US NAVY
PACIFIC—Corregidor is bombed for the first time by Japanese
naval land attack planes (Takao Kokutai and 1st Kokutai), ending
“normal" above‑ground living there. During the bombings that day,
submarine tender Canopus (AS‑9) is damaged in Mariveles Harbor, 14°25'N,
120°30'E; river gunboat Mindanao (PR‑8) is damaged by near‑misses off
Corregidor. Bombs also set fire to Philippine freighter Don Jose and the
hulk of U.S. freighter Capillo off Corregidor. Minesweeper Finch (AM‑9)
puts out the blaze on board both ships; Don Jose is later moved to the
south side of the island to ensure a clear shipping channel. Finch repeats
the procedure on 1 January 1942, but since the crew never returns to the
damaged merchantman, Don Jose is never salvaged. Philippine presidential
yacht Casiana is bombed and sunk near the Fort Mills dock; Philippine
steamship Bicol and motor vessel Aloha are scuttled in Manila
Bay. Finch later assists Navy‑ commandeered tug Trabajador in
dumping unused mines in Manila Bay, an operation those two ships will repeat
the following day as well. Cable Censor, Manila (Lieutenant Frederick L.
Worcester, USNR) clears Pasig River of interisland shipping and tugs and other
ships that have drawn heavy bombing from Japanese planes, thus saving area from
further destruction and the shipping for use in maintaining communications
between Bataan and Corregidor and in patrol work. This action is later praised
as "commendable assumption of authority and action by non‑nautical"
district officers.
Japanese
submarine RO 60, returning from the Wake Island operation, is
irreparably damaged by grounding, Kwajalein Atoll, 09°00'N, 167°30'E.
ATLANTIC—TU 4.1.5 (Commander William K. Phillips) assumes
guard for east‑bound convoy HX 167. U.S. freighter Stonestreet is
damaged by evaporator explosion; one man is killed and three injured. Destroyer
Simpson (DD‑221) puts medical officer and corpsman on board promptly to
treat the injured; Stonestreet is directed to return to St. John's; U.S.
PBY provides cover. During the voyage to Iceland, HX 167 will not encounter any
enemy submarines but poor navigation by the convoy will result in a critical
fuel state for the "short legged" flush‑deck destroyers (see 3
January 1942).
US ARMY AIR FORCE
FEAF—General Brereton, Commanding General, arrives at new
HQ at Darwin. Col Harold H George remains at Manila in Command of air elements
left in the Philippines, the chief center of AAF activity in S Philippines
being Del Monte, where air personnel are under command of Maj Ray T Ellsmore.
ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND—In response to repeated requests by
this Command to the WD for additional aircraft to defend Alaska, the 77th Bomb
Squadron arrives at Elmendorf Field. The 11th Pursuit Squadron arrives the next
day.
US ARMY
PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On N Luzon, gist Division (PA) holds
Cabanatuan against strong enemy thrust, but Japanese succeed in crossing
Pampanga R near there. Another enemy force, heading for Tarlac in 21st Division
(PA) sector, reaches position just N of Tarlac. All elements of South Luzon
Force withdraw quickly toward Bataan. Japanese planes attack Corregidor for the
first time. Medium and dive bombers drop some 60 tons of bombs. Although wooden
structures suffer heavily, little damage is done to military installations. AA
fire from forts guarding Manila Bay destroys a number of bombers. 4th Marines
takes responsibility for beach defense.
MALAYA—On Indian 11th Division front, Indian 12th Brigade
holds firmly against strong enemy attack but, since its position is becoming
untenable, falls back through Kampar to Bidor, where it is held in reserve.
BORNEO—Indian detachment from Kuching, Sarawak, arrives at
Sanggau, Dutch Borneo, and is placed under Dutch command.
CHINA—Establishment of China Theater under supreme command
of Chiang Kai-shek, who is to be assisted by an Allied staff, is announced.
Theater is to include portions of Thailand and Indochina in friendly hands.
BURMA—From Bokpyin, Japanese withdraw under pressure into
Thailand.
US MARINE CORPS
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