Thursday, 25 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Admiral Thomas C. Hart turns over all remaining naval forces in the Philippines to Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell (Commandant Sixteenth Naval District). After Japanese bombers destroy PBYs (VPs 101 and 102) earmarked to transport him and his staff south, Hart sails in submarine Shark (SS‑174) (held in readiness for that eventuality) to establish new Asiatic Fleet headquarters in Java (see 1 January 1942). During Japanese bombing of shipping in Manila Bay, submarine Sturgeon (SS‑187) is straddled but is not damaged.

           British surrender Hong Kong. U.S. freighter Admiral Y.S. Williams, under repairs in that port for damage incurred in a grounding that had occurred on 24 September, is intentionally damaged to prevent use by the Japanese. The merchantman is salvaged, however, and is renamed Tatsutama Maru. U.S. steamship (ex‑yacht) Hirondelle (also under repairs in the Crown Colony when caught there by the outbreak of hostilities) and Philippine steamship Argusare captured. Hirondelle is renamed Gyonan Maru and will survive the war. Argus is refitted and commissioned in the Japanese Navy as the gunboat Hong Kong Maru; for her fate under her new owners, see 19‑21 June 1943. Philippine steamship Churruca is scuttled.

           Japanese land at Jolo, P.I. Submarine Sealion (SS‑195), damaged by bombs at Cavite, P.I., on 10 December, is scuttled by demolition crew.

           Carrier Saratoga (CV‑3) diverted from the attempt to relieve Wake Island, flies off USMC F2As (VMF 221) to Midway. These will be the first fighter aircraft based there.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—Lt Col Charles H Caldwell sets up HQ FEAF on RAAF airfield at Darwin.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE—General George C. Marshall, U.S. Chief of Staff, proposes at the ARCADIA Conference in Washington that Far Eastern forces be placed under a unified command.

MIDWAY—Garrison is strengthened as Marine Fighter Squadron 221 flies in from USS Saratoga.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—USAFFE HQ opens on Corregidor. Rear Adm F. W. Rockwell is put in charge of all naval activities in the Philippines. North Luzon Force reaches Agno River and prepares to hold there until night 26–27. 71st Division (PA) withdraws from E flank of line to reorganize. Japanese troops from Urdaneta succeed in crossing the Agno near Tayug, night 25–26. South Luzon Force begins northward withdrawal toward Bataan. Japanese, in close pursuit, seize Sampoloc and Pagbilao.

SULU ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese complete conquest of Jolo Island, increasing threat to Netherlands East Indies.

BORNEO—After brisk fighting in vicinity of Kuching airdrome, Sarawak, small Indian garrison breaks contact with enemy and starts on foot toward Dutch Borneo.

CHINA—British garrison of Hong Kong surrenders to Japanese. Many Allied ships are captured or sunk off the island. At a Joint Military Council meeting to consider lend-lease transfers, Chinese representative announces that the Generalissimo has decided, because of the seizure of the Tulsa's cargo, that he will not co-operate with the British and will recall Chinese troops.

 

US MARINE CORPS