September 1940

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30

Axis Sep-40 Allied Neutral
Vichy France Denmark Italy Germany Total Class Total Great Britain Free France Canada Australia New Zealand Poland Netherlands Norway USA Japan
2 0 5 1 6 Battleship 15 13 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 15 10
0 0 0 0 0 Fleet Carrier 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 4
0 0 0 0 0 Light Carrier 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
4 0 7 2 9 Heavy Cruiser 17 11 4 0 2 0 0 0 0 19 17
9 0 13 2 15 Light Cruiser 63 42 9 0 4 2 0 4 2 19 19
53 0 88 34 122 Destroyer 250 157 61 14 5 0 4 7 2 211 102
64 8 99 41 140 Submarine 145 52 71 0 0 0 1 21 0 77 53
1 0 0 0 0 Escort Carrier 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
14 0 34 9 43 Escorts 109 82 23 0 4 0 0 0 0 0 15
3 2 0 8 8 Other 57 47 3 2 3 1 0 0 1 0 0

 

Neutral
Class Soviet UnionArgentina BrazilChileColumbia Peru SwedenPortugal Spain Yugoslavia GreeceTurkey RomaniaThailand
Battleship 3 2 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
Fleet Carrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Light Carrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Heavy Cruiser 3 4 0 3 0 0 1 0 1 1 1 2 0 0
Light Cruiser 3 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 0 0 0 0 0
Destroyer 50 16 7 8 2 2 18 5 16 9 19 4 7 10
Submarine 195 3 4 9 0 4 16 3 4 4 6 8 1 4
Escort Carrier 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Escorts 18 1 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
Other 0 4 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 2 0 0 4

 

Sunday 01 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Fiji Light Cruiser Damaged Damaged by a torpedo from the German submarine U-32 off the Hebrides, N of Rockall, in the North Atlantic 01/09/1940. Arrived for repair Greenock 04/09/1940  
 
Politics

German Jews ordered to wear a yellow Star of David for identification

 
Other

Football International: Germany 13-0 Finland, Bruno-Plache-Stadion, Leipzig

 
Monday 02 September 1940
Daily Report
Politics The Destroyer for Bases Agreement: Britain obtains 50 old American destroyers in exchange for giving the Americans 99-year land grants for military bases at various British possessions in the Bahamas, Antigua, St Lucia, Trinidad, Jamaica and British Guiana.

 

Tuesday 03 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Germany U-57 Submarine Damaged Sunk after collision with Norwegian ship Rona at Brunsbutel, Schleswig-Holstein 6 dead, 19 survivors 03/09/1940. Raised later  
 
Wednesday 04 September 1940
Daily Report
Thursday 05 September 1940
Daily Report
Friday 06 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Godetia Corvette Lost Collision with merchant ship Marsa 3 miles off Altacarry Head, Northern Ireland 55.18N 05.57W 06/09/1940  
 
Politics King Carol of Romania abdicates in favour of his son Michael whilst control of the Romanian government is taken over by Marshal Ion Antonescu

 

 
Saturday 07 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: German air raids switch the focus of attack from day to night and start bombing London. Beginning of the Blitz.

Battle of Britain: Black Saturday. Large daylight German air raid, 300+ aircraft attack on Thames Estuary, east London & RAF bases north and south of the Thames. Damage to Surrey Commercial Docks, West India Docks and numerous factories along the banks of the river.

Sunday 08 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Stork Sloop Damaged Damaged by bombs from German aircraft, in the North Sea, serious damage to her stern structure & propeller shafts 08/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 100+ aircraft attack on Thames Estuary & objects in Kent followed by night raid that caused considerable damage to rail and road communications in London

Other

German Light-Heavyweight Boxing Title Jean Kreitz (Germany) beat Adolf Heuser (Germany) Rsf 8, Deutschlandhalle, Berlin.

 
Monday 09 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Renown Battleship Damaged Damaged by gunfire during a brief exchange of fire with German warship Gneisenau in the Norwegian Sea, 80 miles W of the Lofoten Islands, heavy weather & fog banks prevented further action, the ship remained operational 09/04/1940  
 
Military

Western Desert Campaign: Italy invades Egypt

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 300+ aircraft attack on Thames Estuary, south London & central London

 
Tuesday 10 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Chesterfield Destroyer Damaged Damaged in collision with British warship Churchill at Halifax, NS 10/09/1940  
Great Britain Churchill Destroyer Damaged Damaged in collision with British warship Chesterfield at Halifax, NS 10/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Italian Air Corp is formed to take part in the bombing of the United Kingdom

 
Wednesday 11 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Atherstone Destroyer Escort Damaged Damaged by bombs & near misses from German aircraft, whilst escorting an English Channel convoy into the Thames Estuary. Hit by 2 bombs causing serious damage & flooding 11/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 250+ aircraft attack on Kent coast, Dover, Deal & London

