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

 

Sunday, 21 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—PBY (VP 23) departs Wake Island; Japanese concern over the potential presence of patrol planes at Wake, occasioned by the large amount of radio traffic that accompanies the sole PBY's arrival at the island, prompts advancing the date of the first carrier strikes. Consequently, planes from carriers Soryu and Hiryu bomb Wake Island for the first time. Later that day, land attack planes (Chitose Kokutai) bomb Wake.   

           Naval local defense forces in Philippine Islands (Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell) move headquarters to Corregidor.

           Destroyer Paul Jones (DD‑230) is damaged when her starboard propeller strikes a sunken object off Makassar, N.E.I.

           Coast Guard cutter Shawnee rescues 31 survivors of U.S. tanker Emidio, sunk the previous day by I 17 off Cape Mendocino, California, from Blunt's Reef Lightship.

ATLANTIC—Light cruiser Omaha (CL‑4) and destroyer Somers (DD‑381), operating out of Recife, Brazil, encounter darkened ship that acts suspicious and evasive when challenged. Omaha fires star shell and illuminates the stranger; Somers sends armed boarding party that learns that the merchantman nearly fired upon is Soviet freighter Nevastroi.

           Destroyer Edison (DD‑439), in TU 4.1.3 en route to MOMP to pick up convoy ON 47, depth‑charges sound contact without result.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

WAKE—Japanese carrier planes begin preinvasion bombardment of defenses, supplementing attacks by shore-based aircraft. The relief force (TF 14) is within 627 miles of the island.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—3 convoys from Formosa and the Pescadores, bearing main body of Japanese 14th Army assault force, arrive in Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, night 21–22. Filipino 11th Division makes contact with Japanese Vigan force at Bacnotan.

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division takes command of all troops W of Perak R, including those on Grik road, who are still heavily engaged, and begins withdrawal behind Perak River

 

US MARINE CORPS

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Naval defense forces in Philippine Islands move headquarters to Corregidor.

 

 

Saturday, 20 December 1941 US NAVY

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—In the wake of the signing of Executive Order No. 8984, Admiral Ernest J. King is announced as the designated Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet (see 30 December).

PACIFIC—SBDs (VB 6 and VS 6) from carrier Enterprise accidentally bomb submarine Pompano (SS‑181) twice, at 20°10'N,165°28'W, and 20°15'N, 165°40'W.

           PBY (VP 23) arrives at Wake Island to deliver information to the garrison concerning the relief efforts then underway (see 21 December).

           Survivors of U.S. freighter Lahaina (sunk on 11 December by Japanese submarine I 9), aided by Coast Guard cutter Tiger, reach land at Sprecklesville Beach, near Kahului, Maui, having lost four of their number during their ordeal in their one lifeboat.

           Japanese troops land at Davao, Mindanao, P.I.

           Unarmed U.S. tankship Emidio is shelled, torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 17 about 25 miles west of Cape Mendocino, California, 40°33'N, 125°00'W (see 21 December).

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Agwiworld is shelled by Japanese submarine I 23 off the coast of California, 37°00'N, 122°00'W.

   

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

U.S.—Adm Ernest J. King is appointed CinC, U.S. Fleet.

WAKE—Patrol bomber bringing news of relief force en route to Wake arrives in Wake Lagoon.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—In another preliminary landing, Japanese invade Mindanao early in morning. Landing force goes ashore at and near Davao; after overcoming light opposition of about 2,000 Filipino troops, seizes Davao and its airfield. On Luzon, Japanese detachment starts S from Vigan toward Lingayen Gulf.

MALAYA—Indecisive fighting continues on Krian R front and along Grik road.

CHINA—Col Claire L. Chennault's AVG, based at Kunming to protect SW China and patrol Burma Road, enters combat, successfully intercepting enemy planes over Kunming. AVG is under control of Chinese Air Force.

 

US MARINE CORPS

UNITED STATES—Adm E. J. King becomes Commander in Chief, U.S. Fleet.

 

 

Friday, 19 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 8 (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr.), formed around carrier Enterprise (CV‑6), heavy cruisers, and destroyers, sails from Pearl Harbor proceeding to waters west of Johnston Island and south of Midway to cover TF 11 and TF 14operations (see 14‑16 December). Destroyer Craven (DD‑382), in TF 8, is damaged by heavy sea soon after departure, however, and returns to Pearl for repairs.

           Japanese naval land attack planes (Chitose Kokutai) bomb Wake Island, targeting installations on Wake and Peale islets.  

           Unarmed U.S. freighter Prusa is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 172 about 150 miles south of Hawaii,16°45'N, 156°00'W (see 27 December).

UNITED STATES—U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1942 is graduated early, due to the National Emergency.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ZONE of the INTERIOR—First AF is assigned to Eastern Theater of Operations (later Eastern Defense Command).

 

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On Luzon, Japanese Legaspi detachment reaches Sipoco and is reported to be pushing toward Daet. On Mindanao, 2 enemy TF's from Palau, totaling about 5,000 men, arrive off Davao during night 19-20. Enemy planes discover and attack Del Monte airfield.

