- January 10
- The Soviet Red Army breaks into Stalingrad. [166.335] (January 11 [277.163])
- January 11
- The British War Cabinet accepts the proposed policy of area bombing German submarine bases along the Biscay coast. [84.162,344]
- British Louis Mountbatten asks Canadian High Commissioner Vincent Massey to place the matter of researching Habbakuk ice ships before the Canadian government on an urgent basis. [101.34]
- January
- The British Combined Chiefs of Staff approve a policy for inclusion in the upcoming Casablanca directive, naming German submarine construction yards as top priority long-term objectives, with bases on the Biscay coast as short term top targets. [84.162]
- January 13
- In the western Mediterranean, west of Algiers, Royal Canadian Navy corvette Ville de Québec in convoy TE-13 sinks German submarine U-224. [27.21] [454.46]
- January
- Just prior to the Casablanca conference, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt agree on the unconditional surrender of Germany. [698.26]
- January 14
- The British Air Ministry directs Bomber Command to begin night attacks on German submarine bases. [84.163]
- (evening) 122 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at Lorient. [84.163]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and American President Franklin Roosevelt meet at Casablanca, Morocco, over eleven days. The decision is made to attack the island of Sicily. British Bomber Command is directed to focus on submarine bases on the Biscay coast in the short term, and submarine construction yards as long term targets. [66.43] [84.162] [142.2] [166.355] [239.7] [277.178] [407.20] [529.2017] [766.40]
- January 15
- British forces in North Africa commence an attack on Erwin Rommel's forces. [277.178]
vvv advertisement vvv
^^^ advertisement ^^^
- The American army agrees to co-fund an anthrax-producing site at Grosse Ile, Quebec, Canada. [51.113]
- (evening) 157 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at Lorient. [84.163]
- January
- A message reaches Britain that refers to test-firing of rockets at Peenemünde. [84.197]
- Soviet Marshal Georgi Zhukov leads overwhelming forces in an attack on German defenses south of Lake Ladoga. Within hours, the siege of Leningrad is broken. [178.523]
- Britain's Combined Operations asks Canada's National Research Council to begin studies into the feasibility of building huge 2000 foot long ice ships cut from Arctic ice. [51.146]
- January 16
- (evening) 201 British Lancaster and Halifax bombers attack Berlin. (Only one plane is hit, though precise target bombing is difficult due to poor weather.) [84.164]
- January 17
- (evening) 187 British Lancaster and Halifax bombers attack Berlin. 22 planes are shot down. [84.165]
- January 18
- Nazis begin removal of 8000 residents of the Warsaw ghetto, but armed resistance over four days kills 20 German soldiers and injures a few dozen. [821.1519]
- January 19
- In the western Mediterranean, Royal Canadian Navy corvette Port Arthur destroys Italian submarine Tritone. [27.21]
- January 22
- Final Japanese resistence is defeated on New Guinea. [166.318]
- British Bomber Command makes first operational use of the Mitchell bomber, against oil targets in Belgium. [84.344]
- January 23
- A German plan for the systematic destruction of Le Panier, Marseille, France, commences. 25,000 people are ordered out, 804 Jews arrested (none survive). Over the next two weeks, the area is packed with explosives. [727.6]
- In North Africa, British 8th Army forces capture Tripoli. [149.209] [166.341] [519.1933]
- The United States 8th Air Force flies its first bombing mission over Germany, against Wilhelmshaven. [84.162]
- January 24
- Both airports at Stalingrad fall to Soviet forces. [166.335]
- The Casablanca Conference ends. The British persuaded the Americans to postpone the cross-Channel invasion. US President Franklin Roosevelt announces to the press the Allied policy of requiring the unconditional surrender of Germany, Italy, and Japan. [28.376] [142.2] [277.179] [373.293] [382.7]
- January 26
- In Canada, the National Research Council receives a $50,000 grant to quickly study the construction of Habbakuk ice ships. [101.34]
- January 27
