Germany finally declared war on Norway. German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop took to the airwaves shortly afterward and claimed that the Germans had captured documents from the Lillehammer sector revealing a British and French plan to occupy Norway with Norwegian complicity. That same day Samuel Hoare made a radio address of his own in which he called Ribbentrop’s assertion “despicable.” Ribbentrop addressed the German people on what he called the “aggression” of England and France. Von Ribbentrop exhibited what purported to be documentary evidence that the British planned the invasion of Norway and had troops on the way with Norwegian consent before the Reich acted.
British Air Minister Sir Samuel Hoare responded to German Foreign Minister Joachim von Ribbentrop’s speech which accused Great Britain of planning an invasion of Norway by saying “I need only to say that it is a despicable to say that we have ever plotted to against any neutral country and it is sickening hypocrisy when this charge is made by the murderer of Czechoslovakia and Poland.”
The truth lies somewhere in between. The British have not “plotted against” Norway, for sure, because they strenuously sought the country’s approval prior to landing an expeditionary force. However, the British and French also very much intended at various points to occupy at least parts of Norway – and Sweden. Those reasons were decidedly inimical to the military interests of their adversary, Germany.
The British War Cabinet discusses a potential evacuation from Norway. Reports from the field are increasingly dire. General Hugh Massy, Deputy Chief of the Imperial Staff, reports to the Military Coordination Committee (MCC), led by First Lord of the Admiralty Winston Churchill (in PM Chamberlain’s absence), that an evacuation is advisable. The MCC “agreed that the evacuation was to take place.” In the chain of events leading to formal approval of the evacuation, this is the key link.
King Haakon is quoted in today’s “The War Illustrated”: “I will stay as long as there is 1 inch of Norwegian soil.” General Ruge continues his optimistic line in his order of the day: “The time for retreating is past! Stand fast — and victory shall be ours!”
The Luftwaffe bombed Namsos. The order was given to evacuate the port. The British decide to evacuate their forces from Namsos and Andalsnes, giving up any attempt to reach Trondheim. Andalsnes is heavily attacked from the air.
Adolf Hitler’s war machine, advancing steadily along central Norway’s rocky roads, was reported tonight to have sped a mechanized column 50 miles over steep mountain trails in an amazing flanking movement which threatened allied soldiers in two sectors of the front below important Trondheim.
At Åndalsnes, port commander Brigadier Boggs reports that the situation is hopeless without air cover or anti-aircraft batteries. There is great disagreement about this within the British military, and General Paget, Boggs’ superior, violently disagrees because his troops are fighting well.
A British attempt to deliver much-needed anti-aircraft weapons by ground to Åndalsnes, Norway was turned back by a three-hour German aerial bombardment. At Kjorem, after holding the line against attacks by the German 196th Division throughout the day, the British 15th Brigade withdrew 17 kilometers to the north to form a new line at Otta.
It is a time for decisions as to how much effort to give Norway. Squadron Leader Ian Cross flies to Åndalsnes in a Sunderland flying boat and reports to the Air Ministry that Hawker Hurricanes could operate from Setnesmoen near Åndalsnes and recommends their immediate deployment. The Air Ministry, with knowledge of the MCC decision to evacuate, rejects the suggestion.
To the east, near the Swedish border, the other main Wehrmacht thrust north in the Østerdal valley, Oberst Fischer’s Kampfgruppe composed of the 196th Division, makes good progress. They are now at Alvdal, within 60 miles of the key road/rail junction of Dombås. The capture of Dombås would effectively encircle the 15th Brigade, and there are few troops to bar the way.
The French 27th Demi-Brigade de Chasseurs Alpins takes up positions at Harstad near Narvik.
Remaining three Gladiator aircraft destroyed and RAF base at Lake Lesjaskog outside Åndalsnes abandoned.
There is continued heavy air activity over Norway.
Norwegian steamer Nyhaug (4044grt) was sunk by German bombing at Lepsøy.
