Air Operations, EgyptA 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Bf-109 in a battle over the Marble Arch Airdrome. []Air Operations, Europe
Air Operations, New GuineaJapanese aircraft drop supplies to Japanese troops near Buna. [ | ]Air Operations, Solomons
Battle of the AtlanticNaval land-based aircraft (VP-84) sink the German submarine U-611 in the North Atlantic. [ | ]Britain, Home FrontBritish and German guns exchange fire across the Straits of Dover for about 90 minutes. [ | ]Britain, PolicyLondon announces that Axis POW's would be unchained in 48 hours. [ | ]Eastern FrontA small German counterattack in the Rzhev area makes a little ground.
The VI Rifle and I Mechanized Corps launch repeated attacks to try to break out of the pocket south of Belyi. Bitter battles rage until the 15th, when the Soviet force is destroyed. SOUTHERN SECTORWith the XLVIII Corps tied down, the Soviets begin a new attack aimed at pinning Group Hollidt. Attacks by the 5th Shock Army threaten Hollidt's flank and prevent his transfer of forces to Nizhne Chirskaya for the planned diversionary operation to WINTER-STORM. [ | ]German CommandGen Kurt von Zeitzler is named chief of staff of the German army. [ | ]
New GuineaThe Japanese left in the area northwest of Gona, battered ceaselessly by Allied aircraft, are ordered to prepare a defensive perimeter in the area of Napapo and await reinforcements. The few reinforcements that the Japanese do receive come by air. [ | ]+ North AfricaTUNISIAColumns of German tanks and infantry carry out a thrust on Medjez el Bab from the northeast and east, but are finally beaten off by the 4 French battalions and the British 1st Guards Bde. During the night the 11th Bde of the British 78th Div and Combat Command B, US 1st Arm Div, attached to it withdraw to Bédja area to regroup. As they retire the American units sustain a heavy loss of their equipment. The Allied force is still very thin on the ground and many of the troops are showing their inexperience. [ | ]PacificThe US submarine Halibut (SS-232) sinks the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kosei Maru (3262t and damages the Japanese transport Uyo Maru (6376t) of Hachinohe, Japan. [ | ] |
||||||||||||
[December 9th - December 11th] |