World War II in real time

Day 815 of World War II, November 23rd 1941

Eastern Front - Operation Barbarossa

In the Moscow area, German gains are gradual, but progress is made on a 50 mile front northwest of the city. The German 7.Panzer-Divisionen (Major General H. von Funck), 14.Infanterie-Divisionen (mot.) (Lieutenant General F. Fuerst) and LVI.Armeekorps (mot.) (General of the Infantry Erich von Manstein) of General der Panzertruppen Georg-Hans Reinhardt’s 3.Panzergruppe captured Klin on the Moscow-Leningrad highway and pushed south towards Sonechnogorsk further down the highway. The Germans had frontally attacked Klin where Soviet 30th Army had been holding their advance for 5 days and taken serious losses in men and material. Zhukov orders a limited withdrawal of the 5th and 16th Army's which is executed in good order despite the German pressure. Rokossovsky pulled his men back to a final defensive line 35 km from Moscow. General Lelyushenko withdraws 30th Army at the last minute back towards the Moskva/Volga canal. LVI.Armeekorps (mot.) then races 10 miles southeast along the railway line towards the town of Solnechnogorsk, within 35 miles of the Soviet capital of Moscow. Oberstleutnant Decker's combat group, I./Panzer-Regiment 3, moving in advance of the spearheads of V.Armeekorps with parts of the reinforced 3.Panzer-Regiment, penetrated into Solnechnogorsk from the west. The 2.Schützen-Brigade under Oberst Eberhardt Rodt attacked the town from the north-west with 304.Schützen-Regiment. The strong Russian defenses were overcome and more than two dozen enemy tanks destroyed. The bridges over the canal were secured intact. Things were moving again. As a result, General Veiel's Viennese 2.Panzer Division stood 37 miles from Moscow on an excellent road.

As starvation begins to set in at Leningrad, the first attempt to cross the recently frozen Lake Ladoga is made. 60 trucks brought in 33 tons of flour and 2.5 tons of sugars and fats into besieged Leningrad, driving across the frozen Lake Ladoga. This was the first of many over-ice truck runs that would ramp up to bring in 100 tons of supplies each day. The population of Leningrad, however, required about 600 tons of supplies for survival.

Further south Soviet 9th Army and 37th Army threatened to isolate German 1.Panzerarmee in Rostov. Soviet warships bombard German positions around Sevastopol.

German Luftwaffe II./KG 55 departed Kirovograd, Ukraine for Saint-André-de-l'Eure, France for rest and refitting.

Battle of the Atlantic

Corvette HMCS “Morden” departed St John’s to join the 45-ship convoy SC-56 from Sydney which arrived intact at Liverpool 10 Dec 41.

USN Task Unit 4.1.6 assumes escort duty for convoy HX-161 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.). The convoy will not be attacked by U-boats during its passage.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Desperate to get deliveries into Libya, the Axis try a new tactic, operating a series of small convoys in the hope that Allied naval and air forces will be too stretched to attack all of them. One such convoy carrying fuel to Benghazi is spotted early this evening by a patrolling aircraft. Within hours of returning to Grand Harbour, Force “K” was back at sea, sailing under cover of thunderstorms towards its prey. RN Mediterranean Fleet sails from Egypt to cover Force “K”. The Royal Navy’s radio operators successfully jam Axis signals which could warn the convoy of the attackers’ approach. By the time the presence of Force “K” is spotted by the Luftwaffe, it is too late. Despite being hit by shells, HMS “Penelope” manages to attack two abandoned Italian freighters, igniting cans of precious petrol piled high on their decks.

HMAS “Napier”, (destroyer), took off the crew of the transport “Glen Roy”, torpedoed by German aircraft near Tobruk. The ship was later beached.

Western Desert Campaign - Operation Crusader

The Germans name this day Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead). Fierce battles continue in the area southeast of Sidi Rezegh. Allied infantry arrive near Sidi Rezegh having covered 50 miles across the desert from the Egyptian border in 2 days. Rommel sends General Ludwig Crüwell with 15.Panzerdivision and Italian Ariete Divisions circling around the British tanks from the South, to disorganize the Allied rear echelons and return next morning. In the afternoon, both German and Italian forces from the Ariete Division stage a direct charge against the British armor which has been reinforced with two South African Brigades. About 160 German tanks and several battalions attack 34 British tanks of the 22nd Armoured Brigade and infantry of the South African 5th Brigade. The Germans lose 70 tanks but the defenders are wiped out. The South Africans of the 3rd Field Regiment, (Transvaal Horse Artillery) were surrounded on all sides by German armour and artillery, subjected to a continuous barrage. They tried to take cover in shallow slit trenches. In many places the South African soldiers could only dig down to around 9 inches [23 cm] deep due to the solid limestone underneath their positions. The Transvaal Horse Artillery engaged German tanks from the 15.Panzerdivision and 21.Panzerdivision, the gunners firing over open sights as they were overrun. This continued until many of the officers were dead and the gunners had run out of ammunition. Many of the gun crews were captured. As darkness fell, those that could escaped back to Allied lines under cover of darkness. The artillerymen of the 3rd Field Regiment managed to save 5 of their 24 guns from the battlefield. They later recovered a further 7 guns. After the battle of Sidi Rezegh, Acting Lieutenant General Sir Charles Willoughby Moke Norrie stated that the South African's "sacrifice resulted in the turning point of the battle, giving the Allies the upper hand in North Africa at that time." After a sudden artillery concentration the garrison of Fortress Tobruk, supported by sixty tanks, made an attack on the direction of Bel Hamid at noon, intending at long last unite with the main offence group. The Italian siege front around the fortress tried to offer a defense in the confusion but was forced to relinquish numerous strong points in the encirclement front about Bir Bu Assaten to superior enemy forces. The Italian “Pavia” Division was committed for a counterattack and managed to seal off the enemy breakthrough. Overnight, confused and beaten, British 7th Armored Division withdraws 20 miles having lost 60% of its tanks. Germans take control of Sidi Rezegh. German and Italian losses are high and their numerical superiority is lost. They now have less than 100 tanks. British Captain Philip Gardner led two Matilda tanks in the rescue of the crews of two armored cars pinned under enemy fire at Tobruk, becoming wounded in the process. He was later awarded the Victoria Cross award. The 5th New Zealand Brigade continued its advance south-east, down the main road from Fort Capuzzo towards Sollum and cut off of the Axis positions from Sidi Omar to Sollum and Halfaya from Bardia and its supply route. The 6th New Zealand Brigade Group on the left flank at Bir el Hariga, had been ordered north-west along the Trigh Capuzzo (Capuzzo–El Adem) to reinforce 7th Armoured Division at Sidi Rezegh. The brigade arrived at Bir el Chleta, some 15 miles (24 km) east of Sidi Rezagh, at first light, where they stumbled on the Afrika Korps headquarters and captured most of its staff (Crüwell was absent); no supplies reached either panzer division that day. Later in the day the 4th New Zealand Brigade Group was sent north of the 6th New Zealand Brigade to apply pressure on Tobruk and the 5th New Zealand Brigade covered Bardia and the Sollum–Halfaya positions. Due to heavy British losses, Major General Alan Cunningham, General Officer Commanding Eighth Army, begins to doubt his ability to beat the Panzers and General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief Middle East Command, comes forward to watch the tactical moves closely.