MALAYA—Enemy is active against right flank of Krian R line; on Grik road, frustrates efforts of Indian 3 Corps to recover lost ground. RAF fighters based at lpoh are forced to withdraw to Kuala Lumpu River Indian 9th Division continues withdrawal southward in E Malaya and abandons Kuala Krai railhead.

BURMA—Japanese overrun Bokpyin, village some 100 miles N of Victoria Pt. Controversy, known as the Tulsa Incident, arises as a U.S. officer asks Government of Burma to impound lend-lease material at Rangoon (a valuable part of which is loaded on the SS Tulsa in the harbor), pending a decision on its use. At the suggestion of the senior Chinese representative in Burma, a committee is subsequently formed to determine the division of stocks.

LIBYA—13 Corps, British Eighth Army, continues to follow withdrawing enemy, Indian 4th Division advancing along coast to Derna and 7th Armored Division across desert.

GERMANY—Hitler takes personal command of German Army, dismissing Field Marshal von Brauchitsch.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Thursday, 18 December 1941

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt signs Executive Order No. 8984 that provides that Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet will take supreme command of the operating forces of all Navy fleets and coastal frontier commands, and be directly responsible to the President.

           In another executive order, President Roosevelt directs a commission, to be headed by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Owen J. Roberts (Roberts Commission), to "ascertain and report the facts relating to the attack made by the Japanese armed forces upon the Territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941...to provide bases for sound decisions whether any derelictions of duty or errors of judgment on the part of United States Army or Navy personnel contributed to such successes as were achieved by the enemy on the occasion mentioned; and if so, what these derelictions or errors were, and who were responsible therefor." In addition to Justice Roberts, the commission’s membership includes retired Admiral William H. Standley and Rear Admiral Joseph W. Reeves; Major General Frank R. McCoy, USA (Retired) and Brigadier General Joseph T. McNarney, USA (see 23 January 1942).

           Congress passes First War Powers Act. 

CARIBBEAN—State Department announces that Rear Admiral Frederick J. Horne and Admiral Georges Robert, French High Commissioner at Martinique, French West Indies, have reached an agreement neutralizing French Caribbean possessions.

PACIFIC—French motor mail vessel Marechal Joffre, manned by a scratch crew that includes aviation personnel from Patrol Wing Ten, departs Manila Bay for Borneo. Marechal Joffre will be formally acquired by the Navy on 20 April 1942, and will serve as the transport Rochambeau (AP‑63).

           Dutch Dornier 24 bombs and sinks Japanese destroyer Shinonome off Miri, Borneo.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF— General Tinker succeeds General Martinas Commanding General.

 

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese Legaspi detachment reaches Naga (Luzon).

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division completes withdrawal behind Krian R and is held in reserve in Taiping area. Forces defending Grik road are further reinf. After visiting forward areas, General Percival draws up plans for withdrawal behind Perak R; decides to amalgamate certain units, among them Indian 6th and 15th Brigades (to be designated Indian 6/15 Brigade) and to incorporate Indian 12th Brigade Group in Indian 11th Division.

CHINA—Japanese invade Hong Kong Island, crossing straits from mainland.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Wednesday, 17 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Vice Admiral William S. Pye, Commander, Battle Force, becomes acting Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, pending the arrival of Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, who is ordered on this date to relieve Admiral Husband E. Kimmel. 

           Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I 7 reconnoiters Pearl Harbor.

           Unarmed U.S. freighter Manini is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 175 180 miles south of Hawaii,17°45'N, 157°03'E (see 27 and 28 December).

           USMC SB2Us (VMSB 231), led by a plane‑guarding PBY (VP 21) (no ships are available to plane‑guard the flight), arrive at Midway, completing the longest over‑water massed flight (1,137 miles) by single‑engine aircraft. The squadron had been embarked in Lexington (CV‑2) when the outbreak of war cancelled the projected ferry mission on 7 December 1941.

           Japanese submarine RO 66 is sunk in collision with sistership RO 62 off Wake Island.

           Philippine steamship Corregidor, crowded with about 1,200 passengers fleeing Manila for Mindanao, hits an Army mine off Corregidor and sinks with heavy loss of life. Motor torpedo boats PT‑32, PT‑34, and PT‑35 pick up 282survivors (196 by PT‑32 alone) distributing them between Corregidor and the requisitioned French steamship Si‑Kiang; seven of those rescued die of injuries suffered in the tragedy. Dr. Jurgen Rohwer, in his volume on Axis submarine successes, attributes the sinking to a mine laid by Japanese submarine I 124 on 8 December 1941 off Corregidor, P.I. Interestingly, Corregidor was formerly the British seaplane carrier HMS Engadine, which took part in the Battle of Jutland in 1916.

           Navy takes over French motor mail vessel Marechal Joffre, Manila Bay (see 18 December).

           Japanese land at Miri, Sarawak, Borneo.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UK—General Chaney, Chief SPOBS, writes to Adjutant General, USA on ‘Construction Program of US Forces in UK, ‘which indicates shortage of accommodations for proposed US forces in Scotland, N Ireland, and England.

