Chronology of World War II

Sunday, September 1, 1940

In East Africa... In Kenya the Italians capture the small town of Buna in the northeast of the country.

Over Britain... The German attacks on the British airfields continue but with less strength than in the previous two days.

Monday, September 2, 1940

In Washington... Following the agreement made in July and later detailed negotiations, a deal is now ratified between Britain and the USA by which Britain gets 50 old destroyers, veterans of World War I, but desperately needed for escort work, in return for bases granted to the United States in the West Indies and Bermuda. Considerable modification will be necessary to make the ships ready for service.

Over Britain... The German attacks on the British airfields continue.

In the Mediterranean... Admiral Cunningham's fleet is reinforced by the battleship Valiant and the carrier Illustrious from Gibraltar. He now has three battleships and two carriers. The composition of the Gibraltar based Force H varies greatly from time to time because of the uncertainty regarding the behavior of the French Fleet. The Italians now have five battleships in commission, including two modern ships.

Tuesday, September 3, 1940

From Berlin... The operational orders for the invasion of Britain are issued. It is confirmed that the decision to go will be taken 10 days before the invasion is to take place. S-Day is now scheduled for September 21st. The Sea Lion plan now provides for elements of 11 divisions to make the assault. Two airborne divisions are to be sent in at once, but the other nine will start 6700 strong and will only reach full strength after several days. About 250 tanks are to accompany the assault. Four divisions of the 16th Army with airborne support are to land near Folkestone, two of the 9th Army near Eastbourne and three more of the 9th Army, also with airborne support, at Brighton. These beachheads will not be mutually supporting in the early stages. At this time the defending British forces have only made a partial recovery from the equipment losses at Dunkirk. There are perhaps four divisions fully equipped and about eight more in a reasonable state. In addition, there are various mobile brigade groups. There are about 350 cruiser and heavy tanks in the country and about 500 antitank guns.

Wednesday, September 4, 1940

In Romania... There are political upheavals following the recent losses of territory by the Vienna Award. King Carol gives General Antonescu full powers.

Over Britain... German effort is wasted on less vital aircraft factories. They attack a bomber factory at Weybridge.

From Washington... The United States warns the Japanese government against making aggressive moves in Indochina.

Thursday, September 5, 1940

In the English Channel... German minelayers are active in the Straits of Dover during the night (September 5-6) as part of Operation Walter.

In Romania... Parliament is dissolved and the constitution suspended.

Over Britain... German aircraft attack the Biggin Hill and Detling airfields. German Ju88 and He111 bombers hit the oil storage tanks at Thameshaven (causing fires that continue to burn for several days). Maidstone is also raided during the day. Oberleutnant von Werra is captured after making a forced landing his Me109 in Kent. (He later becomes the only German prisoner to escape from Canada and return to Germany.) At night, Liverpool and Manchester are bombed.

Friday, September 6, 1940

In the North Atlantic... U-65 guides U-47 to convoy SC-2. During the night (September 6-7) U-47 sinks 3 ships by attacking while surfaced. This tactic effectively counters the sonar [referred to by the British as ASDIC because it was developed by the Allied Submarine Detection Investigation Committee] equipped escorts.

Over Britain... The German attacks on the British airfields continue. Effort is wasted on less vital aircraft factories. They attack a more important airplane plant at Brooklands. The RAF is now flying more sorties per day than the combined total of the German bombers and fighters.

In Britain... The King and Queen visit RAF Fighter Command headquarters at Bentley Priory, Stanmore (Middlesex). Meanwhile, a German agent, Caroli, lands by parachute in Oxon and he is arrested almost immediately.

In Vichy France... General Weygand resigns from the government. He takes command of Vichy French forces in north Africa.

In Romania... King Carol abdicates in favor of Prince Michael. Later in the month it is announced that the fascist Iron Guard is to be the only legal political party.

