In North Africa… Correctly discerning that the British forces are weakly dispersed in positions which prevent mutual support, Rommel brings his forces forward from El Agheila toward Mersa Brega. Only part of 2nd Armored Division is ready to oppose him. The bulk of the Australian Division is near Benghazi and the remainder is back at Tobruk.

In Berlin… Hitler approves the army plans for the attack on Yugoslavia, to begin on April 6th. Hitler also speaks to a conference of 250 top commanders who will have important parts in the Barbarossa operation. He makes it plain to them that the war in the east is to be conducted along different lines to any previous operation. There is to be no talk of proper “knightly” behavior and commissars and Communists are to be treated with utmost severity.

In the United States… The United States takes German, Italian and Danish ships into “protective custody,” effectively confiscating them.