This Day in the War in Europe: The Beginning

[parsifal]

27 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
Boom Defence Vessel HMAS KOALA (Bar Class)

Known Losses
Type IIB U-22 (DKM 324 grt) The exact date for the loss of this U-Boat is not known, but on this day KTB BDU recorded her as lost. U-22 sailed from Wilhelmshaven to operate east of the Pentland Firth on 20 March 1940 and two days later was ordered to temporarily patrol off Ryvingen, Norway. The boat sent no messages after leaving port and it was reported missing on 27 March 1940.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Considering the state of British preparations, Naval Staff considers intelligence regarding an Imminent British action against Norway under the pretext of assuming protection of Norwegian neutrality to be credible. Facts gained from the statements are passed on to Groups Baltic and West, Special Staff Boehm and Commanding Admiral, Submarines.

It is reported from Paris that the western neutrals are expecting an attack by Germany, because of alleged troop movements along
the frontiers of Belgium and Holland.

Formation of the new Chinese Central Government under Wang-Ching-Wai. Anxiety lest the U.S. A. participate in the European
conflict, as this would also affect the situation in East Asia, Since all Japan's endeavors to promote better relations with the U.S.A. have failed, Japan now seems inclined to approach Great Britain. Unconfirmed reports state that this attitude is already having its effect in that the Japanese are making difficulties in the shipment of important raw materials for Germany via Siberia.

1. Discussion on various questions regarding "Weseruebung". Report on directive to Groups, Commanding Admiral, Submarines
and Fleet. Next new-moon period probable date for "Weseruebung". No further operations by surface forces until this date, in view of the necessity of maintaining all forces in operational readiness

With regard to the disposition of the submarines, the order is given that in the interval 1 boat is to be off "Nienburg", 1 boat off "Detmold" and 3-4 boats always in the Orkneys area. Assignments as before. Ship "16" is still to sail; Ship "36" is to be made ready
quickly to sail. If possible, Ship "36" is to have crossed the Shetlands line by 8 April

The principle of dispatching the cruiser LUETZOW into the Atlantic is adhered to . The LUETZOW is withdrawn from "Weseruebung" and replaced by the cruiser BLUECHER with regard to assignment "Oldenburg". The LUETZOW is to sail for operations in the Atlantic during the course of "Weseruebung". Naval Staff sees the following possibilities for this:
1. The LUETZOW to sail approximately in conjunction with groups "Nienburg" and "Detmold". The NORDMARK to sail approximately in conjunction with group "Bremen" .
The ships to join up north of the Shetlands line or to
proceed onwards and break through into the Atlantic
separately.
2. The LUETZOW and NORDMARK to sail approximately in conjunction with group "Bremen", if necessary, however, before the
Bremen group. With regard to operations by the cruiser LUETZOW in the Atlantic, Naval Staff is aware that the April new -moon period will probably offer the last opportunity for a break-through until the autumn. If "Weseruebung" is postponed further, a decision is necessary that in spite of this the LUETZOW will in any case be dispatched to the Atlantic at the beginning of April, since the strategic effect of war in the Atlantic cannot be foregone. The final decision cannot be taken until the date for "Weseruebung" or the degree of its postponement is fixed, since, in spite of the urgency of the LUETZC's departure, the British forces must on no account be given cause for alarm by this a short time previously, thus endangering "Weseruebung".

2. Aerial minelaying operations : The Fuehrer has not yet given his final decision.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to Report

Arrivals
Mandal (Norway): U-21 (Interned)

Departures
Germany: U-17

At Sea 27 March 1940
U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, U-30, U-34, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-47, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-57.
14 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMCs SALOPIAN and WORCESTERSHIRE arrived at Greenock from Northern Patrol. AMC MALOJA departed Greenock on Northern Patrol. CA YORK departed Scapa on Northern Patrol. AMC PATROCLUS departed Liverpool on Northern Patrol.

North Sea
DD AFRIDI departed Hartlepool after repairs for Scapa, and arrived on the 28th. DD ELECTRA arrived at Rosyth from Scapa. Subs STERLET and SEAWOLF were reassigned billets in the North Sea after a report of two German K cruisers being at sea. .

HN.22 with 40 ships departed Bergen escort DDs KIMBERLEY, KASHMIR, ESCAPADE, ZULU, FAULKNOR, TARTAR. The 6 ships of the west coast section of the convoy was escorted by KIMBERLEY and KASHMIR. After the convoy was dispersed off Cape Wrath, KIMBERLEY and KASHMIR arrived at Scapa on the 29th. On the morning of 30 March, convoy HN.22 arrived at Methil, escort DD FAULKNOR, ZULU, TARTAR and ESCAPADE.

ON.23 with 25 ships for Norway and 1 for Aberdeen departed Methil escort DDs JAVELIN (SO), JANUS, JUNO, ECLIPSE and sub PORPOISE. CLA CALCUTTA departed Sullom Voe on the 29th and provided AA support for the convoy. On the 29th, DDs ESKIMO, PUNJABI, BEDOUIN departed Kirkwall and joined the convoy with the 2 ships of the Kirkwall section. These two steamers in the sailing breakdown from Methil. DD JANUS was detached for boiler cleaning and repairs. CLs GALATEA and ARETHUSA departed Rosyth on the 28th and provided cover for the convoy. On the 28th, CLA CAIRO departed Sullom Voe to assist when German aircraft began to shadow the convoy. On the 31st, ON.23 arrived at Bergen.

FN.130 departed Southend, escort sloops AUCKLAND and HASTINGS. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 29th. FS.131 of 31 ships departed the Tyne escort sloop PELICAN and DD VIVIEN. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 29th.

Northern Waters
BBs RODNEY, VALIANT, WARSPITE and DDs FEARLESS, FORESTER, HUNTER, HASTY, HERO, HOTSPUR, HARDY , HOSTILE, HYPERION arrived at Scapa . BCs RENOWN and REPULSE and DDs INGLEFIELD, DELIGHT, DIANA, ILEX, FORTUNE, BEDOUIN also arrived at Scapa. From dawn on the 27th to 0900, DDs SOMALI , ESKIMO, PUNJABI, FAME, FORESIGHT, MATABELE swept southbound along the west coast of the Orkneys from Brough Head, then westward along the coast of Scotland before arriving arrived at Scapa in the afternoon of the 27th. DDs COSSACK, SIKH, NUBIAN, FOXHOUND remained in the northern area until ordered at 1322 to return to Scapa for shelter from heavy weather. DD GRIFFIN departed Dundee after repair for the Moray Firth Patrol. DDs IVANHOE, IMPULSIVE, FIREDRAKE, ESK on Moray Firth Patrol proceeded to Invergordon for shelter from heavy weather. DDs IMOGEN, ISIS, HAVOCK arrived at Scapa from Plymouth. DD MOHAWK arrived at Scapa after repairs from her collision in the Clyde on the 2nd.

West Coast UK
Sloop BITTERN departed Leith and arrived at Rosyth after refitting. Sloop ROCHESTER was damaged in collision with steamer LONGFORD (1913grt), and was repaired at Liverpool, completing on 27 June.

UK - France
Fr DDs FOUDROYANT and BOULONNAIS arrived at Dover with General Gamelin and Amiral Darlan, the heads of the French Military and Naval Missions respectively. After conferences, FOUDROYANT left on the morning of 29 March with Amiral Darlan and his party, and BOULONNAIS that afternoon with General Gamelin and his party.

Med- Biscay
Tkr TROCAS (7406grt) was disabled off the Italian coast with a broken propeller shaft, and taken in tow by RAN DD STUART which was relieved later in the day by tug RESPOND. The tkr was safely taken to Malta.

French armed trawler VICTORIA and subs ESPADON and FRESNEL departed Casablanca on the 26th and arrived at Gib. The trawler departed Gib on the 29th to return to Casablanca. FRESNEL carried on escort DD SIMOUN, arrived at Gib that day and reached Toulon on the 30th. Meanwhile, ESPADON remained at Gibraltar until 4 April for ASW exercises. MSW HUNTLEY arrived at Suez for duty with the Med Flt, and remained until May when she was transferred to the East Indies Command.

Indian Ocean
CLs CERES and COLOMBO departed Colombo for Australia, reached Fremantle on 12 April, and then Singapore on the 31st where both were held for convoy duty from that port.

 

[Njaco]

March 27 Wednesday
WESTERN FRONT: Lt. Heinz Demes of 4./JG 77 shoots down a Bristol Blenheim over the North Sea near Sylt, for his second victory.

As diplomatic relations between the Allies and the Soviet Union become difficult because of Soviet aid to Germany, Paris requests the removal of the Soviet ambassador. Soviet Ambassador to France M. Souritz, was recalled after the French Government complained of contents of a telegram addressed by him to Stalin.

SOUTH PACIFIC: New Zealand Prime Minister Michael Savage died from cancer. Mr. Savage was the first Labour prime minister of New Zealand. Originally from Australia, he journeyed to New Zealand in 1907 where he became known as 'Joe'. In the years leading up to World War Two, the prime minister expressed dislike of Britain's love of pomp. He gave New Zealand a strong but sensible voice, leading at times to the nation taking different views of world events to Britain. But when war finally broke out last year, the prime minister eloquently expressed his nation's determination to stand shoulder to shoulder with the British Empire.

A dredge was towed to Midway Atoll to begin work to enlarge the basin and channels between the two main islands.

UNITED KINGDOM: To prepare for Supreme War Council meeting on March 28, the British War Cabinet debates Paul Reynaud's note suggesting attacks on Soviet oilfields at Baku and shipping in the Black Sea. They unanimously reject the idea of any attacks on USSR, to avoid conflict with the Soviets in addition to Germany. The British position is communicated to General Gamelin and the other French Chiefs of Staff at a preliminary meeting. Reports of these deliberations by the French news agency Havas, apparently from official French sources, further infuriate the British and alert Germany to possible Allied intentions.

GERMANY: Himmler ordered the building of Auschwitz concentration camp.


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[parsifal]

28 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Allied
RN DD VALENTINE was completed as a short range fast escort vessel (with emphasis on AA defence).

Following working up at Portland, she joined Convoy Cmd at Rosyth.

Known Losses
MV BURGOS (Nor 3219 grt) Crew: 33 (No casualties) : Cargo: General Cargo : Route: Florø, Norway to Newcastle and London : Lost outside the river Tyne. She had just completed a North Sea crossing with Convoy HN 21 had arrived Methil on March 25, BURGOS continuing to Tyne the following day, departing Tyne again on March 27 in Convoy FS 131, but struck a magnetic mine. Survivors were rescued by Sloop PELICAN. According to "Battle of the East Coast", the mines had been laid by Beys DesFlot 4 on Febr. 9/10, 3 miles northwest of Dudgeon Shoal off North Norfolk. There were several sinkings due to mines in this area in February and March 1940 (BRITISH TRIUMPH, GIORGIO OHLSEN), and each was on a mine believed to have been laid by a German destroyer flotilla. Close by was another field laid by DKM DesFlot 1 to the north of that laid by the 4th.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

According to a Reuter report, the question of Norwegian neutrality and the German "violations" of Norwegian territorial waters are to be the subject of proceedings at the next meeting of the Allied Governments.

The "Temps" reports from competent circles that because of systematic violation of Norwegian territorial waters by German ships the Allies now consider themselves justified in no longer respecting the neutrality of these waters. "Havas" says in another publication that the Allies are resolved to play the role of police themselves.

2. Great unrest among the Scandinavian people. Lively discussions in the foreign press about reports from Paris and London concerning alleged imminent action by the Western Powers against German ore transports in Norwegian territorial waters.

