Air Operations, Europe

After a lull of almost 2 weeks because of bad weather the RAF make a heavy bombing raid on Düsseldorf.

Battle of the Atlantic

• About 40 Focke Wulf FW-200 Condor long-range bombers come under the direct control of the U-boat arm to be used for reconnaissance purposes in the Atlantic.
• The British steamer Gwynwood (1177t) is sunk by a parachute mine in the Humber anchorage with the loss of 11 crewmen.
• U-52 sinks the Norwegian steamer Ringhorn (1298t) west of Ireland with the loss of 14 of her crew. 5 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Camellia.
• U-93 sinks the British steamer Dione II (2660t), straggling behind Convoy SC-20, northwest of Ireland with the loss of 28 crewmen. 5 survivors are picked up by the British steamer Flowergate.
• U-123 sinks the British steamer Empire Engineer (5358t), also straggling behind Convoy SC-20, west of Ireland with the loss of all 40 of her crew.
• The Greek steamer Calatatis (4443t) is sunk by German bombing northwest of Ireland. 18 crewmen are lost.

Italian East Africa

The British forces begin to attack the strong Italian positions around Keren. There are 30,000 Italian troops in this area. In the first phase of the battle, which lasts until February 7, the 11th Indian Bde manages to take Cameron Ridge but is thrown back from other positions by Italian counterattacks.

Mediterranean

The Greek steamer Aghios Georgios sinks on a mine in the Suez Canal with the loss of 3 crewmen.

North Africa

The first British reinforcements begin to arrive at Mechili from Tobruk. The 4th Arm Bde of 7th Arm Div begins the British advance across Cyrenaica to cut off the Italian troops retiring from Benghazi. Msus is taken and the forces then move toward Antelat. In the north the Italian retreat is continuing.