Rumania joined the Tripartite Pact. Rumania joined the Tripartite Pact with Germany, Japan, Italy, and Hungary. Ion Antonescu of Rumania signed the Tripartite Pact in Berlin, Germany. Rumania entered the German-Italian-Japanese-Hungarian axis today and thus the German march to the east moved bloodlessly on to within 250 miles of the Dardanelles. It was rumored that Slovakia would sign up tomorrow as No. 6 in that extraordinary alliance. Bulgaria is expected to sign early next week. Rumania adds its assent to the Tripartite Pact, which now should be called the Quintipartite Pact — which actually flows, especially if you way it with a lilting Swedish accent — but nobody calls it that. This group of nominal allies is commonly called the Axis now. Ion Antonescu, who meets Adolf Hitler for the first time during this state visit, and Premier Dr. Tuka sign on behalf of Rumania. There are subtle distinctions made between the pact’s signers, with it made clear that the original three signers are the main partners in the enterprise.
The Battle of Morava–Ivan ended in Greek victory.
CIC of the Greek Army Papagos meets with General Tsolakogolu, head of the Greek Army III corps which has taken Korçë (Korytsa). Papagos fears that the troops are tired and need rest. Tsolakogolu insists that the advance continue and recommends that a select group of Greek units be dispatched from those who have taken Koritza to chase the Italians north. Among this specially chosen group are several heavy artillery regiments.
With the fall of Korçë on the 22nd, Italian leader Benito Mussolini is pressured on 23 November 1940 by Marshal Badoglio and General Mario Roatta to reverse an order he had given in early October for partial demobilization of the Italian military. In fact, this need for additional troops not only in Albania but in North Africa is not only necessary, it is becoming overwhelming. While the Egyptian front has settled down into a garrison routine, there is no guarantee that it will stay that way.
Greek I and II Corps complete the removal of the remaining troops from Greek territory today. The Greek K Group on the Korçë plateau continue moving forward in an effort to capture the entire plateau, which opens the way to central Albania via the valley of the Devoll River. However, the main axis of advance now begins to shift from this area to the left flank, where the important Italian supply port of Valona appears vulnerable. The Greeks conduct some small amphibious landings behind the Italians which add to their confusion. The Italians in that sector retreat in a disorganized fashion, losing equipment.
The Greek Liuba Detachment captures Megali Rahi in the Thesprotia sector, and the Greek 2nd Infantry Division reaches the Albanian border in the Negrades sector.
An Exchange Telegraph (British news agency) dispatch tonight from Athens said the Italians had abandoned Pogradetz, an Albanian town 20 miles north of Greek-captured Koritza. The Italian withdrawal was said to have been made in an effort to assemble new defense lines on the Shkumbl river, about 10 miles to the west.
The Belgian government in exile declared war on Italy. Belgian Congolese forces would now co-ordinate with the British to fight the Italians in Africa.
It is a long and terrible day at sea in the Atlantic Ocean. German U-boat U-100 attacks Allied convoy SC.11, 100 miles off Ireland throughout the day, sinking 6 ships totaling 24,601 tons and killing 119. Meanwhile, German U-boat U-123 attacks Allied convoy OB.244, 250 miles west of Ireland between 0416 and 0914 hours, sinking 4 ships totaling 20,885 tons and killing 119. After one of the attacks, U-123 collided with one of the sinking ships, damaging the periscope and conning tower, forcing her to sail for Lorient, France for repairs.
The German authorities order all Jewish professors and civil servants in the Netherlands to be fired.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill received information on the status of the French battleships Richelieu and Jean Bart through channels by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Telegram from Churchill to Roosevelt:
“…the situation in Spain is deteriorating and … not far from starvation point. An offer by you to dole out food month by month so long as they keep out of the war might be decisive. … The occupation by Germany of both sides of the Straits would be a grievous addition to our naval strain. … With a major campaign developing in the Eastern Mediterranean and need of supply and reinforcement of our armies all round the Cape we could not contemplate any military action on the mainland at or near the Straits. … Gibraltar will stand a long siege, but once in Morocco the Germans will work South and U-boats and aircraft will soon be operating from Casablanca and Dakar. (Within range of South America).”
RAF pilot Guy Gibson (22) weds show dancer and actress Eve Moore in Penarth’s Anglican Church.