Saturday, September 7, 1940

Over Britain... The Germans alter the tactics of their air offensive and send a major daytime raid against London. This gives the RAF a welcome respite from the airfield attacks which have been so damaging during the last few days. The German attack on London follows from a suggestion of Hitler which coincides with Goring's own theories. The German tactic is that the RAF will be forced to commit its carefully hoarded reserves and that they can then be destroyed. Kesselring's 2nd Air Fleet is to attack London by day with 500 bombers (including some brought from Norway and Denmark) and 600 fighters. Sperrle is to attack by night with about 300 bombers, as all his fighters have been switched to Kesselring. In addition there are about 100 Me110s and over 200 Stukas. The British have about 350 aircraft in their frontline squadrons with more in reserve. Park is modifying his tactics slightly to cope with the bigger German formations and now intends pairing his squadrons where possible. In the afternoon the Germans send 300 bombers and 600 fighters to attack targets in the London dock area. The British interceptions are not well managed because of the change of tactics comes as a surprise. The Luftwaffe loses 41 aircraft and Fighter Command 28 shot down and several more damaged. The bombing is most effective. During the night Sperrle follows up the attack with 250 bombers with the still-blazing fires to guide them to their target. The damage is very serious. There is little the RAF can do at night to achieve interceptions although the first airborne radar sets are coming into operation. Despite the damage done it is clear that the casualties and the disruption of civilian life are not as great as prewar fears suggested. There is no question of the Germans achieving a decisive result in these operations. These attacks become known as "The Blitz" by the British people.

From London... The British authorities decide that they have information that a German invasion is likely in the next few days and accordingly they issue an invasion warning. This warning is in the form of the signal word "Cromwell" which means that an invasion is imminent and its issue causes some wild measures to be taken. In fact this signal has been chosen because its true meaning corresponds most nearly to the needs of bringing about a higher state of readiness. No other code word has this effect.

In the North Atlantic... During the night (September 7-8), U-47 sinks one ship from convoy SC-2 by attacking while surfaced.

Sunday, September 8, 1940

From London... Dowding decides that the Fighter Command units in southeast England should have the right to select the best pilots to keep their experienced squadrons up to strength despite the effects this will have on the other parts of the Command and on planning for the future.

Monday, September 9, 1940

Over Britain... The Germans send about 200 bombers, well escorted, to bomb London. They are intercepted by strong RAF forces and many are compelled to drop their bombs before reaching their targets. The air battle is very fierce. The British lose 19 planes and the Germans 28.

In Washington... A new $5,500,000,000 appropriations bill becomes law in the United States. Contracts are placed for 210 vessels for the navy, including seven battleships and 12 carriers.

In French West Africa... Six French warships leave Toulon bound for Dakar. They are reported to the British too late, and reach Dakar despite the efforts of the squadrons now en route to Dakar to attack on behalf of the Free French.

In the United States... The first of the 50 old destroyers given to Britain is taken over by a Royal Navy crew.

Tuesday, September 10, 1940

In Albania... The Italians begin to increase their force in Albania by 40,000 over the next ten days in preparation for their proposed attack on Greece.

In Berlin... Hitler decides that the Luftwaffe has not yet won clear air supremacy and puts off his decision on Sea Lion until September 14th, which means that the invasion is now scheduled for September 24th.

In Britain... A second German agent, Schmidt, lands by parachute in Oxon.

Wednesday, September 11, 1940

Over Britain... The air fighting goes well for the Germans. They send a raid to London which gets through to the target and they also do significant damage to a Spitfire factory at Southampton. In the fighting the RAF comes off worst, losing 25 aircraft to the German loss of 29. Buckingham Palace is hit by a bomb but none of the Royal family is hurt. In fact, this is of benefit to national morale since it gives the impression that punishment is being shared fairly.

Thursday, September 12, 1940

In Vichy France... Five schoolboys discover 10,000-year-old wall paintings of animals and hunters in Lascaux Cave (Dordogne).

Over Germany... British RAF Bomber Command aircraft raid the Hamm marshalling yards for the 60th time during the night (September 12-13).

In Occupied Poland... In Warsaw, a walled ghetto is to be constructed for the estimated 500,000 Jewish inhabitants of the city.

Friday, September 13, 1940

In North Africa... The Italian forces begin a cautious offensive from Libya into Egypt. They have five divisions in the attack with another eight in rear areas in Libya. Marshal Graziani is in command. The British Western Desert Force of two divisions is led by General O'Connor. On the first day the Italians occupy Sollum as the British pull back. During the months since the Italian declaration of war there have been no actions of any size, but the Italian numerical superiority has been morally undermined by much offensive patrolling by the British forces. These harassing tactics are now employed to good effect against the Italian offensive.

In Britain... The British bring heavy units of the Royal Navy nearer to the likely invasion area. The battleships Nelson and Rodney join the Hood at Rosyth and the Revenge is at Plymouth. There are, of course, strong cruiser and destroyer forces in relevant positions.