3. Sixth meeting of the Allied Supreme War Council in London: Communique Issued in which both Governments mutually pledge
themselves - in the present war - neither to negotiate nor to conclude an armistice or peace treaty which has not previously been agreed upon between them. The issue of this communique, which pursues foreign and internal political propaganda aims, is striking and leads to conclusions that there have been. certain differences of opinion and mutual distrust between the two Governments.

4. The Foreign Minister has received verbal assurance from Russia that the Russians will not attack Bessarabia for the present, In order to avoid any possible disturbance to the German conduct of the war by this action.

5. The German Ambassador In Moscow has attempted to sound Foreign Minister Molotov on the u*.S.S.R. f s attitude to the
re-fortification of the Aaland Islands. There is the Impression that Russia wishes to keep a free hand in this matter and she has not committed herself in any way.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to report.

At Sea 28 March 1940
U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, U-30, U-34, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-47, U-49, U-51, U-52, U-57.
14 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
CLs MANCHESTER and BIRMINGHAM arrived at Scapa from Northern Patrol.

North Sea
DDs IMPULSIVE, ICARUS, ESK departed Invergordon for the Humber, where they arrived on the 29th. Destroyers NUBIAN, DIANA, FAME reported damage from heavy weather. DD IVANHOE departed Invegordon for conversion to ML at Chatham. Sub TRIAD arrived at Rosyth after patrol. Sub NARWHAL was undocked at Rosyth.

FN.131 of 25 ships departed Southend escort sloop FLAMINGO and DD WALLACE. LW a/c attacked FN.131 in the late afternoon of the 29th. FLAMINGO was struck by machine gun fire but sustained no casualties or damage. MT.39 of 17 ships departed Methil escorted by ASW Gp 23 and DDs VEGA and WOOLSTON. On the convoy's arrival off the Tyne, the DDs escorted FS.132, departing later that day. WOOLSTON attacked a submarine contact on the 29th off Spurn Point, which was later assessed as non submarine.
DD BRAZEN conducted I.F.F. trials in the Firth of Forth. DDs HAVANT and WILD SWAN investigated a submarine contact . Fr TBs LA CORDELIERE, BRANLEBAS, L'INCOMPRISE of the DesDiv 11 were bombed by German a/c north of Ostend, but were not damaged.

Northern Waters
Trawler PRINCESS ROYAL (213grt) was damaged by German bombing 40 miles SSW of Bressay Light, Shetlands. BC HOOD departed Scapa, escort DDs FORESTER, FOXHOUND, FORTUNE for the Clyde. DD FORESIGHT departed Scapa with the HOOD, but was storm damaged on the 28th with damage to her gun shield and forecastle, and had to return to Scapa. On the 30th, she departed Scapa for Grimsby where she was under repair until 1 May. En route on the 28th, FORTUNE made a submarine contact off North Minch, but the search was unsuccessful. The BC and her escorts arrived in the Clyde 29th. DD KELVIN arrived in the Clyde 29th after completing repairs at Liverpool, and was ordered to escort HOOD to Devonport. The ships departed at 30th for Devonport arriving at 31st. However, defects delayed KELVIN and she did not leave until the afternoon, and then for Scapa. After retubing, HOOD was to be deployed in the Med, but she was refitting until 27 May when she sailed for Liverpool for final refit work ending on 12 June 1940.

DD FIREDRAKE was damaged whilst coming going alongside DD ICARUS at Invegordon, with ICARUS receiving superficial damage. FIREDRAKE was seaworthy except in heavy seas. Sub TRIBUNE departed Scapa on the 28th and was joined off Switha Gate mid-afternoon by FIREDRAKE which departed Invegordon 27th, and escorted her to Greenock for repairs of further defects. Arriving on the 30th, the sub's repairs were completed on 10 May. FIREDRAKE went on to Cardiff for repairs and refit. DD HASTY departed Scapa to pick up the crew of a Skua aircraft 14 miles 132° from Copinsay. They were picked up at 2200 and HASTY returned to Scapa. DD GRIFFIN arrived at Invergordon from Moray Firth Patrol.

West Coast UK
CA DEVONSHIRE arrived in the Clyde
Med- Biscay
OG.24F was formed with 28 ships from OA.118GF, which departed Southend on the 27th escort DDs WAKEFUL and BROKE, and OB.118GF, which departed Liverpool 26 March with DD MACKAY and sloop FOLKESTONE. The convoy was escorted by DDs VORTIGERN and WATCHMAN, from Portsmouth and Devonport, respectively, from 29 March to 4 April. On 2 April, DD WISHART joined the escort. The convoy arrived on 4 April at Gib.

HG.24 departed Gib with 40 ships, with ocean escort provided by sloops SANDWICH and ENCHANTRESS from 28 March to 7 April. DD WAKEFUL escorted the convoy from 4 to 7 April and DD VENETIA on 7 April. The convoy arrived at Liverpool on 7 April. Fr subs DORIS, THETIS, CALYPSO,and CIRCE departed Oran with convoy 17.R, escorted by aux PV CYRNOS. The submarines passed Gib on the 29th and proceeded to Brest for operations from England.

 

[parsifal]

29 March 1940
Known Losses
Schooner HEBRIDEAN (Cdn 300 grt (est)): The schooner was rammed by another vessel and sank at Halifax, Nova Scotia. There were nine fatalities.

[NO IMAGE FOUND]

MV MIMI HORN (Ger 4007 grt): The cargo ship had departed Curacoa on 5/6 March with German steamers HANNOVER and SEATTLE, but was intercepted in the Denmark Strait by AMC TRANSYLVANIA and was scuttled by her crew to avoid capture. All 41 crew were rescued by the TRANSYLVANIA

A very unclear image of the MIMI HORN

HMS TRANSYLVANIA - The ships that caused the german freighter to scuttle. The AMC herself was to be lost in August 1940
DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

The B.B.C. reports: "The German steamers NORDMARK, RENDSBURG and V0GT7 !1D are making preparations to break through from Batavia to Vladivostock. The ships are painted gray, the names removed. Other German steamers lying in various ports in the Dutch East Indies are said to be making similar preparations."

The report shows the excellent results achieved by the enemy intelligence service and the regrettably small possibility of Germany maintaining secrecy.

Molotov's speech before the Union Congress of Soviets contains sharp criticism of Franco-British war policy and acknowledgment
of the friendly relations between the Soviet Union and Germany. (For particulars see Foreign Press.)

Conference between the Fuehrer and Chief , Naval Staff

Points for discussion :
1 Aerial mines ; The Fuehrer is in agreement with Commander in Chief's viewpoint about commencing aerial minelaying operations
now. L.M. mines are to be used in accordance with Naval Staff's view with the closest cooperation between Group West and the 9th Air Division

2. Question of Germany's oil supplies and economy's demands that a part of the stocks provided for the Navy should be relinquished.

3. With regard to "Weseruebung", the Fuehrer again explains during this conference that he considers it necessary to leave naval
forces behind in "Nienburg" and "Detmold". After a forcible statement by Chief, Naval Staff, the Fuehrer finally abandons the idea of leaving forces in "Nienburg", but adheres to his demand that warships should remain in " Detmold " and requests Commander in Chief, Navy to reconsider the matter

Although Naval Staff is fundamentally opposed to any forces remaining in the ports, for strategic reasons already stated and thoroughly examined earlier, Chief, Naval Staff decides on the advice of Chief, Operations Division (Naval Staff) to accede to the Fuehrer's express wish and to leave two destroyers in "Detmold".

In the directive issued to Group West, Fleet and Commanding Admiral, Submarines on the evening of 29 March, Naval Staff orders that such destroyers are to be considered for leaving in "Detmold" as cannot reach "Nienburg" or have to call at "Detmold" because of restriction of their sailing readiness, speed or range during the operation or such as would probably experience the greatest difficulty on the return trip from "Detmold". No destroyers are to be transferred from "Nienburg" to "Detmold' If no destroyers are damaged or have engine trouble, the senior
Commanding Admiral will make the decision.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary
Nothing to Report

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-1, U-2 , U-3 , U-4 , U-47 , U-49 , U-57

At Sea 29 March 1940
U-30, U-34, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-51, U-52.
7 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
AMC FORFAR arrived in the Clyde after Northern Patrol. AMC SCOTSTOUN departed the Clyde on Northern Patrol.

North Sea
Sub UNITY arrived at Rosyth, landed the survivors of the trawler PROTINUS (Ne) and departed later in the day with sub TRITON. Submarine TRITON proceeded on patrol and UNITY headed for Blyth, where she arrived on the 30th. Sub L.23 departed Blyth for Southend, and on the 31st, left for Portsmouth.

"L" Class profile. Launched in 1919, these vessels were used mainly for training, though early in the war they were used on active patrols. Captured examples during the Russian Civil war were used as pattern types for a number of Soviet submarine designs

ORP sub ORZEL was docked at Rosyth. TM.35 departed the Tyne escort sloops AUCKLAND and HASTINGS, DD BRAZEN, and ASW Gp 23 trawlers. FN.132 departed Southend escort sloop LOWESTOFT and DD VALOROUS. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on the 31st.

Northern Waters
DDs AFRIDI, MOHAWK, SIKH departed Scapa for Bergen to pick up HN.23 A. DDs GURKHA and ENCOUNTER were delayed, but were able to follow 5 hours later. DDs INGLEFIELD , ILEX, DELIGHT, ISIS, IMOGEN, ENCOUNTER and submarine SPEARFISH were engaged in ASW exercises from Scapa. DD HAVOCK departed Scapa to reinforce DD GRIFFIN on Moray Firth patrol after an a/c from CC sighted a periscope earlier that morning. The search was unsuccessful and HAVOCK returned to Scapa that evening. GRIFFIN returned to Invergordon also that evening with a leak at her rudder head. DD JANUS arrived at Scapa.

Armed boarding vessel KINGSTON BERYL (356grt) attacked a submarine contact off Brough of Birsay (a small aslet off the west coast of the main island in the Sheltlands). Steamer NORTHERN COAST (UK 1211 grt) was damaged by LW bombing ten miles north, northeast of Kinnaird Head. At least one German a/c was shot down, cause unknown, as U.30 rescued the crew of a downed LW machine.

West Coast UK
DD KELVIN arrived at the Clyde from Liverpool.

UK - France
SA.35 of two steamers departed Southampton, escort sloops FOXGLOVE and ROSEMARY. The convoy arrived at Brest on the 31st.

SW Approaches
DD MALCOLM completed her refitting at Cardiff.

Nth Atlantic
Fr BB BRETAGNE and CA ALGERIE departed Halifax escorting French merchant ships LOUIS L.D. (5795grt) and WISCONSIN (8062grt). The merchant ships were carrying a/c from the US to France. Fr DDs VAUTOUR, ALBATROS, AIGLE departed Oran on 1 April to escort the French ships in home waters, and DDs VERDUN and VALMY came from Brest. The five DDs departed Casablanca on 4 April and joined on 6 April. DDs LA PALME, LE MARS, FORBIN departed Casablanca on 5 April and joined on 7 April. The steamers and VAUTOUR, VERDUN, VALMY, ALBATROS proceeded to Casablanca. The steamers subsequently proceeded to Brest departing in convoys 90 KF on 20 April and 89 KF on 17 April, respectively. The BB, CA and DD AIGLE departed Oran on 9 April and arrived at Toulon on 10 April.

