World War II Database

• Home
• » Events
• » Events
• » 5 Apr 1940

• British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that a German invasion of Western Europe would not be successful. ww2dbase [Neville Chamberlain | CPC]
• British submarine HMS Spearfish departed Blyth for the Danish coast in search for potential German invasion fleets for Denmark and Norway. ww2dbase [CPC]

• Song Zheyuan passed away in Mianyang County, Sichuan Province, China. ww2dbase [Song Zheyuan | Mianyang, Sichuan | CPC]

• British RAF aircraft attacked German shipping at Wilhelmshaven. ww2dbase [Bombing of Hamburg, Dresden, and Other Cities | Wilhelmshaven, Weser-Ems | TH]
• Norwegian ambassador in Berlin warned Danish and Norwegian capitals of a possible invasion, as did British intelligence. ww2dbase [Invasion of Denmark and Norway | Berlin | CPC]
• Emden conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Emden | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]
• Blücher conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Blücher | Swinemünde, Pommern | CPC]

• USS Stewart arrived at Cavite Navy Yard, Philippines for overhaul. ww2dbase [Stewart | Cavite | CPC]

• The United Kingdom informed Norway and Sweden of its intent to mine Norwegian waters; British warships departed Scapa Flow at 1830 hours for this operation. Force WB consisting of two minelaying destroyers sailed for the Norwegian coast between the towns of Bud and Kristiansund. Force WS, consisting of minelayer Teviot Bank and destroyers Inglefield, Ilex, Imogen and Isis sailed for waters off Stadtlandet, but this force would be recalled before laying any mines. Force WV consisting of minelaying destroyers Esk, Icarius, Impulsive and Ivanhoe, escorted by the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla of 4 destroyers, set sail for waters near Bodö. The operation had a covering force under Vice-Admiral William Whitworth on battlecruiser Renown and destroyers Hyperion, Hero, Greyhound and Glowworm. Glowworm turned back in heavy weather to recover a rating that was washed overboard. ww2dbase [Invasion of Denmark and Norway | Scapa Flow | Scapa Flow, Scotland | TH, HM]

5 Apr 1940 Interactive Map