Photo: Panzers knocked out near Sidi Rezegh on 23 November 1941



The Italian High Command in Rome, Italy agreed to put the Italian XX Mobile Corps, which included the Ariete Division and the Trieste Division, under Erwin Rommel's direct command.

More heavy air-to-air combat over the Operation Crusader battlefront with approximately sixteen RAF aircraft and twelve Axis aircraft lost. For the day JG 27 scores victories over nine RAF fighters and one Boston bomber but at a cost. Hptm. Lippert, Gruppenkommandeur of II./JG 27 is forced to bail out, breaks both his legs and is captured by the British. Oblt. Gustav Rödel takes his place as acting Gruppenkommandeur of II Gruppe.

Six Albacores FAA No. 828 Squadron were dispatched to lay mines outside Tripoli Harbour. Mines were laid a few miles to the west of Tripoli. All aircraft returned safely. Five Blenheims of RAF No. 107 Squadron attacked landing ground west of B Bu Giarada. Five Wellingtons of RAF No. 104 Squadron attacked Benina aerodrome.

Japan military

Carrier Striking Task Force Operations Order No. 1 is issued stating that the “The Carrier Striking Task Force will proceed to the Hawaiian Area with utmost secrecy and, at the outbreak of the war, will launch a resolute surprise attack on and deal a fatal blow to the enemy fleet in the Hawaiian Area. The initial air attack is scheduled at 0330 hours, X Day. Upon completion of the air attacks, the Task Force will immediately withdraw and return to Japan and, after taking on new supplies, take its position for Second Period Operations. In the event that, during this operation, an enemy fleet attempts to intercept our force or a powerful enemy force is encountered and there is danger of attack, the Task Force will launch a counterattack. The second unit, the Midway Bombardment Unit (the 7th Destroyer Division less the 2nd section), will depart from Tokyo Bay around X-6 Day and, after refueling, secretly approach Midway. It will arrive on the night of X Day and shell the air base. The unit will then withdraw and, after refueling, return to the western part of the Inland Sea. The oiler “Shiriya” will accompany the bombardment unit on this mission and will be responsible for the refueling operation.” Carrier Division 5 [“Shokaku” and “Zuikaku”], having the ‘greenest’ aircrews, with no combat, nor extensive, experience [the carriers had just come into service], was tasked with attacking the U.S Army Air Corps land bases, which Genda felt would be easier for the aircrews to handle. The Japanese carriers made a rendezvous at Hitokappu Bay, Kurile Islands, Japan in preparation for the Pearl Harbor attack.

Destroyer “Yuzuki” departed Sakaide, Shikoku, Japan, escorting a troop convoy.

Nine Japanese submarines of the 3rd Submarine Unit, Advance Group, Pearl Harbor Strike Force, depart Kwajalein Atoll and arrive off the Hawaiian Islands on 6 December. One of the submarine, HIJMS I-8, is carrying a “Glen” seaplane (Kugisho E14Y1, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane); on 7 December HIJMS I-8 will be stationed about 45 nautical miles (83 kilometers) southwest of Oahu Island, seven of the boats will be stationed about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) south of Oahu and one boat will be stationed 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) west of Oahu. Joseph Rochefort reported to his superiors that his cryptanalytic team had detected a Japanese submarine squadron moving into the Marshall Islands.

Netherlands Suriname

US Army troops arrived in Netherlands Suriname and occupied the region on behalf of the Dutch government-in-exile in order to protect bauxite mines.

Germany/Japan relations

The German ambassador in Japan Eugen Ott warned Germany that the Japanese military seemed to be on the verge of a war, its military preparing to move southward. He was not aware of Japan's plans to attack the United States.

British landing ship HMS “Prince Leopold” landed 90 men of British No. 9 Commando battalion at Butte de Houlgate, France. The commandos do not destroy their target (guns at Batterie de Tournebride) or take any prisoners but they capture some secret papers, then reboard and return to Portsmouth without loss.

Air War over Europe

The British Royal Air Force (RAF) carried out offensive sweeps over Northern France. Night attack on docks at Lorient, Brest and Dunkirk. RAF Bomber Command sends 37 aircraft to attack Dunkirk overnight. RAF Bomber Command sends 53 aircraft to attack Lorient overnight. RAF Fighter Command flew a Ramrod operation with seven fighters lost. RAF 11 Group Ramrod 12 was an attack by 4 Hurricanes IIb/c of RAF 11 Group escorted by 8 Hurricane IIb/cs of RAF No. 615 Sqn. and 12 Spitfire Vbs of RAF No. 315 Sqn. The target was not located so rail-targets were attacked near St. Omer, and a factory near Calais. Attacked by the Fw 190s from 6./JG 26, the RAF aircraft lost 7 machines.

During the patrol a Hudson V bomber from RAF No.608 Sqn. Coastal Command flew over Denmark and followed the railroad from Tarm towards Skjern. South of Skjern it dropped two bombs which fell between the railroad track and the main road without exploding. Apparently the Hudson then struck a telephone pole at 14:41 hours and crashed into the ground. Pilot F/Sgt Russel H. MacMillan RCAF and Pilot F/Sgt George N. Fullerton were killed by the crash while W/Op–Air Gnr. Sgt John Short and Wop/Air Gnr. Sgt. Francis G. Simmonds were brought to Skjern hospital, both badly wounded. Short perished shortly after arrival while Simmonds died at 09:00 hours the following day. The whole crew were laid to rest in Frederikshavn cemetery.

Day 817 of World War II, November 25th 1941

Eastern Front - Operation Barbarossa

Situation was very serious in the Klin and Tula sectors of the Moscow front. Stavka is assembling reserve forces for a counteroffensive against Army Group Center, including 1st Shock Army, 10th Army, and 20th Army. 35 miles northwest of Moscow at Peshki, German 2.Panzerdivision (Generalleutnant Rudolf Veiel) (4.Panzergruppe) advancing along the railway line from Solnechnogorsk towards Moscow encounters Soviet 146th Tank Brigade sporting new British Matilda tanks (some of the earliest Allied lend-lease supplies to see combat in USSR). Standing on a hill, Oberst Eberhardt Rodt commanding 2.Schützen-Brigade saw through his binoculars three tanks approaching.