French convoy FP.2 departed Brest on the 18th composed of passenger ships Djenne (8790grt), Flandre (8503grt), President Doumer (11,898grt). The convoy departed Greenock at 0100/21st escorted by destroyers HMS Fearless, HMS Fury, HMS Vanoc. They proceeded via the Minches for Namsos. En route, they were diverted to Scapa Flow to await developments. The convoy arrived at Scapa Flow at 0625/22nd. French large destroyers Chevalier Paul, Milan, Tartu and destroyers HMS Codrington and HMS Fame, departed Scapa Flow on the 24th at 1600 with convoy FP.2. This convoy safely arrived at Harstad on the 27th carrying the first contingent of the 27th Demi Brigade of the Chasseur Alpins. French destroyers Tartu, Milan, and Chevalier Paul departed Narvik with French steamers Djenne and President Doumer on the 29th.
Adolf Hitler sets the first week in May for the invasion of France. Hitler, “beaming with confidence” while contemplating events in Norway, tentatively sets the date for Fall Gelb, the invasion of France and the Low Countries, for May 7th.
Chief of the German SS organization Heinrich Himmler gave the order to convert the 22 former artillery barrack buildings at Oświęcim, Poland into a concentration camp, later to be more commonly known by its German name, Auschwitz.
Reinhard Heydrich ordered the deportation of 2500 German Sinti to the General Government.
The present demonstration in Norway of the increasing importance of the air arm lends significance to the announcement here today that bomber planes bought by France in the United States are beginning to arrive and go into service.
The Allied Supreme War Council meets in London.
The British Government lowers the age for military registration from 27 to 26.
For a few minutes this morning the Italian Chamber of Fasces and Corporations was whipped up to a war fever when Count Dino Grandi, the Chamber’s President, made an impassioned tribute to Premier Mussolini in which he said that Italy would not remain outside the present conflict. During Count Grandi’s brief speech, and particularly afterward, the Chamber gave Signor Mussolini an acclaim that amounted to sheer frenzy.
The Italian liner Vulcania is scheduled to sail tomorrow from Trieste for South America and the Rex is to leave from Genoa on Tuesday for New York. It was asserted here officially and unofficially today that there was no intention of delaying their departures.
In 29 days, NKVD Executioner Vasily Blokhin has shot over 7,000 Polish officers interned at the Ostashkov prisoner of war camp as part of the Katyn Forest Massacre. Today, he is given a medal for it, the Order of the Red Banner for his “skill and organization in the effective carrying out of special tasks.” Vasily Blokhin of Katyn Forest Massacre infamy achieves immortality long after his death in 1955 when the Guinness Book of World Records names him “Most Prolific Executioner” in 2010.
The British trawler Athelstan was last seen by Claire at 54°00’N 1°55’E. No further trace of her was found. She was lost with all nine crew.
The British coaster Thornhill collided with the French ship Circe) in the English Channel off Start Point, Devon and sank with the loss of one crew member.
Aircraft carrier HMS Argus arrived at Malta from Toulon, escorted by destroyers HMS Sturdy and HMS Waterhen. The aircraft carrier was under repair from 29 April to 29 May. Aircraft carrier Argus departed Malta on 29 May, escorted by two French destroyers. The three ships arrived at Toulon on 31 May.
The French battleship Lorraine departed France for Alexandria, Egypt.
Convoy OA.137 departed Southend escorted by destroyer HMS Windsor.
The War at Sea, Saturday, 27 April 1940 (naval-history.net)
Aircraft carrier GLORIOUS left her station off the Norwegian coast at 2100/27th for replenishment at Scapa Flow. Aircraft carrier GLORIOUS arrived at Scapa Flow at 1800/28th escorted by destroyers FURY, FORTUNE, ESCORT, GRENADE, HASTY, and ENCOUNTER.
Norwegian steamer NYHAUG (4044grt) was sunk by German bombing at Lepsoy.
