Axis Diplomacy

• The Japanese ambassador in Berlin asks the Germans what their position would be if Japan initiated war against the Allies. This possibility was not covered in the Tripartite Pact. Hitler has never been advised of the planned attacks in the Pacific.
• The Netherlands is declared an enemy power by Japan and will be treated as if a state of war exists between the two nations.

Baltic Sea

The German steamer Edith Faulbaum (1318t) sinks on a mine off Warnemünde, Germany.

Britain, Home Front

A new National Service Bill is passed by Parliament. Its provisions include compulsory direction and conscription for female labor.

Eastern Front

In the northern sector the Finns take Hanko(sp), the base at the entrance to the Gulf of Finland which the Russians had taken the previous year.
In the central sector the Germans continue to pressure Moscow especially near Tula, south of the capital. The night brings bitter cold. This results in tanks that won't start, guns that won't fire and thousands of cases of frostbite.

Operation TYPHOON finally splutters to a halt. The 3rd and 4th Panzer Groups can go no farther, and the 4th Army withdraws back to the Nara. Zhukov prepares to unleash his offensive: 100,000 troops of the Kalinin Front, 558,000 troops of the Western Front and 60,000 troops of the Southwestern Front.[MORE]

Report That Red Army Reserves Were Totally Exhausted

Mediterranean

The British submarine Trusty sinks the Italian steamer Eridano (3586t) off Argostoli, Greece.

North Africa

Rommel finally concludes he cannot help his frontier garrisons, isolate Tobruk and still oppose Lt-Gen Willoughby Norrie's XXX Corps. He begins a withdrawal of all his fighting forces and all transport as possible from the area north of the Via Balbia and around Sidi Rezegh. Covered by the Ariete Division, they withdraw to a line running from the west of Ed Duda via El Adem to the area of Bir el Gubi.

Occupied Poland

Gen Sikorski, Prime Minister of the Polish Government-in-Exile, broadcasts to the Polish people from Moscow.

South China Sea

The Japanese 25th Army, the landing force bound for Malaya and Thailand, sets out from Hainan Island.

The British Reinforce Singapore