February 20-25
Sea War, Atlantic
During U-boat attacks, Allied convoy ON-166 loses 15 of its 49 ships. Only one German submarine is sunk.

February 21
Pacific, Solomons
US forces land on Russell Island. This is their first move in the campaign to capture the island chain. The operation, code-named Cartwheel, eventually aims to seal off the key Japanese air and sea base at Rabaul in New Britain. The US Pacific commanders Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Douglas MacArthur have devised an 'island-hopping'; strategy whereby certain selected islands are retaken, while heavily-defended Japanese positions are bypassed. Allied aircraft and sea power will then isolate these strongpoints, preventing them from being a threat. They will 'wither on the vine.';

February 23-24
Sea War, Atlantic
Seven tankers from the UC-1 Allied convoy are sunk by a U-boat group.

February 26-28
Africa, Tunisia
Colonel General Jürgen von Arnim's Fifth Tank Army in northeast Tunisia finally launches a counterattack from the Mareth Line that should have been made during the previous series of attacks. It is unsuccessful.

February 28
Politics, Germany
General Heinz Guderian is appointed 'Inspector-General of Armored Troops'; and is given wide-ranging powers to strengthen Germany's tank arm.

Western Front, Norway
Nine Norwegian paratroopers from Great Britain sabotage the Norsk Hydro power station where 'heavy water'; is made for atomic research.

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