HX.31 departed Halifax escort RCN DDs OTTAWA and ST LAURENT, which were detached on the 30th. The two DDs arrived back at Halifax late on the 30th. The ocean escort for the convoy was AMC ALAUNIA, which detached on 9 April. DD WARWICK and sloop FOKESTONE joined the convoy on 9 April and DDs CAMPBELL and VESPER on 10 April. VESPER and WARWICK were detached on 11 April, FOLKESTONE on 12 April, and CAMPBELL on 13 April, when the convoy arrived at Liverpool.
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Med- Biscay
CLA CARLISLE arrived at Gib after working up in the Med, and left on the 29th for duty in Home Waters. Fr DD ORAGE was damaged in a collision with tug TABARCA at Sidi Abdallah, but repaired and returned to service on 8 April.

 

[Njaco]

March 28 Thursday
UNITED KINGDOM: The Anglo-French Supreme War Council meets for the 6th time in London. This is the first time that the British have had a chance to sit down and talk with the new French Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud. Reynaud became prime minister seven days ago after his predecessor was forced from office after losing the confidence of his ministers and the public. Although the United Kingdom rejected French suggestion to expand the war by attacking the Soviet Union, the two nations agreed on naval mining. During the meeting, the First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill said that Norwegian waters could be mined in twenty minutes. This surprised the prime minister who expected the operation to take many hours. Churchill hopes to provoke a German response, legitimizing Allied "assistance" to Norway with the goal of interrupting Swedish iron ore shipments to Germany. The Allies decide to lay mines in Norwegian coastal waters (Operation Wilfred). The French agree in principle to Churchill's plan to drop mines in the River Rhine (Operation Royal Marine) pending ratification by the French War Committee. The contingency plan prepared for such an eventuality has had to be abandoned, however, because the excuse for landings in Norway was to have been a clause in the constitution of the League of Nations allowing transit for troops if they were going to the aid of a victim of aggression. This is now invalid, of course, because of the Finnish surrender. The operations are timed to start on April 5th but were later deferred to April 8th -- a vital difference in view of the timing the Germans fix for their own landings. After the meeting they declare that both governments would negotiate peace only by mutual agreement. http://ukwarcabinet.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/cab-65-56-0-0146.pdf

An RAF airplane of Coastal Command on patrol had a prolonged engagement with two Dorniers over the North Sea, and disabled one. The British plane, though damaged, returned safely. A He 111H-2 from 1(F)./122 failed to return from a recce mission having been shot down off Wick by aircraft of RAF Nos.43 and 605 Sqdns.

New blue £1 notes and mauve 10s notes were announced.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Norwegian steamer SS "Burgos" hit a German mine and sank 30 miles west of Skegness, England. Survivors were rescued by British sloop HMS "Pelican".

WESTERN FRONT: During night of March 27-28th, RAF carried out extensive reconnaissance flights over north-west Germany. Two planes failed to return. Three aircraft of New Zealand's Squadron took part in such flights for first time.

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[Njaco]

March 29 Friday
WESTERN FRONT: At 0915 hours in the morning, Oblt. Ernst Boenigk 9./JG 53 destroys a French Morane west of Saarlautern for his first victory.

RAF fighter patrols in France engaged strong formations of German aircraft near Metz. They drove them back into their own territory and brought down two Messerschmitts in flames. In one air battle over Metz, the Zerstörers of 14(Z)./LG 1 tangled with the British Hurricanes. The only claim for kills is made by Oblt. Werner Methfessel for two Hurricanes destroyed but the claim is denied.

Dutch military attaché Colonel Gijsbertus Sas informs Danish naval attaché Captain Frits Kjolsen that Germany is planning on invading Denmark and Norway.

UNITED KINGDOM: To prepare for the planned mining of Norwegian waters, the British General Staff prepared Plan R4 to react against a possible German intervention by invading Norway. 1st Cruiser Squadron will deliver one infantry brigade to Narvik and one battalion to Trondheim from Rosyth. A battalion each will go to Stavanger and Bergen on slower transport ships. All are lightly-equipped with no heavy artillery or tanks. They will be screened by Royal Navy ships but receive no air cover from either RAF or carrier-based aircraft. Purely reactive in nature, R4 naïvely assumes Allied troops will arrive before the Germans. In contrast, Germans intend to land 2 full divisions with full naval and air cover, quickly followed by 4 more complete with artillery and tanks, in an intricate but carefully-planned feat of combined arms.

A Police Staff Officer reported that an unidentified enemy aircraft crashed into the sea at Cresswell Bay, Northumberland at about 2130 hours. The Cresswell Lifeboat put to sea but found nothing but a patch of oil on the water. This aircraft fell victim to Naval AA gunfire, and was subsequently identified as a Junkers Ju 88A. Three of the crew were recovered from the sea, one was listed as missing.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: British armed merchant cruiser HMS "Transylvania" intercepted German freighter "Mimi Horn" between Iceland and Greenland. "Mimi Horn's" crew of 41 scuttled the ship to prevent enemy capture. The crew were rescued by "Transylvania".

Admiralty announced that German bombers were again attempting to attack convoys in North Sea, but were driven off without doing any damage. One German raider was shot down in sea off coast off Northumberland.

Survivors of bombed Dutch trawler 'Protinus' picked up after six days in open boat by British submarine 'Unity' landed at Scottish port.

EASTERN EUROPE: Soviet Foreign Minister Molotov declared the Soviet Union neutral in the on-going European War. Full speech here.... Molotov's report on March 29, 1940 The Soviets want new territories. Molotov speaks to the Supreme Soviet, about "an unsettled dispute", the question of Romanian Bessarabia.

GERMANY: The German government released documents which it claims were seized during the invasion of Poland last year. The documents, called The White Papers, or as a collection called The White Book, suggest America has been involved in provoking war in Europe. The documents span a number of years, starting in 1938. In that year, the Polish Ambassador in Washington, Count Jerzy Potocki, apparently wrote to the Polish Foreign Secretary saying that Jewish organizations' influence over the US government is growing. He also explained that Jewish propaganda is portraying Germany and Hitler in a negative light. The ambassador went on to claim that America is eager for war, and that the western powers are being encouraged to rearm by influential Jewish groups.


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[parsifal]

30 March 1940
Known Reinforcements
Axis
DKM Type IXB U-122, IJN I Boat I-16

Known Losses
MV THORDOC (Cdn 2158 grt): The ship was in ballast at the time of her loss. The cargo ship ran aground off Winging Point, 20 nautical miles (37 km) south of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia and was wrecked

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

The first documents published in a German White Paper about the Western Powers 1 war guilt are causing a great sensation abroad

2. Norway ; The Rumanian Ambassador in Oslo reports to his Foreign Ministry.... The fact that France and Great Britain may possibly alter their attitude to Norway has made a great impression in that country. He gained the impression in a conversation with the British Ambassador that far-reaching decisions regarding respect for Norwegian territorial waters would not be taken for the present in London and Paris, especially since Norway herself seems resolved to prevent the use of
Norwegian territorial waters by Germany in order to avoid more serious British steps. The Scandinavian press is greatly influenced by the Western Powers 1 threatening attitude to the question of respect for Norwegian territorial water* and cessation of German ore
imports.

It is confirmed that the traffic in ore, paper and cellulose to Britain and her Allies via Norwegian territory is much greater than that to Germany. A decision by the Western Powers to control the Norwegian channel by means of their naval forces would mean war in
that area.

The main motive of the Allied plans to extend the war is now recognized in the Scandinavian press as the British desire to suppress Germany's legitimate merchant shipping along the Norwegian coast and to gain new strategic bases in Norwegian fjords.' Germany is prepared for Britain to change her threats against the neutrality of Norway and Denmark into force at any moment. It goes without saying that Germany would react very strongly to the Franco-British plans.

3. Churchill's radio speech;

"Great Britain will no longer stand for a pro-German interpretation of the conception of neutrality. The Allies will continue the war wherever it may lead but do not desire to extend the battle area,"

4. Roosevelt declared at a press conference:

"Welles has neither received nor passed on to me any peace proposals from any source whatever. Although there is at present little prospect of the foundation in Europe of a just peace, the journey by Welles was still of the greatest value for the instruction of the U.S. Government. The President stated that in certain cases Welles' visit might contribute to better understanding and more friendly relations between the U.S.A. and the countries visited by Welles.

5. China : The Wang-Ching-Wai Government was convoked today. It has full powers to adjust Sino-Japanese relations. The new pro -Japanese Chinese Government is of course sharply repudiated by the Chiang -Kai-Shek Government. It is stated that the war will continue as before.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to Report

Arrivals
Wilhelmshaven: U-30, U-34

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-37

At Sea 30 March 1940
U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-51, U-52.
6 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
North Sea
CL NEWCASTLE, which arrived on the 26th, began a refit and repairs in the Tyne lasting until 29 May 1940. She left on 3 June to rejoin the Home Flt.DD BRAZEN arrived at Rosyth, whilst Sub NARWHAL departed Rosyth for a dummy minelay and then proceeded to Blyth.

HN.23 A of 39 Estonian ships departed Bergen escort DDs GURKHA, AFRIDI, SIKH. CLA CALCUTTA also attended the convoy for AA protection. DD COSSACK departed Scapa on the 31st to join the convoy escort. En route, she stood by the disabled trawler SOPHOS (217grt) until another trawler arrived to take her in tow that afternoon. In the early morning of 02 April , U.38 attacked the convoy, but was driven off by COSSACK. DDs ENCOUNTER and MOHAWK escorted 14 ships of the west coast section of the convoy. ENCOUNTER arrived at Scapa 3 April and MOHAWK was detached in the evening of 2 April for an ASW Sweep. The 26 ships of convoy arrived at Methil 3 April, escort DDs AFRIDI, SIKH, GURKHA, COSSACK, after being partially dispersed in heavy weather. MT.40 departed Methil escort ASW Gp19 and DD WOLSEY. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FN.133 of 29 ships departed Southend escort sloop PELICAN and DD VIVIEN. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on 1 April. FS.133 departed the Tyne escort DDs WHITLEY and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at Southend on 1 April. Sloop ROSEMARY on convoy escort Depth charged a contact . The contact was later determined to be non submarine and she rejoined the convoy. MSW SUTTON of MSWFlot 4 from Grimsby was mined and badly damaged off Cromer Knoll. She was able to return to Immingham, and was repaired at Grimsby, completing on 21 May.

Northern Waters
DDs NUBIAN, FAME, FORESIGHT departed Scapa at 1745 for repairs - NUBIAN and FAME to repair their ASDIC gear in the Tyne and Grimsby respectively. DD FORESIGHT put in for refitting at Grimsby, her repairs continuing until 1 May. DDs HOTSPUR, HERO, HYPERION, HUNTER, HOSTILE, HASTY, JUPITER and sub CLYDE were engaged in ASW exercises from Scapa. DD GRIFFIN departed Invergordon for Moray Firth Patrol. DD KELVIN departed the Clyde for Scapa. Sub SPEARFISH departed Blyth, unescorted, for Scapa.


UK - France
BC.32S of steamers BARON KINNAIRD, DAVID LIVINGSTONE, JOHN HOLT , PIZARRO departed Bristol Channel escort DD VIVACIOUS. The convoy arrived at Loire on 1 April.

Central Atlantic
SL.26 departed Freetown escort AMCs DUNVEGAN CASTLE and RANPURA until 12 April. On 12 April, sloop LEITH joined the convoy and DD VANSITTART joined on 13 April, providing the home waters escort, until the arrival of the convoy on 15 April.

Med- Biscay
Fr DDs LA PALME and FORBIN, having arrived that day on respective escort duties, departed Gibraltar westwards.

 

[Njaco]

March 30 Saturday
EASTERN EUROPE: Germany supplied weapons to the Soviet Union.

UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Churchill acknowledged Soviet neutrality in the European War. In a broadcast, he said that an intensification of the war was to be expected, and gave a warning to neutrals.

WESTERN FRONT: French Minister of Defense Daladier persuaded the French War Committee not to ratify British proposal to mine the Rhine River. British responded by threatening to abandon the plan to mine Norwegian waters.

ASIA: Japan, under pressure to hold onto conquered territories in China, establishes a puppet government for China under the leadership of Wang Jingwei. The Government of National Salvation of the collaborationist "Republic of China", based in Nanking, is based on the Three Principles of pan-Asianism, anti-Communism, and opposition to Chiang Kai-shek. Wang Jingwei, 56, has a long involvement in Chinese politics. Arrested and briefly imprisoned for planning an assassination attempt on the regent of China, Wang Jingwei steadily rose through the ranks to eventually vie for leadership of the entire country. During his career he has at first opposed communism, then allied himself with prominent communists. Over the next few years Wang Jingwei worked for Chiang Kai-shek's government as the prime minister, although he regularly had disagreements with the leader. Spending time abroad during the 30s, he met Adolf Hitler. He also believed peace should be forged with Japan. Wang will maintain contact with German and Italian officials, an attempt to link China with The Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany and Italy.

Japanese troops began to evacuate Wuyuan, Suiyuan Province, China.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Dutch trawlers 'Viking bank' and 'Is Groen' reported attacks by German bombers in North Sea on Thursday. German aircraft which approached Shetlands were driven off.


,

 

[parsifal]

31 March 1940
Known Reinfircements
Neutral
Liuzzi Class Sub RM CAPITANO TARANTINI (precise commissioning date uncertain)

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Reports from Great Britain speak of an imminent large-scale re-formation of the Government. The resignation of the Minister
of National Defense, Chat field, is probably to be expected. Meeting of the French War Cabinet. Detailed discussions between Reynaud and General Weygand. Intense world interest in the German publication of documents from the Polish archives. Great excitement in the U.S.A. Exasperation within the U.S. Government.

The (Reich) Foreign Office is endeavoring to influence the Danish Government to assess the case of the sinking of the German steamer EDMUND HUGO STINNES inside Danish territorial waters not as a solitary mistake on the part of a British submarine but as a
highly important political .measure in the British conduct of warfare, and to resist it accordingly. The first political and economic contact between Germany and Finland since the Russo-Finnish conflict has taken place.

A reliable agent reports from Belgium that .during -the air raid on Scapa on 16 March the battle cruiser RENOWN was severely damaged as well as the RODNEY. One of the French torpedo boats was damaged so badly during the air attack on these off Dunkirk that it had to be towed away.

German radio intercepts were of exceptionally high quality, however their efforts at espionage and traditional spying were no producing good intelligence.

German air recon (see below was producing somewhat better results for DKM.

Result of Air Reconnaissance (3 planes of the 1st Group of the 122nd Gerschwader) over the Orkneys. Visual reconnaissance shows:
Holm Sound unoccupied. Enemy fighters took off from Earth House airfield immediately after our planes penetrated the clouds.
Reconnaissance of Bay carried out at second attempt; no heavy ships detected, only cruisers and destroyers. Anchorage northwest of Fara: 2 cruisers, 12 destroyers. Anchorage southwest of Fara: 1 cruiser, 10 destroyers. Heavy Flak defense by heavy and light shore and ships flak guns. (Later evaluation of photographic reconnaissance shows 3 cruisers (probably heavy), 20 destroyers, several auxiliary vessels and steamers)

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Nothing to Report

Departures
Wilhelmshaven: U-13, U-58, U-59

At Sea 31 March 1940
U-13, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-51, U-52, U-58, U-59.
9 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Baltic
Western Baltic
Raider ATLANTIS departed Kiel to raid in the Sth Atlantic. She was escorted by TBs LEOPARD and WOLF in the Skagerrak and by U.37 as far as the Denmark Strait.

Northern Patrol
AMC CALIFORNIA arrived in the Clyde after Northern Patrol, whilst WORCESTERSHIRE departed the Clyde on Northern Patrol.

DKM U-Boats for WESERUBUNG began to depart German ports. By 6 April, the entire HARTMUTH force (the submarine deployment of the WESERUBUNG operation) was at sea.

North Sea
U.43 on patrol lost a crewman overboard in heavy weather.

ON.24 with 21 ships departed Methil escort DDs FAULKNOR, TARTAR, ZULU, ESCAPADE. Steamer CREE (UK 4791 grt) with engine trouble had to return. The convoy was held up in heavy weather and was joined off Kirkwall on 2 April by DDs SOMALI, MATABELE and MASHONA. Three merchant ships from Kirkwall joined the convoy. When the two groups met at 0900 on 2 April, FAULKNOR, ZULU, ESCAPADE proceeded to Scapa. CLA CAIRO from Sullom Voe provided AA protection. The convoy was unsuccessfully attacked by LW bombers which dropped four bombs during the afternoon on 2 April. At 1140 on 3 April, the convoy was attacked again by by six German bombers, again with no damage. ON.24 arrived safely at Bergen on 4 April. HN.23 B departed Bergen escort DDs JAVELIN, JUNO, ECLIPSE. 22 of the original 37 ships returned to Bergen. Only 12 ultimately sailed. The escort was joined by DDs ESKIMO, PUNJABI, BEDOUIN after they escorted ON.23 arrivfed at Bergen. On 1 April, CLs GALATEA and ARETHUSA were relieved as close support by CLs SHEFFIELD and PENELOPE, which departed Rosyth on 1 April. CLA CALCUTTA maintained herself in a position to cover both convoys HN.23A and B. HN.23 B with 34 ships, escort DDs BEDOUIN, ESKIMO, PUNJABI, arrived at Methil on 4 April at 1300. SHEFFIELD and PENELOPE reached Scapa on 5 April.

DDs KASHMIR and DIANA departed Scapa escorting steamer DEVON CITY (4928grt) to Rosyth. Subs STERLET and SEAWOLF arrived at Harwich after patrol. Sub NARWHAL arrested trawler POLAR PRINCE (UK 194 grt) fishing in the East Coast mine barrage and escorted her to Methil. Fr sub SYBILLE of Fr SubFlot 10 departed Harwich on patrol. After a brief patrol off Terschelling in the North Sea, she arrived back at Harwich on 5 April to refuel prior to the start of the Norwegian campaign.

OA.120G departed Southend escort DDs CAMPBELL and WOLVERINE. Submarine L.23 departed Southend for Portsmouth in this convoy, and arrived on 2 April. OB.120G departed Liverpool, escort DDs MONTROSE and WAKEFUL and from Milford Haven on 1 April, by Fr DD VERDUN and RN ASW trawler LEEDS UNITED to 3 April. WAKEFUL was detached on 3 April to escort convoy HG.24.,and MONTROSE on 4 April. The convoys merged to form convoy OG.24 on 3 April.

FN.134 of 25 ships departed Southend escort DDs VEGA and WOOLSTON. The convoy arrived in the Tyne on 2 April. MT.41 of 27 ships departed Methil escort sloop LONDONDERRY, DD VIMIERA, and ASW Gp 1. On the convoy's arrival off the Tyne, the DD and sloop took over protection of FS.134, which departed later that day. This convoy arrived at Southend on 2 April.

Armed yacht RHODORA (709grt) made an attack on a submarine contact off Bull Point.

Northern Waters
DD HASTY departed Scapa with tkr WAR BHARATA (5604grt). DD HOSTILE was detailed to escort the tkr also, but fouled the buoys of the new torpedo baffle inside Switha Gate. DD FEARLESS replaced HOSTILE and departed Scapa just before dawn to join. HASTY, FEARLESS and WAR BHARATA arrived at Sullom Voe in the late evening of that day. HASTY was damaged in berthing with WAR BHARATA in a gale. On 2 April, after emergency repairs, HASTY departed Sullom Voe with WAR BHARATA, arriving at Scapa on 3 April at 1330. On 3 April at 2015, HASTY departed Scapa Flow for Dundee arriving on 4 April for repairs lasting until the third week of April. CL BIRMINGHAM and DD FEARLESS departed Scapa on Operation DV to capture German fishing vessels off the Norwegian coast and to cover British forces laying mines in early April. DD HOSTILE departed Scapa later in the day at 1350 as a replacement for DD HASTY. HOSTILE refuelled at Sullom Voe and joined BIRMINGHAM and FEARLESS 12 miles 310° from Muckle Flugga at noon on 1 April. DD JUPITER departed Scapa to reinforce DD GRIFFIN on Moray Firth Patrol. The two DDs were to rendezvous in the early afternoon.

Channel
DDs FORTUNE, FORESTER, FOXHOUND departed Plymouth at 1400 after escorting BC HOOD. They were soon recalled and arrived back at Plymouth in the early evening.

Fr DDs FOUDROYANT, BRESTOIS, BOULONNAIS arrived at Cherbourg from the Dunkirk-Boulogne area for operations off Norway.

UK - France
DD BOADICEA carried the British Chief of the Imperial General Staff (CIGS) to Boulogne. The CIGS returned on 3 April on DD BEAGLE.

Med- Biscay
CVs ARK ROYAL and GLORIOUS with DDs BULLDOG, WESTCOTT, RAN VOYAGER departed Malta for Alexandria where they arrived on 4 April.

A submarine report from a French steamer, causing DD ACTIVE and a flying boat to be dispatched to investigate. ACTIVE, was joined by DDs DOUGLAS and WRESTLER, sweeping 50° WSW of Cape Trafalgar and reported they had made a contact at 1828, but the attacks were unsuccessful. Fr DD MISTRAL, three Fr trawlers, and aircraft also searched for the contact, which was later determined to be non submarine and the search was abandoned later that evening.

Far East/Pacific/Australia
RAN CL PERTH was refitting at Sydney from 31 March to 15 April.

