14 December 1939

UNITED KINGDOM: Albert Frederick Arthur George Windsor is born at York Cottage on the Sandringham Estate, Norfolk, England. He is the second son of Prince George, Duke of York, and Mary of Teck; his father will be crowned King George V in 1910. He is an unassuming, shy boy who greatly admires his brother Edward, Prince of Wales. From childhood to the age of 30, George suffers with a bad stammer in his speech, which exacerbates his shyness; Lionel Logue, an Australian speech therapist, is instrumental in helping George overcome the speech defect. George marries Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in 1923, who bore him two daughters, Elizabeth and Margaret. In 1936, his father died and his brother ascended the throne as King Edward VIII. When Edward abdicated the throne on 11 December 1936, in order to marry his love, American divorcee Wallis Warfield Simpson, Albert became King George VI, a position he is reluctant to accept. It is said that he wept for hours on the shoulder of Queen Ma ry when told the news. George VI's coronation took place on 12 May 1937 and he officially became king by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and of His Other Realms and Territories, King, Emperor of India, Defender of the Faith. He died of cancer on 6 February1952. (Glenn Steinberg and Tom Hickcox)

ITALY: The Government rejects arbitration in the Walwal, Ethiopia incident that occurred on 5 December. The Italians state that "the incident had occurred in such definite and clear circumstances there could be no doubt of its nature, hence they could not see how settlement of such an incident could be submitted to arbitration." Ethiopia had reported the Walwal incident to the League of Nations "because of the gravity of the situation."

GERMANY: The government declares Gypsies to be "inveterate criminals" and orders all those identified as "asocial" to be sent to concentration camps.

JAPAN: The Japanese apologize for the sinking of the USN river gunboat USS Panay (PR-5) in China on 12 December. The U.S. Roosevelt administration demanded formal apologies, reparations, and guarantees against future Japanese attacks against U.S. ships on Chinese waters. The Japanese government formally apologizes and gives the necessary assurances the same day. On 25 December, Secretary of State Cordell Hull acknowledges the Japanese reply.

UNITED STATES: In baseball, the major leagues agree on a standard ball but disagree on increasing rosters from 23 to 25 players. Baseball Commissioner Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis will eventually decide on 25. The National League grants the Cincinnati Reds its season opener a day before the rest of the league in recognition of baseball's 100th anniversary and of the 1869 Red Stockings being the first professional team. The American permits the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics to play night games. Finally, Will Harridge is elected to a ten-year-term as American League president.

Destroyer HMS Kelly badly damaged by a German mine laid by German destroyers off the Tyne.

Minesweeping trawler HMS James Ludford (T 16) sunk by mine off the Tyne.

Escort carrier HMS Archer launched.

Minesweeping trawler HMS Rowan commissioned.

FRANCE: Destroyer FS Le Flibustier launched.

GERMANY: At 1700 hours local, Norwegian politician Vidkun Quisling, head of the Nasjonal Samling ("National Unity"), the Norwegian fascist party, meets with Chancellor Adolf Hitler. Quisling suggests that Germany launch a pre-emptive strike on Norway and. says he would take control of the Norwegian government through a coup. By 1800 hours local, Hitler issues an order that Denmark and Norway be seized and occupied during the upcoming attack on the West, to gain control of Norwegian territorial waters. Hitler orders his Supreme Command to prepare plans for 'Weserubung' [Exercise Weser], the invasion of Norway.

URUGUAY: Montevideo: Uruguayan authorities board the Graf Spee to assess the amount of damage the ship received, to decide if the ship would be allowed to stay in their neutral harbour for more than the 24 hour maximum allowed by international law.

The British light cruiser HMS Ajax (22) and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (70) maintain patrol off the 120-mile (193 kilometer) wide River Plate estuary. The British heavy cruiser HMS Cumberland (57) reinforces Ajax and Achilles tonight.

French torpedo boat FS La Melpomene which had been taken over by the RN founders in bad weather in the English Channel east of the Lizard. There are 3 survivors, who are picked up by destroyer Mistral (another French ship in British hands) but about 100 become casualties. (Alex Gordon)(108)

The French torpedo boat Branlebas, captured by the British at Portsmouth, Hampshire, England, on 3 July 1940, is sunk during a storm 25 miles (40 kilometers) south-southwest off Eddystone Light while she is serving in the Royal Navy. Eddyston Light is south of Plymouth, Dorset, England.

Corvette HMS Burdock launched.

Destroyer HMS Blencartha commissioned.