German bombers attacked Southampton, England, United Kingdom overnight, damaging British troopship Llandovery Castle and paddle minesweeper Duchess of Cornwall. 77 were killed and more than 300 injured. The Luftwaffe sends 120 bombers against Southampton, causing fires all across the city. Some bombers also make it to London. The Germans lose four planes. The Italians contribute with an attack by Caproni BR 20M bombers. The RAF has no difficulty with the Italian CAI, shooting down seven of the lumbering bombers.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 70 aircraft overnight to widespread targets. 4 aircraft — 2 Whitleys, 1 Blenheim, 1 Wellington — lost. 3 Hampdens laid mines in the Elbe. Bomber Command raids railway installations in Berlin, Dortmund and Leipzig, the inland port at Duisburg-Ruhrort, canal installations at Cologne, the Krupp factory at Essen, oil installations at Dortmund and Wanne Eickel, and various Luftwaffe airfields in northwest Europe.
Coastal Command chips in with attacks on seaplane bases.
RAF squadrons completed their deployment from their bases in the Middle East to Greece under the command of Air Vice-Marshal John H. D’Albiac to support the Greece against Italian attacks.
The RAF also raids Turin in northern Italy, apparently involving planes from Malta. Nine Wellington bombers arrive in Malta today, so possibly it is a shuttle raid from England. The RAF is quite tight-lipped about the use of Malta for offensive operations, not wishing it to rise on the Axis priority list.
At Malta, the Italians stage two major air raids on the island’s RAF airfields. During the morning, five Italian bombers attack the new RAF field at Ta Qali. The second raid, in the afternoon, hits Luqa airfield and the nearby Marsa area.
RAF Air Vice-Marshal John H. D’Albiac is in command of strong forces in Greece now. His mission, for the time being, is to protect Greece from Italian air attacks.
The first Handley Page Halifax arrives at RAF No. 35 Squadron (Bomber Command) for familiarization purposes.
U-100, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Joachim Schepke, in attacks on convoy SC.11 sank British steamer Justitia (4562grt) in 55‑00N, 13‑10W, British steamer Bradfyne (4740grt) and Norwegian steamer Bruse (2205grt) in 55‑04N, 12‑15W, Dutch steamer Ootmarsum (3628grt) in 55‑00N, 12‑00W, Norwegian steamer Salonica (2694grt) in 55‑16N, 12‑14W, British steamer Leise Mærsk (3136grt) in 55‑30N, 11‑00W, and Dutch steamer Bussum (3636grt) in 55‑39N, 08‑58W.
At 0018 hours the Justitia (Master David L. Davies) in convoy SC.11 was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-100 and sank about 160 miles west of Bloody Foreland, Co. Donegal. The master and 12 crew members were lost. 25 crew members and one gunner were picked up by HMS Enchantress (L 56) (Cdr A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN) and landed at Liverpool. The 4,562-ton Justitia was carrying timber, steel, general cargo, and turpentine and was bound for London, England.
At 0101 hours the Ootmarsum (Master J. de Vries) in convoy SC.11 was hit by one torpedo from U-100 from a distance of 600 metres and sank by the bow immediately. She sank so fast the convoy commodore was not even aware that the ship had been sunk. The 3,628-ton Ootmarsum was carrying iron ore and was bound for Newport, England.
At 0117 hours the Bradfyne (Master Rupert Greville Vanner) in convoy SC.11 was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-100 and sank southeast of Rockall. The master, 37 crew members and one gunner were lost. Four crew members in a lifeboat were picked up two days later by the Norse King and landed at Belfast. The 4,740-ton Bradfyne was carrying grain and was bound for Belfast, Ireland.
At 0414 hours the Bruse (Master Ole Brekke) in convoy SC.11 was hit by one torpedo from U-100 and broke in two. Five survivors, including the master were picked up by the HMCS Skeena (D 59). The afterpart sank, but the forepart was found a few days later with the cargo intact and was subsequently towed to shore and unloaded, but she was beyond repair and was delivered for breaking up at Troon in June 1941. The 2,205-ton Bruse was carrying lumber and was bound for Ipswich, England.
At 0436 hours the Salonica (Master Ole G. Økland) in convoy SC.11 was hit on the port side amidships by one torpedo from U-100. The explosion killed two men on watch below and blew away the port lifeboat. When 16 men launched the starboard boat in rough seas, it capsized when reaching the water throwing all men into the sea. Two men managed to get back on the vessel and later abandoned ship together with seven other survivors in the workboat to row to HMCS Skeena (D 59) (LtCdr J.C. Hibbard, RCN). Seven men swimming in the water from the starboard lifeboat were rescued by HMS Enchantress (L 56) (Cdr A.K. Scott-Moncrieff, RN). The 2,694-ton Salonica was carrying pit props and was bound for Newcastle, England.
