More fierce battles are fought southeast of Sidi Rezegh. In the afternoon, German Panzer divisions are joined by the Italian Ariete Division in making a sharp charge against the British Armour and both South African Brigades. About 160 German tanks and several battalions attack 34 British tanks of the 22nd Armoured Brigade and infantry of the South African 5th Brigade. The Germans lose 70 tanks but the defenders are wiped out. To the Germans today will be known as "Totensonntag." the Sunday of the Dead. In the south the New Zealand Division attacks and captures the headquarters of the Afrika Korps and much of German General Erwin Rommel's communications equipment. Due to heavy British losses, Major General Alan Cunningham, General Officer Commanding Eighth Army, loses confidence and General Sir Claude Auchinleck, Commander in Chief Middle East Command, comes forward to watch the tactical moves closely.

JAPAN: Carrier Striking Task Force Operations Order No. 1 is issued stating that the "The Carrier Striking Task Force will proceed to the Hawaiian Area with utmost secrecy and, at the outbreak of the war, will launch a resolute surprise attack on and deal a fatal blow to the enemy fleet in the Hawaiian Area. The initial air attack is scheduled at 0330 hours, X Day. Upon completion of the air attacks, the Task Force will immediately withdraw and return to Japan and, after taking on new supplies, take its position for Second Period Operations. In the event that, during this operation, an enemy fleet attempts to intercept our force or a powerful enemy force is encountered and there is danger of attack, the Task Force will launch a counterattack.b  The second unit, the Midway Bombardment Unit (the 7th Destroyer Division less the 2nd section), bwill depart from Tokyo Bay around X-6 Day and, after refuelling, secretly approach Midway. It will arrive on the night of X Day and shell the air base. The unit will then withdraw and, after refuelling, return to the western part of the Inland Sea. The oiler Shiriya will accompany the bombardment unit on this mission and will be responsible for the refuelling operation."

MARSHALL ISLANDS: Nine Japanese submarines of the 3rd Submarine Unit, Advance Group, Pearl Harbor Strike Force, depart Kwajalein Atoll today and arrive off the Hawaiian Islands on 6 December. One of the submarine, HIJMS I-8, is carrying a "Glen" seaplane (Kugisho E14Y1, Navy Type 0 Small Reconnaissance Seaplane); on 7 December HIJMS I-8 will be stationed about 45 nautical miles (83 kilometers) southwest of Oahu Island, seven of the boats will be stationed about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) south of Oahu and one boat will be stationed 100 nautical miles (185 kilometers) west of Oahu.

USN Task Unit 4.1.6 assumes escort duty for convoy HX-161 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, to U.K.); the convoy will not be attacked by U-boats during its passage.