Sunday, February 4, 1940 - Balkan states intend to stay neutral

[Louis]

In Belgrade... The Balkan Entente indicate they will remain neutral in the war between Britain, France and Germany.

In the North Sea... The minesweeper HMS Sphinx sinks a day after being bombed by German aircraft.

The Winter War... Fourteen are killed and 179 injured in heavy Soviet air raids on Helsinki and the surrounding area. A total of 141 targets (towns, rail junctions, harbors) are attacked.

 

[Louis]

In the North Sea... The minesweeper HMS Sphinx sinks a day after being bombed by German aircraft.

In January 1940 HMS Sphinx moved to Scottish waters and on 21st January 1940 she rushed to the aid of the destroyer HMS Exmouth which had been torpedoed 20 miles off Wick. There were no survivors. At about 0800 on 3rd February 1940, SPHINX, Speedwell and Skipjack commenced sweeping north of Kinnaird Head. At 0912 a bomb struck the SPHINX forward. It went through the back of the T.S. , through the front of the bridge, through the forecastle deck and burst on the Mess Deck. The explosion folded the forecastle back on to the bridge and badly crippled the whole fore end of the ship.
The Captain (Taylor) was killed outright on the bridge. Attempts were made to tow the ship. At about 0430 on 4th February a large wave struck the ship forward and she immediately capsized. Five officers and forty nine ratings were killed.
She was the first Halcyon to be lost.

halcyon-class.co.uk