U-13 at 2326/27th damaged tanker SCOTTISH AMERICAN (6999grt) west of Pentland Firth in 58 41N, 04 40W. The steamer was towed to Loch Eribol by decoy ship LOOE (steamer BEAULY: 1061grt) and armed boarding vessel NORTHERN REWARD (655grt). Destroyers DELIGHT, DIANA, IMPERIAL en route to Scapa Flow were diverted to assist on the 28th. Minesweeping trawler JUNIPER stood by while 8200 tons, the entire cargo less 1000 tons of oil, which had been lost, was pumped into tanker OIL PIONEER for return to Scapa Flow. Transfer was completed on 2 May. The tanker was able to leave Loch Eribol on 5 May with tug ST MELLONS and trawler JUNIPER for North Shields.
French convoy FP.2 departed Brest on the 18th composed of passenger ships DJENNE (8790grt), FLANDRE (8503grt), PRESIDENT DOUMER (11,898grt). The convoy departed Greenock at 0100/21st escorted by destroyers FEARLESS, FURY, and VANOC. They proceeded via the Minches for Namsos.En route, they were diverted to Scapa Flow to await developments. The convoy arrived at Scapa Flow at 0625/22nd. French large destroyers CHEVALIER PAUL, MILAN, TARTU and destroyers CODRINGTON and FAME, departed Scapa Flow on the 24th at 1600 with convoy FP.2. This convoy safely arrived at Harstad on the 27th carrying the first contingent of the 27th Demi Brigade of the Chasseur Alpins. French destroyers TARTU, MILAN, and CHEVALIER PAUL departed Narvik with French steamers DJENNE and PRESIDENT DOUMER on the 29th.
The ships arrived at Scapa Flow on 2 May. French steamer FLANDRE departed Narvik escorted by destroyer ARDENT at 0800 on 2 May for the Clyde, via the Minches. They arrived safely at 1300 on 6 May.
Steamers DELIUS and DALLINGTON COURT and destroyers AMAZON and WITHERINGTON had departed the Clyde at 1900/21st for Scapa Flow, arriving at 1100/23rd. Convoy TM.1, consisting of steamers DELIUS (6065grt), DALLINGTON COURT (6889grt), SPANKER (1875grt), and LOCHNAGAR (1619grt) departed Scapa Flow escorted by destroyers AFRIDI, AMAZON, and WITHERINGTON at 0315/24th to arrive at dusk on the 26th. The convoy arrived at Aandalsnes at dusk on the 27th. The arriving convoy found the town in flames and the area under heavy air attack. The convoy was bombed with 125 bombs from 1345 to 1700. Steamer DELIUS was damaged by German bombing. Some disembarkation was done and sloop BLACK SWAN’s ammunition was replenished, but when the convoy left at 0200/28th, still under heavy air attack, the greater part of the stores, including the first heavy anti-aircraft battery to reach Norway was still aboard the cargo ships. The convoy was to stand off the coast to await further orders. Convoy TM.1 departed Romdalsfjord escorted by destroyers AFRIDI, AMAZON, and WITHERINGTON. The convoy was under heavy air attack from 1000 to 1400/28th with 65 bombs being dropped but no damage was done. The convoy was given anti-aircraft support by destroyers MOHAWK and SIKH, which were withdrawn at dawn on the 28th from the Trondheim blockade to assist convoy TM.1, which now also included petrol carrier RONAN.
Light cruiser AURORA joined Destroyer FAULKNOR at Bjervik and then both proceeded to Harstad.
Destroyer BEAGLE, escorting the aircraft carriers, made an attack at 0920 on a submarine contact in 64 31N, 4 07E.
Destroyer IMOGEN, escorting aircraft carrier FURIOUS, made an asdic contact in 62-54N, 01-56W at 1012. After two depth charge attacks a periscope was sighted at a 45° angle suggesting a badly damaged U-boat. Destroyer ILEX joined to assist.
