Air Operations, Europe

There is a heavy British air raid on Naples. Italian sources report that 'some civil buildings were hit, resulting in 12 dead and 37 wounded; incendiary bombs started fires in parts of the city, but these were soon brought under control.'

Battle of the Atlantic

• In more attacks on Convoy SC-48 U-568 sinks the British steamer Empire Heron (6023t) southeast of Cape Farewell with the loss of 42 of her crew. 1 survivor is picked up by the British corvette Gladiolus.
• During the night U-568 hits the US destroyer Kearny (DD-432) with a torpedo in a convoy battle involving British, Canadian and United States' ships. There are 11 dead on the Kearny. The convoy involved is SC-48.

Diplomatic Relations

Under the supervision of Russian and Japanese advisers, negotiations are concluded at Harbin to set the border between Manchukuo and Outer Mongolia.

Eastern Front

The Soviets evacuate Odessa, which has been holding out although for several weeks it has been well behind the Germans lines. About 35,000 men from 3 divs are taken off. One transport is sunk by air attack but the rest reach Sevastopol safely. 2 cruisers and 4 destroyers and many smaller craft are involved. Most units of the Black Sea Fleet are now based in Sevastopol.

The Germans captured Lubny on September 13, 1941. On October 16, at a site outside the city, they murdered 4,500 Jews from the area.

Outside of Lubny

October 16 is remembered in Moscow as bolshoi drap, a day of panic. The people finally realize that the Germans are at their gates and, not least on account of the reports of atrocities committed by the enemy (though exaggerated for propaganda purposes), all who can, flee to the east. Adding fuel to the fire, it is learned that Lenin's coffin is also being removed from Red Square. Foreign diplomats and much of the government staff are moved to Kuibyshev, beyond the Volga, 525 miles to the east. Many senior party members lead a less official exodus in official cars and on the trains. Disorder and looting are in the city.

A new offensive on the Volkhov involvingg XXXIX Panzer and XXXVIII Corps, hitting the junctionof the Soviet 4th and 52nd Armies. Heavy snow is now falling in this sector.

The Soviets have completed their evacuation of Odessa, the Romanians taking possession of the port. The latter have suffered 98,000 casualties in the siege.[MORE]

Citizens Cheering the Russian Rearguard As They Move Up

The Black Sea port of Odessa was occupied by German and Rumanian forces on October 16 after a siege that had lasted since August. The evacuation, which was carried out in perfect order, was dictated by events in the Eastern Ukraine and the consequent need of more men to reinforce the Crimea where the enemy, after crossing the Dnieper, was trying to force an entry through the narrow Perekop Isthmus. Before leaving the port the Russians destroyed all important works.

German Panzer Vehicles

Japan, Politics

Prime Minister Konoye is forced to resign and is replaced by War Minister Hideki Tojo. Konoye is thought to be too soft in his dealings with the US. The key issue that splits the government is the argument to withdraw Japanese troops from China which Konoye was in favor of. Tojo himself takes the offices of prime minister, war minister and home affairs minister. He is a supporter of strong methods and has the trust of the military. Shigenori Togo is foreign minister and Adm Shigetaro Shimada is navy minister. These changes mark the increasing ascendency of the party which intends to go to war. The decision to go to war has not yet finally been taken, and it has been suggested that Tojo has taken the Home Affairs Ministry himself in order to be able to prevent any violent opposition if a decision for peace is reached.

Secret War

Richard Sorge, a correspondent for the Frankfurter Zeitung and Soviet master spy on close terms with the German embassy in Tokyo, is arrested by Japanese authorities. He will be hanged November 7, 1944.

Vichy, Politcs

Three former prime ministers of France, Daladier, Reynaud, and Blum, Jewish ex-Minister of the Interior, Mandel, and Gen Gamelin, are arrested on Pétain's orders to face charges that they were responsible for the French defeat.