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• Weather data for 5 Apr 1940

• British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that a German invasion of Western Europe would not be successful. ww2dbase [Main Article | 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 [Main Article | CPC]

• Blücher conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• Emden conducted searchlight training at Swinemünde, Germany. ww2dbase [Main Article | CPC]
• British RAF aircraft attacked German shipping at Wilhelmshaven. ww2dbase [Main Article | TH]
• Norwegian ambassador in Berlin warned Danish and Norwegian capitals of a possible invasion, as did British intelligence. ww2dbase [Main Article | 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 [Main Article | Facility | TH, HM]

5 Apr 1940 Interactive Map