September 17
Politics, Germany
Adolf Hitler decides to suspend Operation Sealion after Germany's failure to achieve aerial supremacy over southern England, while the General Staff inspects further plans for the invasion of the Soviet Union. General Friedrich von Paulus, deputy chief of the Army General Staff, suggests offensives toward Leningrad, Kiev, and Moscow, with the latter being the main thrust. September 20-22
Sea War, Atlantic
German U-boats launch their first successful 'Wolf Pack' operation, sinking 12 ships. In this tactic some 15-20 U-boats are deployed across the approaches to Britain. When a U-boat finds a convoy, it tracks the vessels and awaits the gathering of the entire 'Wolf Pack' for a combined attack. September 21
Politics, Australia
Prime Minister Robert Menzies wins another general election for the United Australia Party, although Labor remains the largest individual party. September 22
Far East, Indochina
Japanese forces enter the French colony after the powerless Vichy French authorities finally agree to the occupation. Some Vichy French resist the Japanese, who aim to prevent China obtaining supplies through the country. September 23-25
Sea War, Africa
A British and Free French expedition, code-named Menace, attempts to occupy Dakar, French West Africa, with naval forces, including the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal, and 7900 troops. The Free French commander Charles de Gaulle fails to reach any agreement with the Vichy authorities, whose warships open fire. The Vichy French lose a destroyer and two submarines. Prime Minister Winston Churchill cancels Operation Menace after a Free French landing fails and British vessels suffer damage from Vichy French forces. September 24-25
Air War, Mediterranean
Vichy France launches ineffective air raids on Gibraltar in retaliation for the British attack on Dakar. September 25
Politics, Norway
Nazi sympathizer Vidkun Quisling, who proclaimed himself Norway's leader following the German invasion, becomes head of the government. In reality Quisling remains a German puppet with limited authority. September 27
Politics, Axis
Germany, Italy, and Japan agree a military, political, and economic alliance that pledges each country to fight any state that declares war on an Axis nation. The Tripartite Pact specifically aims to deter intervention by the United States in Europe or Asia. prev | next |
