Chronology of World War II

Saturday, November 1, 1941

On the Eastern Front... German forces of the 11th Army capture Simferopol, in the Crimea, an important communications center and the capital of the region.

In Moscow... Stalin appoints Marshal Shaposhnikov Chief of Staff of the Soviet forces.

Sunday, November 2, 1941

In the United States... The American Coast Guard service is placed under the control of the Navy.

Monday, November 3, 1941

On the Eastern Front... In the Leningrad area, German forces of Army Group North continue to attempt to isolate the city by taking Tikhvin a railway center 100 miles east of the city. Fighting is fierce and the Soviet counterattacks are ineffective. Further south, Kursk falls to German units at the junction of Army Group Center and Army Group South.

Tuesday, November 4, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The German advances into the Crimea continue. Feodosia falls to the German 170th Division.

Wednesday, November 5, 1941

In Tokyo...The Japanese government decides to attempt to negotiate a settlement with the United States, setting a deadline of the end of November. The US rejects the offer because the Japanese will not repudiate the Tripartite Agreement with Italy and Germany and because the Japanese wish to maintain bases in China. The US code breaking service continues to intercept all Japanese diplomatic communication.

Thursday, November 6, 1941

In Moscow... Stalin delivers a speech for the anniversary of the 1917 revolution. It is noteworthy that he claims Germany has suffered almost 5,000,000 casualties and places Soviet losses at 1,800,000. He also invokes the help of the church to defend "Holy Russia"

In Washington... President Roosevelt announces that a loan of $1,000,000,000. is to be given to the USSR to help finance their participation in Lend-Lease.

From the South Atlantic... The US cruiser Omaha intercepts and captures the German blockade runner Odenwald, which is carrying a cargo of rubber from Japan, off the coast of Brazil. This is first successful action by the US patrols in the Atlantic.

Friday, November 7, 1941

Over Germany... British Bomber Command conducts nighttime raids on Berlin, Cologne and Mannheim with about 300 bombers. A total of 37 aircraft are lost. Poor weather contributes to the number of aircraft losses.

In Moscow... Stalin reviews a military parade and predicts the fall of Nazi Germany within 12 months.

Saturday, November 8, 1941

In the Mediterranean... The British naval Force K, out of Malta, comprised of two cruisers and two destroyers, attacks an Italian convoy for north Africa sinking 7 transports and 1 escort vessel.

Sunday, November 9, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Tikhvin falls to German forces of Army Group North, further isolating Leningrad. In the Crimea in the south, Yalta falls to the German 11th Army.

Monday, November 10, 1941

In London... British Prime Minister Winston Churchill announces that "should the United States become involved in a war with Japan, a British declaration of war will follow within the hour."

Tuesday, November 11, 1941

In East Africa... The battle to push the Italians out of east Africa begins, Allied forces with support from local guerillas attack Chilga to the west and Kulkaber to the south east of the main Italian position at Gondar. The Italians repel the attacks.

Wednesday, November 12, 1941

From Germany... At a conference held at Orsha in the occupied Soviet Union, German field commanders meet to hear General Halder's (the OKH Chief of the General Staff) plans to continue the attack on Moscow. The plan involves three infantry armies and three panzer groups. Despite some reservations the plan is agreed upon.

In the Mediterranean... The British carriers Argus and Ark Royal bring a further 34 Hurricanes to the island to add to its air force.

Thursday, November 13, 1941

On the Eastern Front... German and Romanian troops make an unsuccessful attempt to seize Sevastopol.

In Washington... Congress passes changes to the Neutrality Laws. US merchant ships may now be armed and enter war zones. The changes pass with a slim margin.

In the Mediterranean... Force K, returning to Gibraltar from Malta is attacked by two German U-boats, U-81 and U-205. The British carrier Ark Royal is hit and badly damaged.

Friday, November 14, 1941

In the Mediterranean... British carrier Ark Royal, within 25 miles of Gibraltar, succumbs to damage done in the earlier U-boat attack and is abandoned to sink.

Saturday, November 15, 1941

On the Eastern Front... The German attack on Moscow is renewed. The plan stated is to involve tank forces which are to drive with converging attacks from the north and south of the capital. General Guderian's 2nd Panzer Group begins advancing from Tula, while the 3rd and 4th Panzer Group will advance from the north toward the Moscow Canal. The infantry armies on the flanks are to make supporting attacks.

Sunday, November 16, 1941

On the Eastern Front... German advances in the Crimea continue. Kerch falls to the Germans and Sevastopol is now being besieged. Near Moscow, some German advances are being reported.

Monday, November 17, 1941

In Berlin... Hitler appoints Rosenberg, the Nazi ideologist to head the new Reich Ministry for Occupied Eastern Territories. His mandate is to remove "undesirable elements" and to exploit the areas for German economic benefit. He will issue orders which involve the extermination of local populations, seizing of all goods and assets from the occupied areas.