Destroyer VANSITTART departed Scapa Flow at 2000/27th for Sullom Voe to escort tanker WAR NIZAM to Invergordon to reload. Destroyer VANSITTART stood by to escort the loaded tanker back to Sullom Voe.
Destroyer JACKAL after gunnery exercises departed Scapa Flow at 1300 to join light cruiser ARETHUSA at 1830 in 59N, 0E. Both ships were diverted to Scapa Flow.
Destroyers HOSTILE and HAVOCK departed Scapa Flow at 1800 for Rosyth to boiler clean and make good minor defects.
Destroyers ARROW and ACHERON arrived Scapa Flow at 0600. Destroyer ARROW departed at 1630 for repairs at Middlesbrough. Destroyer ACHERON departed at 1200 for the Clyde for repairs arriving at 1300/28th.
Destroyer EXPRESS was damaged while entering a lock at Immingham. The destroyer was quickly repaired at Hartlepool and returned to service.
Sloop FLEETWOOD departed Scapa Flow at 2100 for Aandalsnes.
Sloop BLACK SWAN in Romsdalfjord fired 1200 rounds of ammunition and had only 210 rounds remaining. No damage was sustained by sloop BLACK SWAN on the 27th.
Steamer EMPIRE ABILITY (7603grt) departed Greenock at 1630/23rd escorted by destroyer JANUS. Destroyers HAVANT and HAVELOCK from anti-submarine patrol relieved JANUS en route on the 24th. Destroyer JANUS arrived at Scapa Flow at 1900/25th.
Steamer EMPIRE ABILITY (7603grt), which was carrying motorized landing craft, arrived at Harstad escorted by destroyers HAVANT and HAVELOCK.
Convoys TSM.2 and FS.3 were diverted to Scapa Flow at 2129. Both convoys arrived on the 28th escorted by Escort vessels JASON and GLEANER and anti-submarine trawlers. The escort then returned to the Clyde.
Submarine CLYDE for Operation KNIFE and Polish submarine ORP ORZEŁ for patrol departed Rosyth. However, CLYDE developed engine defects and returned the same day.
Submarine CACHALOT departed Blyth for repairs at Devonport.
French submarine SYBILLE departed Harwich on patrol.
French submarine RUBIS departed Brest for Harwich.
Convoy OA.137 departed Southend escorted by destroyer WINDSOR.
Aircraft carrier ARGUS arrived at Malta from Toulon, escorted by destroyers STURDY and HMAS WATERHEN.
The aircraft carrier was under repair from 29 April to 29 May. Aircraft carrier ARGUS departed Malta on 29 May, escorted by two French destroyers. The three ships arrived at Toulon on 31 May.
Heavy cruiser KENT departed Trincomalee on escort duties.
The French Force de Raide, battleships DUNKERQUE and STRASBOURG, light cruisers GLOIRE and GEORGES LEYGUES, destroyers MOGADOR, TERRIBLE, AUDACIEUX, TIGRE, LYNX, and MARS departed Brest on the 23rd. On 24 April, destroyer TIGRE, LYNX, MARS attacked a submarine contact. The force passed Gibraltar on the 27th and arrived at Mer el Kebir later that day. French destroyers TIGRE, LYNX, and MARS arrived at Gibraltar. Destroyers TIGRE and LYNX departed later that day for Algiers, arriving 28 April. French Amiral Estava (Admiral South) transferred his headquarters from Toulon to Bizerte on the 30th.
The four Swedish destroyers passed Gibraltar en route from Cartagena to Lisbon.
German steamer KONIGSBERG (6466grt) departed Rio de Janeiro to attempt to return to Europe. En route, she was ordered to replenish armed merchant cruiser WIDDER.
