Diplomatic Relations

Secretary Hull tells the Japanese that the US and other governments with interests in the Pacific feel that the general differences with Tokyo 'could be settled if the Japanese could give us some satisfactory evidences that their intentions were peaceful.'

Eastern Front

The Germans capture Rostov-on-Don.

Reinhardt's 3rd Panzer Group fights in Klin and Solnechnogorsk. The 16th Army is unable to hold the German attacks. Late in the day, the 4th Panzer Group penetrates between the 5th and 16th Armies, entering Istra and threatening to unhinge the Soviet defenses west of Moscow. Lead units of the 3rd Panzer Group are only 30 miles north of Moscow while the 2nd Panzer Army is fighting near Venev and Tula as it launches strong attacks in an effort to dislodge the 50th Army.

Foreign journalists are inspecting a Nazi plane disabled during the attack of Moscow, November 1941.

Foreign Journalists Inspect Nazi Plane

Heavy fighting around Tula compels Zhukov to move Boldin's II Cavalry Corps from Serpukhov to Kashira, blocking the line of the German advance to Moscow. Boldin is instructed to prevent the fall of Kashira to the 2nd Panzer Army at all costs. On the southern wing of the 2nd Panzer Army, the XLVIII Panzer Corps comes under heavy attack near Tim. Timoshenko is trying to bring pressure to bear upon the flank of the German forces to the south of Moscow. In an effort to divert the attention away from the city, but his own lack of resources prevent any significant penetration of the German positions.

Burning houses, ruins and wrecks speak for the ferocity of the battle preceding this moment when German forces entered the stubbornly defended industrial center of Rostov on the lower Don River, 22 November 1941.

Damage in Rostov

German Raiders

The raider Atlantis is found and sunk by the British cruiser Devonshire while replenishing a U-boat (U-124) off the west African coast near Ascension Island. Atlantis has sunk 22 ships of 145,700 tons during the 622 days of her cruise. On 1 December the German supply ship Python is also sunk in this area by a British cruiser. Dönitz had hoped to send a force of U-boats to work off South Africa but with the loss of these sources of supply this will not now be possible. The British successes are based on code-breaking information.

This photo is reportedly of the Hilfskreuzer (auxiliary cruiser) Atlantis (known to the British as Raider C) burning and sinking while under attack by HMS Devonshire.

German Raider Atlantis

Germany, Home Front

While being flown to Berlin to attend the funeral of Ernst Udet, Gen Werner Mölders, a fighter 'ace' with 115 victories, is killed in an air accident near Breslau, Silesia. He was 30.

North Africa

There is a very confused tank battle around Sidi Rezegh in which 21st Panzer forces the British 7th and 22nd Armored Bdes to withdraw away from Tobruk. The 4th Armored Bde loses heavily in a separate action with 15th Panzer. The 2nd New Zealand Div, part of XIII Corps, begins to move into the battle to help the British tanks. The Germans now hold the initiative, however, since they have over 170 tanks left and the British less than 150.[MORE]