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

 

Thursday, 15 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics convenes at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to secure a unanimous and binding resolution for the American republics to sever relations with the Axis powers (see 28 January).

PACIFIC—American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Supreme Command is established at the Grand Hotel, Lembang, Java. General Sir Archibald Wavell, British Army, assumes supreme command of all forces in area; Lieutenant General George H. Brett, USAAF, is deputy commander; Admiral Thomas C. Hart is to command naval forces.

ATLANTIC—Storm with wind velocity of more than 80 knots and gusts of over 100 knots hits Hvalfjordur, Iceland; heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45) is damaged in collisions with U.S. freighter West Nohno and British trawler HMS Ebor Wyke, and in grounding near Hrafneyri light. Storm conditions last until 19 January and cause heavy damage among patrol planes based there and tended by seaplane tender Albemarle (AV-5).

   

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s, flying out of Palembang, attack Sungei Patani airfield.

ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND—The Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field. Cmdr is Lt Col Everett S Davis.

 

US ARMY

ALASKA—Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field under command of Lt Col Everett S. Davis.

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese, attacking vigorously at junction of 41st and 51st Divisions (PA), gain foothold on S bank of the Balantay. 51st Division commits reserves and service troops to no avail. Further reinforcements, Philippine Division (less 57th Infantry) from USAFFE reserve and 31st Division (—) (PA) from I Corps, are sent forward. Japanese enveloping column in central Bataan arrives in position to turn corps’ W flank and pauses to reorganize. Regrouping is conducted to E as enemy threat there diminishes. In I Corps area, the 2 Japanese columns driving on Moron converge and push closer to objective.

MALAYA—Forward elements of Australian 27th Brigade Group inflict more casualties on enemy in Gemas area before pulling back to main position. On W coast, Japanese reach N bank of Muar River and land small party between Muar and Batu Pahat, threatening communications of West Force in Yong Peng area. Boundary between West Force and Indian 3 Corps is altered to give this region, which Indian 45th Brigade is defending, to 3 Corps.

ABDA COMMAND—Headed by General Wavell, ABDA opens officially at Batavia, Java, at noon GMT. General Wavell is replaced as CinC India by General Sir Alan Hartley.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department, learning of transfer of Iraq and Iran to Middle East Command from India Command, cables the information to chiefs of U.S. Military North African Mission and U.S. Military Iranian Mission.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Wednesday, 14 January 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Panamanian tanker Norness is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 at 40°26'30"N, 70°54'30"W; destroyer Ellyson (DD-454) and Coast Guard cutter Argo (WPC 100) rescue 30 men, while fishing boat Malvina picks up nine and brings them to Newport, Rhode Island.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—ARCADIA conference ends. Major discussions include creation of CCS to direct US-British war effort, and employment of main military efforts against Germany while containing the Japanese offensive. Conference ended with the creation of the ABDA (American British Dutch Australian) command under the command of Sir Archibald Wavell. His mission was to hold the Malay Barrier while the United States held open lines of communication to Australia and New Zealand.

ARMY AIR FORCES—Col Claude E Duncan leaves Washington for Britain to prepare for arriv INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Anglo-American ARCADIA Conference ends in Washington. Among major decisions reached are: agreement to establish Combined Chiefs of Staff to direct British- American war effort; the main effort must be made first against Germany; occupation of French North Africa (GYMNAST) is of strategic importance in Atlantic area.

UNITED STATES—As discussions are begun in Washington to consider who shall go to China instead of General Drum, General Marshall proposes Maj General Joseph W. Stilwell, who is being considered for command of GYMNAST.

LUZON—In II Corps area, strong Japanese pressure against W flank of 41st Division (PA) forces outposts to retire across Balantay River. 51st Division (PA) withdraws to S bank of river to tie in with 41st. Japanese enveloping column continues slowly down center of Bataan but is still N of MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE. In I Corps area, Japanese start S on W coast toward Moron in

2 columns, one by sea and the other along trail from Olongapo. Waterborne elements land about midway between Olongapo and Moron and continue S on foot. General Wainwright sends containing force to Moron.

MALAYA—Indian 3 Corps completes withdrawal into Johore and assumes responsibility for S part of Johore; assault elements (Australian 22d Brigade of Australian 8th Div) are designated East Force and disposed astride Malacca–Segamat road. AIF Malaya (less Australian 22d Brigade), responsible for NW Johore, is reinforced by Indian 9th Division and Indian 45th Brigade and is designated West Force. Australian 27th Brigade and Indian 8th Brigade Groups are astride main road and Railroad N of Segamat. Enemy is to be kept N of line Muar–Segamat–Mersing, if possible. Japanese overtake West and East Forces. Many cyclists are killed in ambush prepared near Gemas by elements of West Force. East Force patrols encounter enemy from Kuantan in Endau area. On this date and 15th, Dutch detachment of about 80 native troops with European officers f lies from Netherlands East Indies to Singapore and concentrates in Labis area, N Johore, for guerrilla action against enemy communications.

USSR—Moscow announces capture by Red Army of Medyn, on central front NW of Kaluga.

al of Shadow Staff of Bomber Command.

FAR EAST AF—HQ moves from Darwin to Java.

 

US ARMY

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Tuesday, 13 January 1942

US NAVY 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—American and British CoSs formally adopt agreement to begin movement of American air forces to UK as soon as possible in order to intensify attack on Germany.

US ARMY

LUZON—On E flank of II Corps, 21st Infantry (PA) counterattacks at 0600 after artillery preparation and reduces part of salient on left flank of 57th Infantry (PS). Japanese are thus prevented from launching planned offensive in that area, but make progress to W against 51st Division (PA), forcing it back to MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE along Balantay River. Enemy column driving S in central Bataan, with task of turning corps’ left flank, is not yet in position for attack.

MALAYA—General Wavell again visits front and confers with commanding officers. Withdrawal of Indian 3 Corps into Johore reaches final stage; all vehicles are being moved through Segamat. Convoy with badly needed reinforcements reaches Singapore and unloads first echelon of British 18th Division (53d Brigade Group), AA units, and 50 Hurricane fighters with crews.

BURMA—Joint Military Council recommends construction of Ledo and Imphal roads.

USSR—Red Army has driven deep salient between German 2d Pz and 4th Armies on central front SW of Kaluga; deepens it with capture of Kirov.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Monday, 12 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Authorized enlisted strength of the U.S. Navy is increased to 500,000.

PACIFIC—Dutch army shore battery sinks Japanese minesweepers W.13 and W.14 off Tarakan, Borneo; destroyer Asagumo is damaged when she runs aground off Tarakan.

            Japanese submarine I-121 mines Clarence Strait, the body of water connecting Van Diemen Gulf and the Timor Sea, off Australia's northern territory, at the approaches to Darwin, the Asiatic Fleet's main logistics base (see 16 January).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese exert strong pressure against II Corps, particularly on W, while taking up positions for concerted assault. 51st Division (PA) is hard hit and gives ground, some of which is regained after reserves are committed. In center, Japanese push back OPL of 41st Division (PA). On E coast, Japanese regain positions on S bank of Calaguiman River; to meet threat there, 21st Infantry (PA) is released from reserve to assist 57th Infantry (PS). In I Corps area, Japanese detachment moves by boat and seizes undefended Grande Island.

 

US MARINE CORPS