The British Army of the Nile had completely surrounded Bardia tonight and was moving up reinforcements for a final assault on the Libyan port. Trapped within the Italian base, 30 miles inside the Libyan border, were an estimated 20,000 Italians behind a 17-mile perimeter of concrete pill boxes, artillery batteries, machinegun nests and tank pits. British advance forces were reported to be engaged in a fierce struggle with the Italians, who were pouring heavy artillery shells on the enemy’s slowly advancing tank and motorized units.
It is a very busy day in the Mediterranean, almost all of it Royal Navy and British Army operations. By mounting operations simultaneously on both land and sea, the British essentially paralyze the Italians, who barely make an appearance aside from one submarine sinking off Libya.
General Wavell, British Middle East Commander, visits General O’Connor’s forward headquarters and inspects the troops in the Western Desert. He learns that the offensive has run tight and the troops need a pause. He telegrams the Chief of the Imperial General Staff:
“…investment of Bardia proceeding. 16 Brigade and 16 Australian Brigade now grouped under 6th Australian Div. 100 guns should be in position against Bardia by tomorrow morning. Transport strained … Large percentage of vehicles out of action awaiting repair. … we want Bardia as soon as possible but do not propose to risk failure and heavy casualties, especially as this is Australians’ first operation.”
What is striking about Wavell’s summary is that he does not even mention the Italians as a problem — it is the extent of the advance and the resulting wear-and-tear on the equipment that is a problem, not enemy resistance. He proposes a halt, especially considering that the Australian troops being brought forward for the next phase of the assault have not been in combat yet. He is correct about the Italians not being an issue, as no Italian soldiers still stand on Egyptian soil except as prisoners of war or hunted refugees. However, that said, the Italians are defending Bardia and Tobruk with tanks and the troops who made it back from Egypt.
The Middle East Joint Planning Staff prepare a study, “Advance into Libya.” Which optimistically plans the next step of British operations beyond the capture of Bardia (which has not been captured yet, but is essentially surrounded). The study considers four options as feasible:
- Consolidate at Bardia
- Capture Tobruk by land assault
- Capture Tobruk by land and sea assault
- Capture Benghazi
Of the four options, the study considers a land assault on Tobruk as the most profitable course of action. “If this is not possible,” the report concludes, “we should consider a position covering Bardia.”
The Royal Navy is engaged in its own business while the army has the situation in hand in Egypt and Libya. It runs through another two convoys to Malta, MW.5A and MW.5B. Royal Navy battleships HMS Malaya and Warspite and numerous destroyers quickly refuel in Grand Harbour and then rejoin the main fleet. The Malaya continues on to Gibraltar.
The mission is notable because the Royal Navy Commander in Chief Mediterranean, Admiral Cunningham, is on the Warspite and uses the visit to meet with Governor Lt. General Dobbie and Vice Admiral Malta Sir Wilbraham Ford. These spectacular Royal Navy visits at the height of the conflict are watched by innumerable Maltese spectators and leave a very favorable impression. The Italian Air Force does not make an appearance.
In Albania, Greece starts a bombardment of Klisura. Italian positions in the mountains behind Tepeleni and Klisura were reported falling “one after another” to bayonet-charging Greeks today and a general Fascist retreat from the entire sector was declared imminent. The Greeks said their troops were proceeding methodically in cleaning up Italian resistance in these remaining outposts before making any attempt to occupy the two towns, which guard an important highway leading into eastern Albania. Artillery hauled into mountain emplacements through waist-deep snow was said to be continually pounding the Fascists. With another Greek force battling up the Adriatic coast toward Chimara, the R.A.F. command announced its bombers again blasted Valona, Italian port of entry farther up the coast. Military barracks, a gasoline dump and a transport park were declared reduced to flaming ruins. Coupled with this raid, carried out yesterday, the British reported another squadron raided the Krionero area, scoring direct hits and starting fires among numerous buildings.
The battle for the Italian port of Himara continues on 20 December 1940. In possession of the Giam height, the Greeks still need to capture the high ground further to the east. The Greek 3rd Infantry Division struggles through deep snow to advance on Italian artillery sited on the mountainsides. By taking the heights all around Himara, the Greeks hope to force the Italians to withdraw.
