14 Sep 1940
- The Japanese Imperial General Headquarters gave the orders for troops to move into Indochina on 22 Sep 1940 regardless of the state of the Franco-Japanese negotiations. British intelligence intercepted this message, but it would not be deciphered until 20 Sep 1940. ww2dbase [Indochina Campaign | CPC]
- British battleships HMS Barham and HMS Resolution, several British destroyers, and French sloops Commandant Domine and Commandant Duboc arrived at the Crown Colony of Freetown in West Africa to refuel. These warships were en route to French-controlled port of Dakar. ww2dbase [British Attacks on the French Fleet | CPC]
- German anti-submarine trawler Hinrich Wesselhoft ran aground near Bergen, Norway in the Hardangerfjord. The damage was so great that she would later be scuttled. ww2dbase [CPC]
- Italian submarine Emo attacked British tanker Saint Agnes 500 miles west of Porto, Portugal with torpedo and deck gun. ww2dbase [First Happy Time | CPC]
- Adolf Hitler postponed Operation Sea Lion once again, to 17 Sep 1940. In the evening, the British RAF mounted a major attack on several launching points for the invasion of Britain, destroying several ships. ww2dbase [Adolf Hitler | CPC]
- Douglas Bader was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. ww2dbase [Douglas Bader | CPC]
- HMS Cumberland detached from convoy escort with HM Cruisers Devonshire, Australia and HM Aircraft Carrier Ark Royal to establish patrol off Cape Verde for interception of three Vichy French cruisers attempting to reach Dakar. ww2dbase [Australia | Ark Royal | Devonshire | Cumberland | DS]
- Montcalm arrived at Dakar, French West Africa. ww2dbase [Montcalm | Dakar | CPC]
- Cruiser Georges Leygues arrived at Dakar, French West Africa. ww2dbase [Georges Leygues | Dakar | CPC]
- Walter Grabmann was awarded the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross medal. ww2dbase [Walter Grabmann | CPC]
- At 1530 hours, 150 German aircraft crossed the coast for London, England, United Kingdom; another 100 approached at 1800 hours. Most bombers were unable to reach their targets due to British fighter opposition. Overnight, there was little bombing of London. ww2dbase [Battle of Britain | London, England | CPC]

14 Sep 1940 Interactive Map
Timeline Section Founder: Thomas Houlihan
Contributors: Alan Chanter, C. Peter Chen, Thomas Houlihan, Hugh Martyr, David Stubblebine
Special Thanks: Rory Curtis
Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you. Please help us spread the word: Stay updated with WW2DB: |
Search WW2DB
News
- » US Government Plans to Purge WW2 Information (17 Mar 2025)
- » WW2DB's 20th Anniversary (29 Dec 2024)
- » Wreck of USS Edsall Found (14 Nov 2024)
- » See all news
Current Site Statistics
- » 1,166 biographies
- » 337 events
- » 44,601 timeline entries
- » 1,243 ships
- » 350 aircraft models
- » 207 vehicle models
- » 376 weapon models
- » 123 historical documents
- » 261 facilities
- » 470 book reviews
- » 28,551 photos
- » 375 maps
Famous WW2 Quote
"You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs. Victory in spite of all terrors. Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival."Winston Churchill
Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!