Diplomatic Relations

Japan retaliates with similar measures for action taken against them by Britain, the Dutch and the United States on the 25th/26th. Japanese assets in the Dutch East Indies are frozen and oil deals cancelled. This means that almost 75 percent of Japan's foreign trade is at a standstill and that 90 percent of its oil supplies have been cut off.

Eastern Front

In the central sector the Germans begin the liquidation of the Russian troops trapped in the Smolensk area.

After a protracted struggle, the Soviets abandon the Kingisepp bridgehead across the Luga, units on the west bank withdrawing from the town, which falls to Reinhardt's XLI Panzer Corps.

Tyulenev reports to Stavka: 'it is impossible to determine the situation in the 6th and 12th Armies...because of the absence of communications.' The Stavka believe the Germans are planning to seize the Dniepr crossings at Kiev and Cherkassy and therefore order the Southwest and South Fronts to prevent the German advance. The Soviet command totally misreads the German plan to isolate the 6th and 12th Armies.

In Moldavia the XVIII Rifle Corps of the 18th Army pulls out of Kotovsk, while theanticipated counterattack by the II Calvary Corps toward Balta rattles the XXX Corps. Elements of the XXXV Rifle Corps are fighting before Dubossary in an effort to prevent the Germans from expanding a bridgehead across the Dneistr.

Far East

Japanese troops land in Indochina. They begin occupying the surrendered French military bases. They are now within range to threaten the Philippines, Singapore, Malaya, and in particular, the Burma Road.

Gulf of Finland

Soviet submarine SHCH-307 sinks U-144 in the Gulf of Finland with the loss of the entire crew of 28.

Mediterranean

• The British submarine Utmost sinks the Italian steamer Federico (1466t) off western Calabria.
• The Dutch submarine O-21 sinks the Italian steamer Monteponi (747t) 10 miles north of Cape Comino.