The Greeks elsewhere are bombarding Klisura and Tepelenë (Tepelini) with artillery. The Italians are fighting hard to keep both of those places, however. The Italians are even launching some minor counterattacks at various points along the front. The Greek offensive definitely is petering out, but it may have one or two more successes left in it.
A British Committee of Enquiry has been looking into the Arandora Star matter and today reports its finding. The major conclusion is that there was insufficient segregation of types of travelers — both Jewish refugees and outright Fascists basically traveled together. The Arandora Star was a liner taking aliens from England to Australia over the summer, where they would be housed in camps. The voyage was notorious for the predations of the guards and the mistreatment of just about everyone, including beatings and thievery.
John Logie Baird demonstrates a color television to the press — including the sixth Marquess of Donegal, a journalist for the Sunday Despatch — in the lounge of his home at Crescent Wood Road, Sydenham in South London. In August 1939, the Germans first demonstrated a color television set, but the war prevented further progress. There have been occasional public television programs in both England and Germany since the mid-1930s, all in black and white. The popularity of television at this point is limited more by the availability of TV sets than it is by the technology itself.
The establishment of military and economic commissions to implement the German-Italian-Japanese alliance was agreed upon today, and the action was regarded in some political quarters as a reminder to the United States of the hazards of giving limitless aid to Britain.
New antisemitic laws are introduced in Bulgaria. Other measures against Freemasons and secret societies are also instituted. The Jewish population of Bulgaria at this time is about 50,000.
The PPSh-41 Shpagin machine pistol, or submachine gun, is approved for production by the Defense Committee of the Council of People’s Commissars of the Soviet Union. The PPSh-41 has been designed by Georgi Shpagin as a cheap but reliable alternative to the more expensive PPD-40. The impetus for both designs — the PPSh-41 and the PPD-40 — was the effective use by the Finnish Army in their forests of their Suomi KP/-31 submachine gun. Shpagin uses metal stamping and a simple gas compensator to design one of the most effective and ubiquitous weapons of the war. The PPSh-41 is produced in and around Moscow and is a high priority item, with top-level functionaries held personally responsible for meeting demanding production targets.
The French high commissioner for Syria today decreed the dissolution of all organizations of ex-service men, World war veterans, war mutilated and war orphans throughout the mandated territory.
Liverpool Blitz: The first of three consecutive nights of bombing referred to as the Christmas blitz took place. Liverpool, England, United Kingdom was bombed by the Luftwaffe. 42 were killed when two official shelters collapsed, 72 were killed when bombs destroyed a shelter in the Blackstock Gardens tenement, and a further 42 were killed when an unofficial shelter at Bentinck Street under railway arches was hit. Always a favored Luftwaffe target due to its status as the principal port hosting freighters crossing from the United States and Canada (and elsewhere in the world), Liverpool dock areas already have sustained extensive damage.
The Luftwaffe sends 205 bombers against the city, killing 42 in two official (Anderson) air raid shelters when they collapse from bombs above, 72 others in a shelter at the Blackstock Gardens tenement, and 42 more at a makeshift shelter beneath railway arches at Bentinck Street. The night’s events illustrate that, while shelters are safer than being outside, they also can be extremely deadly under the right circumstances.
The German strategy for the past two months has been to focus on one medium-sized English city at a time, thereby causing extensive damage in a confined area. Previous cities on the list have included Coventry, Sheffield, and many others. London, of course, receives sustained attention throughout the Blitz, but by a smaller number of attacks than would be the case if the Luftwaffe were not focusing on these other cities. Many consider this the worst raid of the Blitz to date. As for London, it also receives a raid, and it begins earlier than usual because it grows darker at a much earlier hour this time of year.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 5 Blenheims on cloud-cover raids but only 1 aircraft bombed, at Flushing docks. No losses.