Destroyer HMS Lamerton launched.

GERMANY: A dozen RAF Wellington bombers attempted to attack German shipping in the Schillig Roads off Wilhelmshaven. Bad visibility and weather hampered their efforts, and fierce fighter attacks shot down five of the Wellingtons.

U-151, U-152 launched.

U-71 commissioned.

U-254 laid down.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Destroyers HMS Hereward (H 93) and HMS Hyperion (H 97) depth charge and sink the submarine R.Smg. 'Naiade' off Bardia.
Royal Navy Swordfish based on Malta bomb Tripoli, Libya.

RAF No. 148 Squadron is established at Luqa Airfield, the first bomber squadron to be based on the island. The squadron is equipped with Wellington Mk. IC bombers.

LIBYA: Hurricane Mk. I pilots of 274 Sqn (RAF) shoot down six Italian Savoia Marchetti SM. 79 Sparviero bombers on one interception later gathering another five Fiat CR42 Falco biplane fighters.
Leading troops of 4 Armoured Brigade are 20 miles west of Bardia and will soon be able to harass enemy traffic along the road from Bardia to Tobruk. Most of the division is across the Libyan-Egyptian border; but the Italians are still holding out in Halfaya, Sollum, Sidi Omar and Capuzzo, and have a division in Bardia.

Minesweeper HMCS Quinte laid down North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Corvette HMCS Timmins laid down Esquimalt, British Columbia..

U.S.A.: The development contract for the Boeing XB-29 heavy bomber is amended to provide a fund increase to produce three flyable XB-29s.

The German armored ship Admiral Scheer is resupplied by supply ship SS Nordmark.

U-100 sank SS Euphorbia and Kyleglen in Convoy OB-256.

U-96 damaged SS Empire Razorbill and sank SS Western Prince.

HMS Ark Royal and Force H are redeployed from Gibraltar to the Atlantic to search the Azores for commerce raiders.

FINLAND: The Soviet 114th Division attacks in the Svir sector and takes the village of Gora. Battles continue for nearly a month.

U.S.S.R.: German forces evacuate Kalinin 100 miles (161 kilometers) northwest of Moscow.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: The Italian battleship Vittoria Veneto is damaged by British submarine HMS/M Urge (N 17) while escorting an Italian convoy to Benghazi, Libya. The attack happens south-southwest of Messina, Sicily, in position 37.53N, 15.29E. This with previous losses prompts the Italians to recall the convoy and return the battleship to base for repairs.

Light cruiser HMS Galatea (71) is torpedoed by U-577 (OLtzS. Ottokar Paulshen, CO). She is hit by multiple torpedoes and sinks in three minutes, 30 miles West of Alexandria at 31 12N 29 15E. There are 470 casualties but 144 survivors are rescued by HMS Griffin and Hotspur. (Alex Gordon)(108)

JAPAN: Imperial General Headquarters orders Japanese Navy submarines to shell the U.S. West Coast. Vice Admiral SHIMIZU Mitsumi, commander of the Advance Expeditionary Force (Sixth Fleet), issues a detailed order on the targets. The HIJMS I-15, -9, -10, -17, -19, -21, -23, -25 and -26 are each to fire 30 rounds on the night of 25 December. Rear Admiral SATO Tsutomu, aboard the I-9, is charged to execute the order.

Japanese forces land on Penang Island. Penang's military importance lay in the island's port facilities and its stocks of ammunition and stores. When the Allies were unable to stop the Japanese advance on the mainland it became clear that the island would have to be evacuated.

On the west coast, the Indian 11th Division completes their withdrawal to Gurun; the Japanese, in close pursuit, penetrate the new positions, during the night of 14/15 December. The Krohcol force is dissolved and its components, which are put under command of the Indian 12th Brigade, move to the Baling area, about 9 miles (15 kilometers) west of Kroh. The Indian III Corps sends small detachments to guard the Grik road, which is now uncovered. On the east coast, the Kelantan force continues fighting withdrawal. Since airdromes on Singapore Island are becoming congested, preparations are being made to base air units in the Netherlands East Indies.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Japanese Vigan and Aparri detachments are placed under the same command and ordered, after the Aparri force joins the Vigan at Vigan, to march south to Lingayen Gulf.

The USN withdraws the few remaining PBY Catalinas of Patrol Wing Ten (PatWing 10) and the three tenders servicing the aircraft from the Philippine Islands. The ships are the seaplane tenders (destroyer) USS Childs (AVD-1) and William B. Preston (AVD-7) and the small seaplane tender USS Heron (AVP-2).

Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses are sent against the Japanese beachhead at Legaspi, Luzon, and damage a freighter and a tanker. First Lieutenant Hewitt T Wheless is later awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for bringing his bullet-riddled B-17 back from the mission to an emergency crashlanding at Cagayan, Mindanao Island.

A USN boarding party transported in commandeered yacht Gem, seizes the 14,242 ton French motor mail vessel SS Marechal Joffre, in Manila Bay. The majority of the crewmen, pro-Vichy or unwilling to serve under the U.S. flag, are transported ashore. The ship, manned by a scratch crew that includes aviation personnel from Patrol Wing Ten (PatWing 10), departs Manila Bay on 18 December bound for Balikpapan, Dutch Borneo, whence she proceeded to Australia, New Zealand, and the U.S. She arrives in San Francisco, California, with a cargo of wool and zircon sand on 19 April 1942. The following day, she is taken over by the U.S. Maritime Commission and transferred to the USN. She as commissioned on 27 April 1942 as transport USS Rochambeau (AP-63).

AUSTRALIA: The Australian "Gull Force" departs Darwin, Northern Territory, for Ambon Island in the Netherlands East Indies. The force consists of 2/21st Battalion of the 23d Brigade, "C" Troop of the 18th Antitank Battery and supporting troops. The troops are in two Dutch ship escorted by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide D 47) and minesweeper HMAS Ballarat (J 184).

PACIFIC OCEAN: Norwegian motorship MS Hoegh Merchant is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-4 about 29 miles (47 kilometers) off Cape Makapuu on the southeastern tip of Oahu Island. All hands (35-man crew, 5 passengers) survive the loss of the ship.

USN gunboat USS Erie (PG-50), off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, boards and takes charge of motor vessel MV Sea Boy, and takes off a Japanese POW; she orders Sea Boy into Balboa, Canal Zone, the following day.

WAKE ISLAND: Two raids by Japanese naval aircraft are flown by aircraft based in the Marshall Islands. Early in the morning, "Mavis" flying boats (Kawanishi H6K4, Navy Type 97 Flying Boats) bomb the island. At 1100 hours, 30 "Nell" bombers (Mitsubishi G3M2, Navy Type 96 Attack Bombers) arrive from Roi Island in Kwajalein Atoll. They kill two marines and wound another but more seriously, they destroy one of the two remaining F4F-3 Wildcats.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: USN Task Force 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), comprising the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CV-2), three heavy cruisers, nine destroyers, and oiler USS Neosho (AO-23), sails to raid Japanese forces in Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Island to relieve pressure on Wake Island.

U.S. Coast Guard buoy tender USCGC Kukui reaches Niihau Island with squad of soldiers from Company M, 299th Infantry Regiment. The detachment learns of the events that have transpired on Niihau since Japanese Naval Aviation Pilot First Class NISHIKAICHI Shigenori crashed there on 7 December.

U.S.A.: The USAAF 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) departs Gowen Field, Boise, Idaho destined for Alaska.

U-108 sank SS Cassequel.

U-160 lost 7 men dead and one wounded in a fire at Danzig during the boat’s working up exercises.

Oblt. Hans-Jürgen Radke of U-657 was killed in a fire on the living quarters ship Black Prince. That fire killed 28 men. The boat was still going through trials at the time.

U-A met the Italian submarine Luigi Torelli in the mid-Atlantic and transferred 50 survivors from the German support ship Python and Atlantis.

UNITED KINGDOM: Westminster: Churchill asks Anthony Eden, his foreign secretary, whether reports about "the wholesale massacre of Jews" by "electrical methods" are true.

Eden tells him that "Jews are being withdrawn from Norway and sent to Poland, for some such purposes evidently." Eden, is, however, unable to "confirm the method" of killing.

Churchill sends the briefest of memoranda to First Sea Lord, Sir Dudley Pound: 'Where is the TIRPITZ?' (Scott Peterson)

2/8 Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers are moved to Ballynahinch, Northern Ireland. Their main function will be to train alongside and with the newly arrived United States troops. (119)

The Combined Production and Resources Board and the Combined Raw Materials Board issued a statement simultaneously in Washington and London, that the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada had united in creating a Combined Steel Committee "to squeeze every possible ton of steel out of existing plant facilities, in order to fulfill the combined war production program for 1943" .