“I’ll be back in November — I hope,” said President Roosevelt to a small crowd which gathered about the rear platform of his private car at Warm Springs today, when he brought to a close the shortest Spring vacation he has taken at the infantile paralysis foundation since he entered the White House. After a round of farewells to old friends at the foundation which he established, the President boarded his special train for Washington shortly after noon on a schedule that was to put him back in the White House about twenty-four hours later. Showing a healthy tan from frequent drives in his specially equipped open automobile, the President appeared to be in excellent spirits as he went up the ramp of his car. The same crowd of Warm Springs villagers who heard him say a year ago, “I’ll be back in the Fall if we don’t have a war” waited expectantly for his parting words.
He did not elaborate on his expressed hope to make his usual trip South in the Fall and there was little of political significance in the remark, since the Thanksgiving holiday for which he usually returns to Warm Springs will come after the national elections. There was no official explanation for the President’s decision to limit his vacation to eight days instead of the two weeks on which he had planned. Friends with whom he talked during the forenoon said that he was anxious to get back to Washington to be “at the center of things” as they concern the European war.
House supporters of the Wages and Hours Act admitted tonight that broad exemptions from the law would probably be voted by the House next week, despite the indications that President Roosevelt would veto drastic changes.
Governor Harold E. Stassen of Minnesota will confer with Republican congressional leaders here Monday, it was learned today, on the keynote speech he will deliver at the national convention. Senate Minority Leader McNary of Oregon has arranged a luncheon meeting with Stassen to which Senator Austin of Vermont, McNary’s assistant, and House Minority Leader Martin of Massachusetts were invited. The arrangements committee recently recommended Martin for permanent convention chairman. Several other senators whose chief interests lie in the fields of foreign, affairs, agriculture, labor legislation, and banking also are expected to attend. McNary said the conference was suggested by Stassen. He understood, he said, that Stassen hopes to get suggestions from all party factions before preparing the keynote address. McNary said none of the senate’s Republican presidential aspirants would be asked to join in the discussion, indicating he felt their presence might be embarrassing to Stassen in his announced effort to maintain neutrality in pre-convention maneuvering for delegates. Austin has been one of the few Republicans willing to go along with President Roosevelt on most of his foreign policies. He supported the administration’s successful effort to revamp the neutrality law after war broke out in Europe last fall. He said he hoped to impress on Stassen, if given the opportunity, the view that a candid statement of the party’s aims, with no “hokum” would be necessary in the keynote speech.
Attorney Thomas E. Dewey of New York is scheduled to end his five-day vacation in Colorado Springs tomorrow night and head back East on the second part of his transcontinental campaign tour.
Senator Robert F. Wagner told officers and members of the Italian Dressmakers Union, Local 89, of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union, that “reactionary forces” were seeking to scuttle New Deal legislation.
Henry A. Wallace, Secretary of Agriculture, charged here today that the American Bankers Association and “some” State banking associations are seeking to defeat the Department of Agriculture’s program to establish the 3½ percent interest rate for farm loans on a permanent basis.
British purchases in this country of war materials, including munitions, will increase “enormously” and there is no reason to fear that buying of American agricultural products will be halted.
Leaders of the third national Negro Congress split tonight on the issue of Soviet Russia and Communist party aid to the struggle of the American Black for equality of opportunity.
Officials representing the governments of seven Northeastern States recommended yesterday that the administration of work relief be returned to the States under a system of Federal grants-in-aid.
A tornado ripped through the edge of the Nebraska Sand Hills town of Arnold tonight, destroying 10 houses and breaking a woman’s leg. Earlier a twister hit a cement plant at the Kingsley dam site near Ogallala, southwest of here.
Two-way voice contact by radio beam was established for the first time late Friday night with the West Base in Little America of the United States Antarctic Service Expedition, under command of Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd.
Major League Baseball:
Rookie shortstop Lou Boudreau’s first Major League home run leads off the game against Detroit’s Hal Newhouser. He adds another + a single against Prince Hal, as Cleveland wins, 4–2.
In Philadelphia, the A’s score 7 runs in the 7th and beat the Red Sox, 8–3. Sam Chapman connects for a grand slam, off Joe Hoving.
