Tuesday, 30 December 1941

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—Admiral Ernest J. King assumes duties as Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet. To avoid use of what he considers the pejorative acronym CINCUS ("Sink Us"), he introduces COMINCH ("Comm Inch").

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I 1 shells Hilo, Hawaii; seaplane tender (destroyer) Hulbert (AVD‑6), moored to a pier adjacent to the one damaged by the bombardment, is not damaged.

            Navy‑commandeered tug Ranger lands volunteer raiding party on Sangley Point. The sailors bring out diesel generators and diesel oil needed on Corregidor to provide auxiliary power.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

U.S.—Forces of Naval Coastal Frontiers are placed under U.S. Fleet.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—North Luzon Force is unable to hold enemy on line Cabanatuan–Tarlac and begins withdrawal southward toward final defense positions before Bataan. From Cabanatuan, 31st Division (PA) withdraws along Route 5 through Gapan toward Baliuag, NE of Calumpit. Tank battalions are ordered to Plaridel-Baliuag area to defend vital Calumpit bridge over Pampanga River, across which South Luzon Force must withdraw to reach San Fernando and the road leading into Bataan, and 71st Division (PA) is dispatched to Baliuag. In center, 11th Division (PA) succeeds in delaying enemy column heading for Tarlac from Cabanatuan, 21st Division (PA) falls back from Tarlac along Route 3 toward line Bamban- Arayat. South Luzon Force, ordered to delay enemy, halts at Santiago, where ambush is arranged, but because of reverses of North Luzon Force is directed in evening to continue withdrawal and cross Calumpit bridge not later than 0600 on 1 January. 51st Infantry ( — ) and battery of 51st Field Artillery are dispatched to assist in defense of Calumpit bridge. 2d Philippine Constabulary (PC) covers withdrawal while main body moves toward Bataan. President Manuel Quezon is inaugurated on Corregidor.

MALAYA—Japanese maintain pressure against Kampar position in W Malaya; on E coast threaten Kuantan from N in greater strength. Kuantan defense force is in process of concentrating W of Kuantan R, which is crossed by a single ferry.

LIBYA—After another costly and unsuccessful tank battle for Agedabia, during which 22d Armored Brigade is rendered ineffective as a fighting force, 13 Corps of British Eighth Army suspends assault pending arrival of reinforcements. German tanks have proved superior both mechanically and in gun power.

USSR—While German Army Group South continues offensive against Sevastopol, Soviet Caucasian troops make amphibious assault against E Crimea and seize Kerch and Feodosia. On central front, Germans continue to withdraw from Moscow area under Red Army pressure.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Monday, 29 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Corregidor is bombed for the first time by Japanese naval land attack planes (Takao Kokutai and 1st Kokutai), ending “normal" above‑ground living there. During the bombings that day, submarine tender Canopus (AS‑9) is damaged in Mariveles Harbor, 14°25'N, 120°30'E; river gunboat Mindanao (PR‑8) is damaged by near‑misses off Corregidor. Bombs also set fire to Philippine freighter Don Jose and the hulk of U.S. freighter Capillo off Corregidor. Minesweeper Finch (AM‑9) puts out the blaze on board both ships; Don Jose is later moved to the south side of the island to ensure a clear shipping channel. Finch repeats the procedure on 1 January 1942, but since the crew never returns to the damaged merchantman, Don Jose is never salvaged. Philippine presidential yacht Casiana is bombed and sunk near the Fort Mills dock; Philippine steamship Bicol and motor vessel Aloha are scuttled in Manila Bay. Finch later assists Navy‑ commandeered tug Trabajador in dumping unused mines in Manila Bay, an operation those two ships will repeat the following day as well. Cable Censor, Manila (Lieutenant Frederick L. Worcester, USNR) clears Pasig River of interisland shipping and tugs and other ships that have drawn heavy bombing from Japanese planes, thus saving area from further destruction and the shipping for use in maintaining communications between Bataan and Corregidor and in patrol work. This action is later praised as "commendable assumption of authority and action by non‑nautical" district officers.

            Japanese submarine RO 60, returning from the Wake Island operation, is irreparably damaged by grounding, Kwajalein Atoll, 09°00'N, 167°30'E.

ATLANTIC—TU 4.1.5 (Commander William K. Phillips) assumes guard for east‑bound convoy HX 167. U.S. freighter Stonestreet is damaged by evaporator explosion; one man is killed and three injured. Destroyer Simpson (DD‑221) puts medical officer and corpsman on board promptly to treat the injured; Stonestreet is directed to return to St. John's; U.S. PBY provides cover. During the voyage to Iceland