An agreement is concluded in London between the British Government and the French National Committee to restore Madagascar, the Comoro Islands and the uninhabited peri-Antarctic islands of Crozet, Kerguelen, Saint Paul and Amsterdam to French sovereignty. The provisional military administration set up by the British authorities after the occupation of Madagascar is to come to an end upon the arrival there of General Paul-Louis Legentilhomme , the newly appointed High Commissioner, when the necessary provisions had been made for the reestablishment of the exercise of French sovereignty over the island.

A USAAF Inspector General report states that the drain of supplies from the USAAF Eighth Air Force for the purpose of equipping the USAAF Twelfth Air Force in Northwest Africa is hindering greatly the training and combat program of the Eighth Air Force.

Minesweeper HMS Thisbe laid down.

Submarine HMS Vigorous laid down.

Sloop HMS Woodpecker commissioned.

BELGIUM: RAF Bomber Command dispatches four Mosquitos to attack railways in Belgium and the Netherlands but only one aircraft bombs a marshalling yard at Ghent, Belgium.

NETHERLANDS: During the night of 14/15 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 68 aircraft, 27 Halifaxes, 23 Lancasters and 18 Wellingtons to lay mines. The Lancasters are recalled but most of Halifaxes and Wellingtons complete their mission: 27 lay mines in the Frisian Islands and six lay mines off Texel Island.

U.S.S.R.: Göring's airlift to Stalingrad brings in 180 tons. This is the largest effort to date and will not be exceeded. The German relief column is making progress in their advance.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: The British light cruiser HMS Argonaut (61) is torpedoed by the Italian submarine R.Smg. Mocenigo about 43 nautical miles (79 kilometers) north-northeast of Bone, Algeria, in position 37.30N, 08.13E. Two torpedoes strike the ship, and blow off both stern and bow. Amazingly, only three crewmen lost their lives in the explosions. HMS Argonaut manages to get to Gibraltar. Provisional repairs prove to be precarious, and on 4 April1943 she sets sail to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S., escorted by the destroyer HMS Hero (H 99). After a brief stay in the Azores, Hero has engine problems and has to leave Argonaut on her own on 9 April. On 13 April the cruiser is sighted by the USN destroyer USS Butler (DD-636), that escorts her to Bermuda, where some additional repairs are made. Escorted by the American minesweepers USS Tumult (AM-127) and USS Pioneer (AM-105), she reaches Philadelphia on 27 April.

EGYPT: The British 7th Armoured division attacks the El Agheila line while the New Zealanders try to outflank it.

El Agheila: The trap was carefully laid for Rommel - but, once again, the wily Desert Fox has succeeded in getting away from Montgomery's Eighth Army. The Panzerarmee Afrika (as the Afrika Korps is now known) has slipped away from this port where Rommel began his desert campaigns and is now heading west for Tripoli and Tunisia. The 2nd New Zealand Division was encircling the town in preparation for a planned frontal assault due to begin today. But under cover of dusk two nights ago Rommel's Panzers began to escape, their commander now hoping to link up with the other Axis forces in Tunisia.

LIBYA: The British Eighth Army continues to pursue the Axis, the British 7th Armoured Division taking the lead in the westward push while the New Zealand 2d Division advances rapidly southwest into the desert in an effort to get behind the Axis.

USAAF Ninth Air Force P-40s continue to attack retreating German forces east of El Agheila.

TUNISIA: USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb the harbor and shipping at Bizerte while B-17 Flying Fortresses hit similar targets at Tunis. DB-7 Bostons made two attacks on the marshaling yard at Sfax escorted by P-38 Lightnings and P-40s. P-38s attack vessels off the northern Tunisian coast, the road between Tunis and Bizerte, a train near Kerker, trucks near Chaaba, and El Djem, and a train near La Hencha. P-40s fly sweeps; F-4 Lightnings carry out photographic reconnaissance over areas of Tunisia. .

ABYSSINIA: The Government of Abyssinia proclaimed that a state of war existed between Abyssinia and Germany, Italy, and Japan.

MADAGASCAR: Eden and DeGaulle agree that the Free French should administer Madagascar. Free French High Commissioner General Paul Legentilhomme is appointed.

JAPAN: USN submarine USS Sunfish (SS-281) lays mines in entrance to Iseno Umi Bay. She continues these mining operations in those waters through 17 December.

NEW GUINEA: The Japanese use a seaborne landing 30 miles west of Gona to outflank the Australians.

