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Diary Of WW2 — Day 189

Mar 07, 12:00 PM

Thursday 7th March 1940

The “Coal Ships Affair.”

Following an announcement that Britain will seize any German coal being transported by sea, British warships detain six Italian colliers heading for home — where coal is rationed — in the English Channel.

The ships are anchored off the coast Kent while the authorities decide whether or not to unload the cargoes. More Italian colliers with cargoes of Rhineland coal heading for Italy are likely to be seized too.

Many Italians believe that the action over their ships is not to do with the war but a commercial move to force them to buy British coal instead of German.

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