At 0802 hours the Leise Mærsk (Master Peter Konge Mortensen) in convoy SC.11 was torpedoed and sunk by U-100 about 120 miles west of Rockall. The master and 16 crew members were lost. Seven crew members were picked up by a Dutch salvage tug and landed at Campbeltown. The 3,136-ton Leise Mærsk was carrying grain and general cargo and was bound for Sharpness, England.
Canadian destroyer HMCS Ottawa rescued the crew of steamer Bussum. Sailing with Convoy SC.11, the Dutch steam merchant Bussum was torpedoed and sunk by the U-100 approximately 90 miles west of Tory Island, Ireland. Of the ship’s complement, all 29 survived and were picked up by the Canadian destroyer HMCS Ottawa. The 3,636-ton Bussum was carrying grain and was bound for Belfast, Ireland.
The escorts depth-charge Schepke’s boat after he gets his final victim, but U-100 gets away with minor damage.
U-123, commanded by Kapitänleutnant Karl-Heinz Moehle, in attacks on convoy OB.244 sank British steamer Oakcrest (5407grt) in 53‑00N, 17‑00W, British steamer King Idwal (5115grt) in 56‑44N, 19‑13W, British steamer Tymeric (5228grt) in 57‑00N, 20‑30W, and Swedish steamer Anten (5135grt) in 56‑57N, 18‑18W.
At 0416 hours the Oakcrest (Master Samuel George Dyer), a straggler from convoy OB.244, was hit underneath the bridge by one torpedo from U-123 and sank within six minutes about 250 miles west of Rockall. The master and 34 crew members were lost. Six survivors landed on Barra Island, Hebrides. The 5,407-ton Oakcrest was carrying ballast and was bound for New York, United States.
At 0712 hours the King Idwal (Master Richard Storm) in convoy OB.244 was torpedoed and sunk by U-123 about 158 miles west of Rockall. 12 crew members were lost. The master and 27 crew members were picked up by HMS Sandwich (L 12) (Cdr M.J. Yeatman, RN) and landed at Liverpool on 27 November. The 5,115-ton King Idwal was carrying ballast and was bound for Baltimore, Maryland.
At 0815 hours the Tymeric (Master Thomas Fraser) in convoy OB.244 was hit by a stern torpedo from U-123 and sank in flames after 17 minutes about 350 miles west-northwest of Malin Head. 71 crew members were lost. The master and four crew members were picked up by HMS Sandwich (L 12) (Cdr M.J. Yeatman, RN) and landed at Liverpool. The 5,228-ton Tymeric was carrying coal and was bound for Buenos Aires, Argentina.
At 0914 hours the Anten in convoy OB.244 was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-123 and was abandoned by the crew. The survivors were picked up by HMS Sandwich (L 12) (Cdr M.J. Yeatman, RN) and landed at Liverpool on 27 November. The wreck sank two days later in 57°15N/17°40W. The U-boat had tried to finish off the torpedoed ship, but it collided submerged with an object, probably another wreck or debris. Both periscopes and the conning tower were damaged and forced U-123 to break off the patrol and return to Lorient. The 5,135-ton Anten was carrying ballast and was bound for Capetown, South Africa.
Battlecruiser HMS Hood and destroyers HMS Escapade, HMS Cossack, HMS Sikh, and HMS Eskimo departed Scapa Flow at 1730 to cover minelaying by the 1st Minelaying Squadron escorted by light cruiser HMS Aurora which also departed Scapa Flow on the 23rd.
Destroyer HMS Keppel departed Scapa Flow at 1535 to rendezvous with Rear Admiral Minelayers five miles 030° from Butt of Lewis at 2045.
During the night of 22 November, minelayer HMS Port Napier’s port propeller was fouled by the cable of collier Balmaha. The minelayer was unable to proceed on the minelaying operation.
Minelayers HMS Southern Prince, HMS Agamemnon, HMS Menestheus, and HMS Port Quebec departed Loch Alsh on the 23rd, escorted by destroyers HMS Bath and HMS St Albans. Minefield SN.11 was laid off the southern tip of Iceland in the Denmark Strait. The minelayers returned to Loch Alsh on the 26th.
