Battle of the Atlantic

Bad weather hampers the main U-boat operations with only one convoy, HX-90, being attacked during the month. There are some successes for the U-boats off Portugal and West Africa. They sink 37 ships out of a total loss of 82.(Allied Ships Lost to U-boats)

The Blitz

British civilian casualties this month are 3,793 dead with 5,244 injured. German targets include London, Sheffield and Liverpool. The attack on London on 29/30 December is heavy and destructive.

Atlantic

• The armed merchant cruiser Forfar (16,400t) is sunk by U-99 west of Ireland. 172 were killed with 18 survivors.
• In the South Atlantic near Cape Verde, the German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer sinks the British steamer Tribesman (6242t) with the loss of 8 of her crew. 14 survivors are made prisoners of war.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the British steamer Palmella (1587t), a straggler from Convoy OG-46, southwest of Oporto with the loss of 1 crewman. 28 survivors are picked up by the Spanish trawler Navemar.

• U-101 sinks the British tanker Appalachee (8826t) from Convoy HX-90 340 miles west of Bloody Foreland with the loss of 7 of her crew. 32 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Heliotrope.

• The British tanker British Officer (6990t) sinks on a mine one quarter mile east of North Pier Light, Tyne. 5 of the crew are lost.
• The Norwegian steamer Oslofjord (18,673t) about a half mile southwest of T2 Buoy, Tyne, with the loss of 1 crewman.

The Blitz

During the night Bristol is raided by 120 aircraft. Serious damage is done in some residential areas. Southampton is hit again with a 6-hour assault by 130 aircraft. The dock area suffers light damage, but the damage in the city itself is extensive due to fires. 2 factories and 1 mill are hit. There are 140 civilian casualties.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the Swedish steamer Gwalia (1258t), a straggler from Convoy OG-46, 230 miles north of Cape Roca, Portugal, with the loss of 16 crewmen. 4 survivors are picked up by a British destroyer and landed at Gibraltar. U-37 next sinks the British steamer Jeanne M. (2465t) from Convoy OG-46. 7 of the crew are lost; 19 survivors are picked up by the British anti-submarine trawler Erin.
• U-43 attacks Convoy HX-90 and sinks the British steamer Pacific President (7113t) and the British tanker Victor Ross (12,247t) west-southwest of Rockall. The entire crew of 52 from the Pacific President is lost as is the crew of 44 from the Victor Ross.
• U-47 sinks the Belgian steamer Ville d'Arlon (7555t) from Convoy HX-90 with the loss of the entire crew of 56.
• U-52 also attacks Convoy HX-90 and sinks the British steamers Tasso (1586t) and Goodleigh (1548t) about 360 miles west of Bloody Foreland. 5 crewmen are lost from the Tasso with 27 survivors being picked up by the British destroyer Viscount. 1 is lost from the Goodleigh with 36 survivors also being picked up by the Viscount.
• In attacks on Convoy HX-90 U-94 sinks the British steamers Stirlingshire (6022t), Wilhelmina (6725t) and W. Hendrik (4360t) 280 miles northwest of Bloody Foreland. 74 survivors from Stirlingshire are picked up by the British steamer Empire Puma. 5 crewmen are lost from the Wilhelmina, but 34 survivors are picked up by the British corvette Gentian. 5 of the crew are lost from the W. Hendrik.

• U-101 sinks the British steamers Kavak (2782t) and Lady Glanely (5497t) about 340 miles west of Bloody Foreland. 25 are lost from the Kavak with 16 being picked up by the Viscount. All 33 of the crew of the Lady Glanely are lost.
• U-99 sinks the Norwegian steamer Samnanger (4276t) west of Ireland with the loss of all 30 of her crew.
• U-140 sinks the British steamer Victoria City (4739t), a straggler from Convoy HX-90, west of Ireland with the loss of all 43 of her crew.

Britain, Command

Various command changes for the Royal Navy are announced. Admiral John Cronyn Tovey is to succeed Admiral Sir Charles Forbes as Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet. Forbes goes to Plymouth Command. Admiral Henry Harwood becomes Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff.

Diplomatic Relations

General Franco of Spain signs a financial pact with Britain which releases frozen Spanish assets in London. He also promises Britain and the US that Spain will stay out of the war and not help Germany in any way.

