Germany begins employing magnetic mines. These cause significant losses to Allied shipping. October 27, 1939 sinks Malabar from convoy HX 5. October 30, 1939 sinks Bronte from convoy OB 25. November November 21, 1939 British light cruiser hits a German mine, and is seriously damaged while operating in the Firth of Forth. November 23, 1939 A German magnetic mine is recovered successfully by the Allies, leading to the development of effective countermeasures. The German battleship sinks the British armed merchant vessel . The Scharnhorst and the accompanying are forced to abandon their sortie and return to port. November 25, 1939 sinks Royston Grange from convoy SL 8. December December 4, 1939 First U-boat lost to an Allied submarine in the war when sinks outside Kristiansund in Norway. December 5, 1939 sinks Navasota from convoy OB 46. December 10, 1939 The first Allied troop convoy TC 1 sets sail from Halifax with 7,400 men of the 1st Canadian Infantry Division. 1940 January January 30, 1940 sinks Vaclite and Keramiai from convoy OA 80G. February February 5, 1940 sinks Beaverburn from convoy OA 84. February 14, 1940 The United Kingdom announces armaments will be carried by all passenger ships. Germany responds by announcing that all vessels will be considered warships. March March 16, 1940 A German air raid at Scapa Flow damages a cruiser and causes the first civilian casualties in Britain of the war. June June 12, 1940 sinks Willowbank and Barbara Marie from convoy SL 34. June 14, 1940 sinks Italia and Erik Boye from convoy HX 47. June 22, 1940 sinks San Fernando from convoy HX 49. June 25, 1940 sinks Saranac and Windsorwood from convoy OA 172. Canada loses its first navy vessel during an accident off the coast of France, when is cut in two by Royal Navy cruiser , with 45 lives lost aboard the Fraser and 19 aboard Calcutta. June 30, 1940 U-boats sink two ships from convoy SL 36. July July 2, 1940 Aircraft sink Aeneas from convoy OA 177G. July 4, 1940 Aircraft and E-boats sink five ships from convoy OA 178. July 8, 1940 sinks Humber Arm from convoy HX 53. July 10, 1940 sinks Alwaki from convoy OA 179. July 17, 1940 U-boats sink Manipur and Scottish Minstrel from convoy HX 55. July 26, 1940 sinks four ships from convoy OB 188. July 31, 1940 sinks Jersey City from convoy OB