http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1941/dec41/f30dec41.htm
On the Eastern Front... Red Army forces recapture Tula, south west of Moscow. The Soviet offensive continues.
In the Philippines... the Allied forces fall back to their final line of prepared defense above the Bataan Peninsula.
In Malaya... The Japanese advance continues, they have reached near Kampar in the west and Kuantan in the east.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/frame.htm
December 30th, 1941
UNITED KINGDOM: Submarine ORP Dzik (ex-HMS Ultor) laid down.
Sloop HMS Magpie laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)
GERMANY:
U-181, U-259, U-517 launched.
U-705, U-756 commissioned.
U-503 suffered extensive damage due to a fire in the harbour of Stettin. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.S.R.: In the Moscow sector the Russians recapture Tula.
Soviet submarine SC-138 commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)
MEDITERRANEAN SEA: Submarine HMS Triumph is believed mined in the Aegean just off Hydra. There are no survivors. (Alex Gordon)(108)
JAPAN: Following negotiations with the Swiss Minister, who is in charge of US affairs in Tokyo, the Japanese government approve the Swedish ship Gripsholm to be used as a neutral vessel to carry the US embassy staff to a neutral country. They proposed to leave about April 25 via Shanghai, Saigon and Singapore to pick up more repatriates. The ship could accommodate 1100 passengers. There were 500 officials leaving room for 600 nonofficials from Japan, China, Thailand and the occupied western colonies. However, the voyage was delayed. (Ed Miller)(174)
COMMONWEALTH OF THE PHILIPPINES: The US forces on Luzon fall back from positions at Tarlac. These are their last prepared positions before Bataan. Their need to hold this line is extreme because the forces to the south must pass through Manila to get to Bataan.
MALAYA: The Japanese are almost at Kampar in the west and Kuantan in the east.
SINGAPORE: Troops of the 11th Indian Division defending central Malaya have surrendered Kampar and retreated from the river Perak. They are now regrouping further south on the river Slim.
Major-General Heath’s hopes of making a stand against the Japanese main force as it advanced south on the coast road were crushed when a second Japanese column emerged on his eastern flank from the jungle, hitherto thought impassable, after marching from Thailand. Morale in the Indian Division is good despite the defection of a unit of pro-Indian independence troops a few weeks ago.
CANADA:
Minesweeper HMCS Fort William launched Port Arthur, Ontario.
Corvette HMCS Sackville commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.A.: Admiral King is appointed CINC (Commander in Chief) - US Fleet. (Ken Friedman)
Destroyers USS Dyson and Ringgold commissioned.
Destroyers USS Bell and Stevens laid down. (Dave Shirlaw)