RAF Bomber Command dispatches 125 aircraft overnight to Berlin and Gelsenkirchen, with subsidiary operations against Amsterdam, the German coastal guns at Cap Gris Nez, and various other invasion ports. 4 Hampdens minelaying in Kiel Bay. No losses. The 6 Wellingtons dispatched by 103 and 150 Squadrons to Ostend were the first Wellingtons from 1 Group.
Late in the night, the RAF begins a new strategy under the code-name “Rhubarb.” These are low-level nuisance raids upon Luftwaffe airfields by Fighter Command (previous such missions were solely by Bomber Command). Six modified Blenheims of RAF No. 23 Squadron have been ready since December 10th, and on standby since the 16th, for this mission. This has been the first night with favorable conditions. Tonight, the Blenheims take off between 20:20 and 01:55 and fly over Abbeville, Amiens, and Poix, which are considered the main German night-fighter areas. The planes descend to 1000 feet during the early hours of the 21st, strafe the Luftwaffe airfields and, well, generally make a nuisance of themselves.
Two Spitfires of No. 66 Squadron carry out the first RHUBARB low-level fighter operations during an attack on Le Touquet, France. RHUBARB was the code name operations when sections of fighters or fighter-bombers took advantage of low cloud and poor visibility and would cross the English Channel and then drop below cloud level to search for opportunity targets such as railway locomotives and rolling stock, aircraft on the ground, enemy troops and vehicles on roads. This marked a change in RAF fighter tactics to a more offensive role.
Italian submarine Pietro Calvi sank British steamer Carlton (5162grt) from convoy OB.260 in 54‑30N, 18‑30W. Thirty crewmen and one gunner was lost on the British steamer.
Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Dido entered the Tyne dockyard for docking and refit completed on 29 January 1941.
Anti-aircraft cruiser HMS Curacoa departed Scapa Flow at 1300 to meet convoy WN.55 in Pentland Firth and cover her to the Firth of Forth. Convoy WN.55 was attacked at 1715 off Kinnaird Head by a single German float plane. No damage was done to British ships. After this duty, the cruiser proceeded to Rosyth to boiler clean.
Destroyer HMS Napier departed Greenock at 1530 to work up at Scapa Flow where she arrived at 1000/21st.
Free French destroyer Ouragan with a Polish crew arrived at Scapa Flow at noon from Plymouth to work up.
Destroyer HMS Berkeley was damaged by a mine exploding close aboard off outer Medway Bar. The damage to the destroyer was repaired in six days.
In German air attacks on Liverpool during the night of 20/21 December, British hopper barge Overdale (315grt) was sunk in Huskisson Dock, British tanker John A. Brown (10,445grt), steamers Europa (10,224grt), Laplace (7327grt), Eastern Prince (10,926grt), and Roxburgh Castle (7801grt) were damaged. Three crewmen were lost on the hopper barge.
The RAF bombs and sinks 1,412-ton German freighter Consul Poppe off Boulogne.
At 0102 on the 20th, Italian submarine Serpente claimed torpedoing and sinking a Destroyer in 37‑04N, 11‑31E.
The British Royal Navy battleship, HMS Warspite, arrived at Malta’s Grand Harbor to a rapturous welcome from the islanders. Battleship Warspite, escorted by destroyers HMS Janus, HMS Jervis, and HMS Juno entered Malta at 1440 for a short visit; this was Warspite’s first appearance at Malta since May.
Battleship HMS Malaya with destroyers HMS Hyperion, HMS Hereward, and HMS Ilex departed Malta at 1250.
Steamer Hoegh Hood and destroyer HMS Havock arrived at Malta at 0700/21st. Destroyer Havock remained at Malta for refitting.
Destroyers HMS Hyperion, HMS Hero, HMS Hereward, and HMS Ilex arrived at Malta at 1000/21st. Destroyers HMS Hyperion, HMS Hasty, HMS Hereward, HMS Hero, and HMS Ilex departed Malta at noon on the 21st with convoy MG 1 of empty merchant ships Clan Fraser (7529grt), Clan Forbes (7529grt), Ulster Prince. This group joined battleship HMS Malaya and proceeded to join Force H. Destroyers HMS Jervis, HMS Janus, and HMS Juno departed Malta at noon on the 21st to sweep ahead of Malaya and on their return to Malta for Operation SEEK, a sweep in the Skerki Channel.
