30th January 1942
The 4th Indian Division continues to withdraw along the coast road towards Derna. Hitler, speaking at the Berlin Sports Palace, reaffirms his prewar prophecy concerning the Jews; once again telling an audience that "the result of this war will be the complete annihilation of the Jews." Japanese forces capture the important naval base of Amboina between Celebes and New Guinea. The Japanese capture Moulmein and its airfield in Burma as the British forces evacuate and withdraw across the river Salween.
31st January 1942
SS Einsatzgruppe A reports a tally of 229,052 Jews killed. British and Commonwealth forces complete their evacuation of Malaya and withdraw to Singapore Island across the causeway with the Japanese only 8 miles away. Singapore now has the equivalent of four divisions to defend it, but morale is low and there are serious shortages of weapons. An additional Indian Brigade is landed at Rangoon and sent to join the 17th Indian Division.
1st February 1942
Quisling forms a puppet government in Norway. The Red Army begins an offensive toward Vyazma. Zhukov is promoted to command the West Theatre, which includes the Kalinin, West and Bryansk Fronts. All U-boats adopt an new Enigma cipher known as 'Triton'. The new cipher replaces the previous cipher, 'Hydra' and has an additional rotor in the Enigma machine. This meant that the British were unable to read U-boat coded communications traffic until much later in the year, seriously affecting there ability re-route their convoys around U-boat wolf packs.
2nd February1942
The commander of the British XIII Corps, Godwin-Austen, resigns as a result of Lieutenant General Ritchie bypassing him and dealing direct with his divisional commanders. A supply convoy bound for Malta sets sail from Alexandria. It consisted of 3 fast freighters, 2 cruisers, 8 destroyers and an anti-aircraft ship. However, the Luftwaffe still managed to sink all three merchantmen before they reached Malta. Congress appropriates $26.5 billion for the U.S. Navy, bringing total U.S. war costs since June of 1940 to more than $115 billion. Japanese air raids on Port Moresby.
3rd February 1942
German forces of Army Group Centre launch a counterattack at Vyazma, cutting off and encircling several Red Army divisions. President Quezon of the Philippines proposes to President Roosevelt that his country should be granted total independence from the USA so that it could declare itself neutral, but Roosevelt dismisses this idea. General MacArthur warns Roosevelt that the Bataan garrison has suffered over 50 per cent casualties and it was 'near done'. MacArthur was given permission by Roosevelt to surrender Filipino, but not US troops who were to fight until the end.
4th February 1942
The Afrika Korps recaptures Derna. Hahas Pasha forms a new Egyptian Cabinet, becomes the Military Governor and dissolves Parliament the next day. The British refuse to surrender at Singapore, heavy bombardment by the Japanese continues for 4 days.
5th February 1942
N/A