Britain, Production and Supply

Britain announces that it has placed a first order with US yards for the construction of 60 merchant ships.

[]

Greek-Albanian Front

The Greeks cross the Kalamas River and advance along the coast taking the village of Sarandë.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-37 sinks the Swedish steamer Daphne (1513t), a straggler from Convoy OG-46, off the southwest coast of Spain. 18 of the crew is lost with 1 survivor.
• The British special service vessel Empire Seaman is reported lost due to unknown causes.

The Blitz

Birmingham is hit by 50 planes of Luftflotte III. They drop a variety of bombs and about 16,000 incendiaries.

Damage in Birmingham

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British submarine Sunfish sinks the Finnish steamer Oscar Midling (2182t) off Stadlandet with the loss of the entire crew.
• The Italian submarine Argo sinks the British steamer Silverpine (5066t), a straggler from Convoy OB-252 with the loss of 36 of her crew.
• British motor torpedo boats MTB-32, MTB-29 and MTB-31 attack German shipping off Flushing. The German steamer Paranagua (6062t) is sunk in the attack.

Germany, Planning

An outline plan for the attack on the Soviet Union is presented to Hitler by the army. As in the last version it provides for a three-pronged attack, with the center force moving toward Moscow being the strongest. Hitler agrees to allow planning to go ahead on this basis but suggests some modifications (see December 18). He also orders planning for the attack on Greece to continue.

The Blitz

75 bombers of Luftflotte III drop 90 tons of high explosives and 5,300 incendiaries on Portsmouth. The result is 1 serious, 9 medium and many small fires. There on 2 major fires in the dockyard; one on the Southern Railway Jetty and the other on Number 8 Dock. The fire in this area causes a loss of 1 former US Navy destroyer. In the raid 44 people are killed and 139 injured. A large number of businesses and private properties are destroyed. There is a bomb hit on the Carlton Cinema in Cosham High Street causing 43 casualties.

Damage in London

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Supremity (554t) sinks on a mine west-southwest of East Oaze Light Vessel in the Thames Estuary.
• U-43 sinks the Norwegian steamer Skrim (1902t) west of Ireland with the loss of her entire crew of 23.

The Blitz

Bristol is the target on this night. There is extensive damage in the city, especially to the railways and power supplies, but the civilian defenses are coping well with the emergencies.

Diplomatic Relations

Thailand and Japan sign a friendship treaty.

Greek-Albanian Front

The Greek advance north along the coast continues to go well. Sarandë is taken. In the Macedonian sector the Greeks advance along the valleys towards Elbasan.

Moving Equipment Near the Front

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. carry out night raids on Düsseldorf.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-99 sinks the Dutch steamer Farmsum (5237t), a straggler from Convoy OB-252, west of Ireland with the loss of 16 of her crew. 15 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Ambuscade.

The Blitz

There are no raids on Britain, either day or night. This is the first such day (24 hour period) since 7 August.

German Raiders

• The German raider Passat mines the Tasmanian coast and the Bass Strait between Tasmania and Victoria, Australia.
• The German raider Komet sinks the Norwegian steamer Vinni (5181t) 5 miles south of Nauru Island in the South Pacific without loss.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-103 sinks the British steamer Calabria (9515t) 295 miles west of Slyne Head, County Galway. All 360 aboard are lost.
• U-140 sinks the Finnish sailing vessel Penang (1997t) and the British steamer Ashcrest (5652t) off Bloody Foreland. All 18 of the crew of the Penang are lost as is all 38 aboard the Ashcrest.

The Blitz

There is a fire raid on London by 413 aircraft with only 2 losses. In a 14-hour onslaught 380 tons of high explosives and 115,000 fire-bombs are scattered over many metropolitan and suburban districts and between London and the south and east coasts. All fires, however, are quickly controlled. 7 hospitals and 4 churches are hit. The greatest damage comes to areas close to the Thames. Bombs hit the Surrey Commercial Docks where the Night Blitz first started.

Also hit are the offices of the Port of London Authority. Marylebone Station, many shops and houses are also hit. A large parachute mine explodes outside Broadcasting House, but wireless transmissions are not stopped. Most of the damage is caused by incendiaries. Total number of fires: 9 major, 24 serious, 202 medium and 1489 small. 258 people are killed and 600 seriously injured.

