28 December 1939

GERMANY: The German military's highest ranking critic of the Nazis, General Kurt von Hammerstein-Equord, Chief of Army High Command, resigns in protest of Hitler's policies. The resignation takes effect on 31 January 1934.

FRANCE: In an attempt to counteract radical political movements, the French government dissolves "political leagues." In response, most of these political factions reemerge as political parties.

ROMANIA: The Liberal government unexpectedly fell on 21 December in national elections, and Prime Minister, George Tartatarescu resigned on 26 December. In a surprise move today, King Carol appoints Octavian Goga prime minister. He leads the National Christian Party, which receives only ten percent of the votes in the national election. Premier Goga represents a coalition of reactionary parties, which include the Christian League and a wing of the Peasant's Party. The new prime minister immediately enacts a series of anti-Semitic laws, including prohibitions against Jews owning land, depriving Jews naturalized after 1920 of their citizenship, and barring Jews from professions. Simultaneously, Premier Goga works to establish a dictatorship by sending his party's troops into localities across the kingdom.

UNITED KINGDOM: HMS Barham (battleship) (04) is damaged about 64 nautical miles west-northwest off the Hebrides in 58°47N/08°05W (Grid AM 3540) by U-30 (Lt Cdr Lemp). The damage is minor.
U-30 encountered "HMS Barham" whilst en route to Liverpool to lay mines. U-30 fired four torpedoes at Barham, and scored one hit. The Admiralty acknowledged that Barham was slightly damaged by a torpedo whilst 50 miles off the Butt of Lewis. (Hebrides) (Alex Gordon)

At 0400, ASW trawler HMS Barbara Robertson was shelled and sunk by U-30 about 35 miles North-West of Butt of Lewis.

At 0932, SS Hanne struck a mine laid on 20 December by U-22, broke in two and sank one mile east of Blyth.

The British government begins rationing meat.

Steam trawler Resercho sunk six miles off Flamborough Head by U-15.

Destroyer HMS Eglington launched.

Escort carrier HMS Biter laid down.

FRANCE: The first Indian troops arrive to join the British Expeditionary Force, in France.

GERMANY: German industrialist Fritz Thyssen had become a member of the Nazi Party in 1930 and was instrumental in getting Adolf Hitler named as Chancellor. Thyssen was also an ideological supporter, since he backed repression against trade unions and left-wing parties. However, he was in strong disagreement with the religious persecutions of Jews. Following the Kristallnacht, Thyssen resigned from all his political offices and fled to Switzerland. Hitler confiscated all his property and demanded his capture. Today, he protests to Hitler stating, "I have not sacrificed my millions for Bolshevism but against it."

Raider 'Atlantis', sails from Bremen to Kiel after completing "final adjustments" to her disguise and loading naval stores and ammunition.

TURKEY: More details are coming in of the havoc caused by yesterdays earthquake in eastern and northern Anatolia, the western province of Turkey. It is feared that up to 20,000 may have died, with many thousands more now homeless in the bitter winter weather. There were seven violent shock between 2am and 5am yesterday. The regions of Tokat and the Black Sea tobacco-growing centres of Samsun and Ordu are amongst the worst affected. An emergency relief operation is under way.

LIBYA: The Australian 6th Division is in their first action near Bardia. This is the Second Australian Imperial Forces's first battle and involves an attack on an Italian frontier fortress. The preliminary operations began several days before the main attack was launched..

U.S.A.: Vaughn Monroe and his Orchestra's record of "There I Go" makes it to the Billboard Pop Singles chart. This is the first of his records to make the charts and it stays there for 4 weeks and rises to Number 5.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: Light cruiser HMS Bonaventure spotted the German blockade-runner Baden (8204 GRT) en route from the Canaries to France and sank her by torpedo. A capture was not possible due to bad weather.

German battleship Scharnhorst makes its first unsuccessful attempt to break out in the North Atlantic together with the battleship Gneisenau . The operation is aborted after the Gneisenau is damaged by heavy seas.

Corvette HMS Oxlip commissioned.

Submarine HMS Templar laid down.

GERMANY: The final RAF Bomber Command bombing raids of the year are made during the night of 28th/29th December when 217 sorties were flown with Wilhelmshaven, HÃ¼ls and Emden the main targets.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: The British commence Operation ANTHROPOID, the assassination of SS-Obergruppenfuhrer (U.S. Lieutenant General) Reinhard Heydrich, the German Protector of the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia.â€ During the night of 28/29 December, two Czech resistance fighters, Jozef Gabčík and Jan Kubiš, are dropped by parachute into Czechoslovakia landing near Pilsen. They are to get in touch with the Czech underground and help them plan acts of resistance.