"What type of tanks are those?" he asked his orderly officer. "No idea, Herr Oberst," was the reply.

The spearhead of I./Panzer-Regiment 3, appeared suddenly from behind undulating ground and opened up at the surprised enemy tanks with its 7.5-cm. guns. Two of the tanks were hit; the third withdrew. When Oberst Rodt inspected the wrecks he was much surprised—British Mark III tanks, which could be effectively opposed even with the German 3.7-cm. anti-tank gun. The infantry divisions of V.Armeekorps were driving along both sides of the great road, southward towards Moscow and south-eastward towards the Moskva-Volga Canal. The canal was the last natural obstacle to Moscow's being outflanked in the north. If it was overcome the northern attacking force - 4.Panzergruppe and 3.Panzerarmee - would have the worst behind them. The Potsdam 23.Infanterie-Divisionen (Major General H. Hellmich) headed for the canal via Iksha with 9.Infanterie-Regiment. The division's other infantry regiment, 67.Infanterie-Regiment, and the Reconnaissance Battalion 23 were likewise fighting their way to the canal north-east of Krasnaya Polyana. 30 miles west of Moscow, German 10.Panzerdivision (Lieutenant General F. Schaal) and SS-Infanterie-Division (mot.) ‘Reich’ (SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Paul Hauser) unsuccessfully attacked Istra, which was being defended by Soviet 78th Rifle Division fresh from Siberia. The men of that division had a reputation for the fact that they neither took prisoners nor allowed themselves to be taken. In hand-to-hand fighting, with hand-grenades and spades, pillbox after pillbox had to be taken. Lieutenant-Colonel von der Chevallerie seized the bridge of Busharovo with the reinforced 86.Schützen-Regiment, 10.Panzerdivision. The operation was carried out under cover of a thick blizzard. German 10.Panzerdivision’s 7.Panzer-Regiment had no more than twenty-eight tanks left, and the 69.Schützen-Regiment and 86.Schützen-Regiment had shrunk to four weak rifle battalions of 120 men each. Boehringer's artillery battalion was down to one single tractor and ten guns. Nevertheless the remnants of German 10.Panzerdivision fought with spirit. 11.Panzerdivision and 5.Panzerdivision succeeded in crossing the river and the reservoir and forming bridgeheads. Motorcycle Battalion 61 of 11.Panzerdivision, led by Major von Usedom, made a daring rush over the ice of the Istra. The Russians opened up at them with artillery. The air was filled with splinters of steel and ice. But the motor-cyclists fought their way across to the far bank and gained a precarious foothold on the frozen ground. The reservoir itself was crossed near Lopatovo, at its narrowest point. There were some anxious minutes as the men headed for the dam of the reservoir. It must have been wired for demolition. Lieutenant Breitschuh's sappers removed 1100 mines and two tons of high explosive from the reservoir dam. Finally, 100 miles South of Moscow, German XXIV.Armeekorps (mot.) launched a new attack. Part of Guderian’s 2.Panzerarmee spreads out from Venyov. 17.Panzerdivision advanced north towards Kashira, while 4.Panzerdivision swings back West to encircle Tula and cut the rail line to Moscow. Units of Army Group Centre continued to nibble their way towards Moscow in spite of all difficulties.

In the face of local Soviet counterattacks, German Army Group North assumes a defensive posture.

On the Black Sea three Soviet tankers and an icebreaker, escorted as far as the Bosphorus by a flotilla leader and two destroyers, depart Batum for the Far East.

Photo: German Panzer IV tanks and armored personnel carriers attacking a Soviet-held village in the vicinity of Istra on the Moscow-Riga railway on 25 November 1941



Battle of the Atlantic

The Canadian Saguenay Terminals bulk carrier “Proteus”, an ex-USN collier (10,653 GRT), was lost in the Caribbean Sea. She was on route from St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, with a load of bauxite. There were no survivors from the 58 crewmembers that were onboard. The cause of her loss has never been established although sabotage was originally suspected. Rear-Admiral George van Deurs, USN (retired), who served in this class of ship, suggested the colliers were poorly constructed to begin with and that the natural acidity of coal seriously weakened the ship’s plating and frame. It is now generally accepted that both “Proteus” and her sister ship, “Nereus”, were unseaworthy and broke up in heavy seas.

Western Desert Campaign - Operation Crusader

The British Operation Crusader, an offensive whose goal is to liberate Tobruk, has been going badly since its start on 21 November. British 7th Armored Division of Eighth Army has been pummeled by General Erwin Rommel's panzers and fierce artillery fire by well-sited Italian gunners. On 24 November Rommel decided to launch a counteroffensive, and today, he sets in motion more forces whose aim is to relieve a trapped German garrison at Bardia and threaten British lines of communication back into Egypt. This is known as General Rommel's "dash to the wire" because it sends Afrika Korp panzers behind the British outposts to the area of the Egyptian/ Libyan border where a wire barricade stretches inland from the coast.

With part of Afrika Korps and the Italian Ariete Division already heading toward Sidi Omar, the 15th Panzer Division today heads northeast toward Sidi Aziz. To their shock, the German tankers find no enemy to be seen and their only opponents the omnipresent RAF Desert Air Force. The 5th Panzer Division of the 21st Panzer Division hits the 7th Indian Brigade at Sidi Omar, but are fought off with great difficulty by the 1st Field Regiment of the Royal Artillery. The German tanks try again, but the Royal Artillery picks the panzers off over open sights at 500 meters and destroys or damages almost all of them. It is a brilliant defensive victory by the British caused by their valor and the overconfidence of the panzer commanders. The rest of the 21st Panzer Division heads unmolested to the border at Halfaya, the key to the vital coastal road.

The Germans reach the area west of Sidi Aziz by sunset, but they have taken heavy tank losses during the day. They have only 53 panzers remaining with no possibility of reinforcement. The 5th New Zealand Brigade is located further up the coast between the panzers and their closest supply dumps, posing a logistical problem. The Germans camp here for the night and prepare to bypass the New Zealanders on the 26th in order to liberate Bardia and resupply.

The first Italian Macchi C.202 Folgore fighters reached Libya. These Folgores (the most successful Italian fighter to see extensive wartime service) belonging to the 1° Stormo Caccia Terrestre, rapidly established, over the Western Desert, an ascendancy over the opposing RAF Hawker Hurricane and Curtis P-40 fighters.

