September 2
Politics, Britain
Britain and the United States ratify a deal whereby 50 old destroyers, needed for convoy duties, are handed to Britain in exchange for bases in the Caribbean and Bermuda. Such exchanges will accustom the US public to aiding the Allied war effort.

September 3
Politics, Germany
The Operation Sealion landings are postponed from September 15 to the 21st. Two airborne divisions will be used to establish three bridgeheads on the south coast of England for an invasion force of nine divisions and 250 tanks.

September 7-30
Air War, Britain
Full-scale bombing raids on London - the 'Blitz' - begin with 500 bombers and 600 fighters. The RAF is initially surprised by the new German tactics, but adapts and concentrates its weakened forces against this threat. The bombing reaches its greatest intensity on the 15th, but the Luftwaffe is now suffering heavy losses, especially during its daylight raids on English cities, which are largely abandoned by the 30th. Bomber Command raids in France and the Low Countries destroy a tenth of the Nazi invasion barges on the14th-15th.

September 13-18
Africa, Egypt
An Italian force of 250,000 men under Marshal Rodolfo Graziani advances from Libya into neighboring Egypt against the British Western Desert Force of two divisions under General Sir Richard O'Connor. Graziani establishes fortified camps along a 50-mile (75-km) Front, while the British remain 75 miles (120km) to the east. British plans to attack Graziani are delayed as units are redirected to Crete and Greece, where an Italian invasion is feared.

September 15
Politics, Canada
Men aged between 21 and 24 are to be conscripted.

Politics, Soviet Union

Men aged between 19 and 20 are to be conscripted.

September 16-17
Sea War, Mediterranean
The British carrier Illustrious and battleship Valiant sink two Italian destroyers and two cargo ships at Benghazi, Libya.

Home Front, Britain

The Selective Service Bill permits the conscription of men aged between 21 and 35.

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