Nonetheless, General de Gaulle and the French Empire Defence Council believe it their duty to point out that their policy and attitude to Vichy differs appreciably from the present policy and attitude of the British government.

GERMANY: U-69 commissioned.

GREECE: Italian raiders bomb Salonika, killing 200 civilians but fail to reach the Corinth Canal.

EGYPT: Wavell writes to Gen. Maitland Wilson:

"...I have instructed Lieut.-Gen O'Connor to prepare an offensive against the Italians to take place as soon as possible.

...in everything but numbers we are superior to the enemy. We are more highly trained and have better equipment. We know the ground and are better accustomed to desert conditions.. Above all we have stouter hearts and greater traditions and are fighting in a worthier cause.

...a striking success will have incalculable effect not only on the Middle East ... but of the future of freedom and civilisation... It is the best way on which we can help our Greek allies."

The operation is given the code name Compass.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Grunert requests that Philippine Army be called into Federal service and that he be sent 500 officers to train them. (Marc Small)

U.S.A.: Destroyer USS Swanson launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Attacking convoy OB-237 northwest of Ireland, U-31 is sunk for the second and final time, on this occasion by depth charges from the destroyer HMS Antelope in co-operation with shore-based aircraft of Coastal Command: the first was by a Blenheim of RAF Bomber Command on March 11th.

This time there are 2 dead and 44 survivors.