 
Thursday 12 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Ambuscade DestroyerWithdrew Withdrawn for repair at Tyne shipyard, due to defective turbines 12/09/1940  
 
Friday 13 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 90+ aircraft attack on Kent, Surrey, Sussex & London area. Buckingham Palace hit by single daylight German aircraft raider attack. Single German bombers would penetrate RAF defences during the daytime to attack targets of opportunity the length of the United Kingdom

 
Saturday 14 September 1940
Daily Report
Politics

Battle of Britain: Supreme Commander of the Luftwaffe, Hermann Goering announces that 'der Tommy ist am Ende' (Tommy is at his last gasp) to all Luftwaffe personnel

Military

Battle of Britain: Two large daylight German air raid, 100+ aircraft in the first raid & 180+ aircraft in the second raid. London & Kent centre of attacks. Single daylight German aircraft raider attack on Thames Board fa ctory in Warrington. Bombs dropped on canteen during gala to raise money for the Sptitfire fund, burying 150+ people. Casualties amounted 35 dead, 157 injured

 
Sunday 15 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Dundee Sloop Lost Torpedoed by German submarine U-48 NW of Ireland, in the North Atlantic 56.45N 14.14W 15/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Two large daylight German air raid, 80+ aircraft in the first raid & 100+ aircraft in the second raid. London & Kent centre of attacks

 
Other

Football International: Slovakia 0-1 Germany, Tehelné pole Stadium, Bratislava

 
Monday 16 September 1940
Daily Report
Politics

US Government introduces Selective Training and Service Act 1940 the first peacetime conscription of men between 21-35 in US history

 
Military

Western Desert Campaign: Italy halts advance into Egypt and set up the defensive line around Sidi Barrani

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 350+ aircraft crossed south coast but turned back before reaching London. Large night time German air raid 170+ aircraft attack on London.

 
Tuesday 17 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Sussex Heavy Cruiser Damaged Damaged by a bomb from German aircraft whilst in dry-dock at Princes Dock, Glasgow during an air raid. 250 Ib bomb hit her engine room causing major fire & threatened magazines. Dry-dock had to be flooded to control fire & local area had to be evacuated. Flooding caused by fighting fires she capsized 17/09/1940. An assessment showed extensive structural damage  
Italy Aquilone Destroyer Lost Mined laid by Fairey Swordfish aircraft British warship Illustrious, whilst leaving Benghazi harbour, Libya 17/09/1940  
Italy Borea Destroyer Lost Sunk by Fairey Swordfish aircraft from British warship Illustrious in Benghazi harbour 17/09/1940  
 
Politics

Operation Sea Lion: Adolf Hitler postpones invasion of the United Kingdom until further notice

 
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 300+ aircraft crossed south coast but were intercepted by RAF fighters & turned away, before penetrating London Inner Artillery Zone (Anti-Aircraft barrage). Large night time German air raids on London, South Wales, Liverpool & Glasgow

 
Wednesday 18 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Kent Heavy Cruiser Damaged Damaged by a torpedo from Italian Savoia-Marchetti SM 79 aircraft in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, a torpedo hit stern damaging her propeller shafts, ship towed by British warship Nubian to Alexandria, 32 dead 18/09/1940  
 
Politics

The BBC starts a French and Dutch language radio station, Radio Belgique to broadcast to occupied Belgium

 
Military

Battle of Britain: Three large daylight German air raids, 800+ aircraft. The first attack consisted of fighters. Intercepted by RAF fighters resulting bombing waves were broken up resulting in minimal damage. Large night time German air raids 230+ aircraft on London area. Substantial raid on Liverpool

Thursday 19 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Germany T 03 Destroyer Damaged Bombed by British aircraft in Le Havre harbour, 9 dead 19/09/1940. Raised later  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Daylight German air raids, 70+ aircraft on London area. Six large night time German air raids on London area & Liverpool

 
Friday 20 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raids, 100+ aircraft, mostly fighters on London area. Night time German air raids on London area

 
Saturday 21 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: Large night time German air raids, crossing the coast from Holland to Le Harve. Substantial raids on London & Liverpool, with further smaller raids on Derby & Sheffield

 
Sunday 22 September 1940
Daily Report
Politics

Japan invades French Indochina

 
Military

Battle of Britain: Daylight German air raid, 60+ aircraft on London area. Nightime German air raid on London area

 
Other

Football International: Sweden 5-0 Finland, Råsunda Stadium, Stockholm

Football International: Yugoslavia 1-2 Romania, Beogradski Sport Stadium, Belgrade

 
Monday 23 September 1940
Daily Report
Naval

Operation Menace: Start of British and Free French attack on Vichy French-held Daker