German Raiders

• The German raider Orion sinks the Australian steamers Triadic (6378t) and Triaster (6032t) near Nauru Island in the South Pacific. 1 is lost from the Triadic and 11 British crewmen are made prisoners of war. 15 from the Triaster are also made prisoners of war.
• The German raider Komet sinks the British steamer Komata (3900t) east of Nauru in ths South Pacific with the loss of 2 of her crew.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Royal Sovereign (1527t) sinks on a mine in the North Sea with the loss of 1 crewman.
• U-103 sinks the British steamer Empire Jaguar (5186t) about 300 miles west of Ireland with the loss of the entire crew of 37.

Greek-Albanian Front

Pogradec on Lake Ohrid, more the 40 miles from the Greek frontier, falls to the Greek advance.

Italy, Command

There are command changes and redistribution of ships and squadrons in the Italian navy. Adm Arturo Riccardi replaces Adm Cavagnari as Undersecretary of State and Head of Supermarina. Adm Angelo Iachino replaces Campioni as Fleet Commander-in-Chief.

Mediterranean

4 special task forces of the British Mediterranean Fleet are formed to bombard Italian positions and communications along the Egypt-Libya coast. Adm Iachino, the former Naval Attaché in London, is appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Italian Fleet.

North Africa

The British begin an offensive in the western desert called Operation COMPASS. Gen Richard Nugent O'Connor, in command of the 31,000-man strong Western Desert Force, leads two divisions, 7th Armored and 4th Indian, in the attack. They are supported by 7th Royal Tank Regiment (RTR) against whose Matilda tanks the Italians will have no answer. General Archibald Wavell is in Supreme Command in Egypt. The British force has few reserves and therefore the attack has comparatively limited objectives at first. Gen Rodolfo Graziani is the Italian Commander-in-Chief and he has about 80,000 men deployed the seven divisions of Gen Italo Gariboldi's Tenth Army in forward positions in Egypt. O'Connor's men began their advance from Mersa Matruh, 70 miles from the Italian front, three days previously and achieve complete surprise when they make their attack. The British outflank the Italians to the south and cut them off at Sidi Barrani.

Marching Past the Great Pyramids

The British Advance

Air Operations, Europe

Fliegerkorps X is ordered to transfer to southern Italy.

Diplomatic Relations

Britain provides China with $40 million in loans.

Germany, Home Front

In a speech to Berlin munitions workers, Hitler condemns the British aristocracy and 'financial magnates' and predicts: 'there will be no defeat of Germany, either by military or economic means, or by time.'

North Africa

Sidi Barrani falls to the British attack. There are 20,000 prisoners already in the offensive. The coast road to the west has been cut by 7th Armored Division at Buq Buq. The remnants of the Italian troops start retiring westwards.

Italian Captives

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-94 sinks the British steamer Empire Statesman (5306t), a straggler from Convoy SLS-56, west of Ireland with the loss of her entire crew of 32.
• In attacks on Convoy HX-92 U-96 sinks the British steamer Rotorua (10,890t) and the Dutch steamer Towa (5419t) about 100 miles west of St Kilda. 22 are lost from the British ship. 110 survivors are picked up by the British minesweeping trawler Varanga, the British minelayer Alsey and the British minesweeping trawler Ebor Wyke. 18 crewmen are lost from the Dutch ship. 16 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Matabele.

The Blitz

There is a heavy night raid on Birmingham by 278 aircraft from both Luftflotten. They drop high explosives and 25,000 incendiaries. Fires start in both residential and industrial areas. Among the plants hit are the Fisher and Ludlow Works and the W. T. Avery Factory. 6 churches, 11 schools and several hundred houses are damaged. 100 people are killed and another 235 are seriously injured.

Bomb Damage in Norwich

Axis Diplomacy

Germany informs Franco that Gibraltar will be attacked on 10 January. Spain is asked to join the operation. Franco refuses saying Britain would promptly occupy the Spanish and Portuguese islands in the east Atlantic. Without Spain's participation, Hitler abandons the Gibraltar operation.

Balkans, Politics

A treaty of friendship, the 'Friendship Pact', is signed in Belgrade by Yugoslavian and Hungarian representatives. By this token of good relations with a German client the Yugoslavs hope to improve their own relations with Germany.