Light cruiser HMAS Sydney was detached to Suda Bay at 0845/21st to refuel and collect her damaged aircraft. The cruiser then proceeded to Malta where she arrived on the 23rd for repairs.
Destroyer HMS Hyperion (Cdr H. St L. Nicolson DSO) was torpedoed by Italian submarine Serpente at 0156 on the 22nd and badly damaged 24 miles 087° from Cape Bon Light. Two ratings were lost on the destroyer. Gunner (T) G. A. Rogers and thirteen ratings were injured. Battleship HMS Malaya and destroyers HMS Hasty, HMS Hereward, and HMS Hero continued with the convoy. After unsuccessful attempts to tow her, Captain Mack, senior officer of the escort on destroyer HMS Jervis, ordered Destroyer HMS Ilex to take off the crew of destroyer Hyperion. Destroyer HMS Janus scuttled Hyperion off Pantelleria. The destroyers proceeded to Malta. The survivors were divided between Ilex and Janus which then took them to Alexandria.
15 British carrier aircraft from HMS Illustrious attacked an Italian convoy off Kerkennah islands, Tunisia between 0515 and 0615 hours, sinking two of the three ships in the convoy. Aircraft carrier Illustrious also launched air raids on Tripoli with fifteen aircraft at 0515 and 0615.
Battleship HMS Malaya and destroyers HMS Hereward, HMS Hasty, and HMS Hero with steamers Clan Fraser (7529grt) and Clan Forbes (7529grt) joined Force H.on the 22nd for passage to Gibraltar where they safely arrived on the 24th. On the 22nd, destroyers HMS Greyhound and HMS Dainty were sent into Malta to refuel. Destroyers Greyhound, Ilex, and Dainty departed Malta at 1700 to rejoin the Main Fleet, but were delayed due to a defective steering gear in destroyer Greyhound. The destroyers rejoined at 1315/23rd.
Convoy FN.363 departed Southend. The convoy arrived at Methil on the 22nd.
Convoy MW.5A, battleship HMS Malaya, destroyers HMS Nubian, HMS Diamond, HMS Defender, and HMS Wryneck arrived at Malta. Destroyers HMS Griffin, HMS Greyhound, HMS Gallant, HMS Dainty, and HMS Hasty arrived at Malta to refuel. Destroyers HMS Nubian, HMS Diamond, HMS Defender, and HMS Wryneck joined the Main Force at 0800 and destroyers HMS Hyperion, HMS Hasty, HMS Ilex, and HMS Hereward were detached to refuel. Destroyers Griffin, Greyhound, Gallant, Dainty, and Hasty rejoined the Main Fleet at 1000.
Convoy MW.5B arrived at Malta during the afternoon. Anti-aircraft ship HMS Calcutta, submarine HMS Parthian, the corvettes at 1205, the rest of the ships at 1330, with the exception of steamer Hoegh Hood and destroyer HMS Havock.
Convoy ME.5A of steamers Clan Macaulay, Clan Ferguson, and Memnon departed Malta at 1440 escorted by anti-aircraft ship HMS Calcutta and corvettes HMS Salvia, HMS Peony, and HMS Hyacinth. This convoy was later joined by escort ship HMS Wryneck.
Convoy ME.5 with light cruisers HMS Orion and HMS Ajax arrived at Alexandria on the 23rd.
At 1400/23rd, destroyers HMS Defender and HMS Griffin were detached to escort convoy AS.9 of nine ships, two British, including troopshire Ulster Prince, which were departing Piraeus on the 24th. Heavy cruiser HMS York and light cruiser HMS Gloucester arrived at Piraeus on the 23rd. The cruisers departed the next day to cover convoy AS.9. British Mediterranean Fleet arrived back at Alexandria on the 24th. Oiler RFA Brambleleaf from Suda Bay joined convoy AS.9 on the 25th. At 0900/26th, cruisers York and Gloucester arrived at Suda Bay. The Alexandria ships of convoy AS.9 were detached at dusk on the 26th and troopship Ulster Prince proceeded independently to Port Said. Convoy AS.9 arrived at Port Said on the 28th. On the 30th, cruisers York and Gloucester departed Suda Bay to return to Alexandria, arriving on the 31st.
