Battle of the Atlantic

U-87 sinks the British tanker Cardita (8237t) 110 miles northeast of St Kilda with the loss of 27 of her crew. 33 survivors are picked up by the British destroyers Onslow and Sabre.

Eastern Front

Although the battles since June have seen huge losses for the Red Army - at least 5,000,000 casualties, 3,000,000 prisoners, 20,000 tanks and 30,000 guns destroyed - the Soviets are still very much in the fight. They will maintain the initiative until well into the spring of 1942, but by then the resources that have been carefully assembled during the autumn of 1941 will have been dissipated in attacks. Although the Germans have already lost severely in the winter offensive and will continue to do so, there will be no Soviet breakthrough and instead a gradual growth in German manpower and equipment levels.

In Day 115 of the Siege of Leningrad, it is reported that 52,000 people have died of starvation and lack of medical treatment during December.

In the southern sector the Germans break off the operation against Sevastopol to check the Russian threat from Kerch and Feodosia. In the central sector the Soviet counteroffensive before Moscow ends with the recapture of Kozelsk.

German pictures of the Wehrmacht on the Eastern front gave little indication of the the terrible state many of their troops were in.

German Pictures of the Wehrmacht Were Deceiving

The Soviet 10th Army recaptures Kozelsk. However, the Red Army offensive is running out of steam due to losses in men and equipment. The 3rd Army, for example, totals only 16,000 troops and 138 artillery pieces.

The German XLII Corps comes under pressure at Feodosia from the 40,000 troops that the Red Army has landed. Manstein is thus forced to halt attacks against Sevastopol until this threat has been dealt with.

The Wehrmacht has suffered major losses on the Eastern Front during its first campaign against the Soviet Union. The Luftwaffe has lost 2,100 aircraft destroyed and 1,300 badly damaged (Luftwaffe monthly losses in November and December were 741 aircraft and 318 air crews), while the army has lost 302,000 troops killed.

Soviet losses thus far have been colossal. During the last three months the army and navy combined has lost 1,007,996 killed and missing and 648,521 wounded.[MORE]

Germany, Home Front

Hitler issues a New Year message to the German people. 'He who fights for the life of a nation, for her daily bread and her future, will win, but he who, in this war, with his Jewish hate seeks to destroy whole nations will fall.'

Malaya

The Indian troops still try to hole up the enemy near Kampar on the west of the peninsula, and Kuantan on the east. The British, however, have already abandoned the area to the Japanese. This area produces 38% of the world's rubber and 58% of its tin.

North Africa

Rommel halts his withdrawal at El Agheila. An isolated Axis force at Bardia is attacked by South African and British troops.

Pacific

The American steamer Ruth Alexander (8135t) is sunk by Japanese bombing off northwest Borneo with the loss of 1 crewman.

Philippines

With the Japanese forces 30 miles away, the Americans and Filipinos complete the evacuation of Manila. Some key positions, such as the Calumpit bridge, are reinforced to hold the enemy and allow defenders to concentrate their forces in the Bataan peninsula. At 5:45p.m. the first Japanese enter Manila, which is in flames. MacArthur has already lost 30,000 men but he still has 80,000, 15,000 of which are American. Demoralized and ill-equipped, they prepare for a last stand.

Japanese forces entered the capital at 3 p.m., where they found all military stores destroyed.

Japanese Forces Enter Manila

The city of Intramuros, the old section of Manila, ablaze after an air attack.

Intramuros On Fire After an Attack

South China Sea

The American steamer Capillo (5135t) is sunk by Japanese bombing at Manila.

Soviet Union, Home Front

Allied convoy aid to the USSR thus far amounts to 750 tanks, 800 fighters, 1,400 other vehicles and more thatn 100,000 tons of other stores. This is most welcome, because Soviet equipment losses to date have been huge: 56 percent of all small-arms and machine guns; 69 percent of all anti-tank guns; 59 percent of all field guns and mortars; 72 percent of all tanks; and 34 percent of all combat aircraft (around 20,000 tanks and 10,000 combat aircraft have been lost between June and the end of December).

United Status, Command

Gen George H. Brett, coming from China, takes command of US Forces in Australia, USFIA. Adm Chester W. Nimitz assumes command of the US Pacific Fleet.

Nimitz Assumes Command of the US Pacific Fleet

Submarine pioneer Admiral Chester Nimitz assumed command of the U. S. Pacific Fleet on December 31, 1941 – on board the only available undamaged warship, the submarine Grayling. The aircraft carriers were at sea.