Axis Diplomacy

German Foreign Minister Ribbentrop advises the Japanese ambassador in Berlin that Japan should enter the war against Britain 'as soon as possible - in its own interest.'

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-107 and the Italian submarine Bianchi sink the British ocean boarding vessel Manistee (5360t) south of Iceland with the loss of all 141 on board.
• U-96 sinks the British steamer Huntingdon (10,946t) from Convoy OB-288 south of Iceland. The entire crew is rescued by the Greek steamer Papalemos.
• U-95 sinks the British steamers Cape Nelson (3807t) and Anglo-Peruvian (5457t) from Convoy OB-288 south of Iceland. 4 crewmen are lost from the Cape Nelson and 29 from the Anglo-Peruvian. 34 survivors from the former and 17 from the latter are picked up by the British steamer Harberton.
• U-69 sinks the British steamer Temple Moat (4427t), straggling behind Convoy OB-288, with the loss of all 42 of her crew.
• The British steamer Shoal Fisher (698t) sinks on a mine off Falmouth. The entire crew is rescued.

Italian East Africa

In Somaliland the main Italian forces defending the line of the Juba River have been defeated. Gen Cunningham's troops are now advancing very rapidly toward Mogadishu. There is a small Free French landing in Eritrea.

Italy, Home Front

In a speech at a Fascist rally in Adriano Theatre, Rome, Mussolini says: 'We shall fight to the last drop of our blood.' He attempts to minimize the disastrous campaigns in Greece and North Africa. He also lists 10 reasons why Britain cannot win the war and promises 'victory and peace with justice'.

Greece

The Greek Premier Korizis formally agrees to accept a force from the British which at this stage is intended to be 100,000 men with suitable artillery and tank support. The Greeks are very reluctant to accept anything less since it would not be enough to fight the Germans off and would only encourage them to attack. The disposition of the British and Greek forces is also discussed. The British prefer a position along the line of the Aliakmon River but the Greeks are unwilling to give up the territory which this line does not cover. No final decision is made - a serious ommission in the light of later events.

Mediterranean

The British submarine Upright sinks the Italian steamer Silvia Tripcovich (2365t) off Kuriat Island.