On the Eastern Front… The Soviet drive against Guderian's forces reaches and captures Elets. In the north, under General Meretskov, the Red Army retakes Tikhvin but cannot relieve the siege at Leningrad. The situation inside the city is desperate, rations are below the starvation level.

In Malaysia… Japanese troops continue to land at Kota Bharu, Singora and Patani. Japanese forces occupy Bangkok.

In the South China Sea… The British battleship Prince of Wales and the Repulse, on their way to Japanese landing sites in Malaysia, are spotted by Japanese submarines. The ships continue until sighted by Japanese aircraft and then turn back.

In the Pacific… Gilbert Islands, Tarawa and Makin are occupied by the Japanese.