Minelayer HMS Port Napier was lost in a fire in Loch Alsh in 57‑17N, 5‑44W on the 27th.
Destroyer HMS Keppel was detached to arrive for refueling in Iceland at 0305/27th. Destroyers HMS Bath and HMS St Albans refueled at Iceland on the 27th. The covering force was joined by destroyer HMS Keppel arrived back at Scapa Flow at 0830/29th.
Anti-aircraft ship HMS Alynbank relieved Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Curacoa at 1115 in convoy EN.30. Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Curacoa proceeded to Scapa Flow arriving at 1845.
Sloop HMS Sandwich rescued the survivors from steamers King Idwal and Anten.
British tug Bonaparte (38grt) was sunk by German bombing at Southampton, near Northam Bridge.
British drifter New Comet (245grt) was sunk on a mine 3000 yards 072° from Tyne Point War Signal Station. The drifter was beached inside the river entrance. The was refloated but sank during the night of 27/28 February 1941.
British drifter Sailor King (41grt) was sunk on a mine off Brightlingsea.
British troopship Llandovery Castle (10, 640grt) was damaged by German bombing at Southampton.
British steamer Duchess of Cornwall (302grt) was damaged by German bombing alongside Royal Pier, Southampton. Steamer Duchess of Cornwall had been hired as a paddle minesweeper. She was not handed over because of this damage.
Destroyers HMS Havock and HMS Hasty, which departed Alexandria on the 22nd for an anti-submarine sweep, arrived back in time to depart with the Fleet.
In Operation MB 9, Force C of Battleships HMS Malaya and HMS Ramillies, aircraft carrier HMS Eagle, light cruisers HMS Orion, HMAS Sydney, and HMS Ajax, and destroyers HMS Hyperion, HMS Havock, HMS Hasty, HMS Ilex, HMS Gallant, HMS Dainty, and HMS Diamond departed Alexandria to cover the movement of convoy MW.4 of steamers Breconshire, Memnon, Clan Ferguson, and Clan Macaulay escorted by Force D.of anti-aircraft cruisers HMS Calcutta and HMS Coventry and destroyers HMAS Vampire, HMAS Vendetta, HMAS Voyager, and HMS Greyhound. Force C arrived at Suda Bay for refueling at 0800/24th.
Heavy cruiser HMS Berwick departed Alexandria later in the day and joined Force C off Suda Bay on the 24th.
Corvettes HMS Salvia, HMS Peony, HMS Gloxinia, and HMS Hyacinth arrived at Gibraltar from England.
Destroyers HMS Jaguar and HMS Kelvin arrived at Gibraltar from Plymouth and temporarily joined the 8th Destroyer Flotilla. Destroyer Kelvin had a number of British and other passengers from Casablanca whom had been removed from Portuguese steamer Mira Azul off Cape Spartel.
Convoy OB.248 departed Liverpool escorted by destroyers HMS Verity and HMS Witherington, sloop HMS Folkestone, and corvettes HMS Arbutus and HMS Camellia. The escort was detached on the 26th.
Convoy FS.343 departed Methil, escorted by destroyers HMS Wallace and HMS Westminster. The convoy arrived at Southend on the 25th.
A Greek convoy of nine ships, escorted by six destroyers, departed Candia for Piraeus.
Convoy BN.9A departed Aden, escorted by destroyer HMS Kimberley. Sloop HMAS Parramatta joined on the 24th. Both ships were detached on the 25th. Sloop HMS Grimsby joined on the 27th and arrived at Suez with the convoy on the 28th.
The selection of Admiral William D. Leahy, retired, as ambassador to France was announced today by President Roosevelt. Leahy, who climaxed a 42-year career in the navy by serving as chief of naval operations from 1937 to 1939, has been governor of Puerto Rico since his retirement a year ago. The resignation of William O. Bullitt, present ambassador to France, has been in the president’s hands since November 7. Its acceptance becomes a matter of course. Whether Bullitt would be offered another government position or would return to private life, the White House was not prepared to say. It had not been determined, either, when Leahy’s nomination would be sent to the Senate. Presumably, he will be allowed time to wind up his affairs in Puerto Rico. Mr. Roosevelt had asked Gen. John J. Pershing to become envoy to France because of his close friendship during the World war with Marshal Henri Petain, head of the Vichy government. Pershing’s doctors forbade him to accept. Dispatches from Vichy said officials there were “delighted” with the president’s choice of Leahy, and that his selection marked the sincere friendship of the president for France.
