14 Sep 1939 | World War II Database

14 Sep 1939

Atlantic Ocean

The new aircraft carrier, HMS Ark Royal, was operating west of the Hebrides, Scotland, United Kingdom when lookouts spotted the tracks of torpedoes passing astern. Her escorting destroyers counter-attacked and sank the German submarine U-39. ww2dbase [Ark Royal | AC]
German submarine U-39 attacked HMS Ark Royal; the torpedoes swam straight at the carrier but they prematurely detonated. ww2dbase [Start of the Battle of the Atlantic | CPC]

China

Japanese 106th Division under Lieutenant General Ryotaro Nakai engaged with Chinese 184th Division near Fengxin County, Jiangxi Province China. ww2dbase [Fengxin, Jiangxi | CPC]

United States

The world's first production helicopter, the Sikorsky VS-300, made its maiden flight. Sikorsky would go on to equip military units in both Britain and the US. ww2dbase [AC]
Aircraft carrier USS Ranger and battleships USS New York and USS Texas are designated as a striking force held in reserve at Hampton Roads, Virginia in support of destroyers and Coast Guard cutters on Neutrality Patrols in the Atlantic. ww2dbase [United States Neutrality Patrol | Texas | Louisville | Ranger | Hampton Roads, Virginia | DS]