Following attacks yesterday on Benghazi and the approaches to Sirte, ten more British aircraft from Luqa fly south to continue the offensive against the Afrika Korps in Libya. Five Blenheims attack motor transport on the road west of Misrata and five more strike another road convoy between Homs and Misrata, in an effort to cut supply lines to Rommel’s troops. Harbour at Benghazi was again bombed by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) during night. Raids were also made on aerodromes at Benina and Berka.

Air Marshal Sir Arthur Tedder, the British RAF Commander-in-Chief, Middle East, informed Oliver Lyttelton, Winston Churchill's Minister of State for the Middle East, that General Alan Cunningham was not confident in winning the battle in Libya. The following day Cunningham was relieved as Eighth Army commander. Neil Ritchie would take his place on the following day.

Air War over Europe

Widespread but small scale Luftwaffe activity over West of England at night. One Luftwaffe bomber was destroyed.

RAF Fighter Command flew Rhubarb operations. RAF Bomber Command sends 18 aircraft to attack Brest and 17 aircraft to attack Cherbourg overnight.

Battle of the Mediterranean

YouTube (HMS Barham Explodes & Sinks: World War II, 1941, British Pathé)



Another Axis convoy has been spotted steaming towards Benghazi. With Force “K” already engaged in the pursuit of one convoy, Force “B”, consisting of five cruisers and four destroyers, is dispatched to tackle the second. Admiral Cunningham takes to the sea in the flagship “Queen Elizabeth”, accompanied by British battleship HMS “Barham” and “Valiant” as well as eight destroyers. The fleet takes up a strategic position, standing by to support the attacking Forces. The British battleship HMS “Barham” is torpedoed and blows up after a magazine ignited in an attack by U-311. Baron von Tiesenhausen in U-331 dived beneath the destroyer screen and fired a salvo of torpedoes at HMS “Barham” from a range of a few hundred yards. There were three direct hits, producing an explosion so violent that the U-boat was forced to the surface. After four minutes HMS “Barham” rolled over to port and her after magazines exploded and the “Barham”, the flagship of the Fleet’s second-in-command, Vice-Admiral Pridham-Wippell, sank. The captain and 858 crew perished. Amazingly, 450 survived.

Photo: HMS Barham main magazines exploding, 25 November 1941



Italian minesweeper “Zirona” damaged by RAF aircraft at Benghazi and beached. German vessel “Tinos” was sunk by RAF aircraft at Benghazi. Italian vessel “Attilio Deffenu” was sunk by RN submarine “Thrasher”.

East Africa Campaign

In East Africa the British forces take Tadda Ridge, 7 miles from the Italian stronghold of Gondar.

Cairo communique announced the entry of Indian troops into Augila, 100 miles of Jedabya.

German/Finland relations

In Berlin, Finland signs the Anti-Comintern Pact. Germany invited Finland to adhere to the pact in early November, but there was considerable reluctance in Finland to do so. It was thought that Finnish adherence would worsen the relations with the Western Allies. On the other hand, Finland is very dependent on German deliveries of food supplies, and had just requested 175 000 tons of grain. In the end, the Finnish government decided that joining the pact is the lesser of two evils, because adequate level of food supplies has to be secured for the duration of winter.

Battle of the Pacific

Adm. Harold R. Stark, U.S. chief of naval operations, tells Adm. Husband E. Kimmel, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor, that both President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Cordell Hull think a Japanese surprise attack is a distinct possibility.

"We are likely to be attacked next Monday, for the Japs are notorious for attacking without warning."

At the time he received the "warning" from Stark, Kimmel was negotiating with Army Lt. Gen. Walter C. Short, commander of all U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor, about sending U.S. warships out from Pearl Harbor in order to reinforce Wake and Midway Islands, which, along with the Philippines, were possible Japanese targets. But the Army had no antiaircraft artillery to spare.

American submarines “Triton” and “Tambor” arrived at Wake Island on "simulated" war patrols.

Japanese troop transports en route to Malaya were detected off Taiwan.

The US Navy begins to establish compulsory convoying for merchant ships in the Pacific.

A shipment of 24 crated P-40E’s arrived in Manila.

IJN submarine I-26 scouts Kiska Island of the Aleutian Islands in the North Pacific Area.

The tug “Sonoma” (AT 12) sailed from Wake Island with Pan American Airways barges PAB No. 2 and PAB No. 4 in tow, bound for Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii.

Japan military

In the late afternoon, onboard the IJN aircraft carrier “Akagi”, more than 500 flying officers from all the carriers jammed into the ship’s aviation-crew quarters which had been stripped of all bunks and tables. Nagumo outlined the attack. It was the first time most of them had heard the words Pearl Harbor. As the Admiral spoke, excitement mounted and when he ended, there was a deafening cheer. When the noise died down, Genda and Fuchida detailed the attack on the Pearl Harbor mock-up. Later a ceremonial banquet to the future victory with officers of the other warships, is held on the carrier.

Day 819 of World War II, November 27th 1941

Eastern Front - Operation Barbarossa

Soviet Kalinin Front begins counterattacking German 9.Armee on the northern flank of Army Group Center. In the Moscow region, Guderian’s forces have been fighting around Kashira for three days. Further advancement without re-enforcements is not possible. Soviet 1st Guards Cavalry Corps was counterattacking German 2.Panzerarmee near Kashira. Major-General Belov drives back the 17.Panzerdivision relieving pressure on Tula. In their advance toward Moscow under extremely difficult wintry conditions, units of 9.Armee reach the Volga Canal 60 miles (97 kilometers) northwest of the Soviet capital. Some armed patrols have penetrated the western suburbs of the city and got a good look at the Kremlin. The sound of the guns from the battle raging in front of Moscow can be heard clearly in the capital. The Germans are only 25 miles away. They have broadened the wedge that they have driven into the Russian forces northwest of the city and are claiming to have captured the town of Klin. They are however, still being held at Tula, south of Moscow. They had also taken Solnechnogorsk and were headed for the Russian outpost at Kryukovo. But the main German attack was further east and aimed at Krasnaya Polyana, Lobnya, and the Moscow-Volga Canal. German SS-Infanterie-Division (mot.) ‘Reich’ completed the captured of Istra west of Moscow from Siberian 78th Rifle Division. 37 miles North of Moscow, the 7.Panzerdivision of LVI.Armeekorps (mot.) (General of the Infantry Erich von Manstein)-3.Panzerarmee, reached Yakhroma – 58 km north of Moscow – and captured the crossing over the Moscow-Volga Canal. The 71st Marine Brigade was flung against the German bridgehead but despite enormous losses the underequipped sailors failed to retake the crossing. The Germans are now are facing newly-formed Soviet 1st Shock Army.

