Thursday, 22 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese reinforcements land in Subic Bay area.

           Japanese land on Mussau Island, north of New Ireland.

           Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

           TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around carrier Lexington (CV-2), departs Oahu to raid Wake Island (see 23 January).

           Destroyers Gridley (DD-380) and Fanning (DD-385) are damaged in collision 150 miles northwest of American Samoa as TF 8 proceeds toward the Marshalls and Gilberts.

           Survey vessel Sumner (AG 32) arrives at Bora Bora, Society Islands, and commences survey work at that place (see29 January and 12 February).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Norvana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. There are no survivors, and pieces of wreckage from the ship when she explodes hit her attacker.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—From this date through 3 Feb, B‑17’s launch at least 15 missions out of Malang against shipping moving through Makassar Strait. 4 missions abort due to bad weather, 6 end with negative results, and the remaining 5 suffer heavy losses but sink 4 ships.

US ARMY

LUZON—General MacArthur orders withdrawal of entire Mauban–Abucay line southward to final defense position on Bataan, behind Pilar–Bagac road; withdrawal is to start after nightfall on 23d and be completed by daylight of 26th. In II Corps area, Japanese open offensive that forces Philippine Division back to positions E and S of Abucay Hacienda, approximately those held at beginning of counteroffensive on 16 January. In I Corps area, elements of 91st Division (PA), supported by Scouts of 26th Cavalry and tanks, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce roadblock on West Road and to reach 1st Division troops still fighting along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to N. Japanese begin series of amphibious operations, night 22–23, when Battalion embarks in barges at Moron and sails toward Caibobo Pt, below Bagac. U.S. PT boat encounters and sinks

2 vessels.

MALAYA—Six-day battle on Muar front ends in victory for Japanese. Indian 45th Brigade, despite close air and naval support during the operation, is destroyed as a fighting body. Muar force destroys its vehicles and weapons and pushes toward Yong Peng by infiltration, leaving wounded behind. Batu Pahat defense force (detachment of Indian 11th Div) skirmishes with enemy on Batu Pahat–Ayer Hitam road. Indian 8th Brigade Group, 9th Division, having withdrawn from Segamat sector to positions astride main road between Labis and Yong Peng, is attacked by enemy. East Force repels enemy attempt to cross river at Mersing. Partly trained Indian 44th Brigade, reinforced, and

7,000 Indian reinforcements arrive at Singapore.

MAKASSAR STRAIT—U.S. submarine attacks enemy convoy.

BURMA—Indian 16th Brigade breaks off action in Kawkareik area and falls back toward Moulmein.

LIBYA—Continuing swiftly eastward, Axis forces occupy Agedabia.

US MARINE CORPS

Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

 

Wednesday, 21 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—In response to the movement of the Japanese convoy sighted the previous day in Makassar Strait, a U.S. task force (Rear Admiral William A. Glassford), consisting of light cruisers Boise (CL-47) (flagship) and Marblehead (CL-12) and four destroyers sails from Koepang, Timor, to engage it. En route, however, Boise steams across an uncharted pinnacle in Sape Strait, N.E.I., and suffers sufficient damage to eliminate her from the force. Turbine trouble limits Marblehead (the ship to which Glassford transfers his flag) to only 15 knots, so the admiral orders the destroyers (Commander Paul H. Talbot) ahead (see 24 January).

           Submarine S-36 (SS-141), damaged by grounding on 20 January, is scuttled by her crew in Makassar Strait.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—B‑17’s of TG 8.9 fly from Canton Island to Nandi.

US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese continue preparations for offensive, massing assault forces on extreme W flank of corps; contain further attempts of Philippine Division to restore W flank positions. In I Corps area, small enemy force, having circled about E flank of corps, reaches West Road in area 4 miles E of Mauban and blocks it, cutting off 1st Division troops along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE from forces to S. Forces that can be spared from other sectors attack the Japanese block from N and S but are unable to reduce it.

MALAYA—Withdrawal of defense forces from Muar and Segamat fronts continues. Commander of West Force is placed in charge of all troops on Yong Peng-Muar road. Muar force is supplied by air. East Force patrols ambush enemy force driving on Mersing.

