Today in History

[68KO]

Soviet counterattack near Tula  
 
Monday, December 1, 1941  http://www.onwar.com  
 

On the Eastern Front... There is a brief Soviet counterattack near Tula in the ongoing battle for Moscow.

In North Africa... The remaining New Zealand force at Sidi Razegh is forced to retreat. The attacking Axis forces are becoming exhausted and many senior officers have been 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.

In Malaya... British authorities declare a "State of Emergency" following reports of a pending Japanese attack.

[68KO]

Germans within sight of the Kremlin
 
Tuesday, December 2, 1941  http://www.onwar.com  
 

On the Eastern Front... Small German forces reach the northern suburbs of Moscow and come within sight of the Kremlin, less than 20 miles away. Hitler orders a renewed push by Kluge's Fourth Army to the west of the city. The weather continues to grow colder with heavy snow and blizzards. Both Bock (Army Group Center) and Brauchitsch (Commander in Chief of the German Army) are ill and unable to fully perform their duties.

From Tokyo... A special code order "Climb Mount Niitaka" is transmitted by Japanese naval headquarters to their carrier force bound for Hawaii. This order confirms that negotiations have broken down and the attack on Pearl Harbor is to proceed.

In the East Indies... The British battleship Prince of Wales and the battle cruiser Repulse arrive in Singapore. They arrive to late to have the planned deterrent effect but the Japanese do note the British naval presence.

In North Africa... Heavy fighting in several areas. Rommel's forces continue the pressure against the Tobruk garrison in fighting around El Duda. British armor is engaged as they attempt to regroup farther south toward Bir el Bubi. They also attempt to send relief to the Axis garrisons at Bardia, Sollum and Halfaya Pass which are still resisting against 4th Indian Division of 13th Corps.

[Boroda]

The place that nazis reached in Khimki is less then 3km from my house... I live almost at the city border in the North of Moscow, on Leningrad Highway.

What always wondered me: what could happen if Soviet counter-attack in the battle of Moscow started 2-3 days earlier? Maybe Japan could stay out of war... Or maybe they could switch their attention to Soviet Far East?...

I have to look - when exactly the oil fields at Sakhalin were discovered, and if they are in Japanese-occupied Southern Sakhalin or in Russian North.

[68KO]

Soviet troopship sunk by mines
 
Wednesday, December 3, 1941  http://www.onwar.com  
 

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet transport ship J. Stalin (7500 tons), evacuating troops besieged at Hango since June, is wrecked by 4 mines. Approximately 2000 are killed. German forces later capture the wreck.

[MrBill]

In addition to many already mentioned I'd like to add "The Lighthorsemen"  Great Aussy film.

[68KO]

Women drafted to work in Britain
 


In London... A new National Service Bill is passed by Parliament. Its provisions include compulsory direction and conscription for female labor.

In the South China Sea... The Japanese landing force sails from Hainan bound for Malaya.

[68KO]

Germans abandon attack on Moscow
 
 
 

On the Eastern Front... After a month of discussion with his Generals, Hitler finally agrees to halt the drive for Moscow.

From Berlin... Hitler orders the transfer of the whole of the Luftwaffe 2nd Air Corps from the Eastern Front to aid the Italian air force in control of the Mediterranean. The aim is to reduce the effectiveness of the attacks of the British Malta forces on the Axis supply convoys to North Africa.

In Moscow... Stalin and General Sikorski, the head of the exiled Polish government meet. A friendship and mutual aid agreement between the Soviets and the Poles is signed by the two leaders

[68KO]

Red Army launches counteroffensive
 


On the Eastern Front... The Soviets launch a major counteroffensive all along the 500 miles of the Moscow front. Fresh troops and tanks have been added to the Soviet Kalinin, West and Southwest Fronts. Planned by and under the command of General Zhukov, the Soviets intend to cut through the panzer wings of Army Group Center and then to isolate and destroy it. The attacks meet with early successes.

