January 1st, 1941 (WEDNESDAY)
UNITED KINGDOM: The BBC broadcasts its first "Brains Trust", in which a panel of experts discuss topical questions of the day.RAF Bomber Command: 141 RAF bombing targets tonight include Bremen, where 95 aircraft attack shipyards and, especially, the city's Focke-Wulf aircraft factory.
Light cruiser HMS Mauritius commissioned.
London: The chief of the Free French naval forces, Vice-Admiral Muselier is arrested on suspicion of treason.
The Intelligence Service had acquired four documents, allegedly
emanating from the Vichy French Consulate in London, one of which proved that Muselier had
betrayed the plans of the Dakar expedition and sent them to Vichy through the intermediary
of the Brazilian Embassy. Another document showed that Muselier was plotting to hand over
the submarine 'Surcouf' to Vichy, and yet another showed that he had received
£2000 for
sabotaging the recruiting of sailors for the Free French naval forces. The evidence is
brought before Churchill who reacts in characteristic fashion. Sir Alexander Cadogan notes
in his diary: "PM of course wants to hang him at once. I pointed out possible effect
on de G. movement... For good measure, Churchill wanted to declare war on Brazil..."
ÉIRE: The Luftwaffe bombs Dublin and four counties.
BELGIUM: Leon Degrelle, the leader of the fascist Rexist movement, calls for greater collaboration with Germany.
NETHERLANDS: The government imposes a levy (luisterbijdrage) on owners of radio receivers.
GERMANY: In a New Year's proclamation to the army Hitler declares "The year 1941 will bring consummation of the greatest victory in our history."
U-216 is laid down.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: C-in-C Med: Status report. The Luftwaffe now has around 150 bombers and fighters in Sicily compared with the RAF's 15 Hurricanes in Malta.
EGYPT: Major General Richard O' Connor's Western Desert Force is renamed 13 Corps.
FRENCH INDOCHINA: The French Indochinese navy defeats the Royal Thai Navy at Koh Chang. (Michael Alexander)
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: Philippine Department G-2 recommends consolidation of all Philippine defenses under War Department. No response was received.
AUSTRALIA: Last July, the government approved the construction of tanks in the country. They now authorize an armoured division as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF).
CANADA: Minesweepers HMCS Medicine Hat and Red Deer laid down.
U.S.A.: Snow, which began last night, becomes a major blizzard today, burying Des Moines, Iowa, under 19.8 inches (50,3 centimetres) of snow in 24 hours, an all-time record for that location.
ATLANTIC OCEAN: Together with HM ships Duncan, Foxhound, Hero and Jaguar, HMS Firedrake took part in operation ‘Ration’ - the interception of a convoy of four Vichy French merchant ships, escorted by an armed trawler, clear of Spanish territorial waters off Cape Tres Forcas. Ships of the convoy were later escorted to Gibraltar; the trawler was allowed to proceed. (Daniel Ross)