Battle of the Atlantic

• German patrol craft depth-charge the RN subs Undine, Seahorse and Starfish in Heligoland Bight on Jan 6, 7 and 9, respectively. British submarine operations are temporarily abandoned in that area. The British liner Dunbar Castle hits a mine and sinks off southeast England near Deal, Kent.
• The British steamer Dunbar Castler (10,002t) of convoy OA-69 sinks on a mine 2 in the Thames Estuary with the loss of 9 crewmen. This is a result of the German minelaying operation the night of the 6th. Survivors are rescued by the British trawler Calvi and other small vessels.
• The Dutch steamer Truida (176t) sinks on a mine in the Thames Estuary. This is a result of the German minelaying operation the night of the 6th. The crew is rescued by the Dutch trawler Frisco.
• The British steamer Upminster (1013t) is badly damaged by German bombing 9 miles east of the Hammond Knoll Light Vessel. She sinks the next day losing 3 of her crew.

Finland - Winter War

Day 41

In northern Finland the Finns achieve a victory at Suomussalmi. A second Russian division is destroyed as the Finnish troops push towards the border. On the Ladoga Karelia the Soviets attack unsuccessfully north of Ruhtinaanmäki.

Northern Finland: another crushing Finnish victory is recorded in the north, this time at Suomussalmi. A second enemy division is destroyed as Finnish troops push onwards to the border. Photo: SA-KUVA Victory at Suomussalmi

North Sea

The British submarine Starfish is damaged by a German minesweeper in the Heligoland Bight. She is scuttled to avoid capture and her crew of 39 are take prisoner.