December 14
Sea War, Atlantic
A British convoy of 32 ships, including the aircraft carrier Audacity, leaves Gibraltar for Britain. Audacity is the first British escort carrier introduced to provide Allied convoys with constant air cover by intercepting enemy bombers or U-boat 'Wolf Packs' when they are beyond the operational range of land-based aircraft. During the voyage, the convoy suffers attacks from 12 U-boats, but destroys five of them. The convoy loses Audacity, a destroyer, and two merchant ships, before it reaches Britain on the 23rd.

December 16
Far East, Borneo
The Japanese 19th Division makes three landings along the coast of Borneo. The British and Dutch forces defending the island set oil installations ablaze before retreating.

December 17
Politics, United States
Admiral Chester Nimitz replaces Admiral Husband Kimmel as commander of the Pacific Fleet following the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.

December 18-19
Sea War, Mediterranean
The Royal Navy's Force K, operating from Malta, runs into a minefield off Tripoli. The cruiser Neptune and destroyer Kandahar are both sunk, while the remaining two cruisers are damaged. An Italian 'human torpedo' attack upon the British Mediterranean Fleet in Alexandria, Egypt, sinks the battleships Queen Elizabeth and Valiant. However, both vessels sink upright in shallow waters and are eventually repaired. Nevertheless, these losses severely reduce British naval power in the Mediterranean.

The 'human torpedo,' a midget submarine driven by two operators, is designed to enter defended harbors and clamp its warhead onto a ship's hull. The British soon develop their own version called 'Chariot.'

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