The convoy of five destroyers reaches the Mambare River mouth early in morning and unload about 800 men without being detected. Allied planes subsequently deliver damaging attacks on troops, supplies, and landing craft. On the Sanananda front, a supply party succeeds in breaking through to the roadblock. West of the block, Company K and Cannon Company are relieved by Australian troops and move to the rear. On the Urbana Force (two battalions of the U.S. 126th and 128th Infantry Regiments, 32d Infantry Division) front, Companies I and K of the 127th Infantry Regiment move cautiously to Buna Village after an artillery and mortar preparation and find it empty of Japanese. The Australian 2/9th Battalion, 18th Brigade and six tanks being moving to Hariko from Oro Bay. USAAF Fifth Air Force transports establish a record for Papuan campaign by bringing 578 tons (524 metric tonnes) of materiel to Dobodura and Popondetta airfields.

In Papua New Guinea, the five Japanese troop-carrying destroyers attack by USAAF Fifth Air Force aircraft yesterday, reach the mouth of the Mambare River and unload without being detected. However, medium and light bombers and fighters, along with Australian aircraft, subsequently deliver damaging blows against these troops and their supplies and also hit forces along the Kumusi River in the Cape Endaiadere area and along the Mambare River. The five destroyers are attacked off Cape Ward Hunt by medium and heavy bombers. Attacks are also carried out against the Lae Airfield and the airfield on Gasmata Island, Bismarck Archipelago.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal Islands, additional elements of the Armyâ€™s Americal Division arrive.

PACIFIC OCEAN: During the night of 14/15 December on board USN submarine USS Grayback (SS-208), on war patrol in the Bismarck Archipelago, an appendectomy commences at 2300 hours by Pharmacist's Mate First Class Harry B. Roby, USNR, on Torpedoman First Class W.R. Jones. The surgery is completed by 0200 hours. This is the second of three such procedures that will be performed on board U.S. submarines during the war.

After serious trouble with the periscope, U-575 had to return from a patrol in the North Atlantic.

U-105 sank SS Orfor.

U-177 sank SS Sawahloento.

U-217 sank SS Etna.

U-443 sank SS Edencrag in Convoy TE-9.

A high tribute is paid to the discipline and steadfastness of the British soldier in a German Army Order recently captured. It is signed by von Zielberg; commander of the 65th Division, and urges on officers and men the importance, when they are captured, of not revealing information likely to be useful to the enemy.

"I myself," he says, "have been a witness of the exemplary bearing of the well-trained British soldiers under examination. Even when threatened with death, they refused to give any information except their name and number and their unit, adding sometimes that no German soldiers in their position would answer otherwise." The General says that officers must take care to instruct their men accordingly, owing to "regrettable cases which have recently occurred in other sectors."

Lt (A) Rene Irving Whitley "Terry" Goddard, RNVR, a Canadian from Ottawa, Ontario, serving a member of the British Fleet Air Arm, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. The citation in the London Gazette read: "For outstanding bravery and skill in many successful sorties against enemy shipping in the Mediterranean while operating from Malta and North Africa." Goddard later transferred to the RCNR and then to the RCN. He served in HMCS HAIDA (08 Sep 47) before being promoted to LCdr (O) and appointed as CO of 826 Sqn on 28 Jan 48. His other appointments included service in HMCS Magnificent commencing 08 Apr 52, and staff appointments at NSHQ in 1953 and SACLANT in 1954. Promoted to Cdr (O) on 01 Jan 55, he was appointed to NSHQ as the Assistant CNS for Air Warfare on 01 Aug 60. He also served in the Personnel Branch before being sent on exchange in 1963 to EASTLANT HQ. Cdr Goddard retired some time in 1965 or 1966 (exact date unknown).

ITALY: Capt. Paul Triquet (1910-80), Canadian Army, with the few remaining men of his company, broke through the fierce enemy defence of a town and held off heavy attacks until relieved. (Victoria Cross)

U.S.S.R.: Cherkassy falls to Konev's Second Ukrainian Front. The Soviet Baltic Front, under Yeremenko, begins a new offensive south of Nevel, where the salient has been improved. Radomyshl, south of Maim, falls to the Germans.

Kiev: The Red Army, pursuing its tactics of keeping the Germans on the wrong foot, has launched a major attack on Nevel, in Byelorussia. The Germans say they have abandoned some positions in the face of an assault by six divisions and two tank corps.

Meanwhile, south of Kiev, General Konev's men have stormed Cherkassy, the German stronghold on the west bank of the Dnieper, and are nearing Smyela, the vital junction 16 miles south-west of Cherkassy. The Germans are in full retreat are are being harried from the air by Sturmoviks. One of the reasons for the defeat of the German Eighth Army at Cherkassy was the transfer of many of its tanks to von Manstein's attempt to retake Kiev. At first successful, this attempt inflicted many casualties on General Vatutin's First Ukrainian Front, but was halted by mud and Vatutin's artillery 25 miles from the Ukrainian capital.