U.S.S.R.: The Germans make some gains in the Fort Stalin area during their attacks on Sevastopol with the 22nd and 24th Divisions.

U-75 sunk in the Mediterranean near Mersa Matruh, in position 31.50N, 26.40E, by depth charges from destroyer HMS Kipling. 14 dead and 30 survivors. U-75 sank SS Volo earlier in this action.

U-83 attacked by an escort in the Mediterranean that damaged her so severely that she was forced to return to base.

LIBYA: XIII Corps, British Eighth Army, continues the assault on Agedabia with the 22d Armoured Brigade, 7th Armoured Division, whose tank strength by this time has been greatly reduced because of mechanical failure. After a futile effort to get behind the Axis position, the 22d Armoured Brigade falls back to El Haseiat. Both sides suffer heavy tank losses. The Italian Trieste Division captures key documents in a British Command Tank.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: US forces on Luzon are under attack on the line Tarlac-Cabanatuan.

The Japanese begin a drive from the Agno River toward Cabanatuan. In southern Luzon, the Japanese force the 52d Infantry Regiment [Philippine Army (PA)], 51st Division (PA), back to Tiaong. Brigadier General Albert Jones, Commanding General 51st Division (PA), receives orders to withdraw speedily to Bataan. The 53d Infantry Regiment (PA) moves to Bataan for rest and reorganization. The Japanese seize Luisiana, on Route 1, and the 1st Infantry Regiment (PA), 1st Division (PA) withdraws westward.

MALAYA: The Japanese are attacking British forces as they withdraw from Ipoh toward Kampar and the River Slim.

AUSTRALIA: Convoy ZK.5 consisting of the transports SS AQUITANIA, British freighter SS SARPEDON and Norwegian freighter MS HERSTEIN carrying 4,250 Australian troops of the 39th and 53rd (Militia) Battalions and 10,000 tons of equipment departs Sydney for Port Moresby in Papua escorted by three cruisers HMAS CANBERRA (H 30), AUSTRALIA (D 84), PERTH (D 29) and HMNZS ACHILLES (70). This is the first substantial build up of Allied forces in New Guinea. (Peter Beeston)

At a meeting between Australians and U.S. officials, the Australians agree (1) to prepare several bases and refueling sites in the interior to permit flying from Brisbane, Queensland, and Darwin, Northern Territory; and (2) to provide Royal Australian Air Force pilots to assist in training raw USAAF pilots.

NEW ZEALAND: The government scrapes the bottom of the manpower barrel and comes up with three battalions to defend the country. There are no tanks, very few guns, and almost no vehicles. However, the New Zealand 2nd Division is regrouping in Egypt to continue battling the Axis forces.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Australian National Airlines (ANA) aircraft begins the evacuation of civilians from Rabaul on New Britain Island.

MIDWAY ISLANDS: Over 850 civilian construction workers are evacuated by two USN ships.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by three Australian Hudsons of No. 32 Squadron off Kina, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The destroyerâ€™s steering gear is damaged and she has to put into Ternate in the Halmahera Islands, NEI, for repairs.

Corvette HMCS Calgary arrived Halifax from builder Sorel, Province of Quebec.

Corvette HMCS Rosthern returned to Halifax from refit on the Clyde.

159 Message of Support to the Philippines
December 28, 1941
The People of the COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES:
News of your gallant struggle against the Japanese aggressor has elicited the profound admiration of every American. As President of the United States, I know that I speak for all our people on this solemn occasion.

The resources of the United States, of the British Empire, of the Netherlands East Indies, and of the Chinese Republic have been dedicated by their people to the utter and complete defeat of the Japanese war lords. In this great struggle of the Pacific the loyal Americans of the Philippine Islands are called upon to play a crucial role.

They have played, and they are playing tonight, their part with the greatest gallantry.

As President I wish to express to them my feeling of sincere admiration for the fight they are now making.

The people of the United States will never forget what the people of the Philippine Islands are doing this day and will do in the days to come. I give to the people of the Philippines my solemn pledge that their freedom will be redeemed and their independence established and protected. The entire resources, in men and in material, of the United States stand behind that pledge.

It is not for me or for the people of this country to tell you where your duty lies. We are engaged in a great and common cause. I count on every Philippine man, woman, and child to do his duty. We will do ours.

The USN Chief of Bureau of Yards and Docks, Vice Admiral Ben Moreell, requests authority from the Bureau of Navigation to create a contingent of construction units able to build everything from airfields to roads under battlefield conditions. These units will be known as the "Seabees" for the first letters of Construction Battalion. (Dave Shirlaw & Jack McKillop)

NETHERLANDS: During the night of 28/29 December, RAF Bomber Command sends five Wellingtons and a Stirling to lay mines in the Frisian Islands.