In the Caucasus, Soviet 37th Army recaptures Rostov-on-Don from General von Kleist’s 1.Panzerarmee (which has held the city for only 6 days). German 1.Panzerarmee begins withdrawing toward Taganrog. Hitler orders that there be no retreat in the Rostov sector but Army Group South commander Field Marshal von Rundstedt refuses to cancel his orders to retreat back to the Mius River at Taganrog. 1.Panzerarmee begins retreating toward Taganrog as the Soviets reoccupy Rostov-on-Don.

Photo: KV-1 from the composition of the 32nd tank brigade destroyed at the end of November 1941, in front of the prison of the city of Venev



Air War over Europe

RAF Bomber Command conducted night attacks on Düsseldorf, docks at Ostend and Luftwaffe aerodromes. RAF Bomber Command sends 86 aircraft to attack Düsseldorf overnight.

Battle of the Atlantic

Allied convoy QP-3 departed Arkhangelsk, Russia and convoy PQ-5 departed Hvalfjörður, Iceland.

USN destroyer USS “Babbitt” (DD-128), with Task Unit 4.1.5, escorting convoy HX-160 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.), depth charges a sound contact.

A Kriegsmarine supply ship was sunk off The Hague by RAF Beauforts. A Kriegsmarine convoy off coast of Normandy was attacked by Fighter Command, along with shipping at Boulogne and aircraft at Berck.

Battle of the Mediterranean

German submarine U-559 sank Australian sloop HMAS “Parramatta” and ammunition ship “Hanne” 40 miles northeast of Tobruk, Libya at 0046 hours, killing a total of 168.

Twelve Wellingtons of RAF No.40 Squadron and nine Wellingtons from RAF No.104 Squadron attacked the Royal Arsenal at Naples. Five Royal Navy Albacores attacked Castel Benito aerodrome. Five Albacores from FAA No.828 Squadron were also dispatched to attack Castel Benito aerodrome.

RN cruisers “Ajax” and “Neptune” and destroyers “Kimberley” and “Kingston” transfer from Alexandria to Malta to reinforce Force “K”.

Western Desert Campaign - Operation Crusader

New Zealand 2nd Division supported by 90 tanks breaks through the German cordon and links up with the garrison from Tobruk (which has 70 tanks). The 4th and 6th New Zealand Brigades join with forces from the Tobruk garrison at El Duda. Rommel withdrew the weakened German 21.Panzerdivision from the fighting at the Egyptian-Libyan border and redeployed it at Tobruk to help counter the Tobruk garrison's attempts to break out. The German 15.Panzerdivision, however, remained on the offensive. At Sidi Azeiz, the 15.Panzerdivision engaged in combat in the morning against outnumbered New Zealand troops, and captured the position with 700 prisoners captured. Rommel personally oversaw this attack from the front. Tanks of German 15.Panzerdivision and 21.Panzerdivision moved in to counterattack, but Australian and British troops halted it during the day. 21.Panzerdivision runs into New Zealand 22nd Battalion infantry while 15.Panzerdivision encounters British 7th Armored Division (which has three times the number of tanks) at Bir el Chleta 30 miles west of Tobruk. At noon, the German 15.Panzerdivision reached Bir el Chleta, but was halted by the British 22nd Armoured Brigade and Allied aircraft.4th Armored Brigade pummels the extended German column from the side but at dusk the British tanks withdraw south to lie up for the night in a defensive huddle. 15.Panzerdivision uses the respite to continue their move to Tobruk in the dark. During that night, however, Rommel knew his tanks could still press on.

The German Division z.b.V. Afrika is renamed 90.leichte Afrika Division (Major General Max Sümmermann). The famous trio of the 15.Panzerdivision, 21.Panzerdivision and 90.leichte Afrika Division, which are associated with the name Afrika Korps, is thus complete.

Photo: Crusader tank passes burning German Panzer IV, 27 November 1941



The first British SAS operation, planned to see troops parachute deep behind enemy lines and destroy German and Italian aircraft at two airfields in Libya, took place. Strong winds and driving rain caused chaotic conditions, with several soldiers becoming injured as they attempted to parachute and one plane shot down, killing 15 troops and the crew. German pilot Otto Schulz took off, shot down a British Bristol twin-engine aircraft, and landed safely near Gazala, Libya all within three minutes. Several British SAS personnel were killed aboard the Bristol aircraft.

Staff Sergeant Delmer E. Park, US Army Signal Corps ASN 6281980 142nd Armored Signal Company Killed in Action Sidi-Omar, Egypt. Possibly the first American to die with Allied ground forces.

East Africa campaign

In East Africa, the Allies attack the Italian position at Gondar. After whittling away at the Italian defences for six days the 12 East African Division under the redoubtable Major-General C C Fowkes, began its attack on a broad front supported by the South African Air Force. It moves quickly despite the rugged terrain. At 7,000 feet above sea level - in bitter cold - the King’s African Rifles were advancing through clouds. By midday the battle had been decided, but there was almost a massacre when Ethiopian Patriots got into Gondar before the East Africans. Fowkes had to send in armored cars to rescue the Italian prisoners. Italian General Nasi, decides to ask for surrender terms. The Italian garrison surrendered as the British 12th (African) Division captured two mountain passes overlooking the town. The last Italian forces in Ethiopia have surrendered. After holding out for nine months, aided by the mountains and the rains, General Nasi’s battle-hardened troops were overwhelmed. The British have taken 11,500 Italian and 12,000 native troops prisoner.

Map: British and Ethiopian movements against the Italians at Gondar



United States military

US Secretary of War Stimson, acting for President Franklin Roosevelt, sends a general war warning to all US commands. US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Harold Stark warned commanders of Pacific and Asiatic Fleets that attacks on Malaya, Philippine Islands, and Dutch East Indies were now a possibility. US Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall warned US Army Hawaii and Philippine Departments that attacks on Malaya, Philippine Islands, and Dutch East Indies were now a possibility. American Admiral Husband E. Kimmel and Lieutenant General Walter Short were sent warning messages advising that negotiations with Japan had reached a stalemate and that Japan might take hostile action at any moment. The Philippines, the Kra Peninsula and Borneo were listed as among the potential sites of a Japanese attack, but Hawaii was not.

General Short, Admiral Kimmel, Admiral Halsey, and staff officers confer about dispatching fighter aircraft to reinforce Wake Island and Midway Island. Admiral Husband Kimmel met with Joseph Rochefort at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii in the late afternoon to discuss possible moves Japan might take should Japan and United States continued to head toward a military conflict. Rochefort believed that the main Japanese thrust would be toward the South Pacific, and the Hawaiian Islands did not seem to be in direct danger for now.

