Westminster: Chamberlain asks the Labour Party to join him in a coalition government.

Hugh Dalton's diary records that Labour leader, Clement Attlee, prefers Lord Halifax as a successor to Chamberlain over Winston Churchill. (148 p.90)

RAF Bomber Command: 4 Group. 77 Sqn. Five aircraft sent to Norway, all recalled.

The Air Ministry makes the following announcement:

‘Shortly before midday to-day (Thursday) fighter aircraft of the Royal Air Force intercepted an enemy aircraft off the North-East Coast of Scotland and shot it down into the sea...

It was later learned how the RAF Fighter Command pilots tried to save one of the crew of the German machine who had jumped by parachute. The enemy airman fell into the sea about 14 miles from land. The British pilots, circling above him in their Hurricanes, saw him remove his parachute and begin to swim. They reported the position by radio-telephone and a launch was immediately dispatched. Flying to and fro between the launch and the swimming German, they directed the rescue, but when the launch reached the enemy airman he was dead’

The Times.

NORTH SEA: At 0014, submarine FS Doris was torpedoed and sunk NW of the Dutch Coast by the German submarine U-9.

FRANCE:

The Prime Minister, Paul Reynaud, threatens to resign in order to secure the removal of Maurice Gamelin, the force’s Supreme Commander, who is backed by Daladier.

MAP

Le Figaro reported from Paris:

The role of the German Luftwaffe in reinforcing and supplying their combat forces in Norway, has surpassed the boldest expectations.

Thus it has proved possible to supply large units with daily arms and provisions by air. These operations were greatly facilitated by the use of Danish departure bases, and the previous occupation of Norwegian landing fields. So we are justified in fearing, like the Dutch, that small groups of daring parachutists will try to seize landing fields during the night, and to sow disarray behind the lines, in the countryside or small isolated towns, acting in consort with troops subsequently dropped by transport plane.

To obviate this danger, one cannot stress too strongly that every parachutist and every transport plane that lands at night in isolated spots, should be considered suspect, regardless of what uniform or costume is worn by the occupants.

In such cases the first duty of a citizen is to immediately inform the nearest military authority (the local army post, or gendarmerie). Moreover, the unknown persons must be prevented from leaving the landing place despite any protests that may make, and one must not hesitate to use force if they offer resistance. If they are genuine French or Allied aviators, they will be the first to understand such security measures.

BELGIUM:

The government declares a state of emergency and puts the army on alert following increasing tension and German troop movements.

GERMANY:

Jodl notes in his diary: "Fuhrer decides on attack for May 10 for sure. Departure with Fuhrer train at 17.00 from Finkenkrug. After report that weather situation will be favourable on the 10th, the code word ‘Danzig’ is given at 21.00 hours."

NORWEGIAN CAMPAIGN: (Mark Horan) Greenock: The 18 Hurricane Is of 46 Squadron, RAF, begin their transit flight to the Clyde. After landing, the aircraft are trucked to the docks, placed on barges, and throughout the day are loaded onto HMS Glorious, which is taking on provisions, ordnance, stores and supplies, for transfer to Norway. 

HMS Sparrowhawk (RNAS Hatston): With 806 Squadron newly operational, the base commander, Acting Captain C. L.  Howe re-institutes the attacks on shipping at Bergen. Lt. C. P. Campbell-Horsfall, RN leads 8 Skuas depart RNAS Hatston, each armed with a single 500 lb SAP bomb. They are joined by 6 Blenheim fighters of Coastal Commands 254 Squadron, each armed with 8 x 20 lb Cooper bombs. Even at this late date, the Germans have been unable to get a substantial amount of AA to Bergen, and the attack meets little opposition. One hit is obtained on a docked merchant vessel, an oil tank is hit, and several small warships are strafed in the harbour. One Blenheim (L9482:B Flight Lieutenant Alick Charles Heath, RAF 37173 (P), Lt.(A) Robin Baillie Nuthall, RN (O), Sgt. Stanley Arthur Nicholls, RAFVR 749976 ) and crew is lost to fire from 6.Batterie/Flakregiment 33, and Skua L3014, damaged by Flak as well, was wrecked on landing though the crew, Petty Officer Airman A. Jopling, RN D/Jx.135989 (P) and Naval Airman first class K. L. Jones, RN Jx.152768 (AG) were okay.

At sea off Narvik: 

Besides maintaining standing fighter patrols over the Harstad area, per the request of Flag Officer Narvik, HMS Ark Royal is planning a strike on German positions at Nordalsbroen, Hundalien and Sildvik. 

At 0805, Capt. N. R. M. Skene, RM led off nine Swordfish of 810 Squadron, each armed with 4 x 250 lb and 8 x 20 lb bombs. Almost immediately things started going wrong; three aircraft had to abort, one of which, 2B, could not make it back to the ship and force-landed, the crew, Lieutenant. A. W. Stewart, RN (P), Midshipman(A) G. T. Shaddick, RN (O), and Leading Airman H. W. V. Burt, RN (AG),  being rescued by an escorting destroyer. The force was escorted by a section of three Skuas of 800 Squadron (Lt. K. V. V. Spurway, RN). The fighters were to see the Swordfish through, then patrol of the area.  

Weather conditions were less than spectacular, though the other Swordfish were able to push on and bomb the targets assigned. The Skuas, meeting no aerial opposition, began the patrol in failing weather. When they departed for home, 6H:L3055 became separated and was forced to find alternate arrangements, force-landing at Spionkop. The crew Midshipman(A) C. Treen, RN (P) and Naval Airman A. E. T. Goble, RN (AG), having already survived one landing in Norway again) destroyed the aircraft, then trekked overland to HMS Bedouin. 

At 0905 the fleet reported a shadower, and the ready section of two Skuas from 800 Squadron were immediately dispatched, but no contact was made The strike planes (less 6M) were safely aboard at 1145, at which point weather conditions caused the suspension of further air operations.