February 1
Politics, Norway
Nazi collaborator Vidkun Quisling becomes prime minister, although he will be controlled by Berlin.

Sea War, Atlantic
Germany adopts a new radio code for U-boat communications in the Atlantic. Although the British are unable to crack the code until the end of the year, the detection of U-boats is made easier by photoreconnaissance and radio direction-finding technology.

Sea War, Pacific
The US Navy carriers Enterprise and Yorktown, together with the cruisers Northampton and Salt Lake City, attack the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.

February 4
Africa, Libya
Axis forces have overextended their lines of communication and a stalemate is developing in the desert. Allied forces are establishing a fortified line from Gazala on the coast to Bir Hacheim farther inland. Both sides are building up their forces for a new offensive.

Japanese troops cautiously scale a hill
during their advance to Singapore

Far East, Singapore
Britain rejects Japanese demands for Singapore to surrender. Reinforcements are being sent to help defend the base, which is believed to be impregnable.

February 5
Politics, United States
The US government declares war on Thailand.

February 8
Politics, Philippines
President Manuel Quezon proposes to the United States that his country should become independent, that both Japanese and US forces should withdraw, and Filipino units be disbanded. The United States rejects the proposal.

February 8-14
Far East, Singapore
Two Japanese divisions, supported by artillery and air bombardment, land on the northwest of the island, quickly followed by a third. Repairs to the Johore causeway enable tanks and 30,000 troops to advance, while in the air the Japanese achieve supremacy. Confused orders often result in the defenders making unnecessary withdrawals and much equipment is lost. Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, the Singapore commander, is forced to surrender on February 14 as the water supply for Singapore's residents and the 85,000-strong garrison is cut. Japan has fewer than 10,000 casualties in Malaya. British and Commonwealth forces have lost 138,000 men, and thousands more will die in captivity. The campaign is one of Britain's greatest defeats.

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