Axis Diplomacy

Germany, Italy and Japan make an agreement that none will conclude a separate peace.

Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. The German declaration of war can only be regarded as one of Hitler's greatest mistakes, since without it US participation in the European war has still been in doubt.

Adolf Hitler addresses the Reichstag on the 11th December 1941 after declaring war on the United States.

Hitler Declares War on the United States

Britain, Home Front

Churchill gives a review of the war situation in the House of Commons: 'In Hitler's launching of the Nazi campaign on Russia we can already see, after less than six months of fighting, that he has made one of the outstanding blunders of history.'

Burma

The Tavoy airdrome in southern Burma is attacked by Japanese aircraft preliminary to a ground offensive.

China

In Peking the Japanese take the American garrison prisoner.

Diplomatic Relations

The US declares war on Germany and Italy.

Nicaragua and the Polish and Dutch governments-in-exile declare war on Japan.

Eastern Front

The Soviet propaganda machine begins to announce the Red Army's success in the Moscow counteroffensive. 400 places in the Moscow area have been liberated by the Red Army, including Solnechnogorsk and Istra. They also claim the destruction of 17 German divisions, including 7 armored and 3 motorized.

The gains on the ground continue to be impressive with Guderian's troops being forced back from Stalinogorsk and Rogachev. Many of the already weakened German units have suffered so heavily in the few days of the Soviet offensive that they are virtually out of the fight.

In an effort to slow the Soviet advance, the Germans blow up the Istra dam, which halts the progress of the Soviet 16th Army. The 50th Army is also slowed. Nevertheless, the gap between the 2nd Panzer Group and 2nd Army could lead to the encirclement of Army Group Center.

The German 1st Panzer Group, 6th and 17th Armies are now on the defensive and are fighting to stop enemy incursions into the Donbas and eastern Ukraine. Red Army units are massing to cross both the Mius and Donets Rivers.[MORE]

Hong Kong

The Japanese begin to operate against this British colony which also included the so-called New Territories on the Chinese mainland. A violent air and artillery bombardment forces the Scottish, Canadian and Indian troops in the garrison to withdraw from the mainland on to the island. In their withdrawal the 11,300 troops left behind much of their equipment and ammunition.

Malaya

The position of the 11th Indian Div at Jitra is attacked by Japanese units which have advanced from Singora. The Indian div has already lost heavily in some outpost actions and the Jitra position is abandoned after a further brief fight.

Tank Detachment attached to Saeki Unit at Jitra, 11 December 1941

Tank Detachment at Jitra

RAF bombers in Malaya are restricted to night missions because of a shortage of fighter aircraft for protection during daylight operations. The fighters are primarily being used in the defense of Singapore.

Mediterranean

• A group of Allied destroyers intercept and sink 2 Italian light cruisers leaving Palermo en route to Benghazi escorted by the Italian torpedo boat Cigno. The British destroyers Sikh, Maori and Legion and the Dutch destroyer Isaac Sweers sink the Di Guissano and Da Barbiano after they had turned around when spotted by British aircraft after passing Cape Bon. 1,020 crew are lost in the 2 cruisers. The Italian torpedo boats Cigno and Sirtori and other small boats rescue 645 survivors.
• The British destroyer Farndale sinks the Italian submarine Caracciolo off Bardia. 43 of the crew are rescued.
• The British anti-submarine trawler Lady Shirley is sunk by U-374 off Gibraltar with the loss of 33 of her crew. U-374 also sinks the British armed patrol yacht Rosabelle in the Straits of Gibraltar with the loss of 30 crewmen. 12 survivors are picked up by the British patrol yacht Sayonara.
• The British submarine Talisman sinks the Italian steamer Calitea (4013t) 90 miles south of Cape Matapan.

Pacific

The Japanese submarine I-9 sinks the American steamer Lahaina northeast of Hawaii with the loss of 4 crewmen. Survivors are picked up by the American Coast Guard cutter Tiger.

An interior shot of a destroyed aircraft hangar at Wheeler Field, in Hawaii, on 11 December 1941. (U.S. Navy)

Destroyed Aircraft Hangar, Wheeler Field, Hawaii

Philippines

3,000 Japanese soldiers land at Aparri, in the north of Luzon. They join up with those already landed. Other forces land at Legazpi southeast of Manila.

United States, Home Front

Congress replies with declarations of war and votes that US forces may be dispatched to any part of the world. The term of service of those enlisted under the Selective Service Act is extended until 6 months after the end of the war.

Wake Island

A Japanese squadron based in the Marshalls consisting of the light cruiser Yubari, 6 destroyers, 2 patrol boats and 2 troop transports arrives off Wake Island with the intention of capturing it. Defending the island is an American force of 388 marines of the 1st Marine Defense Battalion equipped with 3-inch and .50 caliber antiaircraft guns and .30 caliber machine guns. There are also 75 unarmed army and navy personnel. The Marines still have 6 Grumman Wildcats after losing 16 others in the December 8 raid. The Americans do not open fire or send up any aircraft until the invasion force is under 3 miles away. 2 Japanese destroyers are sunk, the Hayate by the shore batteries and the Kisaragi by the Marine aircraft. 3 other destroyers are damaged. The Japanese squadron under Adm Sadamichi Kajioka is ordered to withdraw. Following this the Japanese always precede their invasion operations with heavy air raids.

Wake Island Surface Action of 11 December 1941