- 55 American Fortress and Liberator bombers make a raid on the docks and submarine yards at Wilhelmshaven. [84.186]
- January 30
- British Mosquito bombers make two daylight raids on Berlin, during the Nazi Party's tenth anniversary. [84.165,344]
- British Prime Minister Winston Churchill meets with Turkish President Ismet Inönü and his Cabinet and General Staff at Adana, Turkey. Over two days, the British promise Turkey modern armaments, Allied defence support, and more. In return, all Turkey is asked is to enter the war when they feel they are sufficiently armed. [38.170]
- Adolf Hitler names Karl Dönitz as Grand Admiral and Commander-in-Chief of the navy. [149.307] [373.272,305]
- (evening) The British-developed H2S target finding technology is used in operation for the first time, as a few H2S-equipped Halifax and Stirling bombers lead Lancasters against Hamburg, Germany. Results are poor due to the weather. [84.159,344]
- January 31
- German 6th Army commander Friedrich Paulus and almost 250,000 German troops surrender at Stalingrad. [54.28] [80.321] [81.23] [166.335]
- January (month)
- Total German submarine sinkings of merchant shipping in the Atlantic during the month: 203,000 tons. [173.28]
- (month unknown)
- A German radio monitoring system breaks the Allied naval cipher used for communications with Atlantic convoys. [173.58]
- February 1
- The German 21st Panzer Division of the 5th Panzer Army captures the French garrison at Faid pass. [277.183]
- The whole area of Le Panier, Marseille, France, is detonated: 34 acres, 1924 buildings, thousands of homes. [727.6]
- A British Stirling bomber with H2S technology crashes in Holland, potentially giving the Germans a head-start on understanding and countering the technology. [84.159]
- February 2
- The remainder of the German 6th Army surrenders at Stalingrad. About 150,000 Axis soldiers died in the battle, another 150,000 were taken prisoner. In total, about 450,000 on both sides died. (Only about 6000 German soldiers ever return to Germany.) [38.120] [80.321] [81.25] [166] [168.viii] [277.163] [519.1933]
- February 3
- (evening) 263 British bombers attack Hamburg, Germany. [84.166]
- February 4
- The British Air Ministry gives Bomber Command a directive, listing submarine bases as top priority. [84.344]
- (evening) 188 British bombers attack Turin, Italy. Heavy damage is inflicted. Three planes are shot down. [84.165]
- February 6
- East of Gibraltar, an Italian torpedo bomber sinks Royal Canadian Navy corvette Louisburg. [27.21]
- February 7
- Japanese forces evacuate Gualcanal. [166.355]
- (evening) 323 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at Lorient. [84.163]
- February 8
- In the Mediterranean, Royal Canadian Navy corvette Regina sinks Italian submarine Avorio. [27.21]
- February 9
- American Marines defeat final resistance on Guadalcanal. [166.318]
- February 10
- The Soviet Red Army launches an offensive to try to open the October Railroad between Moscow and Leningrad. [178.523]
- Soviet forces attack the Spanish Blue Division near Krasny Bor, below Leningrad. The Blue Division is forced to retreat for the first time in the war. [38.104]
- Spanish and German governments sign a secret protocol, in which Spain will resist entry of Anglo-American forces on any Spanish territory, in exchange for German supplies of war material. [661.13]
- February 11
- Karkov is recaptured by the Soviet Red Army. [416.E5]
- (evening) 177 British bombers attack Wilhelmshaven, Germany. A hit on a naval ammunition depot devastates 120 acres of the town and dockyards. [84.166]
- February 12
- Winston Churchill writes to Josef Stalin, informing him of preparations for a cross-Channel invasion of Europe in August or September. [382.12]
- February 13
- (evening) 466 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at Lorient. In nine attacks since January 14, 2000 sorties have been flown against this one target. [84.163,344]
- February 14
- Near Tunisia, the German 21st Panzer Division launches an attack from Faid toward Sbeitla. [277.184]
- Field Marshal Erich von Manstein is moved from Commander Army group Don to Commander Army group South. [149.309]