 

[parsifal]

Summary Of Losses March 1940
Allied
Allied Warships
Rescue tug FAIRPLAY II (RN 282 grt), ASW Trawler ELM (RN 350 grt (est)), ASW trawler PERIDOT (RN 550 grt), ASW Trawler MAIDA (RN 107 grt), Lookout trawler LOCH ASSATER (RN 210 grt)
Fr DD LA RAILLEUSE (Marine Nationale 1378 grt)

(1499(RN) 1378 (Fr) grt; Total 2877 grt Naval Tonnage)

Allied Shipping
Steamer ALBANO (UK 1176 grt), MV CATO (UK 819 grt), MV CARRON (UK 1017 grt), MV PACIFIC RELIANCE (UK 6717 grt), MV THURSTON (UK 3072 grt), MV COUNSELLOR (UK 5058 grt), BORTHWICK (UK 1097 grt), AKELD (UK 643 grt), ABBOTSFORD (UK 1585 grt), Steamer ASHLEY (UK 1323 grt), MV CHEVY CHASE (UK 1500 grt (est)), Steamer MAINDY HILL (UK 1918 grt), MV CLAN STUART (UK 5760 grt), MV GARDENIA (UK 3754 grt), MV ROSSINGTON COURT (UK 6922 grt), MV MELROSE (UK 1589 grt), MV ALYN (UK 350 grt), trawler OCEAN DRIFT (UK 227 grt), MV AGNES ELLEN (UK 293 grt), trawler LOWDOCK (UK 276 grt), MV BARN HILL (UK 5439 grt), Paddle Steamer GONDILIER (UK 250 grt), Tkr DAGHESTAN (UK 5742 grt)
Sailing Vessel DOUGLAS ROBERT (Cdn 81 grt), MV THORDOC (Cdn 2158 grt)
MV IDANT (Aus 121 grt)
Collier SNA1 (Fr 2679 GRT), ROSE EFFEUILEE (Fr 35 grt),

Allied Tonnage Sunk or captured: 65737 tons (2877 Naval, 57786 UK, 2360 Dominion, 2714 Fr,)

Prize Vessels:
Steamer HANNOVER (Ger 5537 grt)

New Construction 1st Qtr 1940
194000 tons


Neutral
Neutral Warships
HNLMS O 11 (RNN 515 grt)

(515 grt Naval Tonnage)

Neutral Shipping

MV LAGAHOLM (Sd 2818 grt)
MV OSMAN (Sd 1316 grt)
Steamer VESTFOSS (Nor 1388 grt), MV SVINTA (Nor 1267 grt), MV BRAVORE (Nor 2240 grt), Steamer COMETA (Nor 3749 grt), MV BURGOS (Nor 3219 grt),
MV ARGENTINA (Den 5375 grt), MV MINSK (Den 1226 grt) MV CHARKOW (Den 1026 grt), MV VIKING (Den 1153 grt), MV BOTHAL (Den 2109 grt), MV ALGIER (Den 1654 grt), MV CHRISTIANSBORG (Den 3270 grt), MV BRITTA (Den 1146 grt)
MV RIJNSTROOM (Ne 695 grt), Steamer ELZIENA (Ne 176 grt), MV GRUTTO (Ne 920 grt), Steamer VECHT (Ne 1965 grt), MV AMOR (Ne 2325 grt), Tkr EULOTA (Ne 6236 grt), MV SABA (Ne 389 grt), MV SINT ANNALAND (Ne 2248 grt), Trawler PROTINUS (Ne 202 grt), Tkr PHOBOS (Ne 10564 grt)
Steamer LATVIS (Lat 1318 grt)
Steamer MIRELLA (Ita 5340 grt), MV TINA PRIMO (Ita 4861 grt)
Fishing vessel YOLANDE MARGUERITE (Be 26 grt), fishing vessel SANTA GODELIVIA (Be 33 grt)
MV P MARGONIS (Gk 4970 grt)
MV SLAVA (Yug 4512 grt)
trawler LEUKOS (Eire 216 grt)
MV TIMBER RUSH ( US 6281 grt)
Tkr REGINA (Cuba 1155 grt)


Neutral Shipping sunk 87575 (515 Naval 87060 Mercantile tons 2810 (SD), 12863 (Nor), 25720 (Ne), 1318(Lat) 4512 (Yug), 54 (Be), 16954 (Den), 4970 (Gk), 10207 (Ita), 216 (Eire), 6281 (US), 1155 (Cuba),

Combined Allied and Neutral Shipping Sunk 153372 grt

Prize Vessels
Nil

Axis
Axis Warships
Type VIIA U-31 (DKM 733 grt), Type IXA U-44 (DKM 1135 grt), Type IIB U-22 (DKM 324 grt)

(2192 grt Naval Tonnage)

Axis Shipping
MV TROJA (Ger 2390 grt), MV HEIDELBERG (Ger 6530 grt), Steamer WOLFSBURG (Ger 6201 grt), steamer ARUCAS (Ger 3359 grt), Steamer URUGUAY (Ger 5846 grt), Steamer HANNOVER (Ger 5537 grt), Steamer ESCHERSHEIM (Ger 3303 grt), MV LA CORUNA (Ger 7359 grt), EDMUND HUGO STINNES IV (Ger 2189 grt), MV MIMI HORN (Ger 4007 grt),
MV KITAFUKU MARU (Jpn 4769 grt)

Captured
None

Tonnage Sunk or captured: 95634 (2192 Naval, 46721 (Ger), 4679 (Jpn)

 

[Njaco]

March 31 Sunday
WESTERN FRONT: Further Allied air success in France during the weekend was reported. In one encounter, a RAF fighter patrol attacked nine Messerschmitts, one of which was shot down. In another encounter, two Hurricanes, attacked a Dornier at a height of 19,000 feet and drove it back disabled over the frontier.

Fighters of II./JG 53 bounce a flight of French MS 406s at 1500 hours in the afternoon and shoot down six of the French fighters. Victories go to Lt. Gerhard Mickalski of Stab II./JG 53 (one MS 406) for his first victory, Uffz. Werner Kauffmann of 4./JG 53 for his first kill, Oblt. Heinz Bretnutz of 6./JG 53, who is given credit for the destruction of two MS 406s to bring his score to four, Fw. Albrecht Baun of 6./JG 53 for his second score and one French plane to Gruppenkommandeur Günther 'Henri' von Maltzahn, his second victory. Two Messerschmitts are lost during the battle. At 2000 hours, Oblt. Bretnutz gets his third victory of the day and his fifth total overall when he brings down a British Wellington. But not all the Luftwaffe pilots are successful. Throughout the day, the Luftwaffe loses three Bf 110s in combat against the Allies over the border.

UNITED KINGDOM: British military commanders gathered at a Chief of Staff meeting to predict German reactions to the planned mining operations, and how best to respond.

"The moment the Germans set foot on Norwegian soils or there is clear evidence that they intend to do so, our object[ive] should be to dispatch a force to Narvik to secure the port and, subsequently, the railway inland as far as the Norwegian- Swedish frontier… [and] to dispatch forces to occupy Stavanger, Bergen and Trondheim, in order to deny their use to the Germans as naval and/or air bases." - British Chiefs of Staff minutes, 31st March 1940.

But in France the government has expressed concern that laying mines could provoke the Germans and refuse to allow mining of the Rhine River. British Prime Minister Chamberlain called off the mining of the Norwegian coast in protest of the French resistance to the mining of the Rhine River. Chamberlain tells the French ambassador in London Charles Corbin "No mines, no Narvik!" This act of bravado leads to a delay which will prove to be costly.

The British Ministry of Information introduced paper rationing to publishing and printing industries. The ration, based on consumption over the year 1938-1939, would continue until 1948.

GERMANY: German armed merchant cruisers (Hilfskreuzer) "Atlantis", "Orion" and "Widder" depart from Kiel, with WWI battleship SMS "Hessen" acting as an icebreaker, for operations against Allied shipping. "Atlantis" will prove the most successful German commerce raider, sailing 100,000 miles and sinking 22 ships (over 140,000 tons) in a voyage lasting 602 days (until November 22, 1941).

A Do 17P from 5(F)./122 crashed shortly after taking off from Fp.Köln-Wahn. This aircraft was due to take part as a target for searchlights.

ASIA: Japanese troops completed the evacuation of Wuyuan, Suiyuan Province, China.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Oberleutnant zur See Hans-Wilhelm Behrens falls overboard from U-43 and drowns in the Atlantic.

A Spitfire fighter on a patrol east of Suffolk coast, had a duel with a Dornier 17 and drove it out to sea in a damaged condition. German planes were also driven off Shetlands and Orkneys. No bombs dropped. A Belgian fishing trawler was fired on by a German airplane.

NORTH AMERICA: The New York Municipal Airport, opened in October, 1939, was renamed La Guardia airport, after the mayor, who had been a bomber pilot in World War I and whose interest in aviation lasted throughout his lifetime, barely a month after it opened.

EASTERN EUROPE: Britain undertakes secret reconnaissance flights to photograph the targeted areas inside the Soviet Union in preparation for Operation Pike, utilizing high-altitude, high-speed stereoscopic photography pioneered by Sidney Cotton. Operation Pike refers to a strategic bombing plan, overseen by Air Commodore John Slessor, against the Soviet Union by the Anglo-French alliance. The plan was designed to destroy the Soviet oil industry, to cause collapse of Soviet economy and thus deprive Nazi Germany of the Soviet resources.

MEDITERRANEAN: Mussolini informed King Vittorio Emanuele III of Italy that Italy would soon enter the European War.

.

 

[parsifal]

1 April 1940
DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

At 1330, after breakfasting in the Chancellery of the Reich with the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces,
the commanders of the individual landing groups and Commander, 31st Corps also the Commanding Admirals and commanders of the
individual naval task forces and the Air Force commanders reported on the arrangement and execution of their operations during "Weseruebung". The Fuehrer demanded most exhaustive reports from all the officers and asked many questions. In conclusion he stated his complete agreement with the preparations made a statement of his thanks for and recognition of the work performed during the preparations.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

At sea:
a) In the area east to southeast of Shetlands: U 38, 43, 52.
b) East of Pentland Firth: U 22
c) Approaching the entrance to Scapa: U 13, 58, 59.
d) Off Narvik: U 46. Off Trondheim U 51.
e) Possibly also U 44. Position unknown, loss however, is probable.

At Sea 01 April 1940
U-13, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-51, U-52, U-58, U-59.
9 boats at sea

OPERATIONS
Northern Patrol
The Northern Patrol between 1 and 9 April sighted 34 eastbound ships and sent twelve into Kirkwall for inspection.

North Sea
DesFlot 1 departed Harwich and swept to twelve miles north of Smith's Knoll. The Flotilla then swept northeast across the mine barrier for forty miles. DesFlot 1 then swept eastward reaching Smith's Knoll at dawn on the 2nd. DD CODRINGTON sighted a German aircraft at 0530/2nd, but was not attacked. Sloop PUFFIN attacked a submarine contact off Yarmouth. The contact was later assessed as non-submarine. Sub NARWHAL arrived at Blyth after patrol. Sub SHARK arrived at Harwich after refitting. Mine destructor ship BORDE exploded two mines in the Sunk area. The ship sustained leaks forward and proceeded to Chatham for docking and repairs completed on the 28th.

OA.121 departed Southend escorted by DD ARDENT from 1 to 4 April, sloop WELLINGTON from 2 to 4 April, DDs WINDSOR and VERSATILE from 3 to 4 April, when the convoy dispersed.

Convoy MT.42 departed Methil, escort DD WOLSEY, sloop AUCKLAND, and ASW Gp 3. The convoy arrived in the Tyne later that day. FS.135 departed the Tyne, escort DD WOLSEY and sloop AUCKLAND. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 3rd.


Northern Waters
DD ISIS, while transferring five torpedoes to submarine CLYDE after torpedo firings in Scapa, lost her whalers and motorboat when they capsized in a heavy squall in Sandoyne Bay Orkney Is. All the men and the torpedoes were recovered. DDs SOMALI, MATABELE and MASHONA departed Scapa to pick up the Kirkwall convoy contingent and then join convoy ON.24. DD SOMALI would become Senior Officer of the Escort. During the night of 1/2 April, a strong gale scattered convoys ON.24, HN.23A, and the Kirkwall contingent of convoy ON.24 all eastwards of the Orkneys. After repairs at Dundee, DD GRIFFIN departed Invergordon on patrol on 30 March and was already on Moray Firth patrol with DD JUPITER. That morning, DD JUPITER attacked a submarine contact . Because of heavy weather, DD JUPITER proceeded to Scapa, arriving that evening and DD GRIFFIN arrived at Invergordon on the 1st. GRIFFIN departed Invergordon on the 2nd and DD JUPITER departed Scapa on the 2nd to continue the patrol.

DD ILEX cleared Scapa in the morning of this day for ASW Sweepsl while two sections of Hoxa Boom were being repaired a half mile to the south of a line from Cantick to the Nev. Bad weather delayed work on the Boom and DD ILEX returned to Scapa at 2015 to anchor north of Flotta on standby notice as the weather conditions were too bad to continue the patrol. The weather eased and DD ILEX commenced the Hoxa Sound Patrol early next morning on the 2nd. The work was completed on the Hoxa Boom that afternoonand DD ILEX returned to Scapa.