The authoritative British Press association’s parliamentary correspondent said early today that Lord Halifax now was regarded as the most likely choice for the British ambassadorship in Washington. An official announcement was expected shortly, he said. The Daily Mail declared Lord Halifax’s name already had been submitted to President Roosevelt for approval as the successor to the late Lord Lothian. Halifax, foreign minister under both the late Neville Chamberlain and Winston Churchill, will be succeeded in that post by War Minister Anthony Eden, the paper added. Lord Halifax has been repeatedly attacked in some sections by the press for his handling of the foreign office, principally because of his coolness toward Soviet Russia.
President Roosevelt names a four-man defense board, to be headed by industrialist William A. Knudsen, to prepare defense measures and expedite aid to Great Britain. President Roosevelt designated two of his defense commissioners and his war and navy secretaries today as a new high command charged with the momentous job of stimulating America to greater arms production. He asked William S. Knudsen, now industrial production boss of the defense commission, to serve as director of a new organization an office for production management for defense. That office, he explained, will be created by authority of the government reorganization act of 1939. Sidney Hillman, in charge of labor problems for the defense commission, will be assistant director, and Secretaries Stimson and Knox will be the other members. Three subdivisions, Mr. Roosevelt told reporters, will handle production of raw materials, defense purchasing and priorities on deliveries of war supplies. The decision to create the new office followed repeated declarations by Knudsen, among others that the defense program was behind schedule. There had been frequent demands, too, that the president appoint a chairman of the defense commission or select some one individual to head the enormous program for obtaining war equipment. Industrialists such as Knudsen and Henry Kaiser will play key roles during the war as the United States is ramping up military production — the process has barely begun at this point.
Attorney General Jackson ordered an investigation today to determine whether the naturalization, process might have been used to bolster the German-American bund membership. The immigration and naturalization service was told to examine an alleged bund membership list seized yesterday by Chicago police, to determine whether it contained names of newly-enrolled citizens. Appearance in the bund of persons only recently naturalized, justice department officials said, would bring an exhaustive study to determine whether they might have become citizens primarily to gain eligibility for the bund, which accepts only citizens, and to shield their true reason for being in this country. If that should be established, it was explained, steps might be taken to revoke citizenship on the ground that the oath or allegiance was taken insincerely or with mental reservation.
Three members of the Dies committee conducted hearings behind closed doors today on reports of sabotage of airplanes produced in some Southern California plants. None would discuss the nature of testimony by the witnesses, but it was learned that it was taken in an effort to determine whether there was necessity for a broadening of sabotage laws. Representative Voorhis, California Democrat, chairman of today’s committee hearing, made this comment on today’s hearings: “The committee is making an effort to determine whether these matters are as serious as the committee is inclined to think they are.”
The first of the two New Hampshire earthquakes struck. New Hampshire, not known for its seismic activity, sustains an earthquake that measures 5.3 on the Richter scale. The quake has a maximum Mercalli intensity of VII, which is rated as “Very Strong.” The damage is reasonably light as such things go, with 20 chimneys toppled, numerous pipes fractured, damage to wells (turning water brown) and the like. Smaller effects are felt in nearby New York, Vermont, Maine, and Massachusetts.
Crown Princess Juliana of the Netherlands managed to mix democracy and royal rank to her utter satisfaction yesterday on her first visit to New York by combining large doses of the one with merely a dash of the other. For instance, by impersonating an American girl doing her Christmas shopping, she sneaked a stroll down Fifth Avenue quite unrecognized amid the holiday multitudes. And she bordered on adventure when she perched on à stool at a drug store counter and sipped the first ice cream soda she had ever tasted. Eyes shining, she laughed across the two straws at her nation’s envoy in the United States, Dr. Alexander Loudon, Netherland Minister, who with his wife escorted her. “How do you like it?” asked the diplomat. “It’s grand-I love it!” exclaimed the heir of the Royal Netherlands Empire.