FRANCE: During a broadcast Petain describes the Free French leaders as betraying French Africa to the British and Americans.

ALBANIA: Tiranë: 600 Italian soldiers are reported to have been killed by Albanian freedom fighters.

EASTERN FRONT: Rastenburg: Hitler orders Greece and Crete to be fortified and Balkan rebellions to be suppressed firmly. He also approves the withdrawal of Army Group A from the Caucasus.

MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Rescue tug HMS St Issey (W 25) is sunk by U-617 about 31 nautical miles north-northeast of Benghazi, Libya in position 32.37N, 20.22E.

LIBYA: British Eighth Army patrols reach positions overlooking Wadi el Chebir without German opposition.

TUNISIA: On the ground, British Army patrols reach a point east of Buerat, overlooking Wadi el Chebir, without opposition.

Twenty two USAAF Ninth Air Force B-24 Liberators, including RAF (B-24) Liberators under USAAF IX Bomber Command operational control, bomb the harbor at Sousse, hitting vessels and dock installations.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses bomb the dock and harbor installations at Sousse. while P-38 Lightnings fly escort; P-38s and P-40s on patrol and reconnaissance missions claim four Axis aircraft downed in combat and several vehicles destroyed at various points. F-4 Lightnings fly reconnaissance over the Tunis, Sousse and Sfax areas. UNITED STATES: Concerned about sharing the secrets of atomic research, President Franklin D. Roosevelt confirms the policy of noncooperation with the British that his advisers have been recommending. He orders that no information should be given to the British unless it happens to be in an area in which British scientists are directly involved..

FRENCH SOMALILAND: General Dupont, the Vichy French Governor, surrenders the colony to the Free French.

CHINA: Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek radios U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt that although the Chinese army in Yunnan will be ready for an offensive by spring of 1943 as planned, the offensive cannot be undertaken unless there are additional naval forces for the Bay of Bengal.

The USAAF Tenth Air Force's China Air Task Force B-25 Mitchells, with fighter support, hit Magwe.

JAPAN: General Sugiyama and Admiral Nagano tell the Japanese Emperor of the intent by IGHQ to order a withdrawal from Guadalcanal.

In Papua New Guinea, the Japanese garrison of Buna is ordered to withdraw to Giruwa, assisted by a detachment at Giruwa, which is to attack through the U.S. left flank. The Urbana Force's U.S. 127th Infantry Regiment gains a broad corridor from the Entrance Creek to the line of coconut trees. Company K makes a futile attempt to establish a bridgehead on the Mission side of Entrance Creek; some elements attempting to land from boats are turned back by fire; others begin crossing the bridge between Musita Island. and the Mission, but the bridge becomes unusable before many are across. Volunteers from Company E enter the Triangle in the evening and find strong defenses there deserted. Warren Force overcomes all organized resistance at Old Strip and swings north toward the coast. The Australian 2/10th Battalion, 18th Brigade, 7th Division, continues to cleanup Japanese positions around Old Strip while the Australian 2/12th Battalion, 18th Brigade, arrives at Oro Bay

from Goodenough Island, D'Entrecasteaux Islands, during the night of 28/29 December.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: On New Britain Island, USAAF Fifth Air Force B-24 Liberators bomb Rabaul and Gasmata.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Guadalcanal, patrols of the 132d Infantry Regiment, Americal Division, probe the Gifu line but are unable to find gaps. Since effective strength of the assault battalions now totals only 1,541, the 132d Infantry Regiment commanding officer is promised a fresh 2d Battalion.

TERRITORY OF ALASKA: ALEUTIAN ISLANDS: The USN high speed minesweeper USS Wasmuth (DMS-15) is escorting a convoy through a heavy Alaskan storm when two depth charges are wrenched from their tracks by the pounding sea, fall over the side, and explode beneath the ship's stern. The blasts carry away part of the stern and she begins to founder. In the gale, the pumps cannot make headway against the inexorably rising water below. Despite the heavy sea, the oiler USS Ramapo (AO-12) comes alongside the crippled and foundering Wasmuth and for 3.5 hours, the oiler remains with the sinking ship, transferring the latter's officers and men (134) and two passengers. After completing the rescue, Ramapo pulls away; Wasmuth sinks tomorrow about 35 nautical miles (65 kilometers) off Scotch Cap on the southwest coast of Unimak Island.

