In the Mediterranean… At Malta, intense bombing by Axis air forces continues in an attempt to defeat the island. Its importance lies in the ability to disrupt the Axis convoys to North Africa, as both an airfield for attacking planes and a safe harbor for British ships. Food and supplies are short on the island and British supply convoys have been unable to bring either into Malta in large quantities for months.

In the Philippines… Overwhelmed by numbers and short of food and equipment, the American and Filipino forces remaining on the Bataan peninsula are ordered to destroy their equipment prior to a surrender.