- (evening) 142 British Lancaster bombers attack Milan, Italy. At least 27 factories are destroyed. Two planes are shot down. [84.165]
- February 15
- The British government protests to the Swedish government regarding Sweden building fishing boats for the Germans to use as minesweepers. [29.66]
- February
- Allied Atlantic convoy ON166 loses 14 of 63 ships, with escort ships sinking two of 21 German submarines. [568.17]
- February 16
- The British Air Ministry instructs Bomber Command to bomb Berlin, Germany, due to Russian successes at Stalingrad. [84.204]
- February 17
- (morning) Near Tunisia, the German 21st Panzer Division launches an attack on American positions in front of Sbeitla. By nightfall, American forces pull back. In three days of fighting, US forces lost 150 tanks, almost 3000 men, against minor German losses. [277.184]
- February 19
- British General Sir Harold Alexander takes over command of the whole Tunisian front. [277.184]
- February 20
- (1700 hours) Near Tunisia, German forces capture Kasserine pass from the Americans. (This loss gives the British a low opinion of American fighting capabilities.) [277.186]
- February 21
- Near Tunisia, British 26th Armored Brigade Group pulls back to Thala. [277.186]
- February 22
- (afternoon) Near Tunisia, German forces withdraw through Kasserine. [277.186]
- Near Gibraltar, Royal Canadian Navy corvette Weyburn strikes a mine and sinks. [27.21]
- February 23
- German Erwin Rommel is put in command of all Axis forces in Africa. [277.187]
- February 25
- (evening) 337 British bombers attack Nuremberg, Germany. Nine planes are shot down. [84.166,344]
- February 26
- Near Tunisia, German commander General Dietloff Juergen von Arnim launches panzers along a 70-mile stretch, with objective Beja. The attack is a failure, with the loss of 71 tanks and 2500 prisoners. [277.187]
- (evening) 417 British bombers attack Cologne, Germany. [84.344]
- February 27
- Nine Norwegian special operatives destroy heavy water production of Norsk Hydroplant. [812.39]
- February 28
- (evening) 437 British bombers attack German submarine bases at St. Nazaire. [84.163]
- February (month)
- Total German submarine sinkings of merchant shipping in the Atlantic during the month: 359,000 tons. [173.28]
- March 1
- (evening) 16 British Halifax and Stirling bombers with H2S navigation control lead about 300 bombers on Berlin. Much damage is done, but 17 planes are shot down. [84.165]
- March 3
- British Mosquitoes attack molybdenum mines at Knaben. [84.344]
- (evening) 417 British bombers attack Hamburg, Germany. Most bombs fall on Wedel, 13 miles away. [84.166]
- March 4
- (before 0800 hours) In southern England, the General Headquarters exercise "Spartan" begins, testing the army's ability to break out of a bridgehead, and engage in open warfare. The exercise ends on March 12. (As a result of this exercise, three Canadian generals lose their commands, including General Andrew McNaughton.) [28.393] [69.23]
- 17 American bombers attack Hamm, Germany, losing four planes. [84.186]
- Near Portugal, Canadian destroyer HMCS St. Croix and corvette HMCS Shediac sink German submarine U-87. [69.69] [27.21]
- March 5
- (evening) British Air Chief Marshal Arthur Harris begins "The Battle of the Ruhr", with a major attack on Essen and its Krupps factories. About 438 bombers attack in several waves, with yellow, green, and red flares and bombs helping mark targets. Oboe and H2S navigation aids also help direct bombers to their target areas. 160 acres of the town are devastated. 450 more acres suffer extensive damage. 14 aircraft do not return to their bases. [84.168,345]
- March 6
- Near Tunisia, German commander Erwin Rommel attacks the British 8th Army at Medenine. After the loss of 40 tanks, Rommel calls off the attack. [277.187]
- March 7
- US General George Patton arrives at US 2nd Corps headquarters in North Africa. [277.188]
- March 8
- British Bomber Command receives orders to modify Lancaster bombers to carry a special 10 ton mines to be used for breaking dams. The mine is code named "Upkeep", and has to be released from close to the water's surface, allowing it to drop down the face of the dam before exploding. [84.175]
- March 9
- German commander in Africa Erwin Rommel takes sick leave to Europe. [277.187]