 
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Cumberland Heavy Cruiser Damaged Operation Menace: Damaged by Vichy French shore battery, during Operation Menace a combined British & Free French attack on Dakar, French West Africa. Hit by 9.4" shell which fractured steam pipes & electricity cables. Her 4" magazine was flooded as a precaution 23/09/1940. Arrived Freetown, Sierra Leone for repair 29/09/1940  
Great Britain Inglefield Destroyer Damaged Operation Menace: Damaged by gunfire from Vichy French shore battery off Dakar, during Operation Menace. The ship was hit by 7.5" shell, but she remained operational 23/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Large daylight German air raid, 200+ aircraft on London, consisting mostly of fighter aircraft. Intercepted by RAF fighters resulting in minimal damage. Large night time German air raid on London area & substantial raid on Liverpool

 
Other

World Welterweight Boxing Title Henry Armstrong (USA) beat Phil Furr (USA) Ko 4, Griffith Stadium, Washington DC.

 
Tuesday 24 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: Several large daylight German air raid, 200+ aircraft on London, Southampton & Sussex coast. Raids consisted of 50-50 fighters & bombers. The Supermarine Aviation Works, Southampton attacked by 17 German aircraft. Only slight damage to the main factory making Supermarine Spitfires, though direct hit on air-raid shelter killed 24, injured 75. Large night time German air raid 80+ aircraft, on Liverpool & South Wales

 
Other

World Bantamweight Boxing Title Lou Salica (USA) beat Georgie Pace (USA) Pts 15, New York Coliseum, New York City.

 
Wednesday 25 September 1940
Daily Report
Naval

Operation Menace: British and Free French attack on Vichy French-held Daker ends in defeat

 
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Barham Battleship Damaged Operation Menace: Damaged by gunfire from Vichy French warship Richelieu off Dakar, French West Africa, 15" shell hit ship's bows, but she remained operational 25/09/1940. Withdrawn from service for repair at Gibraltar 15/10/1940  
Great Britain Resolution Battleship Damaged Operation Menace: Damaged by a torpedo from Vichy French submarine Beveziers, off Dakar, French West Africa, during Operation Menace, hitting port side causing major structural damage 25/09/1940 Towed by British warship Barham to Freetown, Sierra Leone for temporary repair 30/09/1940. Arrived for repair US Navy Yard, Philadelphia 01/03/1941
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Several large daylight German air raids, 60+ aircraft on Bristol Aeroplane Company works, Filton, Bristol. Stuka dive-bomb attacks on oil tanks at Weymouth. Plymouth also attacked during the day. Numerous night time German air raids, on London area, South Wales & Derby

 
Thursday 26 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Great Britain Veteran Destroyer Damaged Damaged by German acoustic mine, in Thames estuary 26/09/1940. Arrived for repair Chatham 30/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Numerous daylight German air raids. Skinninggrove Iron Works and Whitby attacked the east coast, minor damage on ironworks serious damage on the town of Whitby. Standard Motor Works plant at Coventry attacked, minor damage. 100+ aircraft attack Southampton on Supermarine Aviation Works & Vickers Armstrong works at Southampton where severe damage was done. Numerous night time German air raids, on Liverpool, Birkenhead & Wallasey

 
Friday 27 September 1940
Daily Report
Politics

The Tripartite Pact is signed between Germany, Italy and Japan promising mutual aid if any of the three are attacked

 
Military

Battle of Britain: Several large daylight German air raids, 300+ aircraft. One on Bristol Aeroplane Company works, Filton, Bristol. 180+ aircraft attacked Barrage Balloons at Dover, Folkestone & Lympne. Attacks on Chatham driven off by RAF fighters. Numerous night time German air raids, on London area, with smaller attacks on Liverpool, Edinburgh & Nottingham

 
Saturday 28 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: Several large daylight German air raids, 270+ aircraft. Two large raids on London & later raid on Portsmouth & Southampton. Smaller night time German air raids, on Vickers Armstrong and Hawker Aircraft, Works at Weymouth

 
Sunday 29 September 1940
Daily Report
Military

Battle of Britain: No large daylight German air raids on land, but many attacks on British coastal shipping. Nightime German air raids, on London, Liverpool & Birkenhead

 
Other

British Welterweight Boxing Title Ernie Roderick (GB) beat Arthur Danahar (GB) Pts 15, Royal Albert Hall, London.

Football International: Hungary 0-0 Yugoslavia, Üllői úti Stadion, Budapest

 
Monday 30 September 1940
Daily Report
Country Vessel Type Report Description
Italy Gondar Submarine Lost Scuttled after being damaged by British Short Sunderland aircraft & Australian warship Stuart, off Alexandria, in the Mediterranean Sea 30/09/1940  
 
Military

Battle of Britain: Several large daylight German air raids, on Kent coast, London, Portland Bill RAF bases in the south-east of England. Large night time German air raids, 275+ aircraft, raids on Bristol Channel, South Wales, the Midlands & Liverpool. further attacks on London & Nottingham