Air Operations, Egypt

A 57th Fighter Group P-40 pilot downs a Bf-109 in a battle over the Marble Arch Airdrome.

Air Operations, Europe

• Turin is again heavily bombed by the RAF.
• German, Italian and Hungarian aircraft bomb the marshaling yards and depots northwest and southeast of Stalingrad.

Air Operations, New Guinea

Japanese aircraft drop supplies to Japanese troops near Buna.

Air Operations, Solomons

• AirSoPac B-17s attack shipping at Faisi Harbor in the Shortland Islands.
• 339th Fighter Squadron P-38s down 3 A6M Zeros and 2 A6M2-N 'Rufe' fighter-bombers over Tonolei Harbor in the morning.

Battle of the Atlantic

Naval land-based aircraft (VP-84) sink the German submarine U-611 in the North Atlantic.

Britain, Home Front

British and German guns exchange fire across the Straits of Dover for about 90 minutes.

Britain, Policy

London announces that Axis POW's would be unchained in 48 hours.

Eastern Front

A small German counterattack in the Rzhev area makes a little ground.

Soviets Deploy 76mm Gun

Soviet Soldier with Degtyaryov Machine Gun

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.

With 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 Command

Gen Kurt von Zeitzler is named chief of staff of the German army.

Speer on a Half-track Motorcycle

USMC Dauntless Dive Bombers Warm Up

New Guinea

The Japanese left on the coast northwest of Gona, now greatly depleted in strength by air attacks as well as pressure from the Australian 39th Battalion, are ordered to establish a defensive perimeter around Napapo and await reinforcements. The few reinforcements that the Japanese do receive come by air.

On the Sanananda front, an Allied supply party reaches the roadblock and finds the garrison is in desperate need of relief. On the Urbana front, the 3rd Battaliono of the 127th Infantry, US 32nd Division, begins the relief of the 2nd Battalion, 126th Infantry, which by now is also greatly understrength. Warren Force continues to bombard and probe the enemy line in an effort to soften it. The Australian 2/6th Independent Company is detached and returns to the Australian 7th Division.

North Africa

Columns 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.

Pacific

The 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.