On the Eastern Front... The First Panzer Group continues its advances near Rostov, however, the Soviet 9th and 37th Armies under General Timoshenko, begin a counterattack on the flank of the German drive.

Tuesday, November 18, 1941

In North Africa... The British offensive, Operation Crusader begins with a sortie by British 30th Corps over the Egyptian border into Libya. The British forces have been reorganized into the 8th Army under General Cunningham. They advance unmolested to Gabr Saleh.

On the Eastern Front... The Soviet counterattack using the Siberian reservists, near Venev causes heavy losses to one of General Guderian's infantry divisions.

From Japan... 11 Japanese submarines are launched to take up station keeping off Hawaii and scouting mission. A further nine Japanese vessels sail for Hawaii from Kwajalein.

From London... General Brooke replaces General Dill as Chief of the Imperial General Staff. General Dill will go to Washington to lead the British military mission there. General Paget is appointed C-in-C Home Forces, in Brooke's place.

Wednesday, November 19, 1940

In the Pacific... 170 miles off the coast of western Australia, the Australian light cruiser Sydney discovers the German raider ship Kormoran. The Sydney approached to hail and was fired upon with both deck guns and torpedoes. The Kormoran has been responsible for sinking 11 ships during its tour. The Sydney returns fire and after a brief battle both ships sink. News of the battle comes from survivors from the Kormoran, no one survives from the Sydney.

In North Africa... The British 7th Armoured Brigade reaches Sidi Rezegh as part of the advances planned in Operation Crusader. However, other portions of the 7th Armoured Division are heavily engaged. The 4th Armoured Brigade engages part of the German 21st Panzer Division and loses heavily. The 22nd Armoured Brigade engages the Italian Ariete Division at Bir el Gubi and also suffers heavy loses.

Thursday, November 20, 1941

In North Africa... The British 4th Armoured Brigade engages with German 15th Panzer Division and sustains heavy losses. The British 7th Armoured Brigade is still advancing around Sidi Rezegh and the 22nd Armoured Brigade is moving to join up with the 4th Armoured Brigade. British General Cunningham orders the Tobruk garrison to begin breakout attacks. Rommel orders his panzer divisions toward Sidi Rezegh.

In Vichy France... The Vichy Government announces the retirement of General Weygand from his responsibilities in North Africa in response to pressures by German authorities.

From Japan... The Japanese government offer proposals for a interim settlement with the United States. American Secretary Hull rejects the proposals, but prepares a reply which will enable negotiations to continue. This response is not sent after Dutch and British authorities express concerns over the concessions offered to the Japanese in China. The British and Dutch are seen to be acting on concerns expressed by Chiang Kai-shek's government in China.

Friday, November 21, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Rostov falls to German forces after a fierce battle with Soviet troops.

In North Africa... Rommel orders an attack on the British 7th Armoured Brigade at Sidi Rezegh by both German panzer divisions. By days end, 20 tanks remain to the British brigade. A breakout attempt at Tobruk is halted when expected help from the 7th Armoured Brigade does not arrive. The British respond by moving the 4th and 22nd Armoured Brigades toward Sidi Rezegh.

In East Africa... The Allied and local forces renew their attack on Kulkaber and after heavy fighting the Italians surrender. The Italian presence in Abyssinia is now confined to the area immediately around Gondar.

In the Mediterranean... Supply convoys to north Africa are increasing because of the growing supply problems there. Two of the Italian cruisers are badly damaged, however searches by British Malta naval forces do not find them.

Saturday, November 22, 1941

In the Atlantic... The German raider Atlantis is discovered and sunk while refueling a U-boat off the coast of West Africa, by the British cruiser Devonshire . In her cruise, the Atlantis had sunk 22 ships for a total of 145,700 tons.

In North Africa... At Sidi Rezegh, the British engage the German 21st Panzer Division and are forced to draw their 7th and 22nd Brigades away from Tobruk. In a separate action, the 4th Armoured Brigade engages the 15th Panzer Division and loses heavily. The New Zealand Division, part of British 13th Corps, is moved into position to aid the British. The losses have been high for the British and the Germans now have superior numbers of tanks (over 170) to the British (less than 150).

Sunday, November 23, 1941

In North Africa... Fierce battles continue in the area southeast of Sidi Rezegh. In the afternoon, both German and Italian forces from the Ariete Division stage a direct charge against the British armor which has been reinforced with two South African Brigades. German and Italian losses are high and their numerical superiority is lost. They now have less than 100 tanks. German infantry losses are also high. The Germans name this day Totensonntag (Sunday of the Dead). The British losses are also high and General Auchinleck, the British Commander in Chief, takes a great interest in the tactical planning. Rommel is engaged in fighting farther north around Gambut where the New Zealand infantry capture the German Afrika Korps headquarters and much of the German communication equipment.

