3 January 1942, Saturday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese collier Moji Maru is sunk by mine southwest of Hong Kong, B.C.C.

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Meiko Maru is sunk by accidental gasoline explosion off Hainan Island, 15°01'N,112°48'E.

ATLANTIC—Critical fuel states in the "shortlegged" flush-deck destroyers in the screen of convoy HX 167 prompts the adoption of the expedient of cargo ship Delta (AK-29) fueling destroyers Babbitt (DD-128) and Schenck (DD-159). Weather again worsens, however, preventing Leary (DD-158) from fueling; she is sent to Casco Bay to refuel.

            Light cruiser Omaha (CL-4) and destroyer Somers (DD-381) encounter two ships in succession that fail to answer challenges; Omaha sends armed boarding party each time to obtain information. The vessels prove to be Greek freighter Marika Protopapa and Norwegian merchantman Tercero. 

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—Roosevelt and Churchill announce creation of unified command in SW Pacific, with Gen Wavell as supreme commander of American, British, Dutch, and Australian (ABDA) forces in that area.

 

US ARMY

ALLIED STRATEGY—General Wavell, as supreme commander of ABDA forces, is directed to hold Malay Barrier (line Malay Peninsula–Sumatra–Java–Australia) and operate as far beyond the Barrier as possible in order to check Japanese advance; hold Burma and Australia; restore communications with the Philippines through Netherlands East Indies; maintain communications within theater.

LUZON—Japanese continue determined attacks on W flank of Porac-Guagua line, where 21st Division (PA) succeeds in halting enemy below Pio; exert strong pressure on E flank in vicinity of Guagua.

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division completes withdrawal to Slim River line. Because of threat to communications in W Malaya, Kuantan force on E coast, which had previously been ordered to hold airdrome until to January, begins fighting withdrawal at once. Newly formed and poorly trained Indian 45th Brigade, reinforced, and an Indian Pioneer Battalion (a labor unit) arrive at Singapore and concentrate in S Malaya.

BORNEO—Japanese invade Labuan Island., in Brunei Bay, without opposition. From there, detachment moves to mainland at Mempakul, thence to Weston on foot, and from Weston to Beaufort by rail.

 

US MARINE CORPS