On this day in 1941, the American Volunteer Group, the "Flying Tigers", flew their first combat mission.
This really surprised me as I thought the band of aviation soldiers of fortune had been in China in combat prior to December 7. Obviously not so. I also thought it was immediately folded into the United States Army Air Corps with the arrival of the war. Also, not so. That would wait until July, 1942.
This I ran into first here:
Today in World War II History—December 20, 1941
More can be read about this mission here:
20 December 1941
As also listed there, the Japanese landed on Mindanao, Borneo, Celebes and the Moluccas.
And they sunk a freighter off of Cape Mendocino, California, a frightening thing for coast residents. It was, of course, a submarine attack.
Ernest King was appointed CiC of the US Navy.
Lindbergh wrote Hap Arnold and volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army.
Goebbels commenced a winter clothing drive for German troops, an effort which was disguised as a patriotic home front type of thing, but which likely fooled few.
The Belgian government in exile declared war on Japan.
And another letter home.