Battle of the Atlantic

In more attacks on Convoy HX-92 U-96 sinks the Swedish steamer Stureholm (4575t) and the Belgian steamer Macedonier (5227t) 10 miles south of St Kilda, Hebrides. 4 crewmen are lost from the Macedonier, 37 survivors are picked up by the Icelandic ship Sulan. All 32 of the crew of the Stureholm are lost.

The Blitz

There is a heavy German night bombing raid on Sheffield. In Operation CRUCIBLE 336 bombers from Luftflotte III are involved. He-111s of II/KG55 drop a combination of flares and large high explosive bombs as a prelude to the 9 hours of bombing that follows. More that 350 tons of high explosives and incendiaries are dropped starting numerous fires. It is a devastating raid but factory buildings and machinery are undamaged. The city center is badly affected. The greatest number of casualties occurs at Marples Hotel at Fitzalan Square and High Street which collapses on its basement. 75 people were using it as a shelter. After 12 days of search and rescue, only 7 are pulled out alive. Many streets are blocked by debris and wrecked tramcars. There is also heavy damage in King Street and the Moor. One of the reasons that damage to commercial property was so great is lack of fire-watchers.

Bombing of Sheffield

Battle of the Atlantic

The German steamer Schwalbe (842t) is lost in a stranding off the Finnish south coast.

Germany, Planning

Hitler issues Directive 20 giving orders for the further preparation of the invasion of Greece, Operation MARITA. The German forces in Rumania are accordingly increased to a total of 24 divisions.

Mediterranean

• The British cruiser Coventry is damaged by the Italian sub Neghelli off the coast of Libya.
• The British submarine Truant sinks the Italian steamer Sebastino Bianchi (1546t) east-northeast of Cape Spartivento.

Air Operations, Europe

There is an R.A.F. night raid on Naples. The cruiser Pola is damaged.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British submarine Thunderbolt sinks the Italian submarine Tarantini off Bordeaux.

• U-96 sinks the British steamer Western Prince (10,926t) about 400 miles west of Cape Wrath with the loss of 15 of her crew. 98 crew members and 55 passengers are picked up by the British steamer Baron Kinnaird. 1 crewman is picked up by the British destroyer Active.
• U-100 sinks the British steamers Kyleglen (3670t) and Euphorbia (3380t) west of Ireland. All 36 of the crew are lost from the Kyleglen as well as all 34 from the Euphorbia.

Air Operations, Europe

There are R.A.F. night raids on Berlin and Naples where an Italian cruiser is damaged.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British steamer N. C. Monberg (2301t) from Convoy FS-360 is sunk by German motor torpedo boat S-58 east of Yarmouth with the loss of 9 of her crew.

The Blitz

There is a follow-up raid on Sheffield to the one made 3 nights previous in the Luftwaffe pattern of Doppelgänger (Double Attack). 11 planes of KG100 open the attack by dropping 11,500 incendiaries followed by about 80 more dropping both high explosives and incendiaries.

Damage in Sheffield from the 2 Raids

Leeds, Barnsley and Batley are also hit, but by bombs probably meant for Sheffield. Fire becomes a major problem this night. Several factories are hit, the railway line to York is blocked, and many houses are damaged. 1,200 businesses are hit affecting the employment of thousands. Almost 6,000 people are left homeless. In the two raids 750 people are killed and 500 are seriously injured. A big problem after this raid is the unexploded bombs; 394 are dropped.

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. carry out its first 'area bombing' raid on a German city referred to as Operation ABIGAIL. During the night 134 aircraft are sent to Mannheim. 103 bombers make it to Mannheim and in 6 hours 89 tons of high-explosive bombs and 14,000 incendiaries are dropped. The main target is a plant producing submarine engines, but it is not hit. 5 other industrial plants are hit, 1 seriously. Large fires are started on both banks of the Rhine. Casualties are 23 killed and 80 injured. Other targets include Speyer-am-Rhein and Heilbronn. Basle, Switzerland is accidentally bombed and 4 people are killed. (See February 18, 1941).

Battle of the Atlantic

U-37 sinks the Spanish steamer San Carlos (223t) off Cape Juby with the loss of 1 crewman.

Artillery Signalers in Palestine

Atlantic

When running trials after a refit, the British destroyer Acheron hits a mine and sinks off the Isle of Wight with a loss of 151 men. 15 men survived.

