In the Solomon Islands… On Guadalcanal, major attacks by the Japanese units, from General Kawaguchi's 35th brigade, begin.
Fighting is heavy especially around the aptly named “Bloody Ridge”.
Reinforcements of aircraft are flown to the Americans from the USS Wasp.

In the Atlantic… German U-boat U-156 sinks the passenger liner Laconia, just south of the equator, off the coast of Africa.
The passengers, service men's wives and children and Italian prisoners of war are aided by the U-boat captain, Hartenstein, who surfaces and then radios in plain language to Allied authorities for help for them.
Despite this conduct, an American plane attacks the U-boat.

From Berlin… In response to the attack by the American plane, Admiral Doenitz orders that no U-boat commander may again attempt the rescue of civilians survivors.
He also orders rescue boats from Dakar for the rest of the survivors of the Laconia. Of note, the “Laconia Order” forms one of the indictments against Admiral Doenitz at Nuremberg after the war.

On the Eastern Front… At Stalingrad, the German encirclement of Stalingrad continues.
Soviet perimeter is now only about 30 miles long.

From Moscow… Stalin appoints General Chiuikov to command of the 62nd Army which will soon be completely besieged in Stalingrad.