U.S.A.: President Roosevelt confirms a decision, with the support of his advisors, that no information on Atomic research will be given to the British, unless they are directly involved.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: A great battle against Convoy ONS-154 was fought. U-225 damaged SS Empire Lancaster, President Francqui, Ville de Rouen and sank SS Melmore Head; U-260 sank SS Empire Wagtail; U-406 damaged SS Zarian, Lynton Grange and Baron Cochrane; U-591 damaged SS Norse King.

UNITED KINGDOM: The USAAF Eighth Air Force's VIII Bomber Command is charged with forming and training a special organization (the Radio Counter Measure Unit) to use radio countermeasures against German defenses. Twenty four specially equipped B-17 Flying Fortresses are to operate in support of both night and day raids.

Submarines HMS Spark and Vulpine launched.

Minesweeper HMS Stormcloud launched.

Submarine HMS Spark launched.

Frigate HMS Stockham commissioned.

Corvette HMCS St Thomas (ex-HMS Sandgate Castle) launched South Bank-on-Tees.

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 168: six B-17 Flying Fortresses drop 2.84 million leaflets on Hannover, Osnabruck and Hildsheim, Germany; Zwolle, The Netherlands; and Amien, France at 1950-2027 hours.

GERMANY: Berlin: Himmler orders the death rate in the labour camps to be reduced, owing to a shortage of forced labourers for arms manufacture.

During the night of 28/29 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches Mosquitos to bomb targets in four cities: In Duisburg, eight bomb the Vereinigte Stahl steel plant while six hit the Rheinmetall armaments works; two each bomb Duisburg and Dusseldorf and one attacks Cologne.

ITALY: In the British Eighth Army's V Corps area, the Canadians complete the capture of Ortona. (Sidney Allison)
Canadian troops fought their way through a wall of fire to oust a German division from the Adriatic seaport today. Flame-throwers have been rushed to the 200,000 Germans now estimated to be fighting to save Rome.

Like so many Italian towns in the wake of warring armies, Ortona is a ruin. But the shattered and burntout wreckage of buildings is ideal for the German defenders - in this case hardened Nazi Waffen-SS men who had to be winkled out one by one by infantrymen with tank support. However, Ortona finally fell late this afternoon. The remaining Germans have retreated to hill positions north-west of the town. The town has been a key objective in the Eighth Army's drive along the eastern coast of Italy. It is the eastern anchor of Field Marshal Kesselring's defensive Gustav Line.

The fight becomes big news and is dubbed "Little Stalingrad" in the media. By today the Germans pull out secretly. The 1st Canadian Infantry will not forget the 2600 lost there when the bells of the Saint Thomas of the Apostle Church finally chimed the end of the Battle for Ortona. (Gene Hanson)

But the Allied advance is slow. Each valley running from the Apennines to the sea has to be fought for. There are hundreds of valleys, and the few roads available have been heavily mined by the retreating Germans. Heavy rain and snowstorms are other problems.

In the U.S. Fifth Army's VI Corps area, the French continue the attack on Mainarde ridge and overrun Hill 1190.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force B-25 Mitchells, A-20 Havocs, and A-36 Apaches, in coordination with Mediterranean Allied Strategic Air Force (MASAF) heavy and medium bombers operating against targets in the Rome area, bomb landing grounds at Ciampino, a bridge at Roccasecca and a road and railway to the east of town, ships and harbor at Civitavecchia, and railway sidings west of Frosinone. P-40s hit the harbor at Anzio and communications in the Pontecorvo and Atina areas.

Over 100 USAAF Fifteenth Air Force B-26 Marauders bomb Guidonia and Centocelle Airfields and railroad bridges north and south of Orvieto. One hundred eighteen B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators bomb the Rimini marshalling yard and on the return flight, hit a bridge over the Foglia River at Pesaro and road- railway intersection south of town. Seventeen unescorted B-24s dispatched to hit the Vicenza the marshalling yard are attacked by about 50 German fighters before reaching the target; ten of the B-24s are lost; several B-24s salvo their bombs over the target area and, in the fierce battle, claim 18 fighters shot down.

CHINA: Four USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and four P-51 Mustangs attack Yangtze River shipping at Chihchow; three cargo ships are sunk, two others damaged, and an armed motor vessel set aflame. Seven P-40s bomb a building on the railroad siding at Yun-chi.

BURMA: The Chinese 38th Division, attacking with the 1st and 2nd Battalions on the 114th Regiment and the 1st Battalion of the 112th Regiment, captures Japanese strongpoints in the Tarung valley.