Coastal defense ships NORGE and EIDSVOLD (Nor) arrived at Narvik from Horten.

NORGE (left) and EIDSVOLD were built in 1900 and folowed the pattern set by the Scandinavians for small "Coastal Battleships". Both were sunk by torpedoes during the german occupation of Narvik

West Coast UK
OB.121 departed Liverpool escort DDs WALKER and VANQUISHER from 1 to 4 April, when the convoy dispersed. The DDs then joined inbound SL.25.

UK - France
Convoy BC.31R with steamers BARON CARNEGIE, KERMA, LOCHEE, PEMBROKE COAST, SCHOLAR (Commodore) departed the Loire escort DD VIVACIOUS. The convoy arrived in Bristol Channel on the 2nd.

Central Atlantic
CL ORION cleared Bermuda on patrol.

Med- Biscay
Fr AMCs EL DJEZAIR, EL MANSOUR and VILLE D'ORAN departed Marseilles and proceeded to Oran, arriving on the 2nd. On the 4th, they departed, escort Contre Torpilleur DD BISON to return to Brest for operations off the Norwegian coast. The ships arrived at Brest on the 8th.

 

[Njaco]

April 1 Monday
WESTERN FRONT: Paris reported heavy artillery fire in region west of the Saar, and considerable air activity on both sides.

A patrol of eight Bf 109Es from JG 52 clash with ten French MS 406s of the French GC I/2. One Bf 109E is damaged from the engagement and force lands.

Another clash with the Allies during the day brings the first victory for Lt. Dietrich Bösler of Stab II./JG 77 when he destroys a Blenheim 180 km. west of Amrun in the early afternoon.

GERMANY: Hitler set the date of the Denmark and Norway invasion to be 9 Apr 1940. Hitler allocates 6 divisions (including specialist mountain infantry and paratroops) 20 light tanks and 3 experimental Neubaufahrzeug heavy tanks for Norway, plus 2 divisions for Denmark. Almost every available naval vessel will be used to transport or protect these troops. Luftwaffe will provide air support and chase off Royal Navy ships trying to intercede. This is in contrast to the small, mainly reserve, force the British intend to send to Norway without air cover.

Command changes occur among the front-line units. Oblt. Harry von Bülow-Bothkamp, Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 77 is appointed Kommodore of JG 2 in place of Oblt. Gerd von Massow. Hptm. Karl Hentschel is made Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 77 in place of Major von Bülow-Bothkamp. Major Friedrich Vollbracht, Gruppenkommandeur of II./ZG 26, is appointed Kommodore of the newly formed Stab./ZG 2. Hptm. Ralph von Rettberg is appointed Gruppenkommandeur of II./ZG 26 in his place.

Command promotions are also made at OKL. The Generalinspekteur der Jagdflieger and Generalluftzeugmeister Generalleutnant Ernst Udet is promoted to General der Flieger.

The fourth group of the German Kampfgeschwader 55 wing was established.

UNITED KINGDOM: Almost alone among the senior British military, British Royal Navy Vice Admiral Max Horton (commanding Royal Navy home-based submarines) anticipates a German invasion of Norway. He orders 12 submarines (including 2 French and 1 Polish vessels) to patrol the southern North Sea and the seas around Denmark, to intercept warships from naval bases German coast.

British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), created by Act of Parliament on 24 Nov 1939, took over the activities of British Airways and Imperial Airways.

Home Secretary has appointed twelve regional advisory committees to reconsider cases of certain classes of aliens in Britain.

The British Broadcasting Corporation today estimated that more than 60% of all British wireless listeners tune in to Lord Haw Haw's daily broadcast from Germany. It is estimated that 16 million Britons listen to the BBC 9 o'clock news on the radio each day, and 6 million then tune in to Lord Haw Haw's broadcast immediately after.

ASIA: The towns of Ota, Kuai, Sawano, and Niragawa in Gunma Prefecture, Japan were merged to form a new town of Ota.

Chinese troops captured Wuyuan, Suiyuan Province, China.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: RAF aircraft of Bomber command were actively engaged in Reconnaissance over North Sea, and were attacked enemy patrol with bombs. German Junkers 88 were engaged by a British Blenheim and damaged, its wreckage being later observed by a warship. One British aircraft was missing.

.

 

[Njaco]

April 2 Tuesday
WESTERN FRONT: Three RAF fighters were engaged with nine Messerschmitts on the Western Front and were reported to have brought down three of the German aircraft. Around noon Hptm. Werner Mölders of III./JG 53 claimed a Hurricane near St. Avold from RAF No. 1 Squadron flown by P/O Palmer who managed to crash land his fighter behind enemy lines, avoiding capture. It is Hptm. Mölders seventh victory. Upon returning to base, Hptm. Mölders received the Iron Cross 1st Class award.

The Zerstörerflieger Oblt. Werner Methfessel of 14 (Z)./LG 1 continues to try to start his victory tally when he claims a French Morane destroyed near Raum Lunéville. His claim is denied again.

Dutch border guards were placed on full alert due to detected German deployments.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Germans attacked Scapa Flow and North Sea convoys. At 00.21 hours, U-38 sinks Finnish steamer SS "Signe", a straggler from convoy HN-23A (all 19 hands lost). Destroyer HMS "Sikh", escorting convoy HN-23A, hears the explosion and searches for survivors.

British submarines start taking up positions to execute Vice-Admiral Horton's plan to intercept German warships leaving naval bases at Heligoland Bight, Kiel, Wilhelmshaven, Cuxhaven and Swinemünde. He correctly guesses that they will be bound for Norway. HMS "Unity" departs Blyth submarine base, Northumberland, to patrol Heligoland Bight. HMS "Sunfish" departs Harwich naval base for the Kattegat, between Denmark and Sweden.

Three Hurricane fighters, patrolling North Sea, fought two Heinkel raiders only 20 feet above the sea.

GERMANY: In the afternoon, Adolf Hitler issued the directive for the invasion of Denmark and Norway, with the planned launch date to be 9 Apr 1940. Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop was made aware of the invasion for the first time so that his office could help develop excuses for the invasion.

UNITED KINGDOM: German aircraft carried out attack on Scapa Flow at dusk, and were driven off by fire of ships and batteries. Bombs dropped, but no damage done. On the return flight, the planes attack lighthouses at Duncansby Head and Stroma Island.

.

 

[parsifal]

RN Destroyer Command Ships not available - 1 April 1940
7 months of continuous use was having a toll on RN readiness rates. The DDs were being called upon to undertake operations that were very demanding on them. In early April, readiness rates slumped, which was to cause a fateful hesitation by the British in the wart of nerves around Norway.

The following are the major destroyer formations in Home waters, and as can be seen, there were many ships unavailable for service at this time.

DesFlot 2 - DD HARDY
Div 3, HOTSPUR , HAVOCK, HERO , and HEREWARD
Div 4, HYPERION, HUNTER , HOSTILE, and HASTY

DesFlot 3 - DD INGLEFIELD
Div 5, ISIS, ILEX, and IMPERIAL
Div 6, DELIGHT, DIANA, and IMOGEN

DesFlot 4
Div 7, AFRIDI, GURKHA, SIKH , MOHAWK
Div 8, ZULU, COSSACK, MAORI, NUBIAN

DesFlot 5
Div 9, KELLY, KIPLING, KASHMIR, KELVIN
Div10, KANDAHAR, KIMBERLEY, KHARTOUM, KINGSTON

DesFlot 6
Div 11, SOMALI, ASHANTI , MATABELE, MASHONA
Div 12, BEDOUIN, PUNJABI, ESKIMO, TARTAR

DesFlot 7
Div 13, JERVIS, JANUS, JAVELIN, JERSEY
Div 14, JACKAL, JAGUAR, JUNO, and JUPITER

DesFlot 8 FAULKNOR
Div 15, FOXHOUND , FEARLESS , FURY, FORESTER
Div 16, FAME, FORESIGHT, FORTUNE, FIREDRAKE

DesFlot 20
Div 39, EXPRESS, IVANHOE , ESK
Div 40, INTREPID, ICARUS , IMPULSIVE

Rosyth Command

DesFlot 12
Div 23, ECHO , ELECTRA , and ESCORT
Div 24, ESCAPADE , ENCOUNTER , ECLIPSE

Miscellaneous attached

DD DUNCAN (Grangemouth)

Convoy Cmd

Sloops AUCKLAND (, BITTERN , BLACK SWAN, EGRET, FLAMINGO, FLEETWOOD, GRIMSBY, HASTINGS, LONDONDERRY, LOWESTOFT , PELICAN , STORK , WESTON

Escort ships (modified V&W Class DDs) VALENTINE, VALOROUS , VEGA , VIMIERA , VIVIEN , WALLACE , WESTMINSTER , WHITLEY , WOLSEY , WOOLSTON

Nore Command
DesFlot1
Divi 1, CODRINGTON, GRENADE , ORP BLYSKAWICA, ORP GROM and ORP BURZA
Div 2, GRAFTON , GREYHOUND, GLOWWORM, GRIFFIN , GALLANT

Dover Command

DesFlot 19
Div 37, KEITH , BASILISK) BEAGLE , BOREAS
Div 38, BOADICEA , BRAZEN , BRILLIANT

Portsmouth Command
DesFlot 16
Div 31, MALCOLM, VENOMOUS, WIVERN
Div 32, ARROW , ANTHONY , ACHATES , ACHERON

Western Approaches Command
DesFlot 9
HAVELOCK , HESPERUS , HAVANT, HIGHLANDER (unattached units)

DesFlot 11
Div 21, MACKAY, WALPOLE, VANQUISHER, WINCHELSEA, WALKER, VANOC
Div 22, VERSATILE, VIMY, WHIRLWIND, WARWICK , and SALADIN

DesFlot 15
Div 29, BROKE, WANDERER, WHITEHALL, WITCH, VANSITTART
Div 30, WOLVERINE, WITHERINGTON, VOLUNTEER, VERITY

DesFlot 17
Div 33, CAMPBELL, MONTROSE, VISCOUNT, WESSEX, VIVACIOUS
Div 34, WAKEFUL, VESPER, VANESSA, VENETIA

DesFlot 18
Div 35, ACASTA, ANTELOPE, AMAZON, and ARDENT
Div 36, VETERAN , WREN, WHITSHED, WINDSOR, WILD SWAN

Not assigned or undergoing long-term conversions

Grangemouth - SABRE
London - SARDONYX
Chatham - WOLFHOUND, VERDUN
Sheerness - WORCESTER
Portsmouth - AMBUSCADE, SCIMITAR , WINCHESTER, SKATE, VICEROY
Plymouth - VANITY

 

[parsifal]

2 April 1940
Known Losses
MV SIGNE (FN 1540 grt) Crew: 19 (19 dead - no survivors) : Cargo: Ballast : Route Gothenburg - Bergen (30 Mar) - Burntisland: U.38 sank Finnish steamer, a straggler from convoy HN.23A. DD SIKH, escorting the convoy, reported an explosion at this time, which was probably SIGNE being torpedoed. On the 4th, trawler GOOD SHEPHERD found a raft with one body from SIGNE six miles NNE of Fair Island.

DKM War diary
Selected Extracts

Reuter announces: The possibility of a significant intensification of the blockade cannot be denied, but the Allied Cabinets and the Supreme War Council have so far announced nothing.

