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• RAF Bomber Command received orders to begin area bombing. ww2dbase [TH]
• German submarine U-32 attacked British ship Balzac in a rain storm 100 miles northwest of Ireland at 1240, but the torpedo detonated prematurely, alarming Balzac's crew, which called for support. British destroyers HMS Harvester and HMS Highlander raced from 45 miles away to attack U-32. U-32 dove, but was damaged by depth charges. At 1908 hours, U-32 surfaced in an attempt to flee, but HMS Highlander's crew was able to detect U-32 despite a stormy night. Hit by gunfire that killed 9, U-32's crew scuttled the submarine. Back in Germany, a fake news regarding U-32's triumphant return was broadcast shortly after to hide the news of the loss. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British destroyer HMS Fearless collided with British ship Lanark in stormy weather off Gourock, Scotland, United Kingdom. HMS Fearless was heavily damaged and would remain in repair until the end of the year. ww2dbase [CPC]
• British destroyer HMS Sturdy ran aground at Tiree, Scotland, United Kingdom in stormy weather; 5 men drowned while swimming ashore. ww2dbase [CPC]
• Adolf Galland claimed his 50th victory. ww2dbase [Adolf Galland | CPC]

• Jaguar and Iltis completed laying a minefield off Dover, England, United Kingdom. ww2dbase [First Happy Time | Iltis | Jaguar | English Channel | CPC]
• Alessandro Malaspina sighted an armed merchant cruiser on the horizon in the Atlantic Ocean at 0930 hours; she gave chase unsuccessfully. ww2dbase [First Happy Time | Alessandro Malaspina | CPC]

• Wing Commander J. R. O'Sullivan was ordered to form a fighter squadron at the civilian airfield at Ta' Qali, Malta. ww2dbase [RAF Takali | Ta' Qali | CPC]

• The German Luftwaffe launched two raids over southern England, United Kingdom at 1130 and 1540 hours; the Germans lost 8 Bf 109 fighters and 1 He 111 bomber, while the British lost 5 fighters with 4 pilots killed. London was bombed overnight. ww2dbase [Battle of Britain | England | CPC]
• James Lacey shot down a German Bf 109 fighter and damaged another over Britain. ww2dbase [James Lacey | CPC]

• USS R-5 was assigned to US Submarine Division 42 at New London, Connecticut, United States. ww2dbase [R-5 | New London, Connecticut | CPC]

30 Oct 1940 Interactive Map