November 20th, 1940 (WEDNESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM:CIGS to Wavell:
PM and Secretary of State for War have authorised me to send you the following:
You will have learnt from AOC-in-C strength of air forces which will be available from day to day in Egypt after approved air support to Greece has been provided. We realise how disturbing reduction of air forces must be to you, especially at this moment, but we are making every effort in our power to ensure that you have the squadrons you have estimated necessary to proceed with "Compass".
You will appreciate that developments in Greek theatre are likely to lead to further persistent demands for our assistance which will be the more difficult to resist so long as your forces are not actively engaged. Nevertheless decision as to how and when to act with regard to "Compass" must rest with you and we have full confidence in your judgement.
Birmingham: Luftwaffe raiders bombard the city in a raid lasting nine hours, London is also bombed by over a 100 planes.
RAF Bomber Command: The RAF claim that during the bombing of Bremen the liner 'Europa' "was hit squarely at her dock".
London:
There may be no marmalade for British breakfasts unless the Ministry of Food stops haggling over the price it is prepared to pay for the current crop of Seville oranges. Any further delay means that the fruit will start going bad. The dispute is over GBP 77,000, which could make the difference of a farthing to a two-pound jar of marmalade. Housewives who are waiting to make their own marmalade are getting frustrated. Extra sugar is available - but no oranges.
Destroyers HMS Airedale and Albrighton laid down.
VICHY FRANCE: Canadian envoy Pierre Dupuy arrives.
AUSTRIA: Vienna: Hungary today signed a protocol linking itself to Germany, Italy and Japan. After the ceremony, held in the Belvedere Palace, the former home of Emperor Franz Josef, the Hungarian foreign minister, Count Csaky, emphasised that this did not mean that Hungary would change its attitude towards Russia. In fact, the protocol merely regularises the existing situation in which Hungary accedes to all of Germany's demands.
Only Yugoslavia and Bulgaria hold out against German pressure to become members; the only countries in Eastern Europe and the Balkans not completely dominated by the Axis or the Soviet Union.
ITALY: The newly formed 97 Gruppo (238a and 239a Squadriglia) of the Regia Aeronautica equips with the Junkers JU87. These Squadriglia will operate on the Greek-Albanian front. (Ferdinando D'Amico)
ADRIATIC SEA: The Italian torpedo boat Cofienza sinks after a collision with the auxiliary patrol vessel Cecchi north of Brindisi.
EGYPT:
Cairo: Wavell to CIGS:
"Compass" in active preparation and forward depots already made. Main difficulties transport, spares for artillery and tanks, protection against air attack and secrecy. Can deal with first two locally as far as resources allow but air protection dependent on arrival Hurricanes in time. Am arranging to concentrate all AA artillery I can make available, taking risks elsewhere in Egypt. Shall endeavour to stage operation if air situation makes it at all possible but the less air support the larger the casualties will be and the greater the risk of failure.
EGYPT: Port Suez: The Indian Army arrives here and at Port Sudan. They bring with them cooks to prepare meals for the separate company messes for British, Hindu, Moslem, Sikh and Untouchable soldiers.
The role of these soldiers is unpopular with the Hindu majority of India where the Congress Party remains aloof from the war. Moslems, on the other hand, support the war effort. The reinforcements are welcome nonetheless. Britain has only 8,000 troops in the Sudan against Italy's 300,000.
EAST AFRICA: The RAF bomb military installations at Mai Edaga, Gura in Eritrea.
FRENCH INDOCHINA: Japanese warships and transports have arrived off Saigon, and the Japanese have demanded the right to occupy the city.
CANADA:
Corvettes HMCS Baddeck and Buctouche laid down Lauzon, Province of Quebec.
U.S.A.: Washington: The House of Representatives defeated the move of the administration to adjourn the session. By a majority of 44 votes it was decided to stay in Washington and watch Roosevelt.
Washington:
An American bomber fresh off the drawing board has penetrated not only German defences but also the complex web of US law prohibiting the supply of war material to belligerents.
Two years ago a British defence, shopping in the US, asked Lockheed for a long-range reconnaissance bomber. None existed, but the Lockheed Super-Electra airliner was adapted in 24 hours. This became the Hudson. When war began, some legal way had to be found of avoiding the infringement of US neutrality. President Roosevelt revived an 1892 law permitting the lease of army property "not required for public use" for periods up to five years.
U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson and British Minister of Supply Sir Walter Layton agree to a partial standardization of British and American military weapons and equipment. The agreement establishes a general policy of pooling British and American technical knowledge, patents, and formulas for weapons production.
PANAMA: The War Department activates the Panama Canal Air Force at Albrook Field, Canal Zone. This new unit, which is assigned to the Army's Panama Canal Department, assumes administrative and operational control of all units in the Panama Canal which were previously under the 19th Wing.