British Ambassador Lord Lothian returns to New York from a spell in London. At a press conference, he warns the US government that Great Britain’s gold and dollar reserves are not limitless and that the UK may require some kind of financial assistance as soon as the coming year. So far, US assistance to Great Britain has been on a “cash and carry” basis, but that cannot last forever because wars are expensive, and even England’s bank accounts are not limitless.
It is not so much what Lord Lothian has to say, but how he says it, that makes news. Not always the most tactful fellow, Lord Lothian simply tells the assembled journalists: “Well, boys, Britain’s broke; it’s your money we want.” This causes turmoil in the financial markets (the pound sterling drops), and the remark is trumpeted by the Reich media. However, what he says essentially is accurate, and getting it out in the open may create some short-term headaches, but it also “clears the air” and sets in motion serious planning in Washington for how to carry England financially for the remainder of the war.
Separately, President Roosevelt cables British Prime Minister Winston Churchill about the unsuccessful negotiations for the French battleships which Petain refuses to sell to the US.
Attorney General Robert H. Jackson, accusing Representative Martin Dies, Texas Democrat, of seeking to “undermine public confidence in the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” tonight disclosed that G-men have uncovered Communist efforts to foment labor strife at the Vultee Aircraft Corp. plant in Downey, California. Jackson, referring to a statement by the chairman of the house committee investigating un-American activities that the group would inquire into the labor disturbance at the Vultee plant, said: “The Federal Bureau of Investigation already has investigated this strike and has supplied confidential reports to the War and Navy Departments and to the National Defense Commission.”
Simultaneously with the arrival of a federal labor conciliator, the executive board of a striking C.I.O. local at the strategic Aluminum Company of America plant today charged the company with “full responsibility for the walkout and for holding up the national defense program.” The U. S. Department of Labor mediator, E. C. McDonald, arrived late today in the western Pennsylvania town of New Kensington to attempt to settle the dispute that closed the vast plant making airplane metal and other defense necessities. The strike began early yesterday as a union protest against the company’s refusal to dismiss one man, a sheet mill worker the union has charged threatened a union official during a dispute over dues. The company has declined comment.
The U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board today authorized the Lockheed Aircraft Corp to purchase for $1,500,000 the Union air terminal at Burbank, California. In the transaction Lockheed will acquire from United Air Lines Transport Corp. all the capital stock of United Airports Company of California Ltd. which owns the Burbank terminal. Lockheed and its subsidiary, Vega Airplane Co., will use the facilities at the terminal as a flight base in connection with the manufacture, servicing, delivery and testing of planes.
A request that the production of commercial transport planes in the aircraft factories of this country be stopped and that the facilities now being used for their fabrication be devoted to the building of war planes has been made to the Priorities Board of the National Defense Advisory Commission by the War Department, it was learned here yesterday. Earlier this week the Priorities Board met in Washington and it is understood that so many ramifications to the request of the War Department arose at that time that the members of the board could not reach a decision. It is thought that the board finally decided to pass the matter on to President Roosevelt for final decision. The Douglas Aircraft Company at Santa Monica, California, and the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation at Burbank, California, both of which have large orders for war planes from the United States Government and Britain, would be most affected by the proposed move. These two companies build practically all of the aircraft used on domestic airlines in this country and have supplied the airlines of many foreign nations with commercial planes. The Boeing Aircraft Company at Seattle, Washington, recently developed and started production of a four-engine landplane used on at least two airlines of the United States.
Ford delivers its Pygmy Jeep prototype on November 23, 1940, for tests, along with an identical chassis mounting a body from the Budd Company. The Ford Pygmy, like the previously delivered Willys prototype Jeep, is based on the original Bantam Jeep. The Pygmy uses a mix of Spicer axles and transfer cases, combined with a modified Model-A three-speed and a Ford 119ci four-cylinder engine. Willys is generally acknowledged as the creator of the Jeep, but Ford has at least as much of a hand in the final design — while Bantam, of course, got it pretty much right before both of them. If Ford had delivered its own design, the Pygmy, ten days earlier, with the Willys prototype, it might be considered the “inventor” of the Jeep.