From Washington... The final breakdown of deteriorating relations between the US and Japan. Roosevelt makes an appeal to the Japanese Emperor for peace. This direct approach violates Japanese cultural mores concerning the role of the Emperor and it goes unanswered. The US code breaking service has routinely intercepted and decoded all Japanese diplomatic messages and the most of the December 6th message is translated and sent to the President. It is clear from the message that war is imminent, but there are no specific details.

In the Pacific... Japanese forces leave Palau bound for the attack on the Philippines

[68KO]

Japanese attack Pearl Harbor
 

 

In Hawaii... The Japanese attack launched from six carriers, Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, Soryu, Zuikaku and Shokaku, carrying a total of 423 planes, begins at 0755 local time. Its target: the main base of the US Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor. There is complete tactical and strategic surprise. The Japanese task force, under the command of Admiral Nagumo, also contains 2 battleships, 2 heavy cruisers as well as destroyers and support vessels including tankers. Two attacking waves strike the naval base. The first lead by Commander Fuchida is comprised of 40 torpedo bombers carrying special shallow running torpedoes, 51 dive bombers, 50 high level bombers and 43 fighters. The second wave is comprised of similar numbers with more dive bombers replacing the torpedo planes. All eight of the US battleships in port are damaged. The Arizona sinks to the bottom with most hands onboard, the Oklahoma sinks but its later raised and scrapped. The California, Nevada and West Virginia are later rebuilt and rejoin the fleet. Three cruisers and three destroyers are also sunk. The Americans lose 188 aircraft; the Japanese 29. Admiral Nagumo, despite the task forces's capacity and against advice, does not send a third wave against the base. The three American aircraft carriers serving in the Pacific are not in port and escape unharmed as does much of the infrastructure of the port, including the oil storage tanks. However, the attack leaves the Allies with only the three US carriers and two British battleships as active capital ships in the theater. The cruisers destroyers and submarines available from the Dutch and Free French reduce the numerical inferiority against the Japanese navy, however, the Allied craft are widely dispersed and under multiple commands.

In Washington... The last part of the Japanese signal, stating specifically that relations are being broken is intercepted and decoded by the Americans. Delays in decoding of the message and difficulty in securing an appointment with Secretary Hull ensure that the Japanese delegation do not meet their country's deadline for presentation of official note breaking of diplomatic ties until after the attack upon Pearl Harbor is launched.

In Tokyo... The British receive official indication from the Japanese three hours later, when their Ambassador in Tokyo is given a copy of the Japanese note. Both the British and US ambassadors in Tokyo are given declarations of war a further three hours later.

In the Pacific... Japanese forces bomb Guam and Wake and Midway is bombarded by Japanese destroyers.

On the Eastern Front... Field Marshal Brauchitsch, citing illness, offers his resignation to Hitler after the successful counterattack. It is not formally accepted but Brauchitsch is removed from important command decisions.

In Ottawa... The Canadian government declares war on Japan.

[68KO]

America declares war on Japan
 
 
 

In Washington... President Roosevelt addresses Congress, declaring December 7 "a date which live in infamy" . War is declared upon Japan by both the Americans and British. Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Free French, several South American countries also declare war upon Japan. China declares war upon Germany, Italy and Japan. The latter is a formal declaration only as a de facto state of war has existed between China and Japan for 7 years.

In the Philippines... The Japanese attack begins with the capture of Bataan Island and the creation of an airstrip for plane refueling. Japanese invasion troops leave Paulau for the Philippines. The main attack begins with massive air bombardment which reduces the American defenses to 17 B-17's and less than 40 fighters. Most of the planes are destroyed on the ground. American General Douglas MacArthur has under his command 130,000 troops (20,000 Americans). His plan to defend the island becomes nonviable after the destruction of the main portion of the his air force and the losses at Pearl Harbor.

