December

December 21 in World War II includes Hitler’s message to Stalin, RAF raids on Berlin, the sinking of HMS Audacity, renewed fighting at Malta, the siege of Bardia and Bastogne, Hitler’s refusal to allow a Stalingrad breakout, and the death of General George S. Patton.

December 20 in World War II saw Finland hold the Mannerheim Line, the death of Admiral Graf Spee’s captain, Luftwaffe raids on Liverpool, German winter crises before Moscow, the first operational use of Oboe radar, massive bombing of Frankfurt, key Allied advances in Burma, and the end of the WASP program.

December 19 in World War II saw fighting in Finland, Mussolini’s plea for German aid, the Alexandria harbor raid, expanding battles across Asia and Europe, the arrival of the 101st Airborne at Bastogne, major surrenders during the Battle of the Bulge, and steps toward the creation of the United Nations.

December 18 in World War II saw the arrival of Canada’s first troop convoy,
Hitler’s confirmation of Operation Barbarossa, the conscription of British women, Japanese landings on Hong Kong,
U.S. submarine victories in the Pacific, and both battlefield and natural disasters during the Battle of the Bulge.

December 17 in World War II includes the scuttling of the Admiral Graf Spee, Allied advances in North Africa, Japan’s push in Malaya, global condemnation of Nazi genocide, the awarding of wings to the WASPs, the end of Japanese American internment, and the tragic Malmedy Massacre during the Battle of the Bulge.

December 16 in World War II saw Finnish troops employ Molotov cocktails, the RAF launch its first reprisal raid, British victories in East Africa, the start of the Battle of the Bulge, the death of Betsie ten Boom, and the deadliest V-2 attack of the war in Antwerp.

December 15 in World War II saw diplomatic pressure on Nazi Germany, the Graf Spee crisis, labor mobilization in the U.S., fighting across Asia, Glenn Miller’s disappearance, Allied advances in Burma and the Philippines, and early steps toward the postwar world order.

December 14 in World War II saw the beginning of the Rape of Nanking, the Soviet Union expelled from the League of Nations, fighting across Europe and Asia, the creation of America’s five-star ranks, and postwar justice for Nazi concentration camp crimes.

December 13 in World War II includes the occupation of Nanking, the Battle of the River Plate, British breakthroughs in North Africa, Soviet counteroffensives near Moscow, James Stewart’s first combat mission, major air war milestones, and deadly kamikaze attacks in the Pacific.

December 12 in World War II saw the Panay Incident in China, Finnish victories in the Winter War, the Blitz on Sheffield, expanding declarations of war in Europe, Manstein’s counterattack at Stalingrad, and Allied advances in Europe and Burma.