BRITAIN ABANDONS THREE-DAY SIEGE OF DAKAR; R.A.F. FIRES CALAIS, BOMBS BERLIN FOR 5 HOURS (9/26/40)

Free Republic University, Department of History presents World War II Plus 70 Years: Seminar and Discussion Forum
First session: September 1, 2009. Last date to add: September 2, 2015.
Reading assignment: New York Times articles delivered daily to students on the 70th anniversary of original publication date. (Previously posted articles can be found by searching on keyword “realtime” Or view Homer’s posting history .)
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by freepmail. Those on the Realtime +/- 70 Years ping list are automatically enrolled. Course description, prerequisites and tuition information is available at the bottom of Homer’s profile.

Selections from West Point Atlas for the Second World War
German Fighter Range and British Radar Deployment
Marcks’ Plan, August 5, 1940
The Mediterranean Basin (Map 33)
The Far East and the Pacific, 1941 – The Imperial Powers, 1 September 1939

Plus a special guest map from Michael Korda’s, “With Wings Like Eagles,” showing the air defenses of England and Wales, August 1940.

William L. Shirer, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich

Winston S. Churchill, Their Finest Hour

Spares the French – 2-3
The International Situation – 3
They Carry on in China (Mr. and Mrs. Peanut photo) – 3
Berlin is Hit Again – 4-5
Attack on London Slackens Slightly – 5
Gibraltar Bombed 2D Day by French – 6
Undersized Men May Be Accepted in Draft; Officers Say They Can Find Places for Them – 7
Texts of the Day’s War Communiques – 8

http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1940/sep40/f26sep40.htm

US expands embargo on Japan

Thursday, September 26, 1940 www.onwar.com

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

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/26.htm

September 26th, 1940

UNITED KINGDOM:

RAF Fighter Command: By day fighter-bombers gut the Woolston factory, but Spitfire production is now well dispersed.

504 Squadron is moved to Filton to provide local defence.

KG55 tries to repeat its success of yesterday. Shortly before 16:00 Raid 20H, a group of about 60 aircraft is discovered proceeding along the west side of Southampton water by radar. It then turns north-easterly heading for Southampton where, at 16:28, 27 Bf110s attack the Itchen and Woolston Vickers-Supermarine works, six dive-bombing, the remainder attacking from 14,000 feet. A quarter of an hour later, after tracking in over the New Forest, came 35 Heinkels escorted by 50 fighters to destroy the factory. Some of the 70 tons of bombs used strayed onto Dawks gas works killing 11 and injuring 16, and another 11 were killed at the docks. Twelve squadrons of fighters ordered to intercept mostly flew too high. It was left to Solent guns to challenge the raiders before four squadrons went into action - after the bombing - shooting down a He-111 and two ZG 26 Bf110s on the Isle of Wight for the loss of six aircraft and two pilots killed. Casualties at Supermarine’s were serious, nearly 100 more dying in and around the works factory, where Spitfire production and Supermarine’s heavy bomber prototype were devastated.

London: The underground Cabinet War Room suffers a hit when a bomb explodes on the Clive Steps. (Silviu G)

Losses: Luftwaffe, 9; RAF, 9.

Birkenhead, Cheshire: Mr. Norman Tunna (1908-70) - a Great Western Railway shunter, removed and extinguished two incendiary devices which had fallen onto a train laden with bombs, thereby undoubtedly preventing a catastrophe. (George Cross)

An embargo, on the export of all scrap iron and steel, to Japan is imposed today.

Corvette HMS Nasturtium commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)

FRANCE:

RAF Bomber Command: 4 Group (Whitley). Bombing - invasion fleet at Le Havre.

58 Sqn. Seven aircraft. All bombed.

77 Sqn. Eight aircraft. All bombed.

CANADA: Halifax, Nova Scotia: USS Thatcher (DD-162), commissioned as HMCS Niagara (I-57), part of the destroyers-for-bases deal. (Ron Babuka)

U.S.A.: Washington: Roosevelt announces a ban on scrap iron and steel exports to Japan and the western hemisphere, except for those to Britain and Latin America. (Marc Small)

ATLANTIC OCEAN: A few hours before reaching her base at Lorient, U-138 encountered the British submarine HMS Tribune which fired four torpedoes towards the German sub. None hit the U-boat, which escaped and reached its base.

