The purge of officers reach its climax. Adolf Hitler replaces many commanders in the Eastern Front thinking that the fail of ‘Barbarossa’ is their fault. Field marshal Walther von Brauchitsch, the commander in chief of the Army resigns because of a heart attack he suffered in early December due to the pressure in the front. Hitler himself replaces him. Field marshals Wilhelm von Leeb, commander in chief of Army Group North, Fedor von Bock, commander in chief of Army Group Centre and Gerd von Runstedt, commander in chief of Army Group South are sacked, along many other commander like colonel general Heinz Guderian, commander of the 2nd Panzer Group. Hitler orders to hold ground. Some months later, after many lives lost, Hitler agreed to withdraw to the defensive lines that the field marshals Leeb, Bock and Runstedt had suggested from the very beginning.
December 19th 1941, USA.
The law of selective recruitment makes all men, aged 18-64 to log in and all men aged 20-44 to be considered for recruiting.
December 20th 1941, USA.
Admiral Ernest King becomes chief of naval operations.
December 20th – December 26th 1941, Philippines.
Japanese forces invade Mindanao, the extreme island in the south and Jolo. These isles offer Japan to build air and naval bases. The important invasion of Luzon starts on the 22nd and general McArthur decides not to defend the capital, Manila, to have time to withdraw to the Batan peninsula.
December 22nd 1941, USA.
In Arcadia, Washington, Franklyn D. Roosvelt, the USA president and Winston Churchill, the British prime minister meet to discuss the main affairs of the war. The military priority will be Germany. They agree that an Allied supreme staff will be needed, that American troops will be gathered in Great Britain and that the bombing of Germany should be also, a priority.
December 26th – December 28th 1941, North Atlantic.
Great Britain launches operation ‘Archery’, an attack against the Norwegian island of Lofoten. 260 men destroy a factory of fish oil. On the 27th, another 600 men keep on the attacks. Since now on, Hitler would believe that Great Britain is thinking on invading Norway.
December 6th – December 9th 1942, Tunisia.
Some two German armoured columns try to take back Medjez-el-Bab, 50 kilometres southwest from Tunisia, but they are repelled by Allied tanks, men and planes.