NEW BRITAIN: The Japanese airfield at Cape Gloucester comes under attack by US Marines.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: At Cape Gloucester on New Britain Island, Lieutenant General Walter Krueger, Commanding General Sixth Army, releases the reserve, the 5th Marine Regiment, reinforced, to Major General William Rupertus, Commanding General 1st Marine Division. The 1st Marine Regiment reduces the prepared Japanese trail block about 1,000 yards (914 meters) east of the airfield. The Japanese attack on the Arawe beachhead is repulsed.

Over New Britain Island, 45 Allied fighters sweep over Rabaul in the morning; USMC F4U Corsair pilots claim 20 "Zeke" fighters (Mitsubishi A6M, Navy Type 0 Carrier Fighters) and six "Tony" fighters (Kawasaki Ki-61, Army Type 3 Fighter Hien) and a USAAF P-47 Thunderbolt pilot claims a "Kate" torpedo bomber (Nakajima B5N, Navy Type 97 Carrier Attack Bomber). USAAF Fifth Air Force fighters cover the Arawe and Cape Gloucester beachheads while 19 A-20 Havocs bomb and strafe Japanese ground positions ahead of the Marine ground forces.

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Fifteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators from the Ellice and Phoenix Islands bomb Maloelap, Majuro and Mili Atolls. Eighteen A-24 Dauntlesses from the Gilbert Islands, with an escort of 20 P-39 Airacobras, attack Mili Atoll; this attack is followed by another against the atoll carried out by nine B-25 Mitchells from Tarawa, supported by 12 P-39s.

CANADA: In a by election in the Montreal-Cartier, Quebec district, Fred Rose defeats David Lewis the candidate of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation to become the first member of the Communist Party openly elected to the Canadian House of Commons.

Destroyer escorts USS Alexander J Luke and Barr launched.

Light cruiser USS Pasadena launched.

Destroyer USS Brush launched.

The escort aircraft carrier USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73) at Astoria, Oregon; there are now 37 escort aircraft carriers in commission.

The light cruisers USS Miami (CL-89) at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Anti-Aircraft USS Reno (CL-96) at San Francisco, California. The USN now has 32 light cruisers in commission.

Submarines USS Gabilan and Tilefish commissioned.

Destroyer escort USS O'Reilly commissioned.

Destroyer minelayer USS Shea laid down.

(Dave Shirlaw & Jack McKillop)

ATLANTIC OCEAN: BAY OF BISCAY: A USN PB4Y-1 Liberator of Bombing Squadron One Hundred Five (VB-105), based at Dunkeswell, Devonshire, England, on patrol over the Bay of Biscay sights five German destroyers and six torpedo boats returning from an attempt to rendezvous with blockade runner SS Alsterfurer, sunk yesterday by an RAF No. 311 (Czech) Squadron Liberator Mk. V and a Sunderland. Of 15 PB4Y-1s dispatched as a strike force, six (five from VB-105 and one from VB-103) contact the German force and attack it. Contact reports by Navy planes, meanwhile, draw British light cruisers HMS Enterprise (D 52) and Glasgow (21). Although outnumbered and out-gunned the British ships sink the destroyer Z-27 and torpedo boats T-25 and T-26 in a two and a half hour running battle. The rest withdraw.

Captain H. Grant of HMS ENTERPRISE described how shells were "whizzing around the ship between the masts and skimming the bridge". However, the only damage to his ship was to the wireless aerial. HMS GLASGOW, however, suffered worse damage.

The victory over much superior numbers is the more surprising because five of the German force were of the new "Narvik" class. They are virtually mini-cruisers and their 5.9 inch guns have more hitting power than the six inch guns on the much older ENTERPRISE.

After the loss of the ALSTERUFER yesterday the destroyers decided to take the shortest route back to harbour, but ran into a gale which slowed them down considerably and provided and opportunity for the cruisers to get in among them. Several other destroyers were badly damaged.

The survivors are rescued by the British ships, an Irish steamer, and four Spanish destroyers. This marks the virtual end of German attempts to bring in vital supplies from the Far East by surface ships. Since 1941, of the 35 ships that have set out, only 16 have broken through Allie d patrols.

BELGIUM: Eisenhower and Montgomery meet aboard the former's train in Hasselt. Montgomery is convinced that the Germans have one more full-blooded attack in them. This is probably based upon advice from his Intelligence Officer, Brigadier Williams, who like most intelligence officers at the time was living by the adage, once burned, twice cautious.

ULTRA does not see it this way and Ike is going along with ULTRA. However, Monty does reveal that, while he does expect a blow from the Germans, he is making some preparations for an attack on the Bulge from the north.