American radio intelligence analysts stationed in the Philippine Islands reported their suspicion that, contrary to the findings of their counterparts in the Hawaiian Islands, the Japanese warships detected to have been recently moved into the Marshall Islands were likely to take actions eastward rather than southward. Also, they concluded that main Japanese carrier force was still at Sasebo, Japan rather than in the Marshall Islands.

Unidentified aircraft spotted at high altitude over central Luzon by Iba radar. All FEAF units placed on alert.

Hart authorizes reconnaissance flights over Japanese troop convoys.

Japan military

Destroyer “Yuzuki” arrived at Haha Jima, Japan.

Japanese Prime Minister Hideki Tojo rejected the American counter-proposal for peace.

Day 821 of World War II, November 29th 1941

Eastern Front - Operation Barbarossa

German forces were within 25 km of Moscow. Fighting at the Yakhroma bridgehead – 58 km north of Moscow – was intensifying. Bock ordered 7.Panzerdivision to abandon the bridgehead and march towards the small town of Krasnaya Polyana, further west and only 32 km from Moscow. Manteuffel had to relinquish his bridgehead so his division completed the evacuation of the Yakhroma bridgehead near Moscow as 45 were killed in an unsuccessful attempt to cross the Moskva-Volga canal. To the south-west the 6.Panzerdivision covered the right wing of LVI.Armeekorps (mot.). The Corps' left wing was covered by 14.Infanterie-Divisionen (mot.) (Lieutenant General F. Fuerst) and 36.Infanterie-Division (mot.) (General lieutenant Hans Gollnick). Twenty miles south of Yakhroma, on the other hand, the situation took a dramatic turn. South of Rogachevo the XLI.Armeekorps (mot.) (General of Panzer Troops G-H Reinhardt), which had been brought up from Kalinin, was attacking the canal crossings north of Lobnya on the right wing of 3.Panzerarmee. General Reinhardt’s forces reached the Moscow-Volga Canal and crossed into the Dmitrov area. The fierce Soviet resistance is lead by fresh Soviet Siberian units. But high casualties, many due to frost-bite, were taking their toll. Some companies within 10.Panzerdivision had less than 10 men.

Soviet 9th Army and 56th Army recapture Rostov. German 1.Panzerarmee continues withdrawing behind the Mius River despite Hitler's orders. Other Soviet forces recapture Taganrog.

The British Royal Air Force's No. 151 Wing, which had been conducting successful combat missions in Northern Russia, handed over its Hurricane fighters to Lieutenant Colonel Boris Safonov's Soviet 72nd Air Regiment before sailing back home.

Battle of the Atlantic

The German 4th Motor Torpedo Boat Flotilla attacked Allied convoy FN.564 off the coast of East Anglia, England, sinking British tanker “Asperity” and freighters “Empire Newcomen” and “Cormarsh”.

German submarine U-43 sank British ship “Thornliebank” 240 miles north of the Azores islands at 0411 hours, killing all 75 aboard. The navigator of U-43 was injured by showering debris.

U.S. Navy Task Unit 4.1.2, under command of Commander Fred D. Kirtland, accompanied by the salvage vessel USS “Redwing” (ARS 4) and oiler USS “Sapelo” (Atlantic Ocean 1), assumed escort duty for Convoy HX-162 in the northern Atlantic Ocean.

German raider “Komet” was unsuccessfully attacked by RAF Coastal Command bombers.

Battle of the Mediterranean

Two covering groups of Italian warships were put to sea for convoy operations. Two Italian vessels departed Brindisi for Benghazi as one Italian vessel departed Taranto for Benghazi. Another Italian vessel departed Trapani for Benghazi. From Greece, one Italian vessel departs Navarino (Pylos) for Benghazi and One Italian vessel departs Argostoli for Benghazi. British aircraft from Malta sank Italian tanker “Berbera” and damaged Italian tanker “Volturno” at Navarino (now Pylos), Greece.

British Royal Navy Force ‘B’ (cruiser HMS “Ajax”, cruiser HMS “Neptune”, destroyer HMS “Kimberly”, and destroyer HMS “Kingston”) under the command of Rear Admiral Bernard Rawlings arrived in Malta.

Western Desert Campaign - Operation Crusader

The British Eighth Army and German Afrika Korps have been locked in a death grip south of Tobruk. The main objective of the British Operation Crusader, the relief of Tobruk, has been achieved. However, the corridor to the port is narrow and the Germans remain determined to cut it. In the morning, the German 15th Panzer Division moves forward to attack the corridor. Italian units also move forward during the day, and during the afternoon, the Ariete Division defeats the 21st Battalion of New Zealanders at a key height, Point 175. As one of the New Zealand unit's officers, Lieutenant-Colonel Howard Kippenberger, later notes:

About 5:30 p.m. damned Italian Motorized Division (Ariete) turned up. They passed with five tanks leading, twenty following, and a huge column of transport and guns, and rolled straight over our infantry on Pt. 175.

The German attack is hampered by trouble at the 21st Panzer Division, which was supposed to participate in the attack. However, the British capture General Johann von Ravenstein, their commander who is leading from the field while on a reconnaissance. He becomes the first German general captured by the Allied forces during World War II. However, otherwise, things are looking up for the Germans, and General Erwin Rommel's decision to gamble on a wild counterattack without logistical supply lines appears on the verge of paying off.

Photo: The second battle of Libya. Before zero hour. The Brigadier commanding tank units in Tobruk instructing tank commanders on the operations, using a sand table for demonstration purposes



Night raids by the British Royal Air Force (RAF) on Derna and Benghazi. Ten Wellingtons from RAF No.104 Squadron attacked administrative buildings at Benghazi. Five Albacores carried out a successful night raid on the Italian Regia Aeronautica base at Castel Benito near Tripoli. Despite fierce enemy opposition, bombs were dropped among dispersal areas, destroying at least one aircraft and starting fires across the airfield.

Continuation War

Soviet destroyer “Slavny”, destroyer “Stoiki”, troop ship “Iosif Stalin”, and other vessels, escorted by 5 minesweepers, 4 torpedo boats, and 7 submarine chasers, departed Kronstadt, Russia for Hanko, Finland to evacuate troops. German aircraft discovered the force, attacked, and sank icebreaker ship “Oktyabr”.

Elements of Finnish Army of Karelia attacking Karhumaki (Medvezhyegorsk) north of Lake Onega. Finland officially reclaims territories lost to Soviet Union in the Winter War.

Battle of the Pacific

US Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Harold Stark directed that defense recommendations made by Major Alfred R. Pefley was to be implemented immediately, consisting mostly of the construction of defensive gun positions on various Pacific islands. Colonel Bicknell briefs General Short that from the analysis of the ABCD Bloc intelligence that if Japan attacked one member of the Bloc then an attack should be expected on the other members as well.

