Air Operations, Europe

The British raid several locations in Sicily. The RAF also attack German and Finnish ships in Petsamo harbor in northern Finland.

Baltic Sea

U-140 sinks the Soviet submarine M-94 in the Baltic Sea off Hirmuste, Estonia.

Eastern Front

The German 16th Army from Army Group North continues the advance reaching the south side of Lake Ilmen. When they breach the Russian positions on Lake Ilmen and Peipus the road to Leningrad lies open as the city is also attacked from the south. In southern Finland Finnish attacks toward Viipuri and Vuosalmi begin.

The Finnish assault toward Leningrad commences as the Southeastern Army assaults the Soviet 23rd Army. Meanwhile, Finnish forces continue to attack Vyborg and Vousalmi.

The German X Corps reaches the southern shore of Lake Ladoga.

The 2nd Panzer Group finishes its redeployment to the southern flank of Army Group Center along with the 2nd Army. The XXIV Panzer Corps attacks Group Kachalov south of Smolensk.[MORE]

Germany, Policy

Göring issues the first known written order for the elimination of Jews living under Nazi rule. In a memorandum to Reinhard Heydrich, Göring said, '. . . I instruct you further to submit to me as soon as possible a general plan showing the measures for organization and for action necessary to carry out the desired final solution (endlosung) of the Jewish question.'

Goering Memo to Heydrich

Hermann Goering's memo to Reinhard Heydrich mandating the Holocaust. "Endlösung der Judenfrage" in the lowest line translates as "Final solution to the Jewish question."

Mediterranean

During the next few days there is a small British supply operation from Gibraltar to Malta. Force H gives cover. While on this operation destroyers from Force H and aircraft from the Ark Royal attack Alghero in Sardinia. When the operation is complete the battlecruiser Renown returns to the UK for a refit. Nelson remains as Adm Somerville's flagship.

North Africa

The Axis forces are reorganized. Gen Crüwell now commands the Afrika Korps (DAK) with Rommel in charge of the new Panzer Group Africa. The 5th Light is renamed as 21st Pzr Div and Rommel, therefore, has 2 Pzr divs and 1 German inf div in his force. In addition there are 7 Italian divs.

Yugoslavia

Bulgarian troops occupy parts of southern and eastern Yugoslavia and announced that these areas will be incorporated into Bulgaria. The action is taken with the permission 'of German military authorities'.