http://www.onwar.com/chrono/1942/dec42/f20dec42.htm
Germans pressed by Red Army
Sunday, December 20, 1942 www.onwar.com
On the Eastern Front... The Soviets have reached nearly to Millerovo, 60 miles north east of Voroshilovgrad. The Rostov-Voronezh railway is retaken and pressure is being brought to bear on Army Detachment Hollidt, the northern wing of Manstein’s force. Manstein asks Zeitzler at OKH to arrange for a breakout by Paulus. Zietzler gives little help. Paulus pleads that he is now so short of fuel that cannot attempt the breakout.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andrew.etherington/frame.htm
December 20th, 1942
WESTERN EUROPE: The Eighth Air Force suffers its worst single day loss of the war to date. Luftwaffe fighters and flak down six B-17s. Two B-17s crash upon landing in England. Two men were KIA, 58 MIA, 12 WIA. (Skip Guidry)
NETHERLANDS: “Oboe” equipped de Havilland Mosquitoes IX’s of No. 109 Squadron RAF flying from Wyton make an attack on a power-station at Lutterade in Holland. This is the first use of Oboe by Pathfinder Mosquitoes. (22)
U.S.S.R.: The Soviet forces are now about 70 miles northeast of Voroshilovgrad. The Rostov-Voronezh rail line is cut and the northern forces of Manstein are feeling the increasing Russian pressure. Paulus cites fuel shortages as his reason not to breakout of Stalingrad.
SPAIN: Spain and Portugal announced the creation of a neutral Iberian bloc. “Our peninsula policy is based on sentiment and the, conviction that we are serving the permanent interests of all nations” . (Dave Shirlaw)
INDIA: Japanese aircraft make a night raid on Calcutta.
NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES: Allied planes raid Japanese targets on Sumatra.
PACIFIC: Japanese submarine I-4 is sunk by the USS Seadragon (SS-194) off New Britain. (Mike Yared)(144 and 145)
JAPAN: Cape Inubo: The first Japanese cargo ship is sunk by a US mine.
CANADA: Corvette HMCS La Malbaie completed mechanical repairs Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Dave Shirlaw)
U.S.A.: During WW II, the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) produced numerous documents, most commonly known are the Intelligence Bulletins. The Military Intelligence Special Series continues with “German Tactical Doctrine” (William L. Howard)
Destroyer USS Anthony launched.
Submarine USS Rasher launched.
Destroyer USS Herndon commissioned. (Dave Shirlaw)
ATLANTIC OCEAN: U-621 sank SS Otina in Convoy ON-153. (Dave Shirlaw)