U-137 damaged SS Ashantian and sank SS Manchester Brigade and SS Stratford in Convoy OB-218.
U-32 sank SS Darcoila, SS Tancred and damaged SS Corrientes in Convoy OB-217.
U-46 sank SS Coast Wings and Siljan in Convoy OG-43. (Dave Shirlaw)

http://worldwar2daybyday.blogspot.com/

Day 392 September 26, 1940

Battle of Britain Day 79. Mixed clouds and sunshine. Reconnaissance flights in the English Channel all day. At 4.30 PM, 100 German planes attack Southampton, doing much damage to the Spitfire factory at Woolston using both dive bombers and high level bombing. RAF claims 16 German bombers and 16 Messerschmitts shot down (although this seems high). RAF losses are 10 fighters and 3 pilots. London is bombed continuously overnight and Liverpool and towns in the Midlands are also attacked.

350 miles southwest of Ireland, U-46 sinks British SS Coast Wings at 1.53 AM (all 16 hands lost) and Swedish SS Siljan at 9.20 PM (9 killed, 18 survivors). U-46 is damaged in a near collision with Siljan and is forced to return to base.

10 miles off the Mullet Peninsula, Ireland, between 00.50 and 00.52 AM, U-137 fires 3 torpedoes at convoy OB-218 sinking British SS Manchester Brigade (44 crew and 8 Navy personnel killed, 4 crew picked up by French hospital ship Canada and landed at Gibraltar) and damaging Ashantian (4 lives lost). At 1.35 AM, U-137 sinks British SS Stratford also in convoy OB-218 (2 crew killed, 32 rescued).

400 miles West of Ireland, U-32 torpedoes British SS Corrientes at 2.34 AM (Corrientes does not sink but all 50 hands abandon ship and are picked up by Swedish MV Kolsnaren and landed at Philadelphia), sinks Norwegian MV Tancred at 8.11 AM (all 36 crew abandon ship in 3 lifeboats and are picked up next morning by Norwegian MV Tricolor and landed in New York) and sinks British SS Darcoila at 1.37 PM (all 31 crew lost). http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/563.html

Just off the German U-boat base at Lorient, France, British submarine HMS Tribune fired 4 torpedoes at U-138. U-138 is not hit and returns to base unscathed.

In the South Atlantic, 400 miles Northwest of Natal, Brazil, German armed merchant cruiser Thor uses the deck gun to sink Norwegian whaling factory ship Kosmos loaded with whale oil. Kosmos’ 89 crew are added to the 195 prisoners already aboard Thor. Thor’s captain Kahler will later be criticised for not sending this valuable cargo back to German-occupied France. http://www.uboat.net/allies/merchants/ships/563.html

