Air Operations - CBI

3rd AVG Fighter Squadron P-40s down 3 Japanese Ki-30 light bombers over Mesoht, Thailand.

Air Operations - Europe

151 aircraft are sent to bomb Brest. 1 Manchester is lost on the raid.

In minor operations, 31 aircraft attack Cherbourg, 5 Hampdens lay mines in the Frisians and there are 2 OTU sorties. 1 plane is lost on the Cherbourg raid.

Borneo

The Japanese take Jesselton, or Kota Kinabalu, the capital of British North Borneo, in British North Borneo, Sabah.

Eastern Front

West of Moscow the Soviet forces are now attacking Mozhaysk. Mosalsk Vetchino and Serpeysk are recaptured. North of Mozhaisk, Zhukov's forces have recaptured 51 villages in 2 days, but the German garrison at Mozhaisk continues a stubborn resistance. The siege of Sevastopol is lifted by the Red Army.

The Soviet 2nd Shock, 52nd and 59th Armies continue their offensive, although the Germans maintain a solid defense. The Northwestern Front launches more assaults against the German 16th Army, inflicting heavy casualties on II Corps.

A German soldier at a front line observation post near the city of Chelm/Kholm, Russia, January 1942.

German Soldier at a Observation Post

The German 9th Army at Rzhev and 4th Army at Mozhaisk continue to repel Red Army attacks. In response, the Stavka reinforces the Kalinin Front, bringing its strength up to 346,000 troops. The Western Front is ordered to achieve breakthroughs at Volokolamsk and Rzhev and reach Vyazma, thus separating and isolating the German 4th Army and 2nd Panzer Army. For these tasks it has 713,000 troops. To the south the Bryansk Front (317,000 troops) starts its offensive. These attacks are grouped under the Moscow Offensive.

Repeated attacks against Kharkov by the Soviet 21st, 38th and 40th Armies are having no success.[MORE]

Iraq

In Baghdad Raschid Ali is sentenced to death in absentia by court-marshal.

Malaya

Gen Wavell, visiting Singapore, orders the Allied forces to withdraw to positions south of the Muar River into Johore state, north of Singapore, where the next stand is to be made.

Over the next couple of days a third wave of Japanese landings brings in more troops. There is the usual lavish escort for the convoys. The outer defense line of Kuala Lumpur is penetrated by the Japanese.

Pacific

I-56 sinks the Dutch steamer Van Rees (3000t) 80 miles south of Tjilatjap and the Dutch steamer Van Riebeeck (2263t) in the same area.

Philippines

The opposing forces prepare for the battle of the Bataan peninsula.

Thailand

45 Japanese troop transports arrive at Patani and Singora.

Roosevelt and Churchill Visit Mount Vernon, 8 January 1942