October 1st, 1940 (TUESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM:Battle of Britain:
A new phase opens in which the Germans use their main bomber force almost entirely under cover of darkness. In daylight they send over only small numbers of fast Ju88s together with Messerschmitt fighters at high altitude carrying bombs, protected by further fighters above. This activity occurs every day and proves extremely difficult to deal with, but strategically is of little benefit to the Germans. At night London is bombed heavily (by an average of 150 bombers) every night of the month except one.
Corvette HMS Monkshood laid down. Corvette HMS Verbena launched.
GERMANY: U-90, U-155, U-213, U-380, U-439, U-440, U-583, U-584, U-585, U-586 laid down.
POLAND: Germany starts Operation Otto to improve road and rail links to the USSR. Slaves will provide the labour.
FINLAND: The government signs an agreement with Germany giving it sole rights to Finnish nickel exports in exchange for arms.
CHINA: The Nationalist 89th Army attacks Chen Yi's New Fourth Army at Taixing.
Weihhaiwei is occupied by the Japanese.
INDIA: Sloop INS Sutlej launched.
CHINA: The Nationalist Chinese 89th Army attacks Communist Chen Yi's New Fourth Army at Taixing. Weihhaiwei is occupied by the Japanese. (Andy Etherington)
AUSTRALIA: The Federal government introduces petrol (gasoline) rationing. The private motorist was allowed enough petrol to drive 4,000 miles (6 437 kilometers) per year, about 1,000 to 1,500 miles (1 609 to 2 414 kilometers) above the previous average mileage.
CANADA: Minesweeper HMCS Nipigon launched. Minesweepers HMCS Swift Current and Drummondville laid down.
U.S.A.: The first 160 miles (257.5 km) of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, the pioneer toll superhighway in the country, opens today. The section extends from Irwin, 15 miles (24.1 km) east of Pittsburgh, to Middlesex, 13 miles (20.9 km) west of Harrisburg. The road is built at a cost of US$61 million (US$753 million in year 2000 dollars) and the toll for the 160 mile trip for cars is US$1.50 (US$18.50 in year 2000 dollars) one way and US$2.50 (US$30.86 in year 2000 dollars) round trip.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-32 sank SS Haulerwijk.
U-38 sank SS Highland Patriot.