Submarine HMS Ursula was on patrol in the estuary of the Elbe and through her periscope her captain, Lt Cdr GC Phillips, sighted a German Köln-class cruiser, the Leipzig, escorted by six destroyers. Though the waters of the Elbe estuary are shallow and to dive deep is a dangerous undertaking involving the risk of getting stuck on a sandbank, Phillips had either to take the risk or to miss his attack. His decision was instantaneous and he took the Ursula down to dive beneath the destroyer screen and get within range of the cruiser. They were anxious moments, but fortunately the depth of water was just enough. On coming up again to periscope depth, Phillips found himself within point-blank range of the cruiser. He fired a salvo of six torpedoes and the two resulting explosions were so close that the Ursula herself was badly shaken. A quick glance through the periscope showed no sign of the cruiser that had been attacked, but it did reveal four of her escorting destroyers closing in at high speed to attack. One small escort, F9, had been hit and was sinking. Once again, risking the sandbanks, the Ursula went deep and by skillful manipulation of his boat, Phillips managed to evade the inevitable depth charges. Of the cruiser, Leipzig, no further trace was ever seen, but when Phillips brought the Ursula back to look for evidence, two of the destroyers were still in the area and engaged, apparently, in a search for survivors. Phillips was awarded the DSO and promoted.

     During the day, RAF Bomber Command dispatches 12 Wellington Mk. Is of No. 99 Squadron based at RAF Newmarket, Suffolk, England, to attack the German light cruisers Leipzig and Nurnberg which had been damaged by a British submarine in the North Sea. They are attacked by Luftwaffe Bf 109 fighters as they orbit over Wilhelmshaven attempting to get into a favourable bombing position and five are shot down. A sixth crashes as it is landing at RAF Newmarket. At first, commanders would not accept that the fighters had caused such terrible losses, insisting that the aircraft had been lost to flak.

SWITZERLAND: Geneva: The League of Nations expels the USSR for its invasion of Finland and calls on its members to give all possible help to Finland. France has announced substantial military aid, Britain 30 fighter aircraft, and volunteers have travelled to Helsinki to join the Finnish forces. The USA, not a member of the League has protested strongly to Moscow.

U.S.S.R.: The government denounces the League of Nations for its meddling in the Finnish campaign. However, Britain and France maintain diplomatic relations with the Soviets.

GIBRALTAR: The U.S. freighter SS Extavia, detained by British authorities since 29 November, is released.

PITCAIRN ISLAND: The U.S. Interior Department motorship MS North Star of the U.S. Antarctic Service, with the permission of the British government, visits the island to take on water and discovers the islanders in need of certain foodstuffs and medical supplies, which she provides. The island had been settled by the mutineers from the British ship HMS Bounty in 1790. The provisions include flour, sugar, potatoes, matches, lard, gasoline and lubricating oil. The supplies will be replaced in New Zealand with funds turned over to Rear Admiral Richard Byrd by the Chief Magistrate.

CHINA: Nationalist forces occupy the town of Ningxian after a bitter clash with the Communists.

U.S.A.: The U.S. government challenges the British blockade plan whereby neutral ships are diverted to British and French control bases for inspection for contraband. This practice violates the "freedom of the seas," an important theme in U.S. foreign policy since the early 19th century.

Destroyer USS Hilary P Jones launched.

Atlanta, Georgia begins a three-day public holiday in honor of the motion picture "Gone With The Wind" which premieres tomorrow night.

Today's activities include a parade through the city, seen by an estimated 300,000 people, with Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, Vivien Leigh, Olivia de Havilland, Ona Munson, Evelyn Keyes, Ann Rutherford and Claudette Colbert travelling in open cars.

MEXICO: The USN heavy cruiser USS Vincennes (CA-44) and destroyers USS Evans (DD-78) and USS Twiggs (DD-127)  trail Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth which is prowling the Gulf of Yucatan waiting for the emergence of 32,354 ton North German Lloyd Line passenger liner SS Columbus. The liner was on a Caribbean cruise when the war started. The ship disembarked her passengers at Havana, Cuba, and spent the next several months making quick dashes between various Central and South American ports to avoid the Royal Navy amidst much speculation as to her intended use. The Americans maintain such a close and persistent surveillance of the Australian warship that Perth's  commanding officer, Captain Harold B. Farncomb, RAN, is said to have remarked in exasperation, "Queer idea of 'neutrality' these Americans have!"
     The German freighter SS Arauca departs Vera Cruz, Mexico, followed subsequently by SS Columbus, the third largest ship in Germany's merchant marine.USNdestroyer USS Benham (DD-397), soon joined by destroyer USS Lang (DD-399), trails Columbus. A succession of U.S. ships will, over ensuing days, send out plain-language position reports.