Air Operations, Europe

4 Bostons attack ships off Den Helder, Holland. There are no losses.

Air Operations, Mediterranean

The British launch two heavy air raids of Wellingtons on Palermo. The ammunition ship Cuma goes up in an explosion that damages 13 other ships.

Australia, Home Front

All civilians are now liable for compulsory war service.

Burma

The Japanese begin to cross the Sittang in force. The Japanese continue to infiltrate between the 1st Burma Div and the 17th Indian Div. They bypass Pegu and converge on Rangoon.

The 'Flying Tigers', a tiny force of veteran air volunteers under the command of retired American officer Claire Chennault, do their best to support the defense of Rangoon but now retreat to an RAF base at Magwe.

Diplomatic Relations

Australia declares war on Thailand.

The US recognizes Free French authority over all French possessions and says it will cooperate in their defense: 'In its relations with the local French authorities in French territories the United States has and will continue to be governed by the manifest effectiveness with which those authorities endeavor to protect their territories from domination and control by the common enemy.'

Dutch East Indies

The Japanese occupation of Java continues. Japanese troops capture Batavia. The government of the Dutch East Indies has already left to move to Bandoeng.

The British destroyer Stronghold is sunk by the Japanese heavy cruiser Maya and the destroyers Arashi and Nowake. 70 of the crew are lost, 51 survivors are picked up by the captured Dutch steamer Duymaer van Twist, transferred to the Maya and made prisoners of war.

Indian Ocean

The American destroyer Pillsbury (DD-227) is sunk by Japanese heavy cruisers Atago and Takao south of the Java coast. 180 men are lost including 29 from the American destroyer Stewart (DD-224). There are no survivors.

New Guinea

The Japanese begin massive air attacks in preparation for their invasion.

Pacific

• The Dutch destroyer Witte de With is sunk in drydock at Surabaya by Japanese bombing.
• The US submarine Sailfish (SS-192) torpedoes and sinks the Japanese aircraft transport Kamogawa Maru north of Lombok Strait.

Philippines

Japanese troops land on Mindanao. Targets on Mindanao, Cebu and Negros are also bombarded by Japanese warships.

United States, Home Front

All persons of Japanese ancestry, including those who are now US citizens, are barred from Pacific coastal areas by the US government. 112,000 Japanese-Americans are to be deported from the Pacific Coast to inland 'assembly centers'.