US Marine Corps Major Walter L. J. Bayler arrived at Wake Island with a detachment of Marines from Marine Aircraft Group 21 to set up air base communication facilities.

Unescorted vessel “William Ward Burrows”, towing barge, departs for Wake Island with supplies as well as air search radar and fire control radar.

The river gunboats USS “Luzon” (PR 7) and USS “Oahu” (PR 6) departed Shanghai for Manila. The USS “Oahu” was the sister ship of river gunboat USS “Panay” (PR 5), which had been bombed and sunk by Japanese naval aircraft near Nanking, China, on December 12, 1937.

The passenger ship “Lurline” sent a radio signal of sighting Japanese war fleet steaming east across the northern Pacific.

Battle of the Indian Ocean

RN battleship “Prince of Wales” and battlecruiser “Repulse” depart Colombo for Singapore. Admiral Phillips travels ahead by airplane to Singapore for consultations.

Japan/German relations

Japanese ambassador in Germany Hiroshi Oshima reported that, on the previous day, Joachim von Ribbentrop had verbally promised a German declaration of war on the United States should Japan and the US enter a state of war.

Japan military

A liaison conference among the Service Chiefs and Cabinet of the Japanese Government decides that the final proposal from the US is unacceptable. Prime Minister Tojo and his cabinet discuss the diplomatic and military situation in a meeting with Emperor Hirohito. The conference decides that Japan must go to war. Their decision is prepared for an Imperial Conference, with the Emperor, which is scheduled for December. Premier Tojo said American and British exploitation of Asiatic peoples must be purged with vengeance.

"We have been receiving reports from you on ship movements, but in the future will you also report even when there are no movements" - Tokyo in a message to Honolulu transmitted in the J-19 code, translated December 5th.

Think in calm seas they can easily cross the South Chinese Sea.

Photo: USS Luzon PG-4

Well you have to wait and see what happens with USS Luzon.

Day 823 of World War II, December 1st 1941

Eastern Front - Operation Barbarossa

The Germans tried again to reach Moscow from the north, west and south. The western attack was the most successful, breaching the defences on the Mozhaisk Highway, and reaching Golitsyno. At the urging of Army Group Center commander Field Marshal von Bock, von Kluge finally sends German 4.Armee into action 16 days after the beginning of the renewed advance on Moscow. This delay has allowed Red Army to move troops away from this sector to defend Moscow from the attacks from the North and South. They committed infantry regiments with little armoured support and made little headway. The untried French Legion attacked but disintegrated and had to be withdrawn. Three German infantry divisions and one German armored division advanced along the Minsk-Moscow highway, penetrating through the lines of the Soviet 33rd Army, capturing Naro-Fominsk 43 miles southwest of Moscow. Only the 258th Division broke through the Russian defences but there were no troops to exploit the gap. One of the men of the 258th Division mentioned attacking “battle-hardened Siberian troops, in strong defensive positions, protected by extensive minefields and fortifications” as “an icy blizzard swept across the snow-covered landscape”. The blizzard prevented the Luftwaffe from flying in support and froze the machine guns. Aside from casualties the German divisions were outrunning their supply. In the 6.Panzerdivision few vehicles were still running. Only one or two assault guns had armor piercing shells and none of the tanks. The remaining vehicles couldn’t advance because the Soviets had destroyed the road ahead. The tank crews were fighting as infantry. And Russian resistance was stiffening. Hoepner’s 4.Panzergruppe was fighting for a succession of fortified villages. SS-Infanterie-Division (mot.) Reich (SS-Obergruppenfuhrer Paul Hauser) found themselves battling the Siberian 78th Rifle Division. The German’s found the Russians “well-armed and equipped – and every man is fighting to the death”. As a result of the German successes that day Stalin released two reserve armies to plug the gaps in the front. In the north the Germans broke through the remnants of the Kalinin Front in the early morning and captured Krasnaya Polyana from Rok. The German heavy artillery were within 20 km of Moscow, and hence within firing range. 6.Panzerdivision were at the outer most bus stops of the capital. A motorcycle patrol from 62nd Panzer Engineer Battalion (2.Panzerdivision) penetrates the flimsy Soviet defensive line and made it to the train station at Khimki, only 18 km from Moscow. This was the high-water mark of the German offensive. At noon the tanks and infantry of the 3.Panzergruppe (Reinhardt) approached the dug in Russian 35th Rifle Brigade at the Lobnya station. German heavy artillery and mortars bombarded the Russian positions before the tanks, half-tracks and infantry attacked cautiously. The defenders noticed there weren’t many Germans in the attacking formations. Their own mortars opened up and inflicted some losses including an armoured car. The Russian infantry waited until the attackers were within 100 m before firing. They concentrated on the enemy infantry. The German tanks tried to retaliate but were constricted because of the railway embankment. Under heavy bombardment the German tanks began to reverse away leaving the dead and wounded behind. Since the beginning of Barbarossa on June 22, German losses are 195,334 killed or missing and 572,000 wounded. Field Marshal Fedor von Bock asks Army headquarters to suspend operations around Moscow. General Walther von Brauchitsch insists the attacks continue.

Photo: A Wehrmacht soldier surrender at Solnechnogorsk, northwest of Moscow, on 1 December 1941



Battle of the Mediterranean

Malta-based British reconnaissance aircraft spotted an Italian supply convoy traveling for North Africa. Force “K” from Malta was dispatched to attack the Italian convoy. The subsequent attack 60 miles off Libya saw the sinking of tanker “Iridio Mantovani” (with 10,000 tons of fuel) by aircraft and the sinking of transport “Adriatico” by cruisers HMS “Aurora” and HMS “Penelope”. HMS “Aurora” and HMS “Penelope” were attacked by Italian destroyer “Alvise Da Mosta” with torpedoes and gunfire, but the British cruisers fought back, sinking the destroyer and killing 200.

The Battle of Pljevlja was fought in the Italian governorate of Montenegro. Italian military forces repulsed an attack by Montenegrin Partisans. General Arso Jovanović commanded the 4,000 partisan troops which were split into several groups: the Kom, Zeta, Lovćen and Bijeli Pavle detachments, the Piva battalion and the Prijepolje company. The Italian garrison in Pljevlja belonged to the 5th Alpine Division Pusteria; it was led by Giovanni Esposito and had a strength of 2,000 men. The Partisan forces attacked Pljevlja. Simultaneously, the Piva battalion and the Prijepolje Company attacked the village of Bučje, with the aim of cutting off communications between Priboj and Pljevlja. Some partisans managed to penetrate into Pljevlja but, Italian forces began shelling the town and killing the native Serbian population to prevent them from providing support to the partisans. This action hampered the partisan attack, as they failed to capture Pljevlja and retreated with heavy casualties, some 203 were killed and 269 were wounded.

