Monday, 22 December 1941

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Churchill open discussions in Washington (Arcadia Conference) leading to establishment of Combined Chiefs of Staff. The Arcadia Conference, which lasts into January 1942, results in a formal American commitment to the "Germany First" strategy. In addition, the United States and Britain agree to form a Combined Chiefs of Staff as the supreme body for Allied war planning, to confer regularly in Washington. The Anglo‑American allies also agree that there should be one supreme commander directing operations in each theater.

PACIFIC—Japanese bombers and attack planes, covered by fighters, from carriers Soryu and Hiryu, bomb Wake Island for the second time; the last two flyable USMC F4Fs (VMF 211) intercept the raid. One F4F is shot down, the other is badly damaged.

           American troops (Task Force South Pacific) (Brigadier General Julian F. Barnes, USA) arrive at Brisbane in convoy escorted by heavy cruiser Pensacola (CA‑24). This is the first U.S. Army troop detachment to arrive in Australia. 

           Japanese submarine I 19 shell unarmed U.S. tanker H.M. Storey southwest of Cape Mendocino, California, 34°35'N,120°45'W, but fails to score any hits and the American ship escapes.

           Japanese commence invasion of Luzon, landing troops at Lingayen, P.I.; submarine S 38 (SS‑143) torpedoes and sinks Japanese army transport Hayo Maru in Lingayen Gulf, 16°00'N, 120°00'E.

           USAAF B‑17s bomb and damage Japanese army oiler No. 3 Tonan Maru off Davao, P.I.

ATLANTIC—TU 4.1.3 (Commander George W. Johnson), assumes escort duty at MOMP for convoy ON 47; the convoy is dispersed the following day.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Anglo-American conference (ARCADIA) opens at Washington to deal with war strategy. Churchill, Roosevelt, Harry Hopkins, Lord Beaverbrook, and American and British CoSs participate.

FEAF—9 B‑17’s from Batchelor Field attack shipping in Davao Bay and land at Del Monte.

 

US ARMY

WAKE—Japanese carrier-based and land-based planes continue strong softening attacks. Of the 2 serviceable planes remaining on the island, 1 is lost in combat and the other is rendered useless when it crash-lands. Personnel of VMF‑211 offer their services as infantry. TF 14, the Wake relief force, is delayed for refueling.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese begin main landings along coast of Lingayen Gulf on Luzon before dawn. One assault force goes ashore near Bauang, another at Aringay, and a third near Agoo. Forces move forward at once without serious opposition from 11th and 21st Divisions (PA). 71st Infantry of first Division (PA) and 26th Cav (PS) move out to help halt enemy. The Bauang assault force seizes that town, effects junction with Vigan force at San Fernando, La Union, and pushes inland toward Baguio, while the other forces overrun Rosario and face S toward Manila. U.S. submarines and a few aircraft attack enemy armada in Lingayen Gulf. 9 B–17's from Batchelor Field near Darwin attack enemy shipping off Davao, Mindanao, and then land on Del Monte Field; during night 22–23, 4 of the planes continue to Lingayen Gulf and attack transports. This is the first action in the Philippines by Australian-based planes.

MALAYA—As Indian 11th Division continues withdrawal across Perak R, RAF begins regular reconnaissance of W coast to prevent enemy landings. Indian 9th Division completes planned withdrawal in E Malaya to positions from which to defend Kuantan airdrome and protect Indian 11th Division from attack from E.

CHINA—At meeting of Allied leaders in Chungking, Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek offers Chinese 5th and 6th Armies for defense of Burma. General Wavell accepts Chinese 6th Army's 93d Division, elements of which are approaching border of Burma from China; regt of 49th Division is to be held in reserve on N Burma frontieRiver

AUSTRALIA—Pensacola convoy reaches Brisbane, where General Barnes' TF South Pacific becomes U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA). This is the first U.S. troop detachment to arrive in Australia.

 

US MARINE CORPS

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese land at Lingayen Gulf