Air Operations, Europe

The Area Bombing Directive is issued to RAF Bomber Command. The attacks 'should now be focused on the morale of the enemy civil population and, in particular, of the industrial workers'. It is understood that the aiming points for the attacks will be produced by destroying the workers' houses rather than the means of production.

There is a night raid on Mannheim by the RAF.

Allied Command

Vice-Adm C. E. L. Helfrich of the Royal Netherlands Navy takes over as C-in-C Allied Naval Forces, South West Pacific, relieving Adm T. C. Hart of the US Navy.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-576 sinks the British steamer Empire Spring (6946t) southeast of Sable Island with the loss of her entire crew of 53.

Dutch East Indies

360 Japanese paratroopers land at Palembang on Sumatra. The small Dutch garrison is forced to retire. They destroy 1 oil refinery but the second and the airfield are captured. Other units of Adm Ozawa's Western Force are en route to Sumatra by sea. An Allied task force tries to engage the enemy ships in the Banka Strait, but is heavily attacked by Japanese aircraft and is forced to withdraw.

Japanese Paratroopers Landing at Palembang, 14 February 1942

The Oiltanks Burning at Palembang, Sumatra Island on 14 February 1942

Indian Ocean

I-66 sinks the British steamer Kamuning (2076t) off Trincomalee with the loss of 3 crewmen.

Mediterranean

• The British steamer Clan Chattan (7262t) of Convoy MW-9B is sunk by German bombing. All 128 crew and 230 passengers are rescued.
• The British submarine P-38 sinks the Italian steamer Ariosto en route from Tripoli to Palermo. Of the 410 men on board, including 294 prisoners of war, 252 are picked up by escorts Atlas and Polluce.

North Africa

After a two week lull Rommel renews his offensive.

Pacific

• The British auxiliary armed patrol vessel Liwo is sunk by Japanese surface craft after leaving Singapore with the loss of 73 on board. 11 survivors are rescued and made prisoners of war.
• The US submarine Swordfish (SS-193) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese transport Amagisan Maru (7623t) off Davao, Philippines.
• Japanese air attacks sink the British gunboats Dragonfly and Grasshopper off Rusuk Island near Singapore. 32 of the crew of the Dragonfily are lost along with a number of passengers. 2 of the crew are taken prisoner. 165 are lost on the Grasshopper.

Philippines

The Americans and Filipinos reduce the Japanese salient further in the Bataan peninsula.

Singapore

In the western sector the Japanese attacks continue. Supplies of water, food and ammunition are quickly being reduced.

Soviet Union, Home Front

Universal consription for labor service begins.