Battle of the Atlantic

Lost on mines between No. 1 and No. 2 Sea Reach Buoy off Southend are the British steamers Inver (1543t), Malrix (703t), Beneficent (2944t), Aqueity (370t) and Belvedere (869t). 17 crewmen are lost on the Inver, 8 from the Malrix, 6 from the Beneficent, 6 from the Aqueity and 4 from the Belvedere.

North Africa

The British forces occupy Fort Capuzzo, Sollum and 3 other Italian positions near the Egypt-Libya border. The Italian garrisons of these places have withdrawn to the Bardia fortress. 20,000 captured Italians are to be sent to India and interned at Ahmednagar, Ramgarh and Deolali.

Children of the Tripartite

Atlantic

The German heavy cruiser Admiral Scheer captures the British steamer Duquesna (8651t) in the South Atlantic. 91 crew and 8 passengers are made prisoners of war.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British tanker Osage (1010t) is sunk by German bombing 4 miles northeast of Arklow Light Vessel, County Wicklow. The entire crew is rescued.
• The German steamer Birkenfels (6322t) sinks on a mine laid by British MTBs off the Schelde.
• The Italian submarine Veniero sinks the Greek steamer Anastassia (2883t) from dispersed Convoy SC-15. 18 of the crew are lost, 10 are made prisoners of war.
• U-100 sinks the British steamer Napier Star (10,116t) 320 miles west of Rockall with the loss of 71 passengers and crew. 14 survivors are picked up by the Swedish steamer Vaalaren.

Britain, Home Front

10,969 evacuees have now arrived from Gibraltar.

Germany, Planning

Hitler issues Directive 21. Its message is simple: 'The German Armed Forces must be prepared, even before the conclusion of the war against England, to crush Soviet Russia in a rapid campaign.' The projected operation is given the code name BARBAROSSA. It is to take place in May 1941 and it will involve the conquest of the Caucasus. Establishing a line from the Volga River in the south up to Archangel in the north will be the aim of the German forces.

Hitler has modified the draft plans prepared by the army in one important respect. Although 3 lines of attack are still suggested, Hitler's scheme reduces the importance which has been laid on the advance to Moscow. He suggest that after the first battles the center group should swing north to help clear the Baltic States and Leningrad before moving on the capital. The directive further states: the Army will have to employ all available formations to this end, with the reservation that occupied territories must be insured against surprise attacks.

The Luftwaffe will have to make available for this Eastern campaign supporting forces of such strength that the Army will be able to bring land operations to a speedy conclusion and that eastern Germany will be as little damaged as possible by enemy air attack.

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. carry out a heavy raid on Mannheim using 134 Wellington bombers.

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British tanker Arnia sinks on a mine 8 miles east-southwest of Southend Pier with the loss of 60 crewmen.
• The British steamer Isolda (734t) is sunk by German bombing near Barrels Rock Light Vessel, South Wexford with the loss of 6 crewmen.

• The Italian submarine Bagnolini sinks the British steamer Amicus (3660t) from dispersed Convoy SC-15 with the loss of her entire crew.
• U-37 sinks the Vichy French submarine Sfax and the tanker Rhone (2785t) off Cape Juby.

Battle of the Atlantic

The Italian submarine Calvi sinks the British steamer Carlton (5162t) from Convoy OB-260 with the loss of 31 of her crew.

The Blitz

There is a heavy night raid on Liverpool, the first of 2 consecutive nights. The first bombers arrive at 6:30pm. Over 200 aircraft drop 27,000 incendiaries and 205 tons of high explosives. Many fires are started in the main dock area. The Dock Board and Cunard Buildings, the Central Police Office, municipal buildings and the town hall all burn. The Adelphi Hotel is severely damaged by a parachute mine that explodes in Copperas Hill. The worst incident of the night occurred at Bentnick Street when a bomb strikes a railway viaduct used by civilians as a shelter. 42 people are killed and it takes 2 days for rescue services to free the last of the 48 survivors.

Damage in Liverpool

Bulgaria, Politics

New anti-Semitic laws are introduced. Bulgaria's Jewish population at this point is about 50,000 people. There are also measures against Free Masons and other so-called secret societies.

Britain, Home Front

The Committee of Enquiry into the Arandora Star disaster (see July 2, 1940) publishes its findings. The main criticism concerns the indiscriminate deportation of both Fascist and anti-Fascist Italians on the liner.