General Hoth has been sacked for his failure to take Kiev. Now, both sides are gathering men and guns for the winter offensive which is bound to follow once the frost has hardened the ground.

ITALY: The U.S. Fifth Army completes preparations for an offensive by the II and VI Corps tomorrow and begins a forward movement, during the night of 14/15 December.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers hit Orte, concentrating on the marshalling yard while light bombers attack road bridge southwest of Pontecorvo in front of the U.S. Fifth Army lines. P-40 fighter-bombers hit bridges south of Roccasecca and east of Atina and A-36 Apaches destroy a bridge at Ceprano and bomb railroad yards, the town area, and highway at Sora, and docks and town area of Civitavecchia.

GREECE: USAAF Fifteenth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators, with fighter escorts, bomb Greece. Forty three B-24 Liberators hit the Tatoi air depot at Athens; 44 B-17 Flying Fortresses hit the Kalamaki and 31 bomb the Eleusis air depots at Athens and 27 B-17s attack the docks and shipping at Piraeus. The heavy bombers claim 10 fighters shot down; one B-17 is lost.

CHINA: Thirteen USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells, with fighter escort, bomb Shasi and two P-40s strafe supply trucks south of Tengchung.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Six USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-40s on armed reconnaissance strafe Gia Lam Airfield and railroad yard.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, USAAF Fifth Air Force P-39 Airacobras strafe barges along the Huon Peninsula and B-24 Liberators on armed reconnaissance hit Saidor.

AUSTRALIA: Final plans for the operation against Cape Gloucester, New Britain Island, Bismarck Archipelago, are made. It is decided not to use airborne troops as planned.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: In the heaviest raid to date in the Southwest Pacific Area, 228 USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators, B-25 Mitchells, and A-20 Havocs bomb Arawe Island off the south coast of New Britain Island in an almost continuous attack from 0645 to 1548 hours. Gasmata on the south coast of New Britain is hit by B-25 Mitchells and B-26 Marauders. B-24 Liberators on armed reconnaissance hit Gasmata on New Britain Island and Unea (Ball) Island.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: Eighteen USAAF Thirteenth Air Force B-24 Liberators, with fighter support, bomb positions on Sohano Island while 18 B-25 Mitchells and eight fighters hit Manob village east of Buka Passage. Other Thirteenth Air Force fighters hit gun positions, communications targets, and other targets of opportunity at scattered points in the Bougainville-Shortland areas and cover USN SBD Dauntless strikes against antiaircraft positions in Chabai area on Bougainville Island. Sixteen USMC TBF Avengers attack reverse slope targets that cannot be hit by artillery. The TBFs, guided by smoke, attack a 150-yard by 50-yard (137-meter by 46-meter) area from 700-feet (213-meters). About 180 of the 192 100-pound (45 kilogram) bombs strike the target area but they do not dislodge the Japanese defenders.

Sixteen USMC TBF Avengers attack reverse-slope targets on Bougainville that artillery cannot reach. Guided by a smoke attack, the TBF pilots attack a 150-yard by 50-yard (137-meter by 46-meter) area from 700-feet (213 meters). The aircraft drop 192 100-pound (45 kilogram) bombs with 180 striking the target area. However, the bombs do not dislodge the Japanese.

At Lambu Lambu Cove, Vella Lavella Island, a faulty fuel pump ignites a gasoline dump that in turn explodes an ammunition dump. The resultant fire destroys motor torpedo boat PT-239.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Sixteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators, flying out of bases in the Ellice Islands, bomb Maloelap Atoll Atoll in the Marshall Islands.

U.S.A.: Corvette HMCS Collingwood completed forecastle extension refit New York, New York.

Destroyer escort USS Key laid down.

Minesweeper USS Report laid down.

Destroyer USS Bennion commissioned.

Destroyer escort USS O'Flaherty launched.

Light cruiser USS Vicksburg launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-86 reported missing in the North Atlantic. No explanation exists for her loss. 50 dead (all hands lost).

UNITED KINGDOM: London: The Greater London Plan is published, advocating the creation of a "green belt" around the capital and the transfer of a million people to ten new towns.