The Norwegian Foreign Minister, Koht, states in an interview with the press: "Norway protests with the same energy against the German as against the British violations of Norwegian neutrality. The material harm caused to Norway by Germany is deeply regrettable; Britain's violations of neutrality are, however, different and often did not affect Norwegian material interests so much as her honor and independence." Norwegian political circles appear to be expecting Great Britain to send a note to the Norwegian Government within a short time, demanding that Norway forbid ore shipments from Narvik to Germany.

The German publication of documents is still dominating the entire U.S. press. In the House of Representatives, Republican Fish demanded the appointment of a committee of five within 30 days to examine the documents. It cannot yet be foreseen how the publication of the White Paper, which has caused noticeable unrest among the American people and has undoubtedly rendered Roosevelt's position more difficult, will affect the presidential elections and the U.S.A. 's attitude to Germany in the weeks ahead.

Conference on the Situation with Chief, Naval Staff - Special Items ;
1. "Weseruebung" :
During yesterday's conference with the individual commanders of the task forces, the Fuehrer reconsidered whether it was possible to send the destroyers alone to "Nlenburg" and to refrain from using the battleships in the northern area, since it is feared that the British Fleet will be prematurely alerted by them.

UBOATS
Kriegstagebücher (KTB) - War Diary

Intention:
To recall U 38, 43 and 52 as soon as U 13, 58, 59 reach the Orkney area. B.d.U. will be informed by telephone of the imminent sending of the keyword. As the boats U 38, 43 and 52 at sea and fully armed, should be well prepared for the "Weser Exercise" it is high time that they were recalled. In order to shorten their return route they have already been in the area east of the Shetlands for several days. As long as their engine equipment is ready for action a supplementation of consumable stores is still possible up to the estimated beginning of the exercise. In this connection, I have decided to order the return passage of these boats. The keyword for the "Weser Exercise" will be received in the evening. It is the 9th of April.

At Sea 2 April 1940
U-13, U-37, U-38, U-43, U-46, U-51, U-52, U-58, U-59.
9 boats at sea.

OPERATIONS

North Sea
DD KASHMIR was damaged at Rosyth while coming alongside a tkr. The damage was repaired by 7 April. OA.122 departed Southend escort DDs VANESSA and ANTELOPE from 2 to 4 April. The convoy dispersed on the 5th. FN.135 departed Southend, escort DD WHITLEY and WESTMINSTER. The convoy arrived at the Tyne on the 4th. FS.136 departed the Tyne, escort DD WALLACE and sloop FLAMINGO. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 4th.

There was a reorganization of MSWs . MSWFlot2 – ABERDARE, HARROW and modified gunboat COCKCHAFER. MSW Flot 3 - HUNTLEY, ABINGDON, BAGSHOT, FAREHAM and STOKE. MSwFlot 4 - NIGER, SALAMANDER, DUNOON, DUNDALK, FITZROY, SELKIRK, SUTTON and ELGIN. MSWFlot 5 - GOSSAMER, LEDA, ALBURY, KELLET, LYDD, PANGBOURNE, ROSS and SALTASH. MSW Flot 6 - HALCYON, SPEEDWELL, HUSSAR, HARRIER and SKIPJACK. MSWFkot 1 operating with the Home Flt was unaltered

DKM aux Schiff 11/HANONIA (steamer ULM, 3071grt) departed Schillig Roads on 31 March disguised as the Norwegian steamer OREGON EXPRESS, and laid a minefield with 90 EMC and 84 contact mines southeast of Smith's Knoll on the 2nd. Submarine SEALION, which had departed Harwich on patrol on the 1st, pursued Schiff 11 in the North Sea for some time without success.

Northern Waters
DDs INGLEFIELD, IMOGEN, ISIS and JUPITER departed Scapa on the 2nd to search in Moray Firth for a reportedly damaged DKM submarine. The DDs made no contact and arrived back at Scapa that evening. At 2101 a report was received of an outbound DKM submarine. The CinC Home Flt ordered DDs to sea. DD MOHAWK was detached from convoy HN.23A. DD JUPITER departed Scapa at 3rd to join MOHAWK. The DDs were recalled to Scapa for other duty on the 3rd. DDs HARDY, HUNTER, HAVOCK and HOTSPUR cleared Scapa at 1930 and arrived at Sullom Voe next morning on the 3rd. Sub SPEARFISH arrived at Blyth from Scapa.

LW bombers of II/KG30 raided Scapa. 2-4 bombs were dropped near depot ship WOOLWICH, but there was no damage.

Channel
Patrol sloop SHELDRAKE on patrol in the English Channel made a submarine contact. An attack was not made as the contact was found to be non-submarine. DDs FORTUNE and FORTUNE departed Plymouth for the Clyde to participate in Plan R.4, the Norwegian operation. The DDs arrived in the Clyde on the 3rd. DD FAULKNOR departed Scapa for the Clyde to participate in Plan R.4, and arrived in the Clyde on the 3rd. DD BEAGLE on Nth Goodwins patrol made an attack on a sub contact. DD BRILLIANT joined to assist and both DDs remained at the scene through the day.

Nth Atlantic
HX.32 departed Halifax escort RCN DDs SAGUENAY and RESTIGOUCHE, which detached on the 3rd. Before joining the convoy, the DDs escorted BB ROYAL SOVEREIGN to Halifax from her HX.25 duty. RCN DD ST LAURENT escorted BB MALAYA from Halifax. During the duck of the 3rd, the DDs turned the convoy over to MALAYA, which detached on the 14th. On the 13th, DD VANQUISHER joined and on the 14th, DDs VERSATILE and WILD SWAN. VANQUISHER detached on the 15th, VERSATILE on the 16th, and WILD SWAN on the 17th, when the convoy arrived at Liverpool.

Med- Biscay
HG.25F departed Gib with 23 ships. Fr DD TIGRE, PV VIKINGS and RN DD DOUGLAS escorted the convoy from 2 April. VIKINGS was detached that evening, DOUGLAS on the 5th and TIGRE on the 8th. DDs WITCH and VIMY joined HG.25F on the 8th and escorted the convoy until 9 April. DD VISCOUNT and sloop ROCHESTER joined HG.25F on the 8th and escorted the convoy until 11 April when the convoy arrived at Liverpool. MSW LYDD arrived at Gibraltar from Malta. On the 5th, the minesweeper departed for Plymouth.

Fr BBs DUNKERQUE and STRASBOURG, CLs GLOIRE and MONTCALM, DDs MOGADOR, INDOMPTABLE, TRIOMPHANT, MALIN and TERRIBLE departed Brest. They arrived at Mer el Kebir on the 5th.

French light cruiser EMILE BERTIN and large destroyer MAILLE BREZE departed Toulon on the 1st, then Oran to proceed to Brest for operations off Norway. The destroyer was a replacement for large destroyer VAUQUELIN which departed Brest for repairs at Toulon, where she arrived on the 10th. EMILE BERTIN and MAILLE BREZE arrived at Brest on the 5th.

Far East/Pacific/Australia
Sub depot ship MEDWAY and subs PHOENIX, PARTHIAN and PROTEUS departed Hong Kong. They were at Singapore from 8 to 10 April and Colombo, Ceylon from 14 to 17 April before sailing for Aden. The ships departed Aden on the 26th and arrived at Suez on 1 May, left Port Said on 2 May and joined the Med Flt. At the same time, SubFlot 8 (ORPHEUS, ODIN, OLYMPUS and OTUS) was moving from the Indian Ocean. Submarine ORPHEUS departed Diego Suarez on 30 March and arrived at Aden on the 6th. She departed Aden on the 14th, departed Port Said on the 21st. ODIN departed Colombo on 31 March and arrived at Port Said on the 21st in company of ORPHEUS. On 26 April, they arrived at Malta and ODIN immediately commencing refit. Submarines OLYMPUS and OTUS departed Colombo on the 16th and departed Aden on the 26th. They arrived at Suez on 1 May, departing Port Said on 2 May, and arrived at Malta on 7 May. Submarine OLYMPUS immediately commenced refit.

 

[Njaco]

April 3 Wednesday
WESTERN FRONT: The Zerstörers of 15 (Z)./LG 1 clash with French warplanes east of Nancy shortly after noon. Two pilots claiming destruction of Moranes during the battle, Oblt. Werner and Oblt. Aussen, are denied the credit for the kills.

Air reconnaissance by the 4(F)./122 over Le Havre and Cherbourg produced valuable information for the OKM; the following were detected in Cherbourg harbor - 4 destroyers of the BOURRASQUE class, 2 large destroyers, 4 submarine-chasers and several submarines, etc. There was an Anti-submarine net barrage in the western entrance of the outer mole, with one passage open.

EASTERN EUROPE: Katyn Massacre: Over 20,000 Polish police, military officers, and intellectuals were massacred by the Soviet NKVD.

UNITED KINGDOM: There is a cabinet shuffle in the Chamberlain government. Lord Chatfield resigns his post as Minister for the Co-ordination of Defense. First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill becomes chairman of the Military Coordinating Committee, giving him some oversight of the Army and RAF as well as naval matters. One of Churchill's first acts in his new post is to obtain final consent for the mining of the Norwegian Leads. Also, Lord Woolton becomes Minister of Food. As a dedicated, high profile Minister of Food (April 1940 - December 1943) Lord (Frederick James Marquis, first Earl of) Woolton was responsible for selling the benefits of rationing to the British public and educating it into better eating habits. Later in the war, with plentiful vegetables being produced as a result of the success of the 'Dig for Victory' campaign, some were used as the ingredients for the legendary 'Woolton Pie'. This particular vegetable pie recipe was made from potatoes, parsnips and herbs . Alas though, this particular dish never really took off with the British public.

Flight Lieutenant Ryder of No. 41 Squadron RAF became the first RAF pilot to be shot down on home defense duties when he ditched his Spitfire fighter in the sea off Redcar, England, United Kingdom after bringing down a Heinkel 111 bomber. Ryder and the German crew were picked up safely. Flight Lt Ryder was awarded the DFC after this incident and is recorded as the first homed based pilot to be shot down by an enemy aircraft.

GERMANY: German supply ships began departing for the invasion of Norway. The British cabinet was warned of this action and the German concentration of troops within hours.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Polish submarine "Orzeł" (part of Royal Navy's 2nd Submarine Flotilla, under the command of Vice-Admiral Max Horton), departed Rosyth, Scotland, United Kingdom to patrol the coast off Kristiansand, Norway.

1(F)./122 dispatched several He 111s to search the area between the Orkneys and the Firth of Forth. At midday one of these aircraft reported a convoy off Peterhead. Several inconclusive combats took place between the Heinkels and defending Skuas and Gladiators. II./KG 26 had already dispatched 14 He 111s on an armed reconnaissance to the area between Peterhead and Flamborough Head and these attacked the convoy at the earliest opportunity.

A British Short Sunderland flying boat on patrol off Norway attacked by six Junkers Ju 88 aircraft successfully shot one down, forced another to land immediately and drove the rest off.

ASIA: Chinese troops secured the Wuyuan region in Suiyuan Province, China.

.

 

[parsifal]

Allied Operational plans for Norwegian Intervention 1 April 1940
Message delivered in Cyper to " H.Q.C.C." from Admiralty. The message was marked "SECRET" in Admiralty dispatches, but was was intercepted by DKM and passed to Raeder 2 or 3 April. The allies were not able to keep secrets from the germans at this point in the war.

Following message is passed to you for information. C. in C. Home Flt repeated CinC Rosyth, F.O. Greenock, CinC Western Approaches.

The laying of mines in Norwegian waters may lead to German reaction in Scandinavia.
It has therefore been decided to hold troops ready to occupy the Ports of Stavanger, Bergen, and Trondheim and ready to land at Narvik. The operation will be know as Plan R.4.