Germany, Strategy

A series of OKH war games and independent studies regarding a German war in the East, conducted under the direction of Head Quartermaster of the General Staff, Maj-Gen Friedrich Paulus, come to an end. Paulus' conclusions are that German forces are 'barely sufficient for the purpose' assigned to them. In addition, the Wehrmacht will have no reserves left by the time it reaches Moscow, forcing the army to undertake an attack against the city with no reinforcements. And the Volga-Archangel line is a target that will be beyond the reach of the Wehrmacht. More worryingly, the studies revealed that in a campaign area the size of the western USSR, the panzer columns and slower-moving infantry would quickly become separated, leaving the flanks of the panzer forces dangerously exposed.

Air Operations, Europe

The is an R.A.F. night raid on the Porto Marghera docks and oil installations near Venice.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In German air raids on Liverpool British steamer Silvio (1293t) is sunk with the loss of 1 crewmen.
• British steamer Innisfallen (3071t) sinks on a mine at the entrance to Canada Dock, River Mersey with the loss of 4 of her crew.
• U-65 sinks the Panamanian tanker Charles Pratt (8982t) 220 miles off Freetown. 2 of the crew are lost, 40 survivors are picked up by the British ships Gascony and Langleegorse.
• The Italian submarine Mocenigo attacks Convoy OG-47 and sinks the Swedish steamer Mangen (1253t) with the loss of 8 crewmen. Survivors are picked up by the Swedish steamer Garm.

The Blitz

On the second of 2 consecutive nights, Liverpool is hit by 300 aircraft of Luftflotte III. 280 tons of high explosives and 33,000 incendiaries are dropped on Liverpool and Birkenhead. Serious fires are started on the King's, Prince's, Canada, Brocklebank and Gladstone Docks but the port's capacity to move trade was soon restored. The Liverpool to Leeds Canal is breached flooding the LMS Goods Station at Canada Dock. 74 people are killed in the Ansfield District when a shelter receives a direct hit. In the 2 nights 702 people are killed.

Diplomatic Relations

• Switzerland cuts off diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.
• Germany protests to the US about its pro-British attitude.

The Blitz

There is a heavy night raid on Manchester, the first of 2 consecutive nights. About 370 aircraft are involved in this raid, each with about one ton of high explosives. 37,000 fire-bombs are also dropped. To mark the target, planes from KG100, II/KG55 and III/KG26 drop flares and incendiaries. 400 fires are started in the city center and at Stretford. Damage to factories and commercial properties is heavy.

Railway stations are hit as is the main bus depot. The city has 3,500 firemen but many are in Liverpool helping there from the previous day. As a result many fires are able to do a lot of damage across the city. Fires burn in Piccadilly, the Royal Exchange, the Shambles and the Cathedral, Cheetham's Hospital, around Albert Square, Portland Street and Trafford Park.

Battle of the Atlantic

• In an attack on Convoy FN-366 by German motor torpedo boats S-59 badly damages the Dutch steamer Stad Maastricht (6552t). The ship is taken under tow but sinks on the 25th about 4 miles from the Gunfleet Light Vessel. The entire crew is rescued.
• The Dutch steamer Breda (6941t) is sunk by German bombing in the North Sea. The entire crew is rescued.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-65 sinks the British tanker British Premier (5872t) 200 miles southwest of Freetown with the loss of 32 of her crew. 4 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Faulknor.

German Raiders

In a rare rebuff, the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper is driven away from a 20-ship convoy en route to Sierra Leone by its especially strong escort vessels.

Germany, Home Front

Rudolph Hess, deputy Nazi leader, broadcasts a Christmas message: 'Divine justice has turned against England. We are carrying on the fight in the belief in the superior value of our people. For the Almighty has also created the German people; and service for this people is thus service in the belief in the Almighty who created it.'

Air Operations, Europe

Italian aircraft raid the Greek island of Corfu for the twenty-third time. 15 people are killed.

Britain, Home Front

George VI broadcasts a Christmas Day message: 'The future will be hard, but our feet are planted on the path of victory, and with the help of God we shall make our way to justice and to peace.'

Children in London Celebrate Christmas in a Bunker

Air Operations, Europe

The R.A.F. carries out daylight raids on the airfields in Brittany. There is a night raid on Bordeaux.