FRANCE: In the U.S. Seventh Army's XV Corps area, elements of the 100th Infantry Division attacking Fort Schiesseck, near Bitche, are pinned down by German fire. In the VI Corps area, Lembach falls to the 45th Infantry Division. The 103d Infantry Division encounters strong rear-guard opposition at Climbach while the 79th Infantry Division column drives to the outskirts of Lauterbourg.

In the U.S. Ninth Army's XIX Corps area, the 30th Infantry Division troops finish clearing the region between the Inde and Roer Rivers.

In the U.S. First Army's VII Corps area, a factory between Mariaweiler and Dueren is cleared of German troops. The V Corps continues their offensive but makes little headway.

In the U.S. Third Army's XX Corps area, the 90th Infantry Division continues attack preparations. Vehicular ferry is put out of action by German fire. The 95th Infantry Division makes little progress in expanding the Saarlautern bridgehead. In the XII Corps area, the 35th Infantry Division continues the battle for Habkirchen, crossing the 2d Bn and Company K of the 134th Infantry Regiment over the river to join in the attack. A Bailey bridge is put across the river to the the village, during the night of 14/15 December. The 87th Infantry Division, which has been moving toward Rimling, takes that village, but resistance is stiffening.

Bad weather grounds the USAAF Ninth Air Force bombers but fighters fly armed reconnaissance, hit rail targets and bridges, and support the U.S. 2d and 99th Infantry Divisions in the Monschau Forest, the 8th Infantry Division in the Bergstein area, the 78th Infantry Division in the Simmerath-Resternich area, and the XII and XX Corps around Habkirchen and Saarlautern.

ITALY: The British 8th Army mounts attacks to widen their bridgehead over the Lamone River.

In the U.S. Fifth Army's British XIII Corps area, the 6th Armoured Division loses contact with elements within Tossignano and fighting for this objective ceases after futile efforts to take it.

In the British Eighth Army area, the Polish II Corps renews their offensive, during the night of 14/15 December, pushing forward to the left of the Corps and in conjunction with it. The Corps, after regrouping, jumps off, during the night of 14/15 December, with the Indian 10th Division on the left and the New Zealand 2d Division on the right, the Indian 10th Division attacking toward Pergola ridge and the New Zealand 2d Division in the Colic area, west of Faenza. In the Canadian I Corps area, the 5th Armoured Division forces the Naviglio Canal to the right of the 1st Division and establishes a bridgehead.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers score effective hits on railroad bridges at Parma and Chivasso. Fighters and fighter-bombers attack rail lines north of the immediate battle area and in the Po River Valley and hit guns and occupied areas on the U.S. Fifth Army front south of Bologna.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Destroyer HMS Aldenham (L 22) bombard a German-held island off Fiume, Yugoslavia, is mined in the Adriatic 45 miles SE of the port of Pola (now Pula) at 44 30N 14 50E. The 63 survivors are rescued by HMS Atherstone. (Alex Gordon)(108)

BURMA: In the Northern Combat Area Command area, the Japanese garrison of Bhamo prepares to withdraw. The U.S. 475th Infantry Regiment (Long Range Penetration, Special) repels another Japanese attack on Tonk-wa, after which their activity subsides to patrolling; makes patrol contact with the British 36th Division at Katha.

Twelve USAAF Tenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells again bomb the supply and personnel area at Mongmit. The Bodegon railroad bridge is severely damaged by four P-47 Thunderbolts while 48 P-47s hit troop concentrations, supplies, and areas of active enemy movement at Panghkam, Hohai, Dobin, Kyaukpyintha, and Ho-naw and Nawngkyaung and Kunlong, China. Four others support ground forces near Tonkwa.

THAILAND: The USAAF Twentieth Air Force's XX Bomber Command flies Mission 20: 48 B-29 Superfortresses, flying out of the Calcutta, India area, are dispatched to bomb a railroad bridge at Bangkok; 33 hit the primary and 14 others hit targets of opportunity and alternate targets. They claim 0-1-0 Japanese aircraft; four B-29s are lost.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES : A series of air strikes against airfields on Luzon begins today. Lasting through the 16th, these strikes are from TF 38 under Admiral McCain. They will mount 1670 sorties, of which 250 are fighters. Losses: US 65 aircraft; Japanese 170 aircraft.