Roaring flash floods fed by unprecedented torrents of rain in eastern Texas today inundated businesses and homes in two cities, washed out bridges and blocked highways with high water. Palestine, Texas, was deluged with an 11-inch rainfall that sent water surging into businesses. Five city blocks in Nacogdoches were covered with water from 25 inches to 5 feet deep. Rainfall there at noon totaled 11 inches. Half a dozen residences were under water, but principal damage in Nacogdoches was to places of business along a cross-town creek where the water surged into low places downtown. There were no reports of loss of life, but the heavy rainfall continued at both places. The cloudbursts were part of general precipitation over much of Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Arkansas, brought on by the southward movement of a mild cold wave meeting warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico. One inch of snow fell at Boise City in the Oklahoma Panhandle, and a freezing rain fell at Amarillo in northwest Texas.
U.S. Navy heavy cruiser USS Augusta departs from Honolulu to scout in the northern Hawaiian chain of islands (which extends all the way to Midway) due to reports of Japanese activity in the area.
After yielding two touchdowns in the first seven minutes of play, Pennsylvania came back to gain a two-point decision over Cornell, 22–20, in a see-saw game seen by a crowd of 79,935. Their contest was the feature of a college football day marked by meetings of traditional rivals. At the Yale Bowl 47,000 saw Harvard overpower the Elis, 28–0, in the fifty-ninth game of their series. Princeton meanwhile beat Army, 26–19, in a high-scoring encounter, Columbia topped Colgate, Dartmouth subdued Brown and Lafayette swamped Lehigh, Boston College took the measure of Auburn, 33–7, for its ninth straight triumph. Manhattan lost to Holy Cross. Tom Harmon scored 22 points and led Michigan to a one-sided 40–0 victory over Ohio State. Notre Dame was defeated by Northwestern, 20–0.
Further heavy movements of Japanese troops southward were reported today by Chinese dispatches, which said 20,000 troops were moving out of the Yangtze river valley to Shanghai for transportation to Formosa.
Japanese 11th Army began to prepare for an offensive in Hubei Province, China. The army was organized into five groups under the overall command of Lieutenant General Waichiro Sonobe.
Plans for creating a supreme economic council and unifying all productive activities of the Japanese Empire on totalitarian lines under State control were announced today in Tokyo.
The Japanese Imperial Navy cruiser Nachi arrived at Sasebo, Japan.
Churchill confers with the First Lord of the Admiralty and the First Sea Lord. They reach a decision to maintain a strictly defensive posture in Singapore and Hong Kong.
The U.S. Army Air Corps 20th Pursuit Squadron arrives in the Philippines from Hamilton AAF, the first USAAC pursuit unit added to the Philippine Department since 1919.
Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet (Admiral Thomas C. Hart) shifts his flag from heavy cruiser Augusta (CA-31) to sister ship Houston (CA-30) at Manila, P.I.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 131.47 (-0.27)
Born:
Luis Tiant, MLB pitcher (MLB All-Star 1968, 1974, 1976; Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels), in Marianao, Cuba (d. 2024).
Billy Ott, MLB pinch hitter and outfielder (Chicago Cubs), in New York, New York (d. 2015).
Albert Gursky, NFL linebacker (New York Giants), in West Reading, Pennsylvania.
Died:
Billy Jones, 51, American singer and co-star of “The Happiness Boys” radio program.
Naval Construction:
The Royal Canadian Navy Bangor-class (VTE Reciprocating-engined) minesweeper HMCS Burlington (J 250) is launched by the Dufferin Shipbuilding Co. (Toronto, Ontario, Canada).
The U.S. Navy 70-foot Elco patrol motor torpedo boat USS PT-16 is launched by the Electric Launch Company Ltd. (Elco), (Bayonne, New Jersey, U.S.A.).
The former Royal Netherlands Navy submarine HNLMS O-26 is launched by Wilton-Feijenoord (Schiedam, Holland), by the German occupation forces. The unlaunched submarine had been captured during the May 1940 invasion. She will enter Kriegsmarine (German Navy) service as U-D4.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boat U-77 is launched by Bremer Vulkan-Vegesacker Werft, Bremen-Vegesack (werk 5).
The Royal Canadian Navy Flower-class corvette HMCS Barrie (K 138) is launched by the Collingwood Shipyards Ltd. (Collingwood, Ontario, Canada).
The U.S. Navy Gleaves-class destroyers USS Edison (DD-439) and USS Ericsson (DD-440) are launched by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Kearny, New Jersey, U.S.A.).
The Royal Navy Fairmile B-class motor launch HMS ML 159 is commissioned.
The Royal Navy Fairmile B-class motor launch HMS ML 168 is commissioned.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boat U-70 is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Kapitänleutnant Joachim Matz.
History Diaries 