On the Eastern Front... The main German summer offensive begins. General Bock's Army Group South drives east from Kursk to Voronezh.

In North Africa... Mersa Matron falls to the Axis forces led by Rommel and again a large quantity of stores and equipment fall into Axis hands. All the forces in the area, the British 8th Army and the German and Italian troops are heading back toward El Alamien. It is here that British General Auchinleck has decided to take a stand.

In the Atlantic... Elements of the British Home Fleet leaves Scapa Flow to provide distant escort for PQ-17. The escort includes two battleships HMS Duke of York and USS Washington and one carrier, HMS Victorious with cruisers and destroyers.