In Malaya... Japanese troops (18th Division) begin landings at Kota Bharu protected by two battleships and six heavy cruisers under the command of Admiral Kondo. The following morning, troops (5th Division) as well as tank units are landed at Singor and Patini in Thailand. The British defenders under command of General Percival, have 3 divisions in Malaya but almost no tanks. Only one division is not committed to static defensive positions around air fields and possible landing sites. Of the 158 RAF planes, most are destroyed on the ground and the airfield at Kota Bharu is captured intact by the Japanese.

In Singapore... The British battleship Prince of Wales, the battle cruiser Repulse and four destroyers sail from Singapore to aid in the fighting in Malaysia.

In Thailand... Fears of offending American public opinion by violating Thailand's neutrality have prevented the British from preparing defenses in Thailand and difficulties with Thai border guards prevent a quick response to the Japanese landings further north.

On Wake Island... Air attacks by the Japanese continue. A small landing force leaves Kwajalein escorted by a cruiser and two destroyers.

In Hong Kong... The Japanese 38th Division attacks the British garrison with only six battalions and 28 guns. British and Canadian troops begin a retreat to the "Gindrinkers Line."

In Shanghai... Japanese troops occupy the city and capture a small US garrison in the foreign section.

On the Eastern Front... Soviet counteroffensive continues to press the Germans westward
Red Army is also advancing in the Leningrad sector.

In North Africa... Rommel begins the withdrawal from the siege of Tobruk in an orderly retreat. German strength in the area has been reduced to 40 tanks and the 90th Light division to the strength of two battalions

[68KO]

Siege of Leningrad continues
 

 

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet drive against Guderian's forces reaches and captures Elets. In the north, under General Meretskov, the Red Army retakes Tikhvin but cannot relieve the siege at Leningrad. The situation inside the city is desperate, rations are below the starvation level.

In Malaysia... Japanese troops continue to land at Kota Bharu, Singora and Patani. Japanese forces occupy Bangkok.

In the South China Sea... The British battleship Prince of Wales and the Repulse, on their way to Japanese landing sites in Malaysia, are spotted by Japanese submarines. The ships continue until sighted by Japanese aircraft and then turn back.

In the Pacific... Gilbert Islands, Tarawa and Makin are occupied by the Japanese

[68KO]

Warships sunk by Japanese planes
 
Wednesday, December 10, 1941
 

In the South China Sea... Admiral Phillips, commanding the British ships, Prince of Wales and Repulse receives information of a Japanese landing at Kuantan and alters course to reach it, believing that air support from Singapore will join them. The ships' position is discovered and reported by a Japanese. The report of the landing proves to be false, no air support is sent and Japanese aircraft find and attack the battleships. Approximately 90 planes are involved in the attack and both ships are sunk within two hours. There is no longer an active Allied battleship in the entire theater.

In North Africa... The siege of Tobruk is completely raised

In Thailand... The British advance from Malaya, to meet the Japanese, reaches "The Ledge" to find that the Japanese have secured the area first. The British are forced back.

In Hong Kong... British and Canadian defenders at the "Gindrinkers Line" continue to slow the Japanese attack.

In the Philippines... Japanese air attacks and troop landings on Luzon. Attack on the naval base at Caite destroys weapons stocks. At Aparri, on the north coast, 2000 troops of the Tanaka Detachment land, while troops of the Kanno Detachment land at Vigan in the northeast. Both landings are well supported by naval forces.

In the Mariana Islands... Admiral Goto commands a Japanese force which captures the 300 man US garrison on Guam.

[68KO]

Germany, Italy declare war on US
 
In Washington... Germany and Italy declare war on the United States. Shortly afterward, the US Congress issues a declaration of war against Germany and Italy.

On the Eastern Front... Soviet advances in the Moscow counteroffensive continue with the recapture of Stalinogorsk.

In North Africa... Rommel's forces retreating from Tobruk reach Gasala

In the Pacific... Japanese attempts to occupy the island are thrown back. Two Japanese destroyers are also sunk by the 450 US Marines stationed on the island. Relief is promised by Admiral Kimmel.

In Malaya... The 11th Indian Division at Jitra is attacked by advancing Japanese units from Sin