Neutrals, USA: Roosevelt proposes legislation to combat 'fifth column' activities, following exhaustive enquiries by J. Edgar Hoover and FBI.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 6, 1940

Sea War, Mediterranean: Italians lay extensive minefields in Sicilian Channel in which two British destroyers are sunk: Hostile (August 23, 1940) and Gallant (January 10, 1941).

Picture: everywhere in Britain obstacles against German paratroopers were built in this summer of 1940.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 7, 1940

East Africa: Last reinforcements (2nd Battalion Black Watch) reach British Somaliland.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 8, 1940

Air War, Battle of Britain (Day 30): Large formations of Stukas, with heavy fighter escort, make three separate attacks on 18-ship convoy in English Channel - following attack of German MTBs (1 lost), which sink 3 ships. Stukas sink 2 ships and damage 7 more. German reconnaissance aircraft active over South England. Losses: German, 31; British, 19.
RAF raids on Schiphol and Valkenburg airfields, Holland (1 aircraft lost); night raids on Hamburg docks, marshalling yards at Hamm and Soest and power station at Cologne (1 aircraft lost).
RAF and Italian fighter biplanes engaged over Western Desert (Libya). 7 Italian and 2 British (Gladiators) shot down.

Picture: old Italian Fiat CR32 biplane fighters on an airfield in Libya. The Fiat CR32 was built in large numbers and forming the major part of the Regia Aeronautica fighter force 1935-40.

Home Front, India: Lord Linlithgow, Viceroy of India, offers nationalist leaders immediate, but limited constitutional reform - with full examination of independence issue after the war.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 9, 1940

Air War: Sunderland shipyard bombed (raider shot down). Widespread night raids over Britain. RAF raid Guernsey airfield.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 1940

Air War: First flight of Macchi-Castoldi MC202 Folgore powered by imported Daimler-Benz engine - designed to replace obsolete fighters of Italian Regia Aeronautica (enters service in Libya, November 1941).

Picture: the new Italian Macchi MC202 Folgore fighter on a taxiway.

Sea War Atlantic: British armed merchant cruiser Transylvania (16,900 t) sunk by U-56 north of Ireland.

Home Front Germany: Baldur von Schirach, leader of Hitler Youth since 1933, appointed Gauleiter of Vienna. Artur Axmann becomes Youth leader.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 11, 1940

Air War, Battle of Britain (Day 33): (MAIN EVENT) Highest daily losses up now. While German fighters stage diversions over Dover, Ju88s and He111s bomb Portland and Weymouth. Me110s of elite fighter-bomber unit Erpr.Gr.210 attack convoy off Harwich. Losses: German, 35; British, 30.

Picture: Messerschmitt Bf110 over the coast of Dover.

Sea War Atlantic: Troopship Mohamed Ali el-Kebir (formerly Egyptian liner) sunk by U-boat; 120 dead.

East Africa: Battle of the Tug Argan Gap. Small British force holds mountain pass for five days against repeated attacks by strong Italian forces, supported by aircraft (British withdraw August 15-16).