Battle of Britain Campaign Diary

Date: 26th September 1940

Weather: Mainly fair to cloudy.
Day: Supermarine factory at Southampton attacked and wrecked.
Night: Raids on London and Merseyside.
Enemy action by day
A major attack by formations totalling about 100 enemy aircraft was made on Southampton at 1630 hours. Heavy bombing resulted causing severe damage to the Supermarine Works.
Fighter Squadrons intercepted and casualties were inflicted on the enemy.
At dusk, 25 enemy aircraft, originating from the Bay of Biscay, attacked Crewe.
Reconnaissances by small formations and single aircraft were made along the South Coast and inland, increasing in intensity particularly between 1600 and 1700 hours.
During the day's operations, fighters destroyed 32 enemy aircraft (plus 10 probable and 11 Damaged), and AA claim 1 destroyed (plus 1 probable and 2 damaged). Our casualties amounted to 10 aircraft with three pilots killed or missing.
East Coast
Activity in this area was confined to the morning. Enemy aircraft approached Skinningrove and Whitby where bombs are reported to have been dropped. Harwich and Orfordness were also visited.
Intense activity took place off the Dutch Coast.
South East Coast
Reconnaissances in the Estuary and over East Kent were made during the morning and 4 aircraft operating singly, penetrated to London.
Great activity prevailed in the Straits and off the French Coast.
During the afternoon, activity increased and coastal towns were bombed by single aircraft. Landfalls were made at Harwich and Hastings, the aircraft in the former case penetrating to London via Debden and Northolt and departing via Kenley and Biggin Hill.
Interceptions were attempted without conclusive results.
South and West Coasts
Between 1500 and 1700 hours, reconnaissances were made from Selsey Bill to Cornwall.
At 1630 hours, about 40 enemy aircraft approached the Isle of Wight from Cherbourg and these were followed by a second wave of bombers and fighters amounting to about 60 aircraft.
At the same time, single aircraft approached Beachy Head possibly as a diversion. The objective was Southampton where the Supermarine Works were extensively damaged. Dive-bombing as well as high-level bombing is reported. 12 Squadrons were in the air of which 8 were engaged in the defence of Southampton. No interception was made prior to the attack. 31 enemy aircraft were destroyed (plus 10 probable and 10 damaged) as a result of combats during this attack with a loss of 8 of our aircraft (plus one probable and 2 damaged).
At about 1800 hours, a reconnaissance by 3 aircraft was made over Southampton and Middle Wallop, while a further 3 aircraft came in at Christchurch.
Midlands
At 1950 hours, 23 enemy aircraft attacked Crewe having flown from the Bay of Biscay up the Irish Sea and across Wales. After leaving Crewe, the raids split up and returned via Bristol and Poole Bay.
Night Operations - 26th/27th September 1940
Enemy activity was first widespread over the whole country South of a line Liverpool to Humber. Raids did not approach London until 2030 hours and then continued until 0300 hours. A lull until 0500 hours followed when 12 further raids visited London.
1930 to 2100 Hours
40 raids crossed our Coasts originating from the Dutch Coast, Le Havre and Cherbourg and entering between Cromer-Humber, Beachy Head - Selsey and Selsey - Swanage, respectively. Many of the raids from the Dutch Coast flew due West to the Midlands. At 1950 hours, a convoy in the Firth of Forth reported that it was being attacked.
2100 to 0100 Hours
Hostile activity was continuous and was concentrated on the London area although some raids visited Liverpool, the Midlands, Cambridge, Mildenhall, Newmarket and Duxford, and enemy aircraft from Cherbourg flew coastwise from Lyme Bay to Start Point.
There was suspected minelaying in the Thames Estuary and off North Foreland.
0100 to 0600 Hours
Enemy raids originating from Dieppe and proceeding to the London area, mostly entered between Beachy Head and Folkestone. One raid entering at the Wash, penetrated inland to Digby and flew back over King's Lynn.
There was a lull from 0300 to 0500 hours and the Country was entirely clear for 1 hour, when about 12 raids - some of which were at first thought to be returning friendly bombers - came out of Dieppe and were plotted to London. These were all homing by 0450 hours and the Country was again clear by 0600 hours.
________________________________________
Statistics
Fighter Command Serviceable Aircraft as at 0900 hours, 26th September 1940
Blenheim - 56
Spitfire - 203
Hurricane - 392
Defiant - 15
Gladiator - 7

Total – 673

Casualties:

	Enemy Losses
	By Fighters
Destroyed	Probable	Damaged
10 Me109	5 Me109	1 Me109
5 Me110		2 Me110
1 Me110 (Jaguar)
	1 Do?	4 Do?
		1 Do17
13 He111	4 He111	3 He111
3 Ju88
32	10	11
	By Anti-Aircraft
1 E/A	1 E/A	2 E/A
1	1	2