CELEBES SEA—Enemy convoy is observed moving S in Celebes Sea.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese planes continue preinvasion bombardment of Rabaul (New Britain) and Kavieng (New Ireland). At Rabaul, the only coastal battery is destroyed.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese begin air offensive against New Guinea with 50-plane attack on Lae- Salamaua area.

CHINA—Chinese Government accepts proposal that General Stilwell act as chief of the Generalissimo’s Allied staff and agrees to give him executive authority over Allied units. Ch 49th Division (6th Army) is authorized to move into Burma.

LIBYA—Axis forces, with strong air support, go on the offensive in W Cyrenaica, pushing rapidly eastward in 3 columns astride main road. British Eighth Army’s 13 Corps commander orders withdrawal to line Agedabia–El Haseiat at once and a further retreat if necessary; orders Indian 4th Division to check coastal advance toward Benghazi.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Tuesday, 20 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larson, USMC) arrives at Pago Pago, Samoa, in transports Lurline, Matsonia, and Monterey, along with cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship Lassen (AE-3), to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by TF 8 formed around carrier Enterprise (CV-6) (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5). The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter (see 1 February).

           Motor torpedo boat PT-31, damaged by grounding the day before, is burned by crew to prevent capture, 14°45'N,120°13'E.

           Submarine S-36 (SS-141) is damaged when she runs aground on Taka Bakang Reef, Makassar Strait, Celebes, N.E.I.,04°57'N, 118°31'E (see 21 January).

           Destroyer Edsall (DD-219) and Australian minesweeper HMAS Deloraine sink Japanese submarine I-124 off Darwin, Australia.

           Japanese gunboat Aso Maru and auxiliary minesweeper No.52 Banshu Maru are sunk by mines, Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., 14°45'N, 120°17'E.

           Japanese merchant storeship Sendai Maru is damaged by unknown cause off mouth of Davao Gulf.

           Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait, bound for Balikpapan, Borneo (see 21 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—General Brett, CG USAFIA, halts ferrying of aircraft from India to NEI. AAF has been sending Heavy Bombers to Java by way of Africa and India, but the Japanese are able to inflict prohibitive losses on AAF aircraft on the last stops of the route by interception from newly acquired airfields near Java.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese contain repeated attacks by Philippine Division (U.S- 31st and PS 45th Regiments) on W flank of II Corps while preparing for major assault to begin on 22d. After further fighting before Guitol, Japanese retire northward. In I Corps area, Japanese maintain pressure and continue infiltration into right flank from Mt. Silanganan.

MALAYA—British 53d Brigade counterattacks W of Yong Peng but is unable to recover lost ground. Muar force begins difficult withdrawal toward Yong Peng. Withdrawal of Segamat forces continues; during night 20–21, Australian 27th Brigade Group moves from Segamat River line to Yong Peng; Indian 9th Division pulls back to defensive position to E.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—More than 100 Japanese carrier-based planes attack Rabaul, New Britain, causing serious damage. Kavieng, New Ireland, is also attacked by air but in much less strength.

BURMA—Japanese cross into Burma in force and begin assault on N Tenasserim, attacking 16th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, on Myawadi–Kawkareik road, near Thai border E of Moulmein, in conjunction with air attacks.

USSR—Mozhaisk, about 60 miles W of Moscow, falls to Soviet forces.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Monday, 19 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boat PT-31 is damaged when her engines fail because of what is believed to be sabotaged gasoline and she runs aground on reef north of Mayagao Point, Bataan, P.I.

ATLANTIC—In attacks against unescorted coastal shipping, unarmed U.S. steamship City of Atlanta is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 off the North Carolina coast at 35°42'N, 75°21'W; railroad ferry Seatrain Texas rescues the three survivors of the 46 man crew.

           German submarine U-66 torpedoes and sinks Canadian steamer Lady Hawkins at 35°00'N, 72°30'W (see 28 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—B‑17’s of TG 8.9 fly antisubmarine mission from Canton Island.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps continues efforts to regain positions along Balantay River on W flank, 45th Infantry (—) (PS) reaching river in region between 31st Infantry (U.S.) and 41st Division (PA). 31st Infantry, however, is under increasingly strong pressure. Enemy column driving down Abo-Abo River valley reaches positions near Guitol and is engaged by 31st Division and elements of 21st Division (PA). I Corps restores OPL in counterattack but is forced to abandon it after nightfall. Elements of 92d Infantry (PA) are sent to block enemy infiltrators from Mt Silanganan, on corps E flank.