The conference ends with Monty, once again, lobbying for his appointment as overall ground force commander. He believe that he has made his point and informs Brooke who does not believe that Ike would appoint a supreme ground commander and that Monty, after rubbing salt into Ike's wounds, for not having followed his advice, is hearing what he wants to hear from Ike. Monty heard wrong. (Jay Stone)

In the U.S. First Army's V Corps area, the final German effort to force the 1st Infantry Division from the Elsenborn defenses fails. In the XVIII Corps (Airborne) the area, corps zone is relatively quiet. Combat Command B, 9th Armored Division, and Regimental Combat Team 152 move into position to back up the 3d Armored Division and 75th Infantry Division. In the VII Corps area, the 75th Infantry Division, less Regimental Combat Team's 289 and 290, is attached to the XVIII Corps. The Germans infiltrating in the sector of Combat Command A, 3d Armored Division take Sadzot but are driven out. The 83d Infantry Division is relieving the 2d Armored Division and takes responsibility for the sector east of the line Buissonville-Rochefort; elements push into Rochefort.

In the U.S. Third Army's III Corps area, limited progress is made against delaying opposition between the Sauer and Wiltz Rivers. The 35th Infantry Division continues their drive on the southern flank of the German salient despite very heavy fire southwest of Villers-la-Bonne-Eau.

During the night of 28/29 December, the USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 768: two B-24 Liberators drop leaflets in Belgium without loss..

LUXEMBOURG: The 26th Infantry Division makes slight progress toward Wiltz. The XII Corps is ordered on the defensive in afternoon. The 80th Infantry Division repels an attack for Ringel.

In the U.S. Ninth Army's XIX Corps area, the 8th Infantry Division completes the reduction of the pocket south of Obermaubach.

The USAAF Eighth Air Force flies Mission 766: 1,275 bombers and 606 fighter are dispatched to hit rail and road bridges and several cities in the western German tactical area; two bombers are lost. The targets are (numbers in parenthesis indicate number of aircraft bombing and number lost, e.g., 97-1):

- Marshalling yards (M/Ys): at Koblenz, the Mosel M/Y (399-0) and the Lutzel M/Y(131-0); Kaiserslautern M/Y (123-2); Bruhl M/Y (75-0); Homburg M/Y (38-0); Siegburg M/Y (36-0); Neuenkirchen M/Y (27-0) and Troisdorf M/Y (11-0).

- Railroad bridges: Neuweid Bridge (109-0); Ludendorf Bridge at Remagen (71-0); Kaiserslautern Bridge (31-0); and Bullay Bridge (20-0).

- Other targets: Rheinbach communications center (34-0); Bierbach city (24-0);; Zweibrucken industrial area (21-0); Pirmasens industrial area (11-0); and miscellaneous (9-0).

USAAF Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers attack five cities: at Regensburg,106 bomb the Winterhafen oil storage facility with the loss of one aircraft and 29 bomb the marshalling yard (M/Y) with the loss of one; 13 bomb the Main M/Y at Salzburg; 11 bomb the M/Y at Amstetten; and one bombs a target of opportunity.

During the day, RAF Bomber Command sends 167 Lancasters to attack the Gremberg marshalling yards at Cologne; 164 bomb the targets with accurate bombing.

During the night of 28/29 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches three groups of bombers:

- 186 aircraft, 129 Lancasters, 46 Halifaxes and 11 Mosquitos, bomb the Gladbach marshalling yard at Munchen; 167 hit the target. The railway yards are the aiming point but little damage was caused there.

- 162 Lancasters and 16 Mosquitos are sent to Bonn; 171 attack with the loss of one Lancaster. The intention again is to bomb the railway installations. Bomber Command's report states that the main weight of the attack falls on the railway yards, causing "considerable damage."

- 87 Mosquitos to Frankfurt-am-Main, 79 to the city generally and eight to the railway yards; 83 aircraft bomb the targets.

AUSTRIA: USAAF Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers bomb five targets: six each hit the Kallwing marshalling yard and the railroad bridge at Kammern; four each attack the city of Heiflau and the marshalling yard at Zwettle; and one bombs Knittlefeld.

CZECHOSLOVAKIA: USAAF Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers bomb six targets: 53 bomb the oil refinery at Pardurice, 48 hit the oil refinery at Kolin; 25 attack oil storage facilities at Roudnice with the loss of two aircraft; 22 bomb an oil refinery at Kralupy; ten bomb the Nymburk railroad bridge at Kammern; and one bombs a target of opportunity.