Own:
10 aircraft with 3 pilots killed or missing.
Patrols:
Own
During the night of 25th/26th September - 37 patrols involving 39 sorties.
During the day of 26th September - 120 patrols involving 417 sorties.
Enemy
It is estimated that about 275 enemy aircraft operated over or near our coasts during the night 25th/26th September and 200 during the day of 26th September.
Balloons:
No report.
Aerodromes:
Grangemouth is unserviceable by night.
Organisation:
No 504 Squadron has moved from Hendon to Filton.
No 25 Squadron - whole Squadron now at North Weald.
Home Security Reports
General Summary
Date: 26th September 1940
During the day, there was no enemy air activity over the Capital but other parts of the Country were visited, the most important attacks being made on Southampton, the South Coast from Chatham to Shoreham and in the North of England at Skinningrove.
Night activity commenced at 1945 hours and was widespread over the whole country South of Liverpool.
London received the "Red" warning at 2030 hours and the "All Clear" at 0355 hours, but the warning was renewed about an hour later.
Detailed Summary
RAF Stations - 25th September
Northolt: At 2315 hours, about 5 bombs were dropped on the North-East corner of this Station. Two or three fell very close together near Barrack Block 1. The water main was broken. Another hit the North-East wall of Block 1 and at a very steep angle passed through both floors into the ground. No aircraft were damaged or destroyed.
Pembrey: At 2100 hours, a stick of incendiary bombs fell across the perimeter of the aerodrome - approximately from North-East to South-West. Fires were extinguished. Three HE were also dropped on the landing ground making craters 15 ft by 6 ft deep. One delayed action bomb exploded at 0530 hours on the 26th September. The craters have been filled in and no other damage was sustained.
RAF Stations - 26th September
Henlow, Cranfield, Harwell, Uxbridge, West Malling, Leighton Buzzard, Bramcote, Shawbury and Northolt were all attacked but in no case is any damage of importance reported.
London Area
Reports so far received indicate the damage in the London area is not so severe as on the previous night, but railway communications are affected at Carlton Hill and part of the track between Park Avenue and Palace Gate Stations is damaged. Castlehaven Road Railway Bridge is badly damaged and there is also a large fire on the Southern Railway Crystal Palace line.
In the Westminster district, one bomb fell outside the Houses of Parliament and another in front of the steps leading from King Charles Street to St James Park.
Elsewhere - 26 September
Coventry: At 1734 hours, HE and IB were dropped causing a fire and damage to the Works of the Standard Motor Co, but aircraft production will not be affected. There were 20 casualties.
Southampton: At 1628 hours, enemy aircraft attacked the town and scored direct hits on the Works of the Supermarine Aviation Co, Messrs Vickers Armstrong and the premises of the Gaslight & Coke Co. A grain warehouse on the docks was also hit.
At the Supermarine Works, there was a direct hit on two shops and production is indefinitely suspended. The casualties are estimated at 10 killed and 30 injured.
The production of the Gas, Light & Coke Co was totally suspended for a number of hours.
A warehouse full of grain was destroyed.
Portsmouth: At 0930 hours, a fire not caused by enemy action, broke out at the Works of Messrs Vosper in which a motor torpedo boat was involved causing 1,500 gallons of petrol to explode. The damage to the boat is estimated at £5,000.
Dover: At 1435 hours shell fire caused considerable damage which included 100 houses and shops. The casualties are 2 killed and 13 injured.
Enfield: At 2336 hours, a large number of incendiary bombs were dropped on the Royal Small Arms Factory causing several fires. No estimate of the extent of interference with the production has yet been reported.
Skinningrove: Four HE bombs were dropped on the Skinningrove Iron Co's Works causing damage to part of the Plant which may reduce production of pig iron by 33%.
Crewe: At about 1952 hours, HE and IB were dropped causing damage to property and Coppenhall Junction. At the latter, all four lines are reported out of action.
Birkenhead: At about 1945 hours, incendiary bombs were dropped between Central Station and Morpeth Docks and fires were started at the Great Western Railway warehouse, the Customs Offices, a theatre and shop property. The tunnel between Birkenhead Park Station and Hamilton Square Station has been damaged by a bomb.
Liverpool: At 2100 hours, HE and IB were dropped causing very considerable damage to property and starting severe fires in the Dock areas where ships and warehouses are burning. There would appear to be considerable loss of stocks of food, copra and palm kernels.
Battle of Britain

Britain Abandons Three Day Siege of Dakar

Just the latest in the long line of Churchill's failed amphibious assaults.

I predict that he will continue to try. And fail.

I have been testing my 3rd generation Kindle’s browser with this thread.

Is there anyone else doing the same? I am have some better than expected results -

I have been testing my 3rd generation Kindle’s browser with this thread.

For the benefit of the technologically challenged (ahem) would you please explain. I thought a Kindle was a device sold by Amazon that displays printed material from some type of ROM. It must be more than that.

The article says yesterday was the anniversary, but it is dated Sept. 27. So that makes it today.

The last pitched battle on English soil.