Div takes Ioannina, on the flank of the Greek line facing the Italians.

At Larisa, the headquarters of the German 12th Army (von List), Greek plenipotentiaries sign the capitulation. 16 divisions lay down their arms. The news infuriates Mussolini, and on Hitler's orders the ceremony has to be repeated two days later in a villa near Thessaloniki, with an Italian representative present.

Papagos recommends that the Allies leave and permission for the evacuation is given from London.

A new government is formed under Emmanuel Tsouderos, former Governor of the Bank of Greece.

The Blitz

There is another heavy raid on Plymouth.

Damage in Plymouth from the Blitz

Diplomatic Relations

The Soviets protest to Germany over violations of Soviet air space by high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft. There have been 80 such incidents between 17 March and 18 April.

Greece

The German forces begin to arrive at the Thermopylae position. Evacuation of British forces begins.

Italian East Africa

The British storm the defenses of Dessie.

The Blitz

Plymouth is again bombed during the night.

China

Chiang complains to Ambassador Nelson T. Johnson in Chungking that promised US aid to China is not forthcoming.

German Raiders

The German raider Thor, under the command of Kapitän zur See Otto Kähler, returns to Brest after a cruise of 322 days in which 11 merchant ships and 1 British auxiliary cruiser have been sunk and 2 more auxiliaries damaged.

Mediterranean

• The British steamer Santa Clara Valley (4665t) is sunk by German bombing in Nauplia Bay. 7 on board are lost in the attack.
• German air attacks sink several Greek ships. The ships lost include the steamer Assimi (722t) at Krioneri, the steamer Elvira (372t) at Chalkis, the tanker Katerina (2398t) at Methana, the steamer Kerkyra (1461t) at Salamis, the steamer Macedonia (1839t) at Trisonia - Spilia as was the steamer Nicolaos Nomicos (625t), the steamer Nicolaou Georgios (4108t) at Nauplia, the hospital ship Policos (875t) at Methana and the steamer Kriti (1028t).

Greece

King George and his government are evacuated by R.A.F. to Crete. In a villa near Thessaloniki the signing ot the Greek surrender is repeated in the presence of an Italian representative.

Greek Forces Surrender in Albania

The British fight a battle to permit evacuation, falling back to a line across the peninsula at Thebes. Air cover is important but the British have only 100 planes to the German force of about 1000.

Bulgarian troops occupy Thrace in northern Greece.

Atlantic

US naval units begin patrolling the Atlantic eastward to 26 degrees east longitude and southward to 20 degrees north latitude.

Axis Diplomacy

Hitler and Hungarian leader Adm Horthy confer and dine in the Führer's train near Graz, Austria. Horthy lavishes praise on the Führer, but Hitler refuses to be drawn into promising major territorial concessions in return for Hungarian participation in Operation Barbarossa.

Greece

The Germans mount a large attack against the British lines at Thermopylae but they are held off. The British have been reinforced by Greek detachments who refuse to surrender. The position has largely served its delaying function and during the night the defending troops fall back, leaving a further rearguard at Thebes. During the night the main evacuation begins, with 11,000 men being taken off.

Bulgaria declares war on Greece and Yugoslavia. Bulgarian troops begin occupyin territory in western Thrace, which is already under German control.
[ | ]

Iraq

The British garrison in Iraq is reinforced by the despatch of additional units.

Mediterranean

• The evacuation of British and Commonwealth troops from Greece begins in Operation Demon. From now until 29 April 51,000 troops are transported to Crete and Egypt. German aircraft sink the destroyers Diamond and Wryneck and 4 transports.

Battle of the Atlantic

• Roosevelt announces that 'neutrality patrols' by the US Navy are to be vastly extended.
• U-103 sinks the Norwegian steamer Polyana (2267t) from dispersed Convoy OG-58 west of Freetown with the loss of all 25 of her crew.

The Blitz

Sunderland is the target as 60 planes from Luftflotten and drop 80 tons of high explosives and 9,000 incendiaries. All towns in the area are hit including South Shields, Hebburn, Tynemouth, Wallsend, and Jarrow. A lot of parachute mines are used and large areas are affected from the blasts of these. In one such incident in Newcastle, several houses are destroyed and 35 people are killed, including 6 from 1 family. A number of small fires are started, but they are quickly dealt with.

German Raiders

The German raider Pinguin sinks the British steamer Empire Light (6828t) north of the Seychelles.

