Air Operations - CBI

2nd AVG Fighter Squadron P-40s destroy 4 Japanese fighters on the ground while attacking the Rahaeng/Tak Airdrome in Thailand.

Air Operations - Europe

82 aircraft are sent on a raid to Brest. There are no losses.

In minor operations, 5 Hampdens are sent to lay mines off Brest. 1 plane is lost. 1 Manchester is sent on a leaflet flight over France.

Atlantic

The destroyer Vimiera hits a mine and sinks in the Thames Estuary.

Snow in London

John Colville had worked in Downing Street throughout the Blitz, now he left the shattered city behind. The destruction around St Paul's Cathedral caused by air raids on London is softened by a heavy dusting of snow. A mobile crane and truck can be seen at work to clear up some of the debris, January 1942. John Colville had a First Class Honours Degree from Cambridge and had embarked on a promising career in the Diplomatic Service before being transferred to 10 Downing Street. He had served as Private Secretary to Winston Churchill since he had become Prime Minister in May 1940, becoming intimately aware of the machinations at the heart of government. He had also forged a great friendship with Churchill. His diary provides many insights into the way Churchill worked.

Eastern Front

The Soviet Northwest, Volkhov and Kalinin Fronts launch a new offensive in the Valdai Hills area west and northwest of Moscow. The Soviet advance is very rapid at first despite fierce German resistance. Over the next 12 days the Russians make a 113-km-deep breakthrough between Smolensk and Lake Ilmen. They capture 9 towns and by January 22 Velikie Luki, a vital railway junction, is seriously threatened.

The 3rd and 4th Shock Armies begin to attack across the frozen surface of Lake Selinger but encounter fierce resistance from the 16th Army. Th 3rd Shock plans to punch through the German defenses and advance upon Kholm and Velikiye Luki, crushing the southern flank of the 16th Army, while the 4th Shock Army exploits the hole in the German line and rushes forward to storm Vitebsk. The 22nd Army provides support on the left flank. As the Northwest Front increases the pressure upon the right wing of the 16th Army, the German defenses at Peno, near Andreapol, begin to crumble. Elements of the 11th Army penetrate into the German rear and moves up to Staraya Russa.

Bitter fighting continues at Rzhev as the 29th and 39th Armies pound the 9th Army. The Germans throw back each Soviet attack, albeit with heavy casualties. Farther south, the 49th Army is involved in heavy fighting as it advances toward Vyazma, while the 10th Army storms Lyudinovo, taking the town after a fierce battle with the 2nd Panzer Army. The 10th Army is ordered to take Kirov and then cut the Vyazma-Bryansk railway. The 3rd and 13th Armies join the 61st Army attacks upon Bolkhov.

Malaya

The Indian III Corps begins to withdraw southwards. The 11th and 9th Indian Divisions are given the task of stopping the enemy advance, covering the area Seremban, Port Dickson, Tampin and Malacca.

Mediterranean

The British submarine Triumph is declared lost after failing to pick up a party of escapers at Bireans in the Adriatic on 30 December. The submarine was lost to unknown caueses sometimte between 30 December and 9 January with a crew of 62.

Pacific

• I-58 sinks the Dutch steamer Camphuijs (2380t) in the central Java Sea. The survivors are rescued by a naval seaplane and brought to Surabaya.
• The Dutch steamer Benkoeln (1103t) is sunk by I-65 in the central Java Sea. The American destroyer Paul Jones picks up 101 survivors from rafts.
• The US submarine Pollack (SS-180) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Teian Maru (4472t) 40 miles south-southwest of Inubozaki, Japan.

Philippines

On Luzon, on the Bataan peninsula, the first period of Japanese attacks begins at 3:00p.m. Two regiments, with artillery and aircraft support, advance in the eastern sector of the peninsula. There are no decisive engagements. The Japanese advance is mainly opposed by demolitions carried out by American and Filipino forces. A Japanese column from Dinalupihan reaches the area of Album.

United States, Home Front

Joe Louis knocks out Buddy Baer in the first round of a World Heavyweight Boxing Championship.