Battle of the Atlantic
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() BurmaThe Japanese overrun Bokpyin, a village some 100 miles north of Victoria Point. The SS Tulsa issue quickly develops into an incident. The American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA) under Brig-Gen John Magruder is authorized by the War Department to transfer Len-Lease materiél awaiting transportation in the port of Rangoon from Chinese to British control, subject to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek's approval. An American officer in Rangoon requests that the government of Burma impound the Lend-Lease materiél, most of which is on board the SS Tulsa in Rangoon harbor and destined for China. The Chinese representative in Burma, objecting to the transfer of material to the British, suggests a committee be formed to determine the disposition of the supplies. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Diplomatic RelationsColombia severs its diplomatic ties with both Germany and Italy. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Eastern FrontIn the Crimea the German attacks on Sevastopol continue. CENTRAL SECTORGroups Katukov and Remizov outflank Volokolamsk from the north and southeast. The right flank of the 4th Army is on the brink of collapse as Soviet attacks pound the German lines. The XLVII Panzer and LIII Corps of the 2nd Panzer Army are forced back across the Plava. Belov's II Guards Cavalry Corps is ordered to break into the German rear and advance upon Yukhnow to destabilize the 4th Army. The 10th Army is to support the attack, securing the group's flanks at Sukhinichi and Mosalsk. SOUTHERN SECTORHeavy fighting rages around Sevastopol as the 11th Army launches repeated attacks against the seemingly impregnable Soviet positions. Kozlov's Trans-Caucasus Front is responsible for the defense of Sevastopol but can do little to aid the port. GERMAN COMMANDField Marshal Brauchitsch, having tendered his resignation, is formally relieved of his post. Hitler decides to appoint himself Commander in Chief of the Army. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() German CommandHitler formally removes von Brauchitsch from his post of Commander in Chief of the army. Hitler directly assumes the responsibilities of this post himself, telling Halder that 'anyone can do this little matter of operational command'. At first Hitler is remarkably successful, applying his considerable talents to mastering a range of detailed information relating to his task. It is generally agreed that his orders to stand fast, which he repeats throughout this winter campaign on the Eastern Front, will help save the German Army from an even more disastrous defeat. The Germans will be able to retreat into admittedly isolated defensive localities based around what shelter can be obtained in the many villages. The Soviets will be unable to prevent Luftwaffe supply operations and will lack the heavy weapons or tanks necessary to break into the German defenses. Hitler's clear perception of his own place in this defensive success will only serve to convince him further of his own ability as a general and of useless weakness of the army leaders. He will also remain convinced to the end that no retreat is a sufficient tactical answer to any attack in any circumstances. His belief in the army's failure also encourages him to expand the forces of the Waffen SS. Although these units will almost always fight fanatically in the German cause, their leaders often lack the training and experience of their army counterparts because they have been selected for Nazi Party reasons. The priority of equipment that the SS receives also means that more experienced army formations will end up going short. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() MalayaThe Japanese are active against the right flank of the Krian River line and on the Grik road, they frustrate the efforts of the Indian III Corps to recover lost ground. The Indian 9th Division continues its withdrawl southward in eastern Malay and abandons the Kuala Krai railhead. RAF fighters based at Ipoh are forced to withdraw to Kuala Lumpur. The British aldo evacuate Penang Island and Georgetown harbor. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Mediterranean
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() North AfricaThe Axis retreat through Cyrenaica continues. The following Allied troops reach Derna. Derna and Mechili are captured.
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Pacific
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() PhilippinesDuring the night the Japanese land near Davao on Mindanao. The carrier Ryujo is in support and the landing force is made up of 500 men from the 56th Inf Regt. Work begins to turn the island into a vast fortified base. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() United States, Home FrontThe Selective Service Act is amended, making it compulsory for all men 18-64 to register and for those 20-44 to be subject to military service. The Act is signed by Roosevelt on Dec 22. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() United States, PolicyPresident Roosevelt signs an executive order establishing the Office of Censorship under Byron Price, a former Associated Press editor. Price is given absolute discretion to censor all international communications. Price seek voluntary compliance by military and civilian supervisors to prevent information of potential benefit to the enemy from being published. By 1942, 10,000 federal employess in 18 censorship stations across the country will be examining mail going overseas. [![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
||||||||||||||||
[December 18th - December 20th] |