MALAYA—Bitter fighting continues in Muar- Yong Peng area. 53d Brigade of British 18th Division, under command of Indian 11th Division, takes responsibility for strategic positions W of Yong Peng—a defile and bridge—but loses them. Muar force (Indian 45th Brigade and 2 Australian Battalions), now isolated, is ordered to withdraw.

BORNEO—British North Borneo is surrendered to Japanese at Sandakan.

BURMA—Japanese seize Tavoy and its airfield. Because of this, it is decided to withdraw Mergui garrison by sea to Rangoon at once, although Mergui has not yet been attacked. Balance of Ch 93d Division (6th Army) is ordered to move into Burma.

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck issues operations instructions to Commander, British Troops in Egypt (BTE), and Commander, Eighth Army, restating that objective in Libya is Tripoli and outlining plan for defensive stand in the event the Libyan offensive cannot be continued.

USSR—Heavy fighting continues on southern front; Germans in the Crimea recapture Feodosia.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Sunday, 18 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Germany, Italy, and Japan sign new military pact in Berlin.

PACIFIC—River gunboat Tutuila (PR-4), stranded at Chungking by Sino-Japanese hostilities since 1937, is decommissioned and her crew flown out of China. 

            Submarine Plunger (SS-179) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Eizan Maru (ex-Panamanian Aurora) off mouth of Kii Suido, Honshu, 33°30'N, 135°00'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Frances Salman is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 off St. John’s, Newfoundland. There are no survivors from the 28 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Allan Jackson is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 about 50 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°57'N, 74°20'W; destroyer Roe (DD-418) rescues the 13 survivors from the 35 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Malay is shelled and damaged by German submarine U-123 off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina,35°25'N, 75°23'W. Freighter Scania provides fire-fighting assistance while the tanker's assailant pursues other game (Latvian freighter Ciltvaria). Although Malay is torpedoed by U-123 upon the U-boat's return and damaged further, the holed tanker reaches Hampton Roads safely the next day. One man perishes in the shelling; four drown when the ship is abandoned after she is torpedoed.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—First increment (1,400 men) of US forces to be sent to UK sails for N Ireland.

HAWAIIAN AF—Another unsuccessful attack on enemy submarines in Hawaiian area. B‑17’s of TG 8.9 conduct antisubmarine search from Canton Island.

 

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps renews efforts to restore W flank positions. U.S. 31st Infantry is still unable to gain Balantay River line on right and is under strong pressure along the river on left. Battalion of 45th Infantry (PS) reaches the Balantay to W of 31st Infantry and is attached to 31st Infantry. 2 other Battalions of 45th Infantry advance toward the Balantay between 31st Infantry and 41st Division (PA), but are halted short of objective. In I Corps area, Japanese increase pressure and force outposts to withdraw. Small enemy force is moving eastward unopposed to outflank E portion of line.

MALAYA—Indian 45th Brigade, reinforced, repels further enemy attacks in Muar-Yong Peng area and destroys a number of tanks, but landing of strong Japanese force a few miles N of Batu Pahat increases danger in this sector. In evening, Commander West Force orders withdrawal. Entire Muar front is placed temporarily under Indian 3 Corps command. During night 18–19, Indian 9th Division falls back behind Muar River, as does AUSTRALIAN 27th Brigade Group behind Segamat River. RAF bomber group withdraws from Singapore Island. to Sumatra.

USSR—On southern front, Red Army makes deep penetration near Izyum, on Donets River in the Ukraine; gains ground E of Kursk.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Saturday, 17 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-60 is sunk by British destroyer HMS Jupiter 25 miles north-northwest of Krakatoa, Java,06°00'S, 105°00'E.

            Japanese transport Fukusei Maru is stranded and wrecked off Yangtze Estuary, 31°00'N, 122°00'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter San Jose is sunk in collision with freighter Santa Elisa off Atlantic City, New Jersey, 39°15'N, 74°09'W.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s from Malang, staging through Kendari, hit Langoan airfield and ships in Menado Bay.

