December 24th, 1940 (TUESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM:NORTH SEA: In the North Sea, minesweeping trawler HMS Pelton is torpedoed and sunk by the German motor torpedo boat S-28 off Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England, U.K.
FRANCE:
Abbeville: In an address to his fighter pilots, Hitler tells them that German U-boat
successes and the neutralisation of the USSR make victory certain.
GERMANY:
A Christmas bonus is being distributed within the Reich - an additional 26 ounces of rice
and vegetables, plus just over a pound of sugar, jam and coffee. But the bonus has not
prevented a rash of black-market deals for food and presents. A confidential report by the
SS in Dortmund this month reported that "the tracking down of game and poultry began
some time ago and exorbitant prices are being demanded". Goose is costing ten
Reichsmark per pound.
U-178 laid
down.
BALKANS:
The Greek 3rd Army Corps, which was advancing through the Devoli and Tomori valleys of
Albania, is now 12 miles east of Berat. The central Greek assault group, 2nd Corps, is
pinned down by strong Italian resistance and has not advanced far beyond its initial
positions near Kelcyre. 1st Corps on the Greek left flank reach Tepelena (Albania) where
they meet substantial resistance. Nevertheless part of the corps has successfully advanced
along the coast and taken Himare. But the Greek troops could not hold the areas of Kelcyre
and Tepelena. The Greeks are unable to carry out a broad encirclement due to the
continually growing numbers of the Italian forces, who are receiving a steady stream of
reinforcements from Italy.
MALTA:
The George Cross is gazetted for Lt William Marsden Eastman (1911-80) and Capt Robert
Llewellyn Jephson-Jones (b. 1905), of the Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who disarmed some 275
bombs on Malta from mid-June to mid-November, when the Royal Engineers took over the task
of disposal from the RAOC.
EGYPT:
Cairo: Wavell to C.I.G.S.:
We now have 88 field guns and 22 medium guns and howitzers opposite Bardia but still
require further supply of ammunition. Enemy bombing continues to be active and is
hampering use of Sollum harbour. Transport and water are causing difficulty. Can give no
date for attack yet. Enemy resistance strong where tested. Prisoners now number 40,000.
Weather has been cold.
CANADA:
Ottawa: A full Canadian corps will be formed in Britain, it was announced here today by
Colonel J Saul, the Canadian defence minister. The Canadians will join an impressive array
of troops now mustered under the Imperial banner.
The land forces currently in action are those in East and North Africa. Sudanese, South
Africans, Indians and Cypriots are embroiled in East Africa while, under General Wavell in
North Africa, there are Australians, New Zealanders and Indians all fighting for a
"mother country" which hardly any of them have visited.
Former fishing vessel HMCS BC Lady commissioned and employed by RCAF.
Corvettes HMCS Chambly and Cobalt arrived Halifax from builders Quebec City, Province of Quebec and Port Arthur, Ontario. respectively.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: At 1641, the British Premier, a straggler from convoy SL-60, was torpedoed and sunk by U-65 200 miles SW of Freetown. The master, 30 crewmembers and one gunner were lost. Nine crewmembers were picked up on 3 Jan 1941, by the cruiser HMS Hawkins and landed at Freetown. Four survivors were rescued on 3 February off the West Coast of Africa after 41 days in an open boat (25 days without food) by the destroyer leader HMS Faulknor and landed at Freetown.
Minesweeping trawler HMS Pelton torpedoed and sunk by the German MTB S-28 off Great Yarmouth.