1 January 1942, Thursday

As 2026 dawns clear, cold and blustery in Northern Virginia, let us pray for a just and lasting peace in today's world. Aggressor nations must learn that they cannot succeed in taking by force that which they failed to obtain through purchase and negotiation. Like 84 years ago, Ukraine is engulfed in armed conflict.  The difference is the Russians are now the aggressor and the cupboard of the arsenal of democracy is bare, without the foresight and resolution to fill it to the max.  When the war came to the US into the Pacific, we weren't ready by any stretch of the imagination, yet we were well on the path to being so.  Every fast battleship that would serve had been laid down with several launched, the first three Essex class carriers were on the slip ways with eight more on order.  The vast expansion of munitions plants that produced the rifle, pistol and machine gun cartridges, the 20, 37, 40, 76, 90, 105, 155 mm, 3, 5, 6, 8, 14, and 16 inch shells was well underway.  Without the long lead ships and munitions plants, the war would have drug on as they belatedly came on line.  Today we lack that capacity, much to the advantage of our rivals and adversaries.  

My hero, Teddy Roosevelt, said speak softly, but carry a big stick.  We need to return to that philosophy and that of his cousin Franklin's of preparedness.  Only when you can and will back up your words with actions, is deterrence viable.  And peace through deterrence is much preferred to the carnage wrought by its failure.  May our world leaders have the foresight and courage to stand together and defeat the aggressors.

Meanwhile on this New Years day of 1942 . . .

US NAVY

GENERAL—President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill sign the Joint Declaration of the United Nations; only the United States and Britain had discussed the document's creation, but ultimately representatives of 24 other nations, including the Soviet Union and China, will affix their signatures to it. There will be no separate peace agreements; the signatories pledge to fight until the Axis is defeated.

PACIFIC—Admiral Thomas C. Hart (Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet) arrives in Surabaya, Java, N.E.I., after his passage from Manila, P.I., in submarine Shark (SS-174).

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Malama, en route from Honolulu to Manila, is bombed and sunk by floatplane from Japanese armed merchant cruiser Aikoku Maru at 26°21'N, 153°24'W. Aikoku Maru takes the 35 man crew and the 8 passengers prisoner.

            Japanese army cargo ship Teiun Maru (ex-German Bremerhaven) is sunk by mine (U.S. or Japanese) off mouth of Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, 16°05'N, 120°20'E.

            Japanese oiler Toen Maru is damaged by mine southwest of Hong Kong, B.C.C.

ATLANTIC—Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll succeeds Admiral Ernest J. King as Commander in Chief Atlantic Fleet.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Declaration of United Nations is signed. Each signatory pledges not to make a separate peace and to employ its full resources against members of and adherents to Tripartite Pact with which it is at war.

 

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Declaration of the United Nations is signed by 26 nations in Washington, D. C.

LUZON—South Luzon Force, upon completing withdrawal across the Pampanga at Calumpit by 0500 and destroying bridges there at 0615, is disbanded. Its components continue withdrawal toward Bataan, and General Jones rejoins 51st Division (PA). Japanese move through Plaridel to Calumpit but are unable to cross the Pampanga. Covering force (elements of 71st and 91st PA Divisions) withdraws from river line toward San Fernando. Meanwhile, 21st and 11th Divisions (PA) continue fighting withdrawals, 91st along route Bamban–Angeles–Porac and 11th on route Malagang–San Fernando–Guagua (N of Sexmoan), arriving on line Porac–Guagua during night 1–2.

MALAYA—Japanese attack Kampar position in W Malaya in force but are unable to break through. Indian 11th Division is in grave danger as enemy amphibious force lands in Utan Melentang area, at mouth of Bernam River, behind Kampar line. Indian 12th Brigade Group moves from Bidor to meet this threat. Japanese aircraft deliver first severe blow against Tengah airdrome on Singapore Island.

CHINA—Chinese request lend-lease aid for construction of road across N Burma to link with Burma Road. The projected road would extend from Ledo, India, to Fort Hertz, Myitkyina, and Lungling.

BURMA—Air Vice Marshal D. F. Stevenson takes command of Allied air forces in Burma, replacing Group Capt E. River. Manning, RAF.

LIBYA—30 Corps, British Eighth Army, renews assault on Bardia after nightfall.

USSR—Red Army continues broad offensive throughout January with spectacular success in some sectors, but is unable to relieve besieged ports of Leningrad and Sevastopol.

 

US MARINE CORPS