Air Operations, Europe

Russian bombers hit Berlin in a night raid. They lose 1 plane in the raid. Casualties in Berlin: 30 killed and 72 injured.

A Russian crew member with his personal bomb for Hitler

A Gift for Hitler

Battle of the Atlantic

In a convoy operation the US destroyer Greer is attacked by German U-boat U-652 about 175 miles southwest of Iceland, but is not damaged. In return, the Greer attempts to sink the submarine with depth charges. In fact, the Greer has been brought into action by the reports of a British aircraft and has been mistaken, not unreasonably, for a British ship by the German commander. Roosevelt, however, presents the incident to the American public as an example of German aggression.

The Greer Dropping Depth Charges

Britain, Home Front

The Prime Minister of Canada, Mackenzie King, speaks at the Mansion House in London, 'We in Canada cannot all share your dangers, but we are proud to share your burdens. We are determined to share them to the utmost of our strength.'

Diplomatic Relations

Tokyo issues its 'minimum demands' and 'maximum concessions' to Britain and the US. These include the closure of the Burma Road, the release of frozen Japanese assets, freedom from foreign interference in Indochina and in the occupation of mainland China. The only concession was a promise to withdraw from China.

Eastern Front

The Finns capture Beloostrov, the frontier station 20 miles from Leningrad, but they are forced back the next day. For political reasons they do not wish to advance past the borders of eastern Karelia, the area they had to cede to the Russians the previous year. The Germans now begin shelling Leningrad. Von Leeb's troops threaten the city directly, and a long, hard siege begins.

Gen Jodl visits Gen Mannerheim and tries to persuade him to continue his offensive, but the old Finnish general refuses.

Finnish forces capture Beloostrov, north of Leningrad, but the 23rd Army offers ferocious resistance.

The Finnish Army of Karelia unleashes a new attack against the 7th Army. Having massed 9 divisions, the Finns outnumber the Soviets considerably.

The Germans complete the occupation of Estonia. Rearguards of the 8th Army, cut off to the west of the Narva, are forced to surrender. At Leningrad, Kuchler begins to deploy his heavy artillery around Tosno to bombard the city into submission.

The 24th Army penetrates into the Elnya salient from the north and south, pushing shock groups into action and threatening the German positions.

Budenny requests permission to create a reserve by taking 2 rifle divisions from the Kiev garrison and 2 from the 26th Army. Shaposhnikov replies for the high command, refusing any regrouping of the Southwest Front armies. Kirponos plans to use his meager reserve to launch a counterattack at Kremenchug.

Rundstedt orders the 1st Panzer Groups into the Kremenchug bridgehead. Kirponos order the 38th Army to eliminate the bridgehead.

Indian troops guarding the Abadan Refinery in Iran, 4 September 1941

Indian Troops On Guard in Iran

Pacific

Bass Strait, September 4, 1941. HMAS Sydney in the foreground escorting convoy US-12A, comprising the Queen Mary (right) and Queen Elizabeth, past Wilson’s Promontory off the coast of Victoria, Australia.

HMAS Sydney on Escort Duty

United States, Policy

The Panama Canal is closed to Japanese shipping by the US government.