Battle of the Atlantic

• U-95 badly damages the British steamer Waiotira (12,823t) 124 miles northwest of Rockall. The ship sinks on the 27th with the loss of 1 on board. 89 survivors are picked up by the British destroyer Mashona.

• The German steamer Baden (8803t), leaving Tenerife to return to Germany, is intercepted by the British light cruiser Bonaventure. She scuttles herself to avoid capture. This is completed by a torpedo from the British cruiser.

Admiral Hipper and Thor in the Atlantic

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Araby (4936t) sinks on a mine near the Nore Light Vessel with the loss of 6 crewmen.
• U-38 damages the British steamer Ardanbhan (4980t) in Convoy OB-263. 13 hours later the Italian submarine Tazzoli finishes her off with the loss of her entire crew.
• U-65 sinks the Norwegian steamer Risanger (5455t) off Freetown. All 29 of her crew are picked up by the Norwegian tanker Belinda.

The Blitz

There are night raids on London by 100 aircraft. 111 tons of high explosives and 11,000 incendiaries are dropped. There are over 600 casualties with 50 coming from a hit on an air raid shelter in Southwark. There is damage to bus, tram and railway services.

German Raiders

The German raider Komet shells the phosphate production installation the island of Nauru, an Australian Proctectorate, in the Central Pacific while flying a Japanese flag. Both the Komet and Orion have been active in this area for some days and have sunk several of the ships engaged in the specialized phosphate trade.

Axis Diplomacy

The Italians, in a direct plea from Mussolini to Hitler, ask for German help in Albania. The Führer declines to become involved, having committed himself to drives into Greece via other routes. Also, he is becoming restless with Italian failures and has no desire to be dragged down by their sub-standard performance.

The Blitz

Plymouth is the target as 21 aircraft of 'Fire-raiser'groups scatter 12,500 incendiaries across the city. There are 45 casualties. Although there is much damage to homes, shops and hospitals, little disruption occurs in the port itself.

Greek-Albanian Front

The Greeks bring their offensive to an end for the moment in order to consolidate their gains and improve communications with the front.

Japan, Home Front

In an effort to make its petroleum supplies last, Japan begins a substitute fuel program to power private automobiles. Charcoal is to be the prime replacement for gasoline.

Secret War

The Gelsenkirchen Report says that the R.A.F. mission of 24 December, to destroy the Ruhr synthetic oil plant, was not successful.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German steamer Adriana (997t) sinks on a mine off the Elbe.

The Blitz

There is a heavy incendiary raid on London. In a little over 3 hours 136 aircraft drop 30,000 incendiaries that start 1,500 fires along with 120 tons of high explosives. KG100 begins the raid and within 30 minutes 54 fires are burning. This night 2 factors aided the fires. There is a neap tide which makes the level of the Thames very low. The Thames is a resource of the fire brigades when the water pressure falls. There is also strong winds blowing. The firemen are helpless in the face of 6 conflagrations and 16 major fires.

Luftwaffe Attack on London

Many famous buildings, including the 15th century Guildhall, 8 Wren churches and Trinity House, are destroyed or severely damaged. 5 main line and 16 underground stations are closed. Victoria and London Docks receive many bombs and the Port of London trade is interrupted. The raid is severe and several fires are still burning fiercely the next morning. 160 civilians are killed and 500 badly injured. 16 firemen are killed; 250 are hospitalized.

The Scene After the Raids

From St. Paul's Looking Northwest

Battle of the Atlantic

• The British steamer Calcium (613t) sinks on a mine with the loss of 1 of her crew.
• The British steamer City of Bedford (6402t) of Convoy SL-58 sinks in an accidental collision south of Ireland with the British steamer Bodnant (5342t) of Convoy OB-264 when the two convoys converge.

Britain, Home Front

Royal Engineers and Pioneers dynamite the fire-gutted buildings in the City of London.

Air Operations, East Africa

The R.A.F. bombs Assab, Italian East Africa.

Air Operations, Europe

There are R.A.F. daylight raids on Cologne, the oil supplies in Rotterdam, the docks at Ijmuiden and a bridge over the Rhine near Emmerich. Also bombed by the R.A.F. is Valona, Albania.

Battle of the Atlantic

U-38 sinks the Swedish steamer Valparaiso (3760t), a straggler from Convoy HX-97, with the loss of all 35 of her crew.