HAWAIIAN AF—Aircraft unsuccessfully attack submarines in Hawaiian area. B‑17’s of TG 8.9 proceed from Palmyra to Canton Island.

 

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department appoints General Breton commander of tactical forces in ABDA area.

LUZON—II Corps counterattacks to restore W portion of line, formerly held by 51st Division (PA), and makes limited progress. U.S. 31st Infantry, moving N from Abucay Hacienda area, reaches Balantay River on left but is unable to make much headway on right. Reserves move forward to plug gap between the assault Battalions. Japanese encircling column begins unopposed march down Abo-Abo River toward Orion.

            In I Corps area, Moron defenders fall back under enemy pressure to ridge S and SE of Moron.

MALAYA—Additional reinforcements are moved into Muar-Yong Peng area as enemy continues attacks and build up. West Force withdraws Battalion from Segamat, and East Force releases one from Jemaluang for operations in this area.

BORNEO—Japanese force lands at Sandakan, British North Borneo.

LIBYA-EGYPT—30 Corps, British Eighth Army, receives surrender of Halfaya garrison and takes many prisoners. 1st Free French (FF) Brigade Group was to have participated in attack on Halfaya, had the garrison not surrendered. With destruction of enemy in E Cyrenaica and reopening of communication line from there into Egypt, first phase of Libyan campaign is successfully concluded. In W Cyrenaica, 13 Corps reconnoiters enemy’s El Agheila position.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Friday, 16 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—War Production Board is established to supplant Office of Production Management.

PACIFIC—Japanese invade Burma from Thailand.

            Japanese submarines continue mining the approaches to Darwin, Northern Territory: I-122 mines Clarence Strait, I-123 Bunda Strait, and I-124 the waters off Darwin itself (see 20 January).

            Japanese cargo ship Taishu Maru is wrecked when she runs aground off Okushiri Island, Hokkaido, 42°00'N,139°00'E.

            During a routine search from carrier Enterprise (CV-6), TBD (VT 6) flown by Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate Harold F. Dixon (Naval Aviation Pilot) fails to return to the ship and force-lands at sea at about 04°20'S, 169°30'E due to fuel starvation. Dixon and his two man crew have no food and no water (see 19 February).

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—First significant deployment of aircraft from Hawaiian AF begins with movement of 6 B‑17’s, commanded by Lt Col Walter C Sweeney, to Palmyra for duty with TG 8.9.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Representatives of 21 American Republics meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to provide for hemispheric solidarity against attack.

LUZON—In II Corps area, 51st Division (PA) counterattacks to restore positions on corps W flank; after making limited progress on right, is subjected to severe pressure and falls back in confusion, W flank elements making futile attempt to gain contact with I Corps on rugged terrain of Mt. Natib. Entire line on Bataan is jeopardized by enemy breakthrough in this sector. Japanese encircling force, although in position to turn W flank of corps, prepares instead to advance down Abo-Abo River valley. To E, 41st Division (PA) refuses its left flank in effort to tie in with 51st Division and, with assistance of elements of 23d and 32d Regiments and quickly formed provisional Battalion, succeeds in halting enemy. U.S. 31st Infantry moves to vicinity of Abucay Hacienda, on left flank of 41st Division, and prepares to counterattack; reserve force, 45th Infantry (PS), also moves toward attack positions. I Corps engages enemy for first time. Japanese cross Batalan River and attack Moron but are forced back to river line by 1st Infantry and elements of 26th Cavalry. Cavalrymen are withdrawn after engagement because of heavy losses.

MALAYA—Japanese cross Muar River and force Indian 45th Brigade from Muar, on S bank; continue landings on W coast in Muar-Batu Pahat area, increasing threat to communications. 53d Brigade of British 18th Division is released to Indian 3 Corps, which places it under Indian 11th Division command; 2 Battalions are dispatched to positions W of Yong Peng and the third is held in reserve at Ayer Hitam. RAF, concentrated on Singapore Island, prepares to withdraw to Sumatra. Singapore airdromes are still targets of daily enemy air attacks.

BURMA—46th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, arrives. Japanese attack and eventually outflank Imperial forces at Myitta, threatening Tavoy.

 

US MARINE CORPS