The Lost Children of 1940 The sinking of the SS City of Benares is a little-known tragedy of World War II. In the summer of 1940, the world watched with rapt attention as the citizens, airmen, sailors, and soldiers of Great Britain steeled themselves for imminent invasion by the victorious German Army. From July 31 to September 15, the daily air raids by the Luftwaffe rained death and destruction on airfields and cities. Only the determined efforts of Royal Air Force Fighter Command denied the L