Air Operations, Europe

• 61 aircraft are sent to Brest. Bombing results are not observed. There are no losses.
• In minor operations, 3 Hampdens lay mines off the French coast without a loss.

Air Operations, Pacific

Dutch bombers and American B-17s again attack the shipping at Balikpapan.

Australia, Home Front

Full mobilization is ordered.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-754 sinks the Greek steamer Mount Kitheron (3876t) 8 miles east-southeast of St John's, Newfoundland with the loss of 12 of her crew. 24 survivors reach shore in lifeboats.
• U-130 sinks the Norwegian tanker Varanger (9305t) 28 miles southeast of Atlantic City, New Jersey. All 40 of the crew are towed in lifeboats by 2 fishing vessesl to the US Coast Guard Station at Sea Island Inlet, New Jersey.
• U-123 sinks the British steamer Culebra (3044t) from displersed Convoy ON-53 east-northeast of Bermuda with the loss of the entire crew of 45.
• The British steamer Swynfleet (1168t) sinks on a mine near the Landguard Point Lighthouse. The entire crew are rescued.

Burma

Gen Wavell, visiting Rangoon, gives orders for the defense of Moulmein although the local commander would prefer to retire. Troops of the 17th Indian Div are deployed on the west bank of the Salween River in defense of Moulmein. The Japanese are regrouping and do not mount any substantial operations.

Diplomatic Relations

Basing its outlook on undeniable Japanese successes, the government of Thailand declares war on the United States and Great Britain. Its forces immediately join the invasion of Burma.

Peru and Uruguay break off relations with the Axis powers.

South Africa and New Zealand declare war on Thailand.

Dutch East Indies

The Japanese carriers Hiryu and Soryu launch air strikes at the naval base on Amboina Island.

Eastern Front

Zhukov attempts to storm the fortified town of Gzhatsk, west of Mozhaisk, but, as he had predicted, his weakened forces are inadequate for the task before them.[MORE]

German Anti-Tank Gun in Action near Toropez

Malaya

The fighting at Batu Pahat continues all day, but it is now clear that the Japanese have the upper hand. Since Batu Pahat must be abaondoned, Gen Percival orders the entire line in central Johore withdrawn. The Indian III Corps is responsible for the withdrawal operation, which begins after nightfall. The Indian 11th Division commander sends the British 53rd Brigade Group to relieve the Batu Pahat defense force, but most of the column is unable to get through. On the east of the peninsula, however, enemy attacks in the Ayer Hitam-Kluang area are forcefully repulsed.

Mediterranean

The British submarine P-34 sinks the Italian steamer Dalmatia L. (3252t) south of the Straits of Messina.

New Guinea

The Japanese land at Lae.

North Africa

Axis troops occupy Msus and move on to Er Regima, east of Benghazi. The British 1st Armored Div drops back to El Mechili, leaving a detachment to protect the withdrawal of the 4th Indian Div from Benghazi to Barce. Gen Ritchie, however, orders a counterattack in the Msus area. The British 1st Armored Div is routed as the Germans capture 96 tanks, 12 aircraft, 38 guns and 190 trucks.[MORE]

Pacific

A Japanese submarine shells Midway Island.

Philippines

On Luzon the retirement of the American and Filipino troops to the southern end of the Bataan peninsula continues. Responsibility for defense of the beach area of southern Bataan passes from Gen McBride of the Service Command Area to the commanders of the I and II Corps. II Corps continues its withdrawal under air attack and with the Japanese in full pursuit. I Corps abandons its main line near Mauban. Withdrawal of the 1st Division southward begins during the morning and continues through the night. Diverting enemy attention other elements of the I Corps press in on the roadblock on West Road from the west. A defensive line is established stretching from Bagac on the west coast to Orion on the east coast. These positions will become the main battle lines for the next two months, as the Japanese will be unable to prosecute their advance due to a combination of combat fatigue, heavy casualties and various tropical diseases. The defenders also cannot eliminate the enemy detachments at Point Quinauan and Point Longoskawayan.