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• Greek submarine Proteus attacked Italian ships Sardegna, Italia, and Piemonte 40 miles east of Brindisi, Italy, sinking Sardegna. Escort torpedo boat Antares dropped 11 depth charges, forcing Proteus to the surface, which was then rammed and sunk by Antares, killing the entire crew of 48. ww2dbase [CPC]
• In Libya, British aircraft bombed Bardia and airfields at Tobruk, Derna, and Benina. Meanwhile, troops of Australian 6th Division rehearsed attacks on defensive positions similar to those at Bardia. ww2dbase [Operation Compass | CPC]
• US President Roosevelt broadcasted a fireside chat, urging the country to increase production in preparation for war, but also promising to keep the United States out of the fighting. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | CPC]

• 244 German Luftwaffe bombers dropped 30,000 incendaries on the historic city center of London, England, United Kingdom, destroying the London Guildhall and eight Wren churches. St. Paul's Cathedral, however, was saved by clergymen who successfully prevented the flames on the roof from spreading. In the aftermath the Government ordered that "fire-watchers" be stationed on all factories, offices, and shops to act as spotters to provide early warning. This order proved to be very unpopular with Trade Unions. ww2dbase [Battle of Britain | London, England | AC]

• In his broadcast to the American nation, President Franklin Roosevelt declared that the United States would not be deflected, by Axis threats, from its policy of providing Great Britain and her Allies with all possible aid short of war. He further declared that the risk of war would not deter America in the slightest degree, and that victory by those resisting aggression was of paramount interest to the United States, and that he was confident that the Axis powers would not win the war. ww2dbase [Franklin Roosevelt | AC]

29 Dec 1940 Interactive Map