Yankee rookie Marv Breuer makes his first Major League start and loses, 3–2, to Washington’s Ken Chase. Chase has an RBI triple and scatters 5 hits in winning. Breuer might be excused for his loss: he set the PCL record for consecutive losses in 1937 with 12.
At the Polo Grounds, the Dodgers beat the Giants, 4–1, to go to 7–0, their best start in 50 years. Hot Potato Hamlin is the winner: he beat the Giants 5 straight times in 1939.
Philadelphia Phillies 5, Boston Bees 4
St. Louis Browns 6, Chicago White Sox 2
Pittsburgh Pirates 0, Cincinnati Reds 3
Cleveland Indians 4, Detroit Tigers 2
Brooklyn Dodgers 4, New York Giants 1
Boston Red Sox 3, Philadelphia Athletics 8
Chicago Cubs 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0
New York Yankees 2, Washington Senators 3
The American Embassy in Mexico City was closed today and the Mexican reply to the note of Cordell Hull, United States Secretary of State, on the oil question was still undelivered. American circles believe it is certain that it will be delivered on Monday, but President Lazaro Cardenas left yesterday for another trip in Michoacan and will not return to Mexico City till “early next week,” with the result that it would not be surprising if the reply were still further delayed.
Inter-American Neutrality Committee meets in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Chinese military dispatches reported today that the Chinese troops had launched a major counteroffensive in Southeast Shansi Province, recapturing the towns of Lingchwan and Yangcheng as the Japanese retreated northward, leaving the battlefield strewn with their dead.
In Southwest Anhwei Province, meanwhile, the dispatches said, Japanese columns were put to rout with heavy losses in an attack on Chinese positions near Nanling, twenty-seven miles south of Wuhu. The Chinese also asserted that they had repelled attack after attack as the Japanese attempted to relieve the pressure in the direction of Nanchang in Kiangsi Province. Chinese guerrilla bands operating in this area were said to have damaged highways around Nanchang at a hundred points, wrecked six highway bridges, torn down at least 1,000 telegraph poles and killed more than 300 Japanese guards.
The Chinese Central News Agency reported that the Japanese had lost more than 1,000 men in a fierce but unsuccessful attempt to capture Loshan in South Honan Province. Chinese losses in the engagement were put at 400.
Domei, Japanese news agency, reported today that Japanese forces operating south of the Yangtze River have encircled the strategic town of Chingyang. Japanese troops are reported to be advancing on the town from Tatung in the north, from Nanling and Fanchang in the east and from Miaochen in the west, Domei reported. A Chinese retreat to the Chiuhwa Mountain range south of Chingyang was cut off, field dispatches to Domel said.
In Shansi Province, the report said, Japanese Tawara and Nishida detachments wiped out 2,000 troops of the Chinese Seventy-first Army at Taiyangtsun, twelve miles north of Tsechow.
In New Zealand, more troops embark for Egypt.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 148.12 (+0.39)
Born:
Freddie Waits, American drummer, in Jackson, Mississippi.
Naval Construction:
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boats U-567 and U-568 are laid down by Blohm & Voss, Hamburg (werk 543 and 544).
The Royal Canadian Navy corvette HMCS Nanaimo (K 101) is laid down by Yarrows Ltd. (Esquimalt, British Columbia, Canada).
The U.S. Navy Cimarron-class oiler USS Sabine (AO-25) is launched by the Bethlehem Steel Corp. (Sparrows Point, Maryland, U.S.A.).
The Вое́нно-морско́й флот СССР (ВМФ) (Soviet Navy) “ShCh” (ShChuka)-class (6th group, Type X-modified) submarine ShCh-136 is launched by Dalzavod (Vladivostok, U.S.S.R.) / Yard 202.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type 35 torpedo boat T4 is commissioned.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIB U-boat U-102 is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Kapitänleutnant Harro von Klot-Heydenfeldt.
The U.S. Navy Sims-class destroyer USS Walke (DD-416) is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Lieutenant Commander Carl Herman Sanders, Jr., USN.
History Diaries 