Germany, Planning

Hitler issues Directive 28 giving the order for Operation MERKUR (MERCURY), the airborne attack on Crete.

The German naval attaché in Moscow cables Berlin that there are many rumors going around concerning the German-Russian war. He quotes the British ambassador as stating that it would begin on 22 June).

Greece

The Australians and New Zealanders, who have fallen back from Thermopylae to Thebes, are forced to continue their retreat under pressure by the Germans towards the small ports of Rafina, Magara and Porto Rafti, in mainland Greece, to re-embark.

Germans Drive Farther into Greece

German airborne troops drop beyond the Corinth Canal in an attempt to take a vital canal bridge but the bridge is blown before they can do so. The SS Adolf Hitler Div is successful in crossing the western outlet of the canal to Patras. German troops spread out over the whole of the Peloponnese.

Italian East Africa

The situation grows more difficult for the Italians at Amba Alagi.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Mountpark (4648t) is sunk by German bombing northwest of Ireland with the loss of 4 of her crew.
• U-110 sinks the British steamer Henri Mory (2564t) 330 miles west-northwest of Blaskets with the loss of 28 of her crew. 3 survivors are rescued by the British destroyer Hurricane and 1 more 8 days later by the British steamer Lycaon.

The Blitz

There is a raid on Merseyside.

Italian East Africa

The Allied forces take Dessie with 8,000 Italian prisoners.

North Africa

Gen Friedrich von Paulus, sent by the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht, arrives at Tobruk to make a personal appreciation. British aircraft have bombed Benghazi during the night, causing some casualties and damage.

Greece

The Germans continue to advance in the Peloponnese. German parachute troops capture Corinth. The bridge over the canal is blown up by the British rear guard inflicting heavy casualties to the Germans.

Meanwhile the re-embarkation of the Allied forces continues. The few port facilities and the beaches at Rafina, Nauplia, Monemvasia and Kalamata are all used, as well as other sites. The British Mediterranean Fleet provides a force of 6 cruisers, 20 destroyers and about 30 other ships. The evacuation generally goes very well except for incidents at Nauplia and Kalamata.

Australian Troops Waiting to Embark

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-147 sinks the Norwegian steamer Rimfakse (1134t) 130 miles northwest of Scotland with the loss of 11 crewmen. 8 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Hengist.
• U-552 sinks the British steamer Beacon Grange (10,160t) south of Iceland with the loss of 2 crewmen. 82 survivors are picked up by the Belgian trawler Edouvard Anseele and later transferred to the British corvette Gladiolus.
• The British steamer Celte (943t) is sunk by German bombing west of the Faroes.

Greece

German tanks enter Athens. Motorcycle troops raise the German flag over the Acropolis at 8:35am. A transport is bombed off Nauplia and 2 destroyers that come to the rescue are also sunk. Many of the soldiers on all 3 ships are lost. Also at Nauplia a burning merchant ship blocks the pier on the last night and 1,700 men have to be left behind.

Raising the Flag over the Acropolis

The Blitz

There is a raid on Portsmouth. 38 aircraft drop 70 tons of high explosives and 7,000 incendiaries. The damage is great. There are major fires at H.M. Dockyard and Messrs McIlroys Ltd, Commercial Road. 2/3 of the city is affected by widespread damage to homes and business property. In an explosion at Madden's Hotel 28 people are killed. The casualties for the raid are 102 killed and 270 seriously injured.

Himmler Inspecting Concentration Camp

North Africa

Gen von Paulus arrives in North Africa on an inspection tour of Rommel's force. He has orders from OKH to try to bring Rommel under control and sort out a situation which, from Germany, seems very confused. He immediately halts preparations for more attacks on Tobruk. German reconnaissance units enter Egypt and occupy the Halfaya Pass, one of the few routes from Egypt by which the Cyrenaica plateau can be reached.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

Italian and German air formations carry out a number of raids on air and naval bases on the island of Malta.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British ammunition storage ship Moncousu (1420t) is sunk by German bombing at Plymouth.
• The British corvette Gladiolus sinks U-65 before she can make an attack on Convoy HX-121. U-552 torpedoes the British tanker Capulet (8190t) . The tanker is abandoned on fire and later sunk with gunfire. 9 of the crew are lost. 35 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Douglas and the British rescue ship Zaafaran. U-96 sinks the British tanker Oilfield (8516t) south of Iceland with the loss of 47 of her crew. 8 survivors are picked up by the British anti-submarine trawler St Zeno. U-96 then sinks the Norwegian tanker Caledonia (9892t) with the loss of 12 crewmen. 25 survivors are also picked up by the rescue ship Zaafaran. The next ship sunk by U-96 is the British steamer Port Hardy (8897t). 1 crewman is lost; 97 survivors are picked up by the Zaafaran.