NORWAY: During the night of 28/29 December, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 67 Lancasters and a Mosquito to attack a "large naval unit" and some merchant ships in Horten harbour in the Oslo fjord. Six of eight German submarines clear the harbour, but U-735 is sunk about 32 nautical miles (60 kilometers) south-southwest of Oslo in position 59.24N, 10.28E; only one of the 40 man crew survives. A second submarine, U-682, suffers heavy damage. (Alex Gordon and Jack McKillop and Dave Shirlaw)

ITALY: The U.S. Fifth Army postpones a projected offensive toward Bologna, the Serchio Valley reversals being a contributing factor. In the IV Corps area, the Germans begin to withdraw in the Serchio Valley, and troops of Indian 8th Division gradually push northward during next few days.

USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers attack troop concentration at Aulla, a dump at Mirabello Monferrato and the viaduct at Borovnica. XXII Tactical Air Command planes support the U.S. Fifth Army in the Serchio Valley, where German counterattacks are repulsed, hit roads and bridges, and destroy a number of vehicles, many at a motor transport depot near Aulla which the fighters bomb and strafe.

USAAF Fifteenth Air Force heavy bombers bomb three targets: 77 bomb the railroad viaduct at Venzone; 50 hit the railroad in the Brenner Pass; and 23 attack a railroad bridge at Bressanone.

During the day, 29 RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group hit the railroad bridge at Casarsa.

During the night of 28/29 December, USAAF Twelfth Air Force A-20 Havocs attack motor transports, ferry crossings, road bridges, rail line, and targets of opportunity throughout northwest and north central Po Valley.

YUGOSLAVIA: USAAF Twelfth Air Force medium bombers attack three rail lines from Austria and Yugoslavia into northeastern Italy by hitting bridges at Bodrez and the viaduct at Borovnica.

During the day, 31 RAF bombers of No. 205 (Heavy Bomber) Group drop supplies to partisans.

GREECE: Athens: A bizarre visit to Athens by Churchill ended today. Foregoing the Christmas celebrations, Mr Churchill and Foreign Secretary Anthony Eden, flew here after a spur of the moment decision to resolve the political crisis which has led to civil war.

In his four days in Athens, the prime minister has had meetings, held by the light of hurricane lamps, with both British-approved Greek politicians and, despite their shellfire outside, representatives from the rebel ELAS movement. His ship, HMS AJAX, has been shelled - returning fire on the PM's orders - and a guest on the ship, Archbishop Damaskinos, the man favoured as Greek regent, was mistaken for a member of the Ajax's Christmas fancy-dress party.

During the talks in Athens, British Beaufighters were launching rocket attacks on ELAS a few streets away as the rebels, much to Churchill's delight, talked of Britain as "our great ally".

After machine-gun bursts hit the walls of the British embassy above, a snipers bullet narrowly missed the premier. "Cheek!" he said and walked on.

CHINA: Two USAAF Fourteenth Air Force B-25 Mitchells and 16 fighter-bombers hit town areas, railroad targets, and gun positions in the Hengyang-Leiyang area. P-51 Mustangs, P-40s, and P-38 Lightnings on armed reconnaissance over southern China hit targets of opportunity at several locations including areas around Anking, Kinkiang Yungning, Siangtan, and Yuncheng.

BURMA: Twenty three USAAF Tenth Air Force P-47 Thunderbolts knock out a bridge at Nampawng and damage others at Man Pwe and Hsenwi; eight B-25 Mitchells destroy bridges at Kin and Kyaukhlebein, hit an already unserviceable bridge at Padon, damage a bypass road at Lashio and bomb troop concentrations, supplies, and artillery at Mong Hseng, Mong Tat, and Kathe. Four B-25s continue offensive reconnaissance over communications lines during the night of 28/29 December.

USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-51 Mustangs, P-40s, and P-38 Lightnings on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity around Wanling, Mongyu, Man Pong, and Namtao.

FRENCH INDOCHINA: Twenty USAAF Fourteenth Air Force P-51 Mustangs and P-38 Lightnings attack Gia Lam Airfield pounding the barracks area, hangars, shops, and railroad facilities. Other P-51 Mustangs, P-40s, and P-38 Lightnings on armed reconnaissance hit targets of opportunity around Hanoi and Lang Son.

VOLCANO ISLANDS: Thirteen USAAF Seventh Air Force B-24 Liberators, flying out of Saipan, bomb an airfield on Iwo Jima which is hit again during the night of 28/29 December when B-24 Liberators from Guam and Saipan fly two single-plane strikes.

COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: On Leyte in the U.S. Eighth Army's X Corps area, the 5th and 12th Cavalry Regiments (Infantry), 1st Cavalry Division reach the west coast at Tibur, a barrio north of Abijao. The 1st and 2d Battalions, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division, take San Isidro against light resistance. In the XXIV Corps area, the 2d Battalion, 305th Infantry Regiment, 77th Infantry Division, moves by Landing Craft, Mechanized (LCM) from Ormoc to Palompon; the 3d Battalion continues an overland drive, gaining about 1,000 yards (914 meters).

