Air Operations, Pacific

At 0850 Wake Island ground targets are attacked by 29 Japanese carrier bombers escorted by 18 A6M 'Zeros'. 33 Kwajalein-based G3M 'Nell' bombers attack at noon.

Burma

The Flying Tigers enter combat for the first time successfully challenging Japanese aircraft over Kunming.

American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers"

The American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers" began their legendary fame on their first combat, December 20, 1941, over the skies southeast of Kunming, China. A formation of four Japanese Kawasaki Ki-48 Lilys from the 21st Hikotai was heading to Kunming. Suddenly, the tight formation of bombers was intercepted by P-40B's of the 1st and 2nd Squadrons of the AVG. The fighters came out of the sun from 20,000 feet. Through the overcast sky, they dove, guns blazing in defiance of the intruders. As the battle raged, two of the bombers began to smoke and lag behind. Ultimately, three bombers crashed into the hills below. These three bombers were officially credited to the AVG. Chennault was elated – it was their first combat and not a pilot was lost. One one of the Ki-48 bombers made it back to its home field. Madame Chain Kai-Shek would soon address the American volunteers as, "My boys, my flying tigers." (Painting by Roy Grinnell)

Diplomatic Relations

Nicaragua declares war on Rumania, Hungary and Bulgaria.

Eastern Front

In the Moscow sector the Soviet offensive continues to inflict considerable losses on the German forces. Northwest of the capital Volokolamsk is retaken.

The commander of the Soviet 16th Army, Lt. Gen. Konstantin Rokossovsky (second on left), and his staff examine captured German vehicles, 10 December 1941.

Captured German Vehicles

Remains of a defeated Nazi unit after its surrender, 20 December 1941.

Remains of a Defeated Nazi Unit

Volokolamsk falls to Groups Remizov and Katukov, while the II Guards Cavalry Corps of the 5th Army pushes toward Zvenigorod. The Soviets have drawn up to the Lama, Ruza and Moskva Rivers, but are being held by the 78th Infantry Division, XLVI Panzer Corps, 11th Panzer Division and the VII Corps.

Group Popov is in sight of Kaluga, the XLIII Corps having fallen back to the northwest and the 2nd Panzer Army to the southwest. Elements of the 10th Army push west toward Odoyevo and Livny, having crossed the Plava.

The 39th Army joins the Kalinin Front.

Under the mantle of Commander-in-Chief of the German Army, Hitler instructs the Ostheer to fight on its present positions, no further retreat west being permitted. The success of this order probably saves Army Group Center from defeat before Moscow.

On the home front, Goebbels issues an appeal to the civilian population to donate winter clothing to the Ostheer. The response from the German people is tremendous but only a fraction ever reaches the soldiers at the front, the bulk being claimed by the men of the rear.

Germany, Home Front

Goebbels broadcasts an appeal for contributions of winter clothing for the troops serving in the USSR where the fighting is in deep snow and sub-zero temperatures.

Pacific

• Japanese submarine I-17 sinks the American tanker Emidio (6912t) 20 miles west of Blunt's Reef, Oregon with the loss of 5 crewmen. The survivors make it to the Blunt's Reef lightship and are picked up later by the American cutter Shawnee.
• The British steamer Taishan (3174t) is sunk by Japanese bombing at Shekko, Tathong Channel.

United States, Command

Adm Ernest J. King is appointed to be Commander in Chief, US Fleet.