German Raiders
The German blockade runner Odenwald, carrying a cargo of rubber from Japan and disguised as American merchant ship Willmoto, is captured in the American Security Zone off the Brazilian coast by the US cruiser Omaha (CL-4) and destroyer Somers (DD-381). This is the first success for the increasingly extensive US patrols in the Atlantic.
USS Omaha (CL-4) and German Blockade Runner Odenwald |
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]Japan, Planning
The Japanese Southern Army is ordered to prepare for attacks on the Philippines, Malaya, Thailand and the East Indies.
[ | ]Mediterranean
The British steamer Thistlegorm (4898t), carrying munitions, is sunk by German bombing in the inner channel of the Strait of Jubal with the loss of 9 of her crew.
[ | ]Soviet Union, Home Front
The anniversary of the October Revolution is celebrated in Moscow's Mayakovsky underground railway station. In a major public speech, Stalin calls on the peoples of the Soviet Union to increase their efforts to defend 'holy Russia'. He also demands that a 'Second Front' be opened in western Europe. Minimizing the Soviet losses and exaggerating those of the enemy, he claims that the German forces are worn out having taken almost 5,000,000 casualties compared to 1,800,000 for the Red Army and predicts the 'inevitable doom' for Hitler.
German Stuka dive-bombers |
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United States, Politics
Upon approval by Congress, Pres Roosevelt announces that a loan of $1,000,000,000 is to be given to the USSR to help finance the acquisition of Lend-Lease supplies.
[ | ]United States, Preparations
A committee of the US Natioan Academy of Sciences recomment the immediate construction of an atomic bomb.
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