Air Operations, Aleutians

5 28th Composite Bomb Group B-24s, 4 B-25s, 4 B-26s, and 9 XI Fighter Command P-38s attack numerous targets at Kiska.

Air Operations, CBI

• 22nd Medium Bomb Squadron B-25s attack Lashio.

• Japanese aircraft attack the docks, shipping, and an airfield at Calcutta.

Air Operations, Europe

US B-17s and B-24s, escorted by 300 Allied fighters, bomb the aircraft repair depot at Rommillies-sur-Seine, and shoot down 21 German fighters. 6 Allied aircraft are lost.

B-17Fs of the 303rd 'Hell's Angels' BG Being Bombed up at Molesworth.

• 11 Mosquitos are sent to attack targets in northwest Germany; 9 attack trains and rolling stock; 1 Mosquito is lost.

• 232 aircraft are sent to Duisburg: 111 Lancasters, 56 Halifaxes, 39 Wellingtons and 26 Stirlings.
• The bombers find the target and report much damage.

• 4 OTU Wellingtons make leaflet flights over France without a loss.
• 6 Lancasters, 4 Wellingtons and 2 Halifaxes are lost.
• The RAF uses it 'Oboe' precision bombing system during a raid by 6 Mosquitos of 109 Squadron on a power plant in Lutterade, Holland. 'Oboe'

  observer bombing over enemy

  replaces the Gee system which the Germans have been able to jam for some time. 3 of the planes do not bomb the target because of faulty equipment. The results of the raid are unknown because photographs of the area showed that there were many old bomb craters and it was difficult to determine if any were from this raid. There are no losses.

A Halifax II of No 10 Squadron Pictured in December 1942

Air Operations, Asia

The Japanese make a night raid on Calcutta. This is the first of 5 during December.

Air Operations, New Guinea

V Bomber Command B-25s and A-20s support an Australian Army ground attack at Buna Mission.

Diplomatic Relations

Spain and Portugal announce the creation of a neutral Iberian bloc.

Eastern Front

The Soviets claim to have reached nearly to Millerovo, 70 miles northeast of Voroshilovgrad. The Rostov-Voronezh railroad has been cut and severe pressure is now being brought to bear on Army Detachment Hollidt, the northern wing of von Manstein's force. Von Manstein tries to get von Zeitzler at OKH to arrange for a breakout by von Paulus. Von Zeitzler gives little help and von Paulus now pleads that he is too short of fuel to attempt it in any case. There is some truth to this argument, but not to make some sort of effort is senseless.

The XXV Tank Corps is involved in heavy fighting at Kashary, elements of the Italian 8th Army retreating under withering Soviet fire. The 3rd Guards advances upon Morozovsk. Elements of the 1st Guards press toward Chertkovo and Millerovo, the railway line between Kantemirovka and Millerovo being cut.

Manstein holds Group Hoth on the Myshkova as he tries to get Hitler's agreement to allow 6th Army to break out. Manstein asks Zeitzler to intervene but he is equally unsuccessful. The stand fas order remains and 6th Army does not move. On the Myshkova the Germans struggle to hold back furious counterattacks by the 2nd Guards Army. The 17th Panzer Division is down to just 8 operational tanks while the 23rd Panzer Division is similarly depleted.

On the Chir, the 11th Panzer Division resumes its attack aimed at throwing the Soviets back over the river. After a promising start the Soviets launch a fierce counterattack against Balck's right flank. Fighting breaks out in the German rear but the situation is quickly restored.

Guadalcanal

Japanese riflemen harass the flanks and rear of the 132nd Infantry on the northwestern slopes of Mount Austen. The 1st Battalion attempts unsuccessfully to locate the enemy's east flank. US engineers complete the construction of a jeep road from the Lunga perimeter to Hill 35.

Pacific

• An 8,000-ton Japanese cargo ship hits a US planted mine and sinks off Cape Inubo, due east of Tokyo. This is the first Japanese ship lost in home waters after American submarines begin mining the coast.
• The US submarine Seadragon (DD-194) sinks the Japanese submarine I-4 in the New Britain area.