In East Africa... Italian troops from Ethiopia penetrate up to 20 miles into Kenya in a tentative advance.

Saturday, September 14, 1940

Over Britain... The daytime attacks on London are repeated again after two quieter days. The night attacks have been continuing without respite. The fighting goes well for the Luftwaffe with 14 planes lost on either side. With some justification it appears to the Luftwaffe leaders that the RAF is almost beaten. In Berlin... Hitler decides that Goring needs four or five consecutive days of fine weather to hammer home his advantage. Accordingly he defers his decision on the invasion once more, until September 17th, which in turn means that the invasion cannot take place until September 27th. This is a final date because October 8th might be the only day when conditions will be suitable for the landing; this is dangerously near winter for the exploitation stage of the invasion. There can almost certainly be no further postponement.

Sunday, September 15, 1940

Over Britain... Kesselring makes another great effort against London. He plans two main raids but they cannot be timed to catch the RAF fighters refueling because his strength is sufficiently reduced that he must send the same fighters on both occasions. He can muster 400 fighters but less than 200 bombers in the morning attack. The fighting is very heavy with the Germans being harried all the way to London, then being heavily engaged over London and all the way back to the coast. The bombers are not able to drop their loads with any accuracy at all. The afternoon shows a similar story but the fighter battles are more intense and the bombers bomb nearer to their targets as a consequence. Although the fighter combats have gone about equally the German bomber losses are very severe, bring the German loss for the day to 60 aircraft for a bag of 26 from the RAF. Many more German bombers have been damaged or have crewmen dead or wounded. Their morale suffers as they meet up to 300 RAF fighters in one raid after their leaders have told them that the RAF as a whole has less than this number. Although it is not apparent at the time or for several weeks afterward, this is the last real attempt by the Luftwaffe to destroy the resistance of Fighter Command.

From Moscow... The USSR modifies its conscription laws. From now on 19-20 year olds will be conscripted.

From Ottawa... Following legislation passed in August single men between 21 and 24 are called up.

Monday, September 16, 1940

In North Africa... The Italians take Sidi Barrani as their cautious advance into Egypt begins to grind to a halt. In the United States... The Selective Service Bill becomes law. It permits compulsory induction into the armed forces for all males between the ages 21-35. In the Mediterranean... Aircraft from the carrier Illustrious, escorted by the battleship Valiant attack Benghazi during the night. Four Italian ships are sunk in the harbor, including two destroyers. The cruiser Kent is detached from the force while returning to Alexandria in order to shell Bardia and is badly damaged in an attack by torpedo planes.

Tuesday, September 17, 1940

Over Occupied France... The German invasion flotillas are attacked during the night by RAF Bomber Command and a fair degree of damage is done.

In Berlin... Hitler postpones Operation Sea Lion until further notice. Meanwhile, General Paulus, the Deputy Chief of the Army General Staff, presents a further plan for the attack on the Soviet Union. This version envisages three thrusts for Leningrad, Moscow and Kiev, but the emphasis is still on the central advance to the Soviet capital. Further consideration over the coming weeks confirms to the General Staff that this priority is correct.

Over Britain... The German night attacks include a raid on Clydeside in which the cruiser Sussex is damaged.

Wednesday, September 18, 1940

In North Africa... The advance of the Italian 10th Army comes to a halt, officially because of supply difficulties. They occupy themselves building various fortified camps and make little effort to keep in touch with the British forces which have pulled back before their superior strength.

Over Britain... During the day there is a German attack by 50 bombers on targets in London. There is heavy fighting in which the RAF loses 12 planes and the Luftwaffe 19.

Thursday, September 19, 1940

In Occupied Europe... The German invasion fleet begins to disperse from the Channel ports. The later reports of the German navy show that 1918 barges have been assembled, of which 214 have been sunk or damaged. Similarly 21 out of 170 transports have been lost.

In Rome... Ribbentrop meets Mussolini and Ciano in Rome and warns them not to attack Greece or Yugoslavia. The Italian leaders dutifully reply that they will conquer Egypt first.

Friday, September 20, 1940

In the North Atlantic... The convoy HX-72 is successfully attacked by a U-boat group over the course of a three day period. Altogether 12 ships of 78,000 tons are sunk, seven of them during the night of September 21-22 by Schepke's U-100 without him even being detected by the convoy escorts.

