http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/nov41/f30nov41.htm
Radar equipped bomber sinks sub
Sunday, November 30, 1941 www.onwar.com
A British Whitney BomberIn the Atlantic... A British Whitney Bomber sinks German U-boat U-206 in the Bay of Biscay with the aid of Air to Surface Vessel radar (ASV). It is the first success with the equipment.
On the Eastern Front... Field Marshal Rundstedt is relieved of his command of Army Group South for refusing to cancel his orders for the retreat in the Rostov sector. General Reichenau is given his position.
In Moscow... Stalin approves General Zhukov’s plans for the coming counteroffensive in the Moscow area.
In the Far East... British sources in Borneo report Japanese Naval movements. It is assumed they are bound for Malaysia or the East Indies.
In Germany... German raider ship Komet arrives back in Hamburg after a cruise of 516 days in which it sank three ships on its own and seven in conjunction with the Orion.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/month/thismonth/30.htm
November 30th, 1941
GERMANY: The German Raider “Komet” returns to Hamburg. It has been at sea for 516 days and sunk 3 ships for 31,000 tons and an additional 7 ships in company with Orion.
U.S.S.R.: Field Marshal Rundstedt has refused to cancel his orders for a withdrawal of his Army Group South in the area around Rostov. Hitler relieves him of his command.
Stalin approves Zhukov’s plans for a counteroffensive in the Moscow area.
2 Pz. Div. units reach Khimki (about 5 mi Northwest of Moscow). This is the closest that any German unit will get to Moscow. (Jeff Chrisman)
WESTERN DESERT: As the Allies Operation Crusader drags on into the 13th day, Rommel has finally succeeded in driving the 6th New Zealand Brigade off the Sidi Rezegh ridge, the scene of the worst fighting yet in the desert war. He is now in an excellent position to disrupt the effective relief of Tobruk garrison - the principal aim of the operation. New Zealand troops linked up with forces from the garrison on 27 November.
Throughout the latest campaign Rommel has lived up to his reputation, with bold, offensive action in response to the Allied assault. On 24 November the German commander led his forces in a “dash for the wire”, attempting to outflank the Allies heading for Tobruk. Having advanced some 60 miles in five hours, Rommel then turned back to rejoin units that were following on. Picked up by one of his senior commanders, General Cruwell, the “Desert Fox” found himself in the bizarre position of spending the night in a vehicle captured from the British, surrounded by enemy forces.
The next day Rommel discovered that further advance was impossible: the Italians bringing up the rear had been stopped by the 1st South African Brigade, and transport columns had not arrived. Delivered from this threat, the British then received the psychological boost with the replacement of Lt-Gen Cunningham, who had been urging retreat, by General Ritchie.
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: MacArthur orders Fort Mills on Corregidor put on full alert.
17th Pursuit Squadron pilots ferry 17 P-35A’s from 3rd Pursuit at Iba to 21st Pursuit at Nichols. (Marc Small)
CANADA: Corvette HMCS Midland arrived Halifax from builder Montreal, Province of Quebec. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.A.: Washington: President Roosevelt is tonight hurrying back to Washington by car and private train from Warm Springs, Georgia, where his brief holiday has been interrupted by the grave situation in the Pacific. It was only yesterday that he left Washington, saying that the policy of the United States towards Japan was one of “infinite patience.”
Three days ago Roosevelt delivered a ten-point note of final terms to the Japanese, after talks with Tokyo’s special envoy, Saburu Kurusu, had foundered. At the same time a Japanese fleet with five divisions of troops on board was reported sailing south of Formosa. A cabinet meeting on 28 November agreed that these and other Japanese troop movements posted a “terrific” threat to the British, Dutch and Americans in the Far East.
President Roosevelt is aware of the danger of a surprise attack. He asked top advisers “how we should manoeuvre them into firing the first shot”. In an informal Thanksgiving speech he warned his friends that by next year American boys might be fighting “for the defence of American institutions.” More news of Tokyo’s troop movements made Roosevelt hurry back to the White House.
The first Northrop produced Vultee Vengeance dive-bomber (AN 838) flies today. It will be for service with the RAF in the Far East. (22)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: The U-206 is sunk in the Bay of Biscay with the aid of ASV (Air to Surface Vessel) radar, by a British Whitley bomber. First, Bletchley Park intercepted an Enigma transmission and was able to locate U-206 in the Bay of Biscay, heading for the Mediterranean. A Whitley VII (Z 9190) of No. 502 Squadron, flying from Chivenor, was tasked to hunt for her. Its ASV radar located the U-boat at a range of five miles, enabling the aircraft to home in on and destroy the sub with its Mk VIII depth charges. This is the first success with ASV radar and marks the beginning of British anti-submarine efforts in the Bay of Biscay.