Damage in Lowestoft Town Center

Clearing the Debris in Lowestoft Town Center

Battle of the Atlantic

• German U-boats begin operations off the US East Coast. The move is code-named Paukenschlag ('Drum Beat'). Dönitz has faced arguments from his superiors in the German Navy who do not favor the operation, and he has had the difficulty that only the larger 740-ton U-boats are really suitable for such long-range patrols. When Dönitz gives the order for the attack to begin there are 11 long-range type IX 740-ton U-boats in position and 10 more en route, and together they sink 150,000 tons during the first month. Intelligence sources have given reasonable warning of the attack but the U-boats find virtually peace-time conditions in operation. Ships sail with lights at night; lighthouses and buoys are still lit; there is no radio discipline - merchant ships often give their positions in clear language; there are destroyer patrols (not convoys with escorts) but these are regular and predictable and their crews are naturally inexperienced. The US Navy refuses to take the advice on trade protection offered by the British, and the British are annoyed that many of their ships making for the convoy assembly points in Nova Scotia are among the victims.
• The British steamer Lerwick (5626t) is sunk by German bombing off Whitby with the loss of 5 crewmen.
• U-130 sinks the Norwegian steamer Frisco (1582t) off Nova Scotia and the Panamanian steamer Friar Rock (5347t) 110 miles southwest of Cape Race, Newfoundland. 13 are lost on the Frisco, 6 survivors are picked up by the Faroese schooner Mjoanes. The Friar Rock loses 31 of her crew, 6 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Montgomery.

Eastern Front

In the central sector the Russians extend their salient between the II and IV Panzergruppe southwest of Kaluga, capturing Kirov.

The Russians are now in complete control of the railway from Maloyaroslavets south to Kaluga. They also recapture Kirov, southeast of Smolensk, and Dorokhovo, near Mozhaisk.

The Leningrad and Volkhov Fronts renew their offensive. Near Lake Ladoga, the 54th Army attacks towad Pogoste and Tosno. Alongside the 54th Army, however, the 4th Army is hit by German attacks and is forced onto the defensive. Elements of the 2nd Shock and 52nd Armies strike the XXXVIII Corps near Gruzino establishing minor bridgeheads across the Volkhov. Heavy fighting rages at Mostki, Spasskaya-Polist and Zemititsky as the Soviets encounter strong German defensive positions. On either flank, the 59th and the remainder of the 52nd Armies meet with little success, failing to push forward from their start lines.

South of Lake Ilmen, the 11th Army continues to fight around Staraya Russa, while the 3rd and 4th Shock Armies slash at the 16th Army, striking the X and II Corps hard, Despite a spirited defense, the German line begins to crack.

Heavy fighting rages around Rzhev as the 29th and 39th Armies press deeper into the positions of the 9th Army, while the 20th and 1st Shock Armies, with the II Guards Cavarly Corps in support, overcome the German defenses around Volokolamsk, Furious fighting ensues as the Soviet units press into and through the town, pushing the 4th Panzer Army back. The 4th Panzer loses contact with the 4t Army to its south, the 33rd Army cutting its lateral communications as it advances upon Vyazma.

Malaya

Gen Wavell visits the front again. The withdrawal of the Indian III Corps into Johore state is almost complete. A convoy carrying war materials including 50 Hurricanes, many anti-aircraft guns and reinforcements, part of the British 18th Div, arrives in Singapore. The Japanese capture Port Swettenham.

Philippines

Japanese attacks on Bataan continue, however, after a powerfull artillery preparation, the Americans counterattack and reduce the Japanese salient south of the Calaguiman River. On the central front the Japanese force the Filipino 51st Div to fall back to the Balantay River.

United States, Politics

Donald M. Nelson, an executive with Sears, is appointed to head up the War Production Board.