Politics
HESS FLIES TO BRITAIN: Rudolf Hess, the Deputy Führer of Germany, makes unauthorized solo flight in Me 110 fighter from Augsburg (South Germany) to Petersfield near Glasgow, to arrange peace talks. He parachutes from his damaged plane and is taken into custody (night May 10-11). Hess is detained for the duration of the war.
Air War
Britain – MASSIVE NIGHT RAID ON LONDON (climax of ‘Blitz‘): 507 German bomber sorties (8 aircraft lost); 795 t. bombs dropped, 2,200 serious fires from Hammersmith to Romford, hundreds of streets blocked; rail traffic virtually halted; House of Commons and Westminster Abbey badly damaged.
Germany: Heavy RAF night raid on Hamburg (5 aircraft lost).
Home Front
Britain – War Cup Final (soccer): Arsenal and Preston North End draw 1-1 at Wembley (Preston win replay at Blackburn, May 31, by 2 goals to 1).