A U-boat in port

April 17
Air War, Germany
The RAF launch one of the war's most hazardous bomber raids, attacking a diesel engine factory in Augsburg. Seven of the 12 Lancaster bombers assigned to the daylight attack are lost and the other five sustain damage.

April 18
Politics, Vichy France
Pierre Laval returns to head the government; Henri-Philippe Pétain continues as head of state. Laval is eager to enhance Franco-German relations and undermines the more hesitant approach advocated by Pétain.

Air War, Japan
Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle leads 16 B-25 bombers, launched from the aircraft carrier Hornet, on a daring mission to strike targets in Japan, including the capital Tokyo.The damage inflicted by the daylight raid is secondary to the impact on Japan's leaders, who are alarmed that US aircraft can strike at the heart of their homeland. This reinforces a decision to seek a decisive engagement to destroy US naval power in the Pacific.

April 23
Sea War, Atlantic
The first 'milch cow' submarine (U-459) delivers fuel and supplies to Germany's U-boats. This supply vessel doubles the operational range of the U-boats, which are no longer restricted by having to return to base for refueling.

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