  U-65

  Class	Type IX
  CO	Kapitänleutnant Jockel Hoppe
  Location	North Atlantic
  Cause	Depth Charge
  Casualties	50
  Survivors	None

The Blitz

Plymouth is again bombed during the night.

German Raiders

The British steamer Clan Buchanan (7266t) is sunk by the German raider Pinguin in the Indian Ocean. All 107 of her crew are picked up.

Greece

Some 43,000 British and Poles of the expeditionary force re-embark at Nauplia, Monemvasia and Kalamata. At Kalamata a German force bursts into the town but is eventually defeated by the 7,000 troops waiting for evacuation. The naval force off the port sees the fighting and withdraws before the Germans are subdued. During the night about 5,000 troops are taken off bringing the total evacuated to just over 50,000. The Royal Navy has sent 6 cruisers, 19 destroyers and a great number of small transports to carry out the evacuation at a cost of 2 destroyers and 4 transports.

In this disastrous campaign the expeditionary force has lost 12,712 men, including 9,000 taken prisoner by the Germans, and the whole of its heavy equipment. The evacuation (Operation DEMON) is nevertheless successful. Gen Freyberg, commanding the New Zealand contingent, arrives in Crete.

Italian losses in the 6 months of the Greek campaign: 13,755 dead, over 50,000 wounded, 12,368 severely frostbitten and 25,067 missing.

Greek losses: 15,700 dead and missing. About 300,000 men are taken prisoner by the Axis forces, but all except the officers are released almost at once.

It has taken Germany less than a month to overrun Greece and Yugoslavia. The strategic importance of the German campaign lies particularly in its relationship to the preparations for the attack on the USSR. It has often been suggested, although probably incorrectly, that the Balkan campaign delayed BARBAROSSA during a period of fine summer weather that might have been invaluable to the Germans later in the year. As well as questions of equipment, training and the weather in Poland that probably contributed most to the timing of the attack, it should be noted that the campaign in Greece was part of the long-intended German strategic program and that any disruption to the program was caused by the independent Yugoslavian situation.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

There is another air raid on Valetta, Malta by the German air corps based in Sicily.

Air Operations, North Africa

British aircraft bomb Benghazi.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-75 sinks the British steamer City of Nagpur (10,146t) west of Ireland with the loss of 16 on board. 452 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Hurricane.
• The British steamer Kalua (722t) is sunk by German bombing near the mouth of the Tyne. The entire crew are rescued.
• German motor torpedo boats sortie against the 57 ships of Convoy EC-13 off Cromer. The British steamer Ambrose Fleming is sunk by S-29 with the loss of 11 crewmen.

Mediterranean

The British convoy service ship Chakla (3081t) is sunk in a German air attack inside Tobruk harbor. 2 of the crew are wounded.

The Blitz

Plymouth is again bombed during the night for the fifth time since 21 April. 772 tons of high explosives, UXBs and parachute mines are dropped along with 139,000 incendiaries. In the 5 raids not a single part of the city is untouched. The centers of both Plymouth and Devonport are destroyed. Streets are wiped out completely. Among the streets that not longer exist are Union Street, Bedford Street, Courtenay Street and Westwell Street. Property is destroyed in the Hoe and North Road. At Mill Bay, businesses are burned out and buildings such as Drill Hall, Stonehouse Town Hall, the Ballard Institute and the Royal Western Yacht Club are devastated.

Damage to Plymouth from the April Blitz

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. attack shipping off the Dutch coast. There is a heavy night raid on Kiel and a light raid on Berlin.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-107 sinks the British steamer Lassell (7417t) 250 miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands with the loss of 2 crewmen. 51 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Benvrackie.

Crete

Gen Freyberg is given command of the British troops and Greek militia defending the island.

German Raiders

The German auxiliary cruiser Thor arrives in Hamburg from France after 329 days at sea.

Italian East Africa

The 11th African Div advances from Addis Ababa towards Shashamanna, where an Italian division is based.

Red Sea

The Indian patrol ship Parvati sinks on a mine in the southern part of the Red Sea with the loss of 16 of her crew. 21 survivors are picked up by a British warship.