Attorney General Jackson ordered an investigation today to determine whether the naturalization process might have been used to bolster the German-American Bund membership.
Ernest T. Weir, chairman of the National Steel Corporation, said today than the steel industry had sufficient capacity to handle defense and private needs. He was replying to assertions that the nation was facing a steel shortage.
A contract for airplane propellers headed a list of contract awards totaling almost $100,000,000 made today by the War Department as it continued the expansion of its operations in the defense program.
Issue #1 of Captain America Comics (cover date March) was published, marking the first appearances of Captain America, Bucky, and the Red Skull.
Connie Mack acquires controlling interest in the Philadelphia Athletics from the Shibe family at the price of $42,000 for 141 shares.
Corvette HMS Trillium arrived at Greenock from Canada for final fitting out
French officials said today that Japanese-armed native “rebels” in the vicinity of Lạng Sơn, on the northeast border, had been dispersed in aerial and ground attacks by French colonial troops. A remnant of the rebel force, totaling 400 men, was reported to be under French fire in the mountains thirty-five miles north of Haiphong. The French said the rebels were led by a native who formerly was a member of the Japanese forces in South China, and were armed with Japanese guns and French guns taken from Lạng Sơn during the Japanese occupation of that town in September.
French authorities have refused permission for Thai Consul Chee Pen-Sook to leave Indo-China because of the uncertain status of the French Minister in Bangkok, Roger Garreau, and the action of the Thai Government in jailing a secretary of the French Legation in the Thai capital, it was announced today. The consul himself confirmed this and added that he had warned the Indo-China Government that it should consider the possibility of Thai retaliation against French residents of Thailand. The consul accused the French of cutting his communications with Bangkok and garbling his official code messages so that they could not be decoded. Efforts for a peaceful settlement of the border clashes between French and Thai forces seemed to be making little headway. It was believed, however, that the French Minister in Bangkok gradually was making contact with high officials and that negotiations eventually would get under way.
Dow Jones Industrial Average: 128.87 (+0.03)
Born:
Larry Willis, American jazz pianist and composer, born in New York, New York (d. 2019)
Pat Chapman, food writer, broadcaster and author, in London, England, United Kingdom (d. 2022).
Thad Tillotson, MLB pitcher (New York Yankees), in Merced, California (d. 2012).
Naval Construction:
The Royal Navy LCT (Mk 1)-class landing craft, tank HMS LCT 27 is laid down by the John Brown Shipbuilding & Engineering Company Ltd. (Clydebank, Scotland).
The U.S. Navy Accentor-class coastal minesweeper USS Marabout (AMc-50) is laid down by the Herreshoff Manufacturing Co. (Bristol, Rhode Island, U.S.A.)
The Royal Canadian Navy Bangor-class (Diesel-engined) HMCS Esquimalt (J 272) is laid down by Marine Industries Ltd. (Sorel, Quebec, Canada).
The U.S. Navy Gleaves-class destroyers USS Bristol (DD-453) and USS Ellyson (DD-454) are laid down by the Federal Shipbuilding & Drydock Co. (Kearny, New York, U.S.A.).
The Royal Navy Isles-class minesweeping trawler HMS Cumbrae (T 154) is launched by Cochrane & Sons Shipbuilders Ltd. (Selby, U.K.); completed by Amos & Smith.
The Kriegsmarine (German Navy) Type VIIC U-boat U-331 is launched by Nordseewerke, Emden (werk 203).
The Royal Navy Bar-class boom defense vessel HMS Barlake (Z 39) is commissioned.
The U.S. Navy 70-foot Elco patrol motor torpedo boat USS PT-16 is commissioned.
The U.S. Navy Curtiss-class seaplane carrier USS Albemarle (AV-5) is commissioned. Her first commanding officer is Commander Henry Maston Mullinnix, USN.
The Вое́нно-морско́й флот СССР (ВМФ) (Soviet Navy) Project 7-class (Gnevny-class) destroyer Razyashchy (Разящий, “Furious”) is commissioned.
History Diaries 