Battle of the Atlantic

• U-561 sinks the Panamanian steamer Meridian (5592t) in the North Atlantic with the loss of her entire crew of 26.
• U-580 is lost in a collison with the German target vessel Angelburg (3053t) in exercises off Memel with the loss of 12 crewmen. 32 of the crew are rescued.

Diplomatic Relations

Finland rejects American advice to cease hostilities.(12th?)

Eastern Front

The Russians counterattack powerfully in the southern sector. The 80th Regt of the Italian Pasubio Division barely escapes encirclement by a Soviet Division.

The Soviets lay pland for a counterattack at Tikhvin. The 4th Army is to hit the XXXIX Panzer Corps in 3 groups, Northern, Eastern and Southern, its aim being to split up and isolate the German force. Once Tikhvin is retaken, the 4th is to press on to Budogosh and Gruzino. Other units of the 4th Army are also to press north to help the 54th Army seal off the I Corps a Volkhov. The 54th will then unfold its main attack upon Kirishi. On the southern flank, the 52nd Army and Novgorod Group are to attack the XXXVIII Corps at Malaya Vyshera. Those units of the 4th Army operating in the 54th Army area, 5 rifle divisions and a tank brigade, are amalgamated into the latter force.

Elements of the 50th Army, 1 rifle and 1 cavalry division, and the 49th Army, a single rifle division, launch a concentric attack aimed at pinning down the 31st and 131st Infantry Divisions of the XLIII Corps north of Tula. Heavy fighting erupts that will continue for the next five days.

The LIII Corps begins to gain the upper hand against the Soviet forces attack around Teploye. The LIII, however, has to call up armored support to repel the Soviet attack, the XXIV Corps arriving in dribs and drabs from the fighting around Tula, where the 50th Army resists stubbornly.

The 1st Panzer Army halts its attack upon Rostove to briefly rest and refit.

Italian East Africa

The final battle to eliminate the Italian presence in Abyssinia begins. The regular Allied forces, aided by local guerillas, attack Chilga to the west and Kulkaber to the southeast of the main Italian Gondar position. The attacks are beaten off for the moment.

Germany, Policy

Hitler and Himmler authorize the study of the 'final solution' of the Jewish problem, i.e. genocide.

United States, Policy

US lend-lease aid is extended to the Free French.