23 January 1940

London: Britain and France warn that they will attack German shipping encountered by their navies in the Pan-American neutral zone.

Following allegations by troop entertainers that ENSA's organisation in France is a "chaotic muddle", its officials are to report to the war office.

Jack Payne, who has just completed a three-week tour of France with his dance band says that they missed four concerts completely due to bad organisation, including their Christmas Day concert with Gracie Fields. "When we arrived in France there was no transport and no-one at the port had heard of us," he said in a press interview headlined "Sack the Lot!". Billy Cotton and his band missed their engagement because a bridge collapsed, leaving the lorry carrying their instruments on one side and the coachload of players on the other side.

There have been many complaints about the standard of entertainment offered, and Lord Haw-Haw has sneered on German radio that the troops have to be paid to attend ENSA shows. Basil Dean, who runs ENSA from the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, does not deny that mistakes have been made, but said that time was needed to perfect the service overseas. Since ENSA went to France, 383 live shows have been given, led by Gracie Fields, Leslie Henson, Will Hay and other stars.

At 2213, SS Onto struck a mine laid on 8 January by U-56 and sank within minutes 2.7 miles 251° from Smith’s Lightvessel, Cross Sand. A British destroyer and a Greek steamer rescued all hands.

At 0843, the unescorted SS Baltanglia was torpedoed and sunk by U-19 SE of the Farne Islands. The master and 27 crewmembers landed at Seahouses, Northumberland.

At 0855, SS Pluto was hit amidships by one torpedo from U-19 and sank by the bow after 14 minutes east of Longstone Island. The survivors were picked up by a Finnish vessel and taken to Seahouses.

GIBRALTAR: U.S. freighter SS Excambion, detained at Gibraltar by British authorities since 17 January, is released to proceed on her voyage to Genoa, Italy, but not before 470 sacks of mail (bound for Germany and Italy) are seized; freighter SS Excellency, detained at Gibraltar yesterday, is also released.