On the Eastern Front... In the Moscow area, German gains are gradual, but progress is made on a 50 mile front northwest of the city. Klin is captured by three of Hoth's panzer divisions. In some places, the German forces are less than 35 miles from the city.

In the Mediterranean... An Axis convoy carrying fuel to Benghazi is attacked by the Malta based, British Force K and loses two freighters.

Monday, November 24, 1941

In North Africa... General Rommel believing that the British armor has mainly been destroyed in the fighting on the day previous and ignoring the actions of the New Zealand infantry, decides to consolidate his forces and advance along the Trigh el Abd to the Egyptian border. This move becomes known as the "dash to the wire" and it causes some concern in the rear echelons of British 8th Army. The Axis forces take some losses from harrying actions but there are no major engagements.

On the Eastern Front... German forces retreat from Rostov because of the threat to their rear due to the Soviet counterattacks in this area. The withdrawal comes from a personal order from Field Marshal Rundstedt who has been expressly forbidden to do so by Hitler.

In the North Atlantic... The British cruiser, Dundedin is sunk by German U-boat U-124.

Tuesday, November 25, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Northwest of the city of Moscow, the German forces take Istra.

In the Mediterranean... The British Fleet puts to sea to find the Axis convoy engaged previously by Force K from Malta. The British battleship Barham is torpedoed and blows up in an attack by U-311.

From the United States... The US Navy begins to establish compulsory convoying for merchant ships in the Pacific.

In East Africa... The British forces take Tadda Ridge, 7 miles from the Italian stronghold of Gondar.

Wednesday, November 26, 1941

In North Africa... The German panzer divisions engage in attacks on British position around Cauzzo and Sid Azeiz. British forces are regrouping in the Sidi Rezegh area and the New Zealand infantry is moving toward Tobruk. In response to this information, Rommel begins to move his tanks forces back in that direction.

From London... General Cunningham is relieved of command of the British 8th Army. General Ritchie will replace him, with the British Commander in Chief Auchlinleck overseeing tactical control.

From the Washington... President Roosevelt and Secretary Hull decide to present a 10 point note to the Japanese Government requiring their withdrawal from Indochina and China, and their recognition of the Chinese Nationalist Government. The tone of the note is uncompromising on these points, but promises to negotiate new trade and raw material agreements.

From Japan... The Japanese carrier force leaves its bases for Hawaii.

Thursday, November 27, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Soviet forces have now retaken Rostov. The German Panzer Group 1 is retreating toward Taranrog. In the Moscow region, Guderian's forces have been fighting around Kashira for three days. Further advancement without re-enforcements is not possible.

From the United States... The US issues a war warning to their overseas commanders.

In North Africa... The 4th and 6th New Zealand Brigades join with forces from the Tobruk garrison at El Duda. The German and British tanks forces engage in the Sidi Rezegh area. The German Afrika Division zbv is renamed 90th Light Division. The famous trio of the 15th Panzer Division, 21st Panzer Division and 90th Light Division, which are associated with the name Afrika Korps, is thus complete.

In East Africa... The Allies attack the Italian position at Gondar. It moves quickly despite the rugged terrain. Italian General Nasi, decides to ask for surrender terms.

Friday, November 28, 1941

In East Africa... Italian surrender terms are accepted and 22,000 Italian troops surrender. Mussolini's East African Roman Empire has ended.

In North Africa... There is renewed heavy fighting around Sid Rezegh. German tank forces try to destroy the link between the New Zealand infantry and the Tobruk garrison.

Saturday, November 29, 1941

On the Eastern Front... Panzer forces commanded by General Reinhardt reach the Moscow-Volga canal and crosses it in the Dmitrov area. However, the Germans are encountering stiff Soviet resistance.

From Japan... The Japanese government liaison conference decides that the final terms from the United States are unacceptable and that Japan must go to war.

Sunday, November 30, 1941

In the Atlantic... A British Whitney Bomber sinks German U-boat U-206 in the Bay of Biscay with the aid of Air to Surface Vessel radar (ASV). It is the first success with the equipment.

On the Eastern Front... Field Marshal Rundstedt is relieved of his command of Army Group South for refusing to cancel his orders for the retreat in the Rostov sector. General Reichenau is given his position.

In Moscow... Stalin approves General Zhukov's plans for the coming counteroffensive in the Moscow area.

In the Far East... British sources in Borneo report Japanese Naval movements. It is assumed they are bound for Malaysia or the East Indies.

In Germany... German raider ship Komet arrives back in Hamburg after a cruise of 516 days in which it sank three ships on its own and seven in conjunction with the Orion.