Australia, Politics

Fearing an imminent invasion by the Japanese, Prime Minister John Curtin tells the Allies not to give priority to the European war at the expense of the Pacific theater.

Eastern Front

The German attacks on Sevastopol are continuing, but other German units of 11th Army are threatened by Soviet landings in the eastern Crimea at Kerch.

German armor pulls out of Kaluga, southwest of Moscow.

The death toll mounts in a cold starving Leningrad. Residents line up for water, 26 December 1941.

Death Toll Mounts in Leningrad

On the northern flank, the Soviets launch a new attack with the 39th Army. The attack falls around Rzhev and aims to break the center of the 9th Army. Farther south, despite repulsing and encircling Group Popov, the hardpressed forces of the 2nd Panzer Army relinquishes control of Kaluga to the 50th Army.

Manstein launches more attacks upon Sevastopol but fails to break the Soviet positions. Later in the day, the Soviets begin the Kerch-Feodosia operation. Elements of the 51st Army land north of Kerch, while a smaller component of the 44th Army goes ashore at Cape Opuk, near Feodosia. Both units are able to gain a firm foothold despite the horrendous conditions, and proceeds to attack the XLII Corps' single infantry division. Sponek requests permission to withdraw to the Ak-Monai narrows but is instead ordered to launch an immediate counterattack and drive the Soviet forces into the sea.

Malaya

The Japanese break through the Perak River defense line and push through to Ipoh. The town of Ipoh is evacuated by the 11th Indian Div. Small detachments carry out rearguard actions north of Ipoh, near Kemor.

Mediterranean

U-559 sinks the Polish steamer Warszawa (2487t) 40 miles east of Tobruk with the loss of 23 passengers and crew. 445 survivors are picked up by the British boom defense vessel Burgonet and the British corvette Peony.

Norway

Over the next 2 days the German bases on the Lofoten Islands off the coast of Norway are attacked in swift raids by British commandos. 260 men land on Moskenesoy to destroy the fish-oil factory there.

Norwegian Sea

The Norwegian steamers Kong Ring (1994t) and Inger Nielsen (1862t) sink on mines near Ullsfjord laid by Soviet submarine K-1 on 16 and 17 December.

Pacific

The Soviet tanker Maikop (1846t) is sunk by Japanese bombing at the southwestern point of the Gulf of Davao, Philippines with the loss of 1 crewman.

Philippines

Manila is declared an open city, but it is severely bombed by the Japanese.

Manila Declared an Open City, 26 December 1941.

Adm Rockwell transfers the naval defenses to Corregidor. The American and Filipino land forces fall back from the Agno River to the line Santa Ignacia-Guimba-San José. Those coming from the south of the island establish a defensive line west of Sariaya.

St Pierre and Miquelon

The inhabitants of the islands vote by plebiscite to recognize the change of government, from Vichy to that of de Gaulle. This is not a welcome decision in Washington which has not yet recognized Gaullist authority and still has dipomatic relations with Vichy.

South China Sea

• The Japanese minesweeper W-6 and the steamer Unyo Maru No. 2 are sunk in a Dutch air attack near Kuching, Malaya.
• The British steamer Tantalus (7724t) is sunk by Japanese bombing at Manila. 45 of the crew are made prisoners of war.