Britain and France declared war on
Germany. U-boat U-30 sank the passenger liner Athenia.
Sept 14:
HMS Ark Royal (the RN’s only
modern carrier) nearly lost when attacked by U-39.
Sept 17:
HMS Courageous (aircraft carrier) sunk
by U-29 in the Bristol Channel. 518 lives lost.
Oct 14:
Battleship HMS Royal Oak sunk in the
fleet base at Scapa Flow by Gunther Prien in U-47.
In October and November Doenitz made
his first attempts at group attacks. Although unsuccessful
at this time, these tactics would form the basis of the ‘wolf-packs’ later
in the war.