- March 13
- While escorting a convoy to Gibraltar, RMS corvette Prescott sinks submarine U-163 in the Bay of Biscay. [27.14,21]
- In Smolensk, a bomb disguised as two bottles of brandy is put on board Adolf Hitler's personal Focke-Wulf 200 Condor plane. The detonator activates, but due to cold temperature, the plastic explosives do not detonate. [691.129]
- March 14
- A German victory at Kharkov in Russia creates a bulge around Kursk. [78.273] [277.164]
- March
- In Rjukan, Norway, resistance fighters destroy a heavy water plant. [518.1905]
- Allied Atlantic convoy SC121 loses thirteen ships, with no destruction of German submarines. [568.17]
- (mid-month) Combined Chiefs of Staff appoints British Lt. General Frederick Morgan to the post of chief of staff to the supreme Allied commander. He is given instructions to co-ordinate plans for the invasion of Europe. [54.71]
- An Atlantic Convoy Conference is held, with British, American, and Canadian participation. Canada's Rear Admiral Murray is appointed Commander-in-Chief, Canadian Northwest Atlantic. The United States announces its decision to withdraw completely from the Atlantic. Britain and Canada are placed in complete charge of trade convoys on northern routes. [1.7] [117.19] [173.28]
- March 16
- Convoys SC-122 and HX-229 across the Atlantic are attacked by submarines. Over three days, 21 ships are sunk. [455.24]
- March 17
- Near Tunisia, the US 1st Infantry Division launches an attack on Gafsa, quickly driving out the Italian defenders without a fight. [277.189]
- March 20
- Near Tunisia, the British 8th Army launches an attack on Axis defences of the Mareth line. [277.189]
- March 22
- (evening) 357 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at St. Nazaire. [84.163]
- March 23
- Near Tunisia, British General Bernard Montgomery shifts his forces to the inland flank of the Mareth line. German commander Dietloff Von Arnim withdraws Messe's army to Wadi Akarit. [277.189]
- March 26
- (about 0730 hours) US naval Task Group 16.6 sights a Japanese re-supply convoy approaching the Komandorski Islands, near the Aleutian Islands. The task forces consists of one heavy cruiser, one light cruiser, and four destroyers. The Japanese force sighted is two heavy cruisers, two light cruisers, and six destroyers, escorting three transport ships. [100.51] [827.8]
- (about 0845 hours) Near the Aleutian Islands, Japanese heavy cruiser Nachi is struck by several shell hits by US warships. [100.52] [827.8]
- (0910 hours) Near the Aleutian Islands, Japanese heavy cruiser Maya hits US heavy cruiser Salt Lake City with a shell. [100.52]
- (1010 hours) Near the Aleutian Islands, a Japanese shell hits the main deck of US heavy cruiser Salt Lake City, passing through the ship below the waterline. [100.53]
- (1103 hours) Near the Aleutian Islands, an 8-inch shell hits US warship Salt Lake City below the waterline, exploding in a fuel tank. [101.53]
- (1213 hours) The Battle of the Komandorsky Islands ends, as the Japanese ships withdraw, unable to re-supply a small garrison at Attu Island, at the end of the Aleutians chain of islands. Several ships on each side were damaged, and several deaths incurred on each side. [827.8]
- March 27
- The British Secret Intelligence Service headquarters receives the transcript of a recorded conversation between two captured German generals about rockets to start hitting London next year. [84.197] [339.45]
- Near Tunisia, the British 8th Army reaches Gabés. [277.191]
- (evening) 396 British bombers attack Berlin, Germany. [84.170]
- March 28
- (evening) 323 British Bombers attack German submarine bases at St. Nazaire. [84.163]
- March 29
- (evening) 329 British bombers attack Berlin, Germany. 21 planes do not return. [84.170]
- March 30
- The British 8th Army breaks the German Mareth Line in Tunisia. [416.E5] (March 29 [519.1933])
- March (month)
- Total Allied shipping losses in North Atlantic convoys during the month: 300,000 tons. Total losses in the Atlantic during the month: 627,000 tons in 108 ships. [83.59] [117.19] [173.28] [212.37] (Atlantic total 704,000 tons in 82 ships [827.11])
- German submarine losses during the month: 12. [827.11]
|