On Palawan Island, 150 American POWs are incarcerated in a POW enclosure situated on top of the cliffs overlooking the Bay of Puerto Princesa. While working on the construction of an airfield they are made to dig three trenches 150-feet (46 meters) long and 4.5-feet (1,4 meters) deep within the camp. They are told that the trenches are air-raid shelters and practice drills are carried out. The shelters are small and cramped, the prisoners sitting bunched up with their knees under their chins.
When a USN convoy is sighted heading for Mindoro Island, an air-raid alarm is sounded. The Japanese guards, thinking the island is about to be invaded, herd the prisoners into the covered trenches and then proceed to pour buckets of gasoline (petrol) into the entrances followed by a match to ignite the fuel. As the prisoners storm the exits, their clothes on fire, they are mowed down by light machine-gun fire or bayoneted, shot or clubbed. Dozens manage to get through the barbed wire and tumble down the 50-foot (15 meter) high cliff to the waters edge only to be shot at by a Japanese manned landing barge which is patrolling the shore. Only five survive by swimming across the bay and reaching the safety of a Filipino guerrilla camp. One prisoner, who tries to swim the bay, is recaptured and brought back to the beach. There, he suffers the agony of having gasoline poured on his foot and set alight. His screams delight the guards who then deliberately set fire to his other foot while at the same time prodding and stabbing his body with bayonets until he collapses. His body is then doused with gasoline and cremated. His remains, and the bodies of the other dead on the beach, are then buried in the sand. U.S. Forces capture Puerto Princesa on
25 February 1945, and weeks later discover 79 skeletons within the enclosure and they are given a proper burial. In all, 145 Americans are killed.

The orders to kill the prisoners came from the Japanese High Command. (Jack McKillop and Peter Kilduff)

In the U.S. Sixth Army's X Corps area on Leyte, the 126th and 127th Infantry Regiments, 32d Infantry Division, pressing slowly southward down Highway 2, come up against the Japanese main line of resistance on a series of ridges commanding the highway and for the next few days can make only minor gains. The 2d Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division, succeeds in dislodging the Japanese from the ridge southeast of Limon. The 12th Cavalry Regiment (Infantry), which has been patrolling in the Mt Cabungaan area, is ordered west to block Highway 2 south of the 32d Infantry Division and then attack north toward that division. In the XXIV Corps area, the 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, reduces the opposition in the Cogon area, Task Force Freeman taking the blockhouse and road junction north of Ormoc to sever the Japanese line of communication. The 32d Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, is advancing steadily over precipitous terrain toward 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 11th Airborne Division.

USAAF Far East Air Forces B-24 Liberators bomb airfields on Negros Island and B-25 Mitchells hit Zettlefield airdrome on Jolo Island. Other planes carry out sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids against various targets in the central Philippine Islands, Luzon, Mindanao and Palawan Islands.

Aircraft of the USN's Third Fleet's fast carrier groups begin attacks on Japanese airfields on Luzon. The Japanese continue air attacks on the Mindoro-bound task groups of USN Seventh Fleet.

Twenty four Australian (PBY) Catalinas of Nos. 11 and 43 Squadrons, begin operations from Leyte conducting a minelaying mission in Manila Bay, Luzon.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 Mitchells bomb Namlea on Buru Island. Other planes carry out sweeps, armed reconnaissance, and light raids against various targets one Halmahera Island, northern Borneo, and the Sulu Archipelago.

Tug HMCS Youville assigned to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

Corvette HMCS New Westminster departed Londonderry for refit Saint John, New Brunswick.

U.S.A.: The motion picture "National Velvet" premieres at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Directed by Clarence Brown, this family drama stars Mickey Rooney, Elizabeth Taylor, Donald Crisp, Angela Lansbury and Reginald Owens.

The temporary grade of "General of the Army" and "Fleet Admiral" (five-star) is approved by Public Law 482, 78th Congress.

In baseball, major-league baseball representatives, who are meeting in New York City, decide to allow ball clubs to play night games any day except Sundays and holidays, providing the visiting team agrees. They also agree to prohibit the scheduling of any football games before the home team's baseball season ends.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: During the night of 14/15 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 30 Lancasters and nine Halifaxes on minelaying missions. Nineteen aircraft lay mines in the Kattegat, the broad arm of the North Sea between Sweden and Denmark, and 18 lay mines in the Laeso Rende Strait between the Danish mainline and Laeso Island.

WESTERN EUROPE: SS personnel accused of atrocities at Belsen and other concentration camps are hanged.

U.S.A.: Captain Sue S. Dauser receives the first Distinguished Service Medal awarded to a nurse.

The Truman administration intervenes in the Chinese Civil War by dispatching General of the Army George Marshall, retired, to negotiate a truce between the Nationalist and Communist Chinese. Marshall retired last month.