USAAF Far East Air fighters and bombers on numerous small raids hit targets on Palawan and Mindanao and ,the Lingayen Gulf, and west of Mindoro Island.

EAST INDIES: USAAF Far East Air Forces B-25 Mitchells attack Laha and Kairatoe Airfields on Ambon Island and Haroekoe Airfield on Haroekoe Island while fighter-bombers hit Namlea Airfield on Boeroe (Buroe) Island. In the Soembawa-Flores Island area in the Lesser Sunda Islands, B-24 Liberators attack Japanese shipping. FEAF fighters and bombers on numerous small raids hit targets on Borneo, Celebes, Halmahera, Timor and Tanimbar Islands.

NEW GUINEA: In Northeast New Guinea, the Australian Piper Force Piper Force (two battalions of the 2/11th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division) occupies the Musimbe area and the 2/8th Battalion, 19th Brigade, 6th Division, concentrates at Luain, 1 mile (1,6 kilometers) east of Suain.

SOLOMON ISLANDS: On Bougainville, Australian Brigadier Raymond Monaghan, General Officer Commanding 29th Brigade, 3rd Division, orders a deep advance along the coast. The 15th Battalion is to seize the south bank of the Tavera Rivera and the log crossing of the Mendai Track north of the river.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese air attacks commence against the 99-ship Mindoro Island, Philippine Island-bound USN Task Group 77.11; Allied air cover cannot be provided because of bad weather over the airfields within range. Kamikazes crash tank landing ship USS LST-750 and U.S. freighters SS William Sharon and SS John Burke. SS John Burke, carrying ammunition, explodes, the cataclysmic blast damaging station tanker USS Porcupine (IX-126) and motor torpedo boat PT-332. There are no survivors from among SS John Burke's 40-man merchant complement and 28-man Armed Guard. Fragments from John Burke also hit freighter SS Francisco Morozan 100 yards (91 meters) away, wounding three of that ship's merchant complement. SS William Sharon, set afire by the kamikaze and gutted by fires that are ultimately controlled, is abandoned, the survivors transferring to destroyer USS Wilson (DD-408), whose assistance proves invaluable in extinguishing the blaze that has consumed the freighter. Combat-sa lvage vessel USS Grapple (ARS-7) later tows the merchantman to San Pedro Bay for repairs. USS LST-750, hit subsequently by an aerial torpedo, is consequently scuttled by destroyer USS Edwards (DD-619) off the southwestern coast of Negros Island. Japanese air attacks continue tomorrow.

CANADA: Frigate HMCS Cap de la Madeleine departed St John's with eastbound Convoy HX-328.

Light cruiser USS Providence launched.

Escort carrier USS Rendova launched.

ATLANTIC OCEAN: SS Empire Javelin in a convoy was torpedoed and sunk by U-772 40 miles south of St. Catherine’s Point, Isle of Wight. The U-boat did not report the attack, because she was sunk a short time later, but the time was recorded by the B-Dienst. The master, 121 crewmembers, 28 gunners and all troops were picked up by the Free French frigate L'Escarmouche and landed at Le Havre. Seven crewmembers were lost.

GERMANY: Canadian Military Court in Aurich: The trial of SS Brigadefuhrer Kurt Meyer ends. He is accused of the responsibility for the shooting of Canadian prisoners of war by men under his command. Kurt Meyer was accused of having, as Commander of the 25^th S.S. Panzer Grenadier Regiment of the 12^th S.S. Panzer Division, incited and counselled his men to deny quarter to allied troops ; ordered (or alternatively been responsible for) the shooting of prisoners of war at his headquarters ; and been responsible for other such shootings both at his headquarters and during the fighting nearby. He pleaded not guilty. In connection with the last set of charges and with the alternative charge, the Prosecution referred to the presumptions contained in Regulations 10 (3), (4) and (5) of the War Crimes Regulations (Canada). The accused was found guilty of the incitement and counselling, and was held responsible for the shootings at his headquarters, though not guilty of ordering them, and was found not to be responsible for the shootings outside his headquarters. A charge contained in a second Charge Sheet was abandoned. The sentence of death passed against him was commuted by the Convening Authority to one of life imprisonment.

President Harry S. Truman directs that the U.S. Coast Guard be transferred from the Navy and returned to the jurisdiction of the Treasury Department. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed Executive Order 8929 transferring the Coast Guard to Navy Department control on 1 November 1941.