Stalin gives the go-ahead for production of the Bereznyak-Isayev BI-1 high speed rocket plane.

Static test: duration 34 sec; average thrust 825+ lb; gas ejection velocity 4060 ft/sec; average thrust per pound of fuel per second 128; mechanical horsepower 3040; liquid oxygen 131.7 lb; gasoline 91.5 lb; ratio oxygen to gasoline 1.43. References: 482 .

Ercoupe impelled by 12 powder rockets of 50 pounds thrust each, piloted by Lt. Homer A. Boushey, first flew on rocket power alone after an initial boost from a towing automobile. References: 17 .

State Committee for Defence (GKO) Decree 9887/ss/op 'On a Special Committee Under the GKO's Jurisdiction--creation of Special Committee and its subordinate First Chief Directorate of GKO (later of Council of Ministers) for the development of atomic bomb' References: 474 .

Messerschmitt Me-163A powered by "cold" H. Walther rocket successfully flown at Augsburg, Germany, development of which had begun in 1937, but "cold" engine proved unreliable. Flights were also made in October which reached speeds of 1,003 km/hr, or Mach 0.85. References: 17 .