Air Operations, Europe

Britain, Home Front

Women gather at the recruitment office of Britain's Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS), reformed in 1938 from the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps (WAACS) of World War I. by 1939 British women could also join the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF), the Women's Royal Naval Service (WRNS), and other military units. In December 1941, a British National Service Act began the conscription of childless widows and single women ages 20 to 30. British military women filled clerical, domestic and medical positions; drove and maintained vehicles; manned antiaircraft guns, barrage balloons, and radar stations; ferried aircraft; deciphered coded messages; and served as spies. British Women Join the Fight

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British tanker Kennebec (5548t) is severely damaged by U-34 70 miles southwest of the Bishops. It is determined to be beyond salvage and is scuttled by the destroyer Wolverine. The survivors are picked up by the Dutch steamer Breedyk.
• U-29 torpedoes the British tanker Regent Tiger (10,177t) 250 miles WSW of Cape Clear, but the vessel does not sink until the 10th. The crew is rescued by the Belgian steamer Jean Jadot.
• U-48 sinks the steamer Winkleigh (5055t) 500 miles west of Ushant. The survivors are picked up by the Dutch liner Statendam.

Poland