In North Africa... Rommel halts his attack on Tobruk. The Germans will continue to hold the enclave in the perimeter that they have won but will not be able to extend it at any time later in the seige. For both sides life at Tobruk settles down into a style not unlike the trench warfare of World War I. The ground is very hard so that trenches are often shallow at first. This means their occupants must stay virtually motionless during the day. Neither side is well supplied. Both sides adopt a policy of offensive night patrols to prevent any relaxation.

In Iraq... An airfield at Mosul which is being used by a small German force is one RAF target on this day. The German force is receiving supplies from and via Syria with the cooperation of the Vichy authorities.

In East Africa... The Italian forces around Amba Alagi are driven off three hills in the west of their position by attacks from the 29th Indian Brigade.