Morrison, whose war responsibilities include censorship and the detention of potential enemies of the state, said the paper had conducted a sustained campaign of vilification, telling people that they were being killed and injured in enemy air-raids because the government wanted to make big profits for capitalists and imperialists. It was "cruel and cynical, sheer snivelling hypocrisy" to preach defeatism to people who were enduring great hardship.

Aneurin Bevan, the left-wing Labour MP, said that although he detested the Daily Worker's propaganda, he believed the ban did a disservice to the cause of freedom. Despite his plea, MPs voted 297 to 11 to back the Home Secretary.

GERMANY: Hitler orders that the entry into Bulgaria must be delayed until the last possible moment.

U-411 laid down.

ITALY:  The British submarine HMS Rorqual lays mines off the Adriatic coastal port of Ancona. 

LIBYA: Bad going, heavy rain, numerous mechanical breakdowns and a shortage of petrol have brought the advancing troops of O'Connor's force to a halt, allowing the Italians under General Babini to escape from Mechili.