The landing of troops at the three Southern ports will be carried out on similar lines to O.S.O. contained in your No. H.F. 001360/297 of 6th March. It is anticipated that the Troops for Stavanger and Bergen will be ready to embark in cruisers at Rosyth on 5th April and the Troops for Trondheim ready to embark in a liner on the Clyde on the same day. The stores for the three Ports should arrive at Rosyth and Clyde on 4th April. 3 cruisers of CruSqn 1 should, therefore, arrive at Rosyth early on Thursday 4th April.

It is intended that the initial 2 Battalions of the Narvik Force should be ready to sail from the Clyde in a liner about 7th April, accompanied by 2 Cruisers of the Arethusa Class (about 200 men embarked).

Request you will arrange for cruisers and the necessary DD escorts to be available at the Clyde and for a Home Flt RFAsr to be embarked to proceed to Narvik, the name of this oiler being signalled in order that arrangements for her to embark certain stores can be made. 2 RFAs for the Narvik Force should be ready to sail from Bristol Channel Ports about 9th April escort to Clyde being arranged by C. in C. Western Approaches.

It is probable that subsequent reinforcements, including the French contingent, will proceed to Narvik only. Arrangements are being made for the provision of the local Defences of this Port for Plan R.3.

It is not intended that any Forces shall be landed in Norway until the Germans have violated Norwegian Territory, or there is clear evidence that they intend to do so. In addition to the above Forces a Striking Force should be available at Rosyth from P.M. 3rd to deal with any Seaborne expedition the Germans may send against Norway.

(9). It is realised that the above requirements will necessitate the withdrawal of all Cruiser support SWD from Northern Patrol and it is at your discretion to withdraw the latter temporarily should you consider it desirable.

PLAN R.4
1. Plan for the military occupation of Stavanger, Bergen, Trondhjem, and Narvik. The Plan is not put into operation until the Germans have violated Norwegian territory.

2. NAVAL TASKS
(i). Provision of cover and escort for convoys.

(ii). The transport in warships of troops to Stavanger, Bergen, and Narvik.

(iii). Provision of local naval defence at Narvik.

3. OUTLINE PLAN

Plan R.4 is divided into two parts known as STRATFORD and AVONMOUTH.
(a). STRATFORD force consists of two battalions for Stavanger (Red Force), two battalions for Bergen (Blue Force), and one battalion for Trondhjem (Green Force).

(b). AVONMOUTH force – combined British and French force of about 18,000 men.

4. FORCES TAKING PART

A. STRATFORD
Red Force in two cruisers sail from Rosyth on D.1, arrive Stavanger D.2. Blue Force – two cruisers sail Rosyth D.1, arrive Bergen D.2. Green Force – Convoy (T.P.), convoy (M.O.), one M.T. ship (S.S. CYCLOPS – with first line M.T. for Stavanger), S.S. CHROBRY sails Clyde D.1, arrives Trondhjem D.4.

B. AVONMOUTH
(a). CLOs AURORA (Flag ship of Admiral Sir E. Evans), PENELOPE DDs MAORI, ASHANTI, FOXHOUND, ESCAPADE, ENCOUNTER. Sail with S.S. BATORY in convoy
(b). H.M.S. PROTECTOR, A/S and boom defence trawlers
(c). At least six destroyers for convoy escort
(d). Convoys N.S. 1

2 Storeships (LOMBARDY and MCGREGOR LAIRD)
N.P. 1 S.S. BATORY leaves Clyde D.1, arrives Narvik D.5
N.O. – one oiler leaves Scapa as requisite, arrived Narvik as soon after N.P. 1 as possible
N.P. 2

3 liners - EMPRESS OF AUSTRALIA, MONARCH OF BERMUDA, and REINA DEL PACIFICO – with remainder of British Brigade
R.F.A. WAR PINDARI sails to arrive Narvik D.5

(e). French component with convoys and escort proceed in two or more fleets calling at Clyde for refuelling and route instructions.
5. AIR TASKS
A/S and air protection for convoys and reconnaissance of North Sea.
15 Group tasks
Air escort required for French convoys in Western Approaches and Irish Sea, and N.S. 1. from Newport to Clyde.

18 Group tasks
A/S protection from Clyde and Northwest coast of Scotland to Narvik for convoys N.P. 1 and N.P. 2. A/S protection for RED cruisers from Rosyth to Stavanger, for BLUE force cruisers from Rosyth to Bergen, for convoy (T.P.) from Clyde to Trondhjem, convoy (M.O.) from Leith to Stavanger.

6. COMMUNICATIONS
AVONMOUTH force will keep watch in guard ship on following frequencies, in order of preference.
280 kcs. While air escort is provided
Fleet Reconnaisance Wave
No. 18 Group R.A.F. main frequency.
In the event of enemy surface forces being reported within 60 miles, all ships set watch on Fleet Reconnaissance wave in addition to any others. All enemy reports are re broadcast by Scapa W/T on Fleet Reconnaissance Wave.

1. The decision to lay mines in Norwegian waters may lead to German reaction in Scandinavia.
AIM
2. To forestall German action by occupying certain ports in Norway in anticipation of the landing of an expeditionary force.
PLAN
3. Ports to be occupied: STAVANGER, BERGEN, TRONDHJEM
Port to be occupied in Force: NARVIK

4. Troops for Stavanger and Bergen, approximately two bns, for each place, will embark in CAs DEVONSHIRE, YORK, BERWICK, and GLASGOW. These cruisers are to arrive at Rosyth early on Thursday, 4th April in readiness to embark troops on 5th April. Stores for these two ports will arrive Rosyth on 4th April.

5. Troops for Trondhjem, approximately one bn and an advanced party for PLYMOUTH Force to be ready to embark in liner S.S. CHROBRY on the Clyde on the 5th April. Stores for this port will arrive at Clyde on 4th April. Naval escort to consist of 3 DDs.

6. Troops for Narvik, 2 bns to be ready to sail from Clyde on liner S.S. BATORY about 7 April; naval escort comprises cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE and destroyers. Times of sailings will be notified later but will conform generally to the sailing instructions contained in paragraph 13 and Diagrams I, II, and III to Plan R.3 (file S.7010/18).

AIR COOPERATION – PROBABLE REQUIREMENTS
7. Diagram II shows four cruisers as sailing approximately noon from Rosyth to arrive Bergen and Stavanger (presumably two cruisers to each place) before noon on the following day. In addition to A/S Air cover, lr ftr protection will probably be required during daylight hours. Dawn and dusk searches of southern half of the North Sea may also be required to give warning of movements of enemy surface craft.

8. A/S protection will be required for both Trondhjem and Narvik forces on passage on West coast of Scotland and subsequently on passage across the North Sea. LR ftr protection from Shetlands may also be necessary for the North Sea crossing for the Trondhjem force.

There is no mention in Plan R.3 of an air component with Stavanger force and presumable the subsequent movements will adhere to the outlined plan shown in paragraphs 11 to 27 of Plan R.3

9. Withdrawal of cruiser support from Northern Patrol may require reinforcement of air patrols between Faroes and Iceland and between Faroes and Shetlands. This may require the withdrawal of Sunderlands from units in 15 Group. Flying boats to operate from both Shetlands and Invergordon.

AERODROMES AND SEAPLANE BASES ON WEST COAST OF NORWAY
Naval seaplane stations exist at Harstad and Bergen though it is probable that many other anchorages exist in the fiords. Military aerodromes exist at Vaernes near Trondhjem and Bomoen east of Bergen. The main civil aerodrome is 7.5 miles sw of Stavanger at approximately sea level.

PARTICULARS OF STAVANGER AERODROME
Landing Area. N.N.E. by S.S.W. 950 yds, S.E. by N.W. 1050 yards; grass covered. There are 2 concrete runways, 43 yards wide and of same length and same directions as stated above One hanger – 164 feet by 26 feet.Has W/T facilities, transmitting and receiving station and D/F station.

Meteorological services and boundary markings.

STAVANGER SEAPLANE BASE
The aerodrome communicating by concrete road to the Hafs Fiord which is used as a seaplane base. This base is used regularly for commercial traffic. There are two very small breakwaters at the South west Corner with a slipway between them which can only be used at high water as it is of any great length. There is no hanger, but fairly large tarmac and aircraft with their wings more than four or five feet off the ground can be moved along the concrete road to the aerodrome hanger. Believed to be two mooring buoys.

 

[Njaco]

April 4 Thursday
GERMANY: Aktion 14 F 13 began; it was the first documented proof that the Nazi German regime conducted mass extermination of the handicapped in concentration camps.

Hermann Göring delivered a speech to the nation across German radio waves today. Using the radio to reach all members of the German nation, Göring spoke of the Nazi party's plans for expansion. The head of the German Luftwaffe called on all Germans do to their bit in the war. He singled out German youths in particular, stating they will enjoy seeing German grow into the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Göring also called on all German youths to behave with decency and morality in the coming years.

UNITED KINGDOM: British newspapers reported concentrations of troops in German ports. This seems to go unnoticed by the military.

British Vice Admiral Max Horton ordered British submarine HMS "Snapper" to depart Harwich naval base for the Skagerrak between Denmark and Norway and French submarines "Amazone" and "Antiope" (under British command) to depart Harwich for the Frisian Islands and Heligoland.

The British Treasury forms a company to trade with the Balkans in an effort to counter German economic penetration in the region.

WESTERN FRONT: Winston Churchill is dismayed by the general lack of Allied action, and French political feuding in particular, leading to inactivity in Norway. He flies to Paris, France to persuade the French on a plan to mine Norwegian waters. Unable to convince French leadership to mine the Rhine River at the same time, Churchill decided to resurrect his plan to lay mines in Norwegian coastal waters (Operation Wilfred). He concludes that;

"Wilfred should go forward notwithstanding the French refusal of Royal Marine (mining of the Rhine)".

British War cabinet is informed and agrees with his assessment.

The Netherlands declared itself in a state of siege.

NORTHERN EUROPE: In Norway the passenger ship "Mira" reaches its home port after numerous German air strikes during a six day crossing of the North Sea. None of the 107 passengers and crew are seriously injured.

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[Njaco]

April 5 Friday
UNITED KINGDOM: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that a German invasion of Western Europe would not be successful. The British also receive intelligence reports that Germany will soon invade Norway, including landings at Narvik. These warnings are ignored.

British submarine HMS "Spearfish" departed Blyth for the Danish coast in search for potential German invasion fleets for Denmark and Norway.

The French government is informed that Britain will go ahead with Operation Wilfred (mining the coast of Norway) without Operation Royal Marine (mining the River Rhine). Even Chamberlain believes the Allies have seized the initiative, crowing that "Hitler missed the bus" – words that he will come to regret. Allies deliver diplomatic notes ("admonitions") to Norway and Sweden warning of actions to hinder German trade with these countries. The United Kingdom informed Norway and Sweden of its intent to mine Norwegian waters; British warships departed Scapa Flow at 1830 hours for this operation. Norwegians are now convinced of an Allied invasion and forget about Germany. At 1830 hours, British battlecruiser HMS "Renown", destroyers HMS "Inglefield", "Ilex", "Imogen", "Isis", "Greyhound", "Glowworm", "Hyperion", "Hero" and minelayer HMS "Teviotbank" depart Scapa Flow to mine the Norwegian coast.

GERMANY: Norwegian ambassador in Berlin warned Danish and Norwegian capitals of a possible invasion, as did British intelligence.

British RAF aircraft attacked German shipping at Wilhelmshaven.

EASTERN EUROPE: Deportations of Jews begins in Czechoslovakia.

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