Diplomatic Relations

In Washington a secret meeting takes place between US and British officials to work out cooperation and strategy should the US be forced to declare war on either Japan or Germany.

Greek-Albanian Front

The Italian Foreign Minister, Galeazzo Ciano, and other senior members of the Italian government arrive in Albania to take up active army commands. This bizarre measure is presumably designed to boost morale demonstrating the members of the government are not exempt from combat duty.

Italian East Africa

The British advance into Eritrea reaches Agordat and a battle gradually develops in this area.

Japan

Matsuoka tells a budget committee of the Japanese Diet that Japan must 'dominate' the western Pacific if it is to achieve its goals. He continues, "My use of the word 'dominate' may seem extreme and while we have no such designs, still in a sense we do with to dominate and there is no need to hide the fact. Has America any right to object if Japan does dominate the western Pacific? As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I hate to make such an assertion, but I wish to declare that if America does not understand Japan's rightful claims and actions, then there is not the slightest hope of improvement of Japanese-American relations."

Mediterranean

• The British submarine Upholder operates against the Italian convoy route, Trapani, Sicily to Tripoli.
• The German steamer Ingo (3950t) is sunk by British bombing off Cape Bon. Surivors are picked up by the Italian torpedo boat Orione.

United States, Policy

The United States ambassador in Tokyo, Joseph C. Grew, reports that the Japanese Imperial Staff is preparing plans to attack American air and naval bases in the Pacific. He particularly mentions Pearl Harbor. These plans are being made in case of 'trouble' with the U.S. The C-in-C Pacific Fleet, Adm Kimmel, is assured by the Navy's intelligence services that there can be no truth in the suggestion.