Atlantic

The British cruiser Sheffield rescues valuable secret documents from the German supply ship Friedrich Breme before her crew can scuttle her. 88 survivors are picked up by the cruiser.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

There are fierce air battles over the island of Malta between the Italians and the British fighters. The Italian war communique announces that 8 Hurricanes have been shot down for the loss of 2.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-553 sinks the British steamer Susan Maersk (2355t) 370 miles north-northeast of the Azores with the loss of all 24 of her crew. The u-boat next sinks the Norwegian tanker Ranella (5590t) from Convoy OG-64. All 29 members of the crew escape in 2 lifeboats and make it 300 miles to the Azores in 12 days.
• U-48 sinks the British steamer Empire Dew (7005t) north of the Azores with the loss of 23 of her crew. 19 survivors are picked up by the Norwegian destroyer St Albans.
• U-552 sinks the British steamer Chinese Prince (8593t) south of Rockall with the loss of 45 of her crew. 19 survivors are picked up by the British corvettes Arbutus and Pimpernel.

Diplomatic Relations

In a meeting in London, Allied and 'Free' European representatives pledge mutual assistance until victory is won. Churchill declares that every trace of Hitlerism will be 'blasted from the surface of the Earth', and that the RAF 'will continue to teach the German homeland that war is not all loot and triumph.'

Germany, Home Front

The Berlin civil defense authority warns the population to take immediate shelter in air raids owing to the danger posed by heavy high-explosive bombs and mines, which have caused a great number of bombing victims.

Mediterranean

The Dutch submarine O-24 sinks the Italian tanker Fianona (6660t) south of Vada.