Saturday, September 21, 1940

Over Britain... As the night attacks on London continue, the government officially allows the subway stations to be used as air-raid shelters. This has been happening for some time.

In Australia... The election results are declared. Menzies remains prime minister. Labor is the largest party in both the House and the Senate but has no overall majority. Also, it is announced that the 9th Australian Division will be raised.

Sunday, September 22, 1940

In French Indochina... The Japanese enter Indochina after concluding a long period of negotiation with the Vichy government. The Japanese aim is to prevent aid reaching the Chinese through Indochina. There are to be 6000 troops stationed in the country and they are to have transit rights.

In Helsinki... Finland agrees to allow transit rights to German troops en route to north Norway in return for arms supplies.

Monday, September 23, 1940

French West Africa... British and Free French forces try to bring the port of Dakar over to the Allied cause. The operation is code named Menace. The British are led by Admiral J. Cunningham and the French by General de Gaulle. The forces involved include three small Free French warships but the main power is provided by two British battleships and one carrier. There are 3600 Free French troops aboard the various transports and a further 4300 British who, for political reasons, are not to be used unless absolutely necessary. The Vichy forces include the battleship Richelieu (unfinished), two cruisers and some destroyers and submarines. Admiral Landriau commands these vessels and Governor Boisson is in overall charge. On the first day of the operation there are talks between de Gaulle and the Vichy representatives, but these fail to reach any agreement and the Vichy warships begin an exchange of fire. There is damage done on both sides and one Vichy submarine sunk. An attempt by the Free French forces to land in Rufique Bay is beaten off.

Over Germany... During the night of September 23-24th the RAF bombs Berlin.

Tuesday, September 24, 1940

In the Mediterranean... As a retaliation for the events at Dakar, Vichy air forces attempt to raid Gibraltar. Little damage is done.

In French West Africa... The British battleship Resolution is hit by shellfire in the ongoing battle.

Wednesday, September 25, 1940

Over Britain... Most of the German attacks are against aircraft factories up to the end of the month (September 30th). Factories in Bristol, Southampton and Yeovil are all hit but defending fighters exact a high price. The RAF loses 82 planes and the Luftwaffe 143.

In French West Africa... The British battleship Resolution is seriously damaged by a torpedo. The Barham takes a 15-inch hit from Richelieu. Following these setbacks the operation is abandoned on Churchill's orders.

In the Mediterranean... As a retaliation for the events at Dakar, Vichy air forces again attempt to raid Gibraltar. Again, little damage is done.

In Oslo... Terboven, the Reichs Commissioner, deposes the King of Norway formally and appoints Quisling to lead the new Norwegian government.

Thursday, September 26, 1940

From Washington... An American embargo is imposed on the export of all scrap iron and steel to Japan.

Friday, September 27, 1940

In Berlin... Germany, Italy and Japan sign an agreement promising that each will declare war on any third party which joins the war against one of the three. It is stated that his agreement does not affect either Germany's or Japan's relations with the USSR. This treaty is known as the Tripartite Pact. All the signatories hope that the pact will deter the United States from joining the war in Europe or taking a more active line in the Far East.

Saturday, September 28, 1940

In Britain... The first of the 50 old American destroyers given to Britain arrives in the UK.

Sunday, September 29, 1940

Over Britain... Hurricane fighters intercept a formation of German Heinkel He111 bombers over the Irish Sea. Three fighters and 3 bombers are shot down.

Monday, September 30, 1940

Over Britain... Day 82 of the Battle of Britain. There are five German attempts to bomb London. The aircraft from the first and second raids jettison their bombs over Hastings and Rexhill. An estimated 30 Ju88 bombers from the fourth raid reach the western suburbs of London and cause some casualties. Meanwhile, about 40 He111 bombers escorted by Me110 fighters aim for the Westland Aircraft Factory in Yeovil fail to find the target and bomb Sherborne (Dorset). Four German He111 bombers and 5 British Hurricane fighters are shot down. Total aircraft losses amount to 47 German and 20 British planes. During the night, London is raided again with the bombs dropping mainly on the suburbs. Other targets include Liverpool where some fires are reported.

Over Occupied Europe... RAF bombers conduct night raids on Berlin, invasion ports, airfields and other objectives. Five British planes are lost.

In Britain... Three German agents are put ashore from a seaplane on the coast of Banff, Scotland in Operation Hummer (literally translated to Lobster). All three are captured and two are executed. The third, a double-agent, Vera von Schalburg, disappears.