FEAF—B‑17’s, evacuating Luzon, begin arriving at Batchelor Field. Captain Floyd J Pell arrives in Australia to begin arrangements for use of Australian facilities by FEAF.

 

US ARMY

U.S.—In command shake up, Adm Husband E. Kimmel is replaced by Adm Chester W. Nimitz as CinC, Pacific Fleet; Lieutenant General Walter C. Short, Commanding General Hawaiian Department, is replaced by Lieutenant General Delos C. Emmons; Major General Frederick L. Martin, Commanding General Air Force, Hawaiian Department, is replaced by Brigadier General Clarence L. Tinker.

MIDWAY—Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 231 completes record flight from Hawaii to Midway, bolstering U.S. positions there.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese Legaspi force, advancing NW on Luzon along Route 1 toward Naga, makes its first contact with Filipino forces near Ragay. B–17's begin withdrawal from Mindanao to Australia.

MALAYA—Hard fighting continues on Grik road. Weak defense detachment is reinf but falls back under pressure of superior enemy forces. Indian 12th Brigade Group is ordered to Kuala KangsaRiver General Percival gives Indian 3 Corps permission to withdraw to Perak R line if necessary. Perak Flotilla is formed to prevent enemy from landing on W coast between Krian and Bernam Rivers.

AUSTRALIA—Plan is drawn up for using Australia as an Allied supply base under command of Major General George H. Brett.

BORNEO—Dutch planes begin 3-day series of strikes against Japanese shipping off British North Borneo.

USSR—German Army Group South opens offensive against Sevastopol defenses, in the Crimea, and is stubbornly opposed.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Tuesday, 16 December 1941

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Carrier Yorktown (CV‑5) departs Norfolk, Virginia, the first carrier reinforcement dispatched to the Pacific.

           Convoy ON 45, escorted by TU 4.1.2 (Commander Fred D. Kirtland), is dispersed because of bad weather.

           Destroyer Benson (DD‑421) sights white distress rocket at 0241 and alters course in hopes of locating survivors of merchantman Nidardal; the intense darkness in which the search is being conducted renders it barely possible to see the surface of the ocean from the bridge, and the loudness of the wind makes it unlikely that a hail can be heard no more than 50 to 100 feet from the ship. Benson searches throughout the daylight hours but finds no trace of the missing ship or her crew. She abandons the search at nightfall and proceeds to Reykjavik.

PACIFIC—TF 14 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), comprising carrier Saratoga (CV‑3) (with VMF 221 embarked), four destroyers; heavy cruisers Astoria (CA‑34) (flagship), Minneapolis (CA‑36), and San Francisco (CA‑38); and five destroyers, sails from Pearl Harbor. These ships will overtake the force formed around Tangier (AV‑8) and Neches (AO‑5) and their consorts that is to relieve Wake Island.

           Japanese Pearl Harbor Attack Force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) detaches carriers Hiryu and Soryu, heavy cruisers Tone and Chikuma, and two destroyers (Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki) to reinforce second planned attack on Wake Island.

           Japanese naval land attack planes (Chitose Kokutai) bomb Wake.

           Submarine Tambor (SS‑198), damaged by operational casualty, retires from the waters off Wake.

           Submarine Swordfish (SS‑193), attacking Japanese convoy south of Hainan Island, torpedoes army transport Atsutasan Maru, 18°06'N, 109°44'E.

           Gunboat Erie (PG‑50) boards Panamanian motor vessel Santa Margarita and orders her to proceed to Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Later the same day, the gunboat tows disabled motor boat Orion into Puntarenas.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—1st Lt Boyd D Wagner (17th Pursuit Squadron) leads dive-bombing raid on airfield at Vigan and shoots down his fifth aircraft, thereby becoming the first AAF ‘Ace’ in World War II.

 

US ARMY

HAWAII—All elements of U.S. TF 14, bearing supplies, reinforcements, and aircraft for relief of Wake, rendezvous SW of Oahu and sail for Wake.

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division completes withdrawal behind Muda R in Wellesley Province and defeats enemy efforts to secure foothold on S bank. Indian 3 Corps decides to withdraw Indian 11th Division behind Krian River however, since it is greatly weakened by sustained fighting without benefit of tank and adequate air support. Fighting develops on Grik road N of Grik, night 16–17, as small detachment guarding the road encounters main body of Japanese Patani force thrusting toward Kuala Kangsar in effort to isolate Indian 11th Division on W coast. On E coast, Kelantan troops begin withdrawal by rail as movement of supplies and equipment is completed. Penang Island fortress is evacuated as planned during night 16–17.

BORNEO—Japanese invade British Borneo, landing on N coast at Miri (Sarawak) and at Seria (Brunei).

CHINA—U.S. War Department gives Brigadier General John Magruder, head of American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA), permission to divert Chinese lend-lease to the British, provided Chinese agree.

LIBYA—Axis forces begin withdrawal from Gazala line toward next delaying position, Agedabia. Indian 4th Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, which has been particularly hard pressed by enemy, pauses briefly to reorganize before joining other elements of corps in pursuit.

USSR—Continuing firm pressure against enemy in Moscow area, Soviet forces seize Kalinin, NW of Klin.

 

US MARINE CORPS