Over Britain… During the night of April 19-20th, a very heavy German bombing raid of London takes place with about 700 Luftwaffe planes being involved.

In Iraq… A British convoy begins to land troops from the 20th Indian Brigade at Basra. A small British contingent has already been sent in by air to protect the air base at Shaibah, near Basra. By the treaty of 1930 the British are entitled to send troops across Iraq to and from Palestine and with no prospect of immediate German help of any size Rashid Ali's new government cannot object at first to the British landings. In diplomatic exchanges they unsuccessfully oppose any addition to the British force.

In Britain… The first registration of women for war work under a new Employment Order begins.

In the Balkans… Wavell is in Athens to meet General Wilson and General Blamey, the commander of the Australian forces. They decide that it will probably be necessary to evacuate their troops from Greece, but promise the Greeks that they will keep fighting as long as the Greeks themselves do so.

In East Africa… The 1st South African Brigade has been sent north from Addis Ababa along the road to Asmara in Eritrea and now comes up to Italian positions south of Dessie. A battle ensues.