U-96 damaged by RN Fleet Air Arm aircraft operating from Gibraltar.

Western Desert Campaign - Operation Crusader

German 15.Panzerdivision practically wiped out the 20th Battalion of New Zealand 2nd Division at Belhamed, Libya, but the attack was driven off by tanks of the British 4th Armoured Brigade. Despite this, New Zealand 2nd Division withdraws in the late afternoon. Rommel has pulled off the remarkable feat of breaking up the relief of Tobruk despite being outnumbered 7:1 by the British tanks. The attacking Axis forces were becoming exhausted and many senior officers were killed or captured. Although the British 8th Army has been mauled, it remains ready for combat and, unlike Rommel’s units, it is receiving generous supplies and replacement tanks. As British, German and Italian tank formations clash from all directions in the brutal fight to relieve Tobruk, any resemblance between this battle and traditional warfare has long since disappeared.

“This is sea warfare,” said one general. “Our tanks are ships that appear and disappear at such speed that often no one knows where their lines are.”

Photo: "A Matilda tank crew overhauling their vehicle in preparation for the next phase of battle near Tobruk, 1 December 1941"



Continuation War

A Soviet force consisted of troop ship "Maya", 3 minesweepers, 2 submarine chasters, and 1 gunboat arrived in Hanko, Finland to evacuate troops.

Battle of the Atlantic

US Marine Corps established a Marine Corps Air Station at St. Thomas, Virgin Islands under Lieutenant Colonel Ford O. Rogers (redesignated from Marine Corps Air Facility, Bourne Field).

Near the Azores at midnight, U-43 misses unarmed neutral American tanker SS “Astral” with a torpedo despite a visible US flag painted on the side. At 09.24 hours, 2 torpedoes from U-43 hit SS “Astral” which explodes and spreads burning gasoline and kerosene on the water, killing all 37 hands.

Japan/United States relations

As US-Japan relations rapidly deteriorated, the Japanese Consulate General in California began to destroy its records, as did the Consulate General, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, and the Japan Institute in New York City.

United States military

Aircraft carriers USS “Intrepid” and “Yorktown” laid down. The fourth “Yorktown” (CV-10) was laid down at Newport News, Virginia, United States by the Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. as “Bon Homme Richard”.

Fiorello La Guardia, Mayor of New York City and Director of the Office of Civilian Defense, signed Administrative Order 9, creating the Civil Air Patrol. Today the CAP has a youth cadet branch and an adult branch that is involved in search and rescue with private aircraft. During W.W.II, however, its principal duty was patrolling the coast for submarines using the member’s private aircraft.

Roosevelt meets with British Ambassador, Lord Halifax, and indicates the US would enter the war on the British side the British if they were attacked by Japan, but did not explicitly promise this.

Japan/German relations

The Japanese ambassador in Germany Hiroshi Oshima was ordered to secure Joachim von Ribbentrop's signature on a document which stated that Germany would declare war on the United States should Japan and US enter a state of war.

Japan military

Japanese Navy Destroyer Division 7 sailed from Tokyo, Japan sailed for Midway, soon to join the rest of the Midway Neutralization Unit.

At an Imperial Conference held in Tokyo, Japan, the decision was taken to go to war with the United States. According to Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, Emperor Showa, the country's divine ruler, did not utter a single word in response. Prime Minister Tojo and his cabinet make another presentation to Emperor Hirohito about the necessity for going to war. General Sugiyama meets with Emperor Hirohito and explains in detail Japanese military operations which will initiate war. The Emperor signals his assent.

Japanese luxury ocean liner “Hikawa Maru” entered Mitsubishi Zosen yard for conversion into a hospital ship; naval surgeon Captain Kanai Izumi took command of the ship.

Japanese Navy changed its communications code.

During this month, the Japanese Army established the Research Department within the Taiwan Army. One of the missions of this department was to develop jungle warfare tactics.

Advance elements of 38th Infantry Division of Japanese 23rd Army begin deploying to border with Hong Kong, moving only at night in order to avoid detection.

Battle of the Pacific

Radio messages sent from Sasebo, Japan using outdated call signs tricked US Navy cryptanalysts in US Territory of Hawaii into believing that carrier “Akagi” was still in home waters. Later on the same day, the cryptanalysts realized that all Japanese warships' call signs had changed.

Hart was ordered directly by US President Franklin Roosevelt to form “Defensive Information Patrol” of three ships to be placed in harm’s way. Roosevelt ordered US Navy yacht “Isabel” and two other small vessels to be deployed off the coast of Indochina. They were planned to be bait for the Japanese to fire the first shot, should war become unavoidable.

American river gunboats “Luzon” and “Oahu”, submarine rescue vessel “Pigeon”, and minesweeper “Finch” set sail from China toward Philippine Islands, under the watchful eyes of a Japanese floatplane and several naval vessels.

US Marine Corps 2nd Defense Battalion and 4th Defense Battalion arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.

Passenger liner USS “President Harrison” arrived at Olongapo, Philippine Islands with 1st Battalion of US 4th Marine Regiment recently withdrawn from Shanghai, China. The liner departed for China later on the same day to embark the last US Marines stationed in China. Other elements of US 4th Marine Regiment arrived from Shanghai aboard USS “President Coolidge” and disembark. “President Coolidge” then sails in convoy with remaining US dependents aboard. Other ships include the USAT “Scott”, with the 15th Infantry Regiment, and an escort of the cruiser “Louisville” and two destroyers.

In Malaya, British authorities declare a “State of Emergency” following reports of a pending Japanese attack. All British, Indian and Australian forces in Malaya are at battle stations following the declaration of a state of emergency as fear of Japanese invasion grows. Reservists and volunteers have been called up, forcing many offices to close. The decision was taken by the governor of the Straits Settlements, Sir Shenton Thomas, after consultation with the Commander-in-Chief Far East, Air Chief Marshal Sir Robert Brooke-Popham. They emphasize that the state of emergency does not signify a deterioration in the diplomatic situation. Singapore will also be reinforced by the warships HMS “Prince of Wales” and battle cruiser HMS “Repulse”.

MacArthur again orders Brereton to relocate all B-17’s to Del Monte to avoid Japanese air strikes. Arnold orders all B-17’s in Hawaii transferred to the Philippines. These orders are never implemented. Marshall advises MacArthur that 100,000 tons of supplies were to be shipped during December and that several million more tons were on the West Coast awaiting shipping.