January 31st, 1941 (FRIDAY)
GERMANY: After consultations with army and army group staffs the Army High Command has now prepared the first operational plans for the German invasion of the Soviet Union. The deployment plan for the forces is also ready.
U-751 commissioned.
POLAND: Confiscation
of private property by the occupying Germans is made policy by a decree
initiated today.
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Minesweeper HMS Huntley transporting supplies for the Eighth Army suffers air attacks by German bombers and is sunk by torpedoes, bombs and gunfire. There are 18 casualties but 56 of the crew survive. (Alex Gordon)(108)
ERITREA: After three days of heavy fighting, the Italian Army withdraws to the Keren Plateau. At this point, Amadeo, the Duke of Aosta and Governor General of Italian East Africa, in command at Addis Ababa, has only 67 aircraft available for combat in all East Africa. Fuel and supplies are at an all time low, and infantry could only be moved on foot.
U.S.A.: Destroyer USS Edison commissioned.
Submarine USS Finback commissioned.
Submarine USS Grayback launched.