From London… The Area Bombing Directive is issued to the RAF Bomber Command. It states that raids “should now be focused on the morale of the enemy civil population and, in particular, of the industrial workers.” This represents a substantial shift in policy and targets civilian residential areas rather than factories.

In the East Indies… Japanese paratroopers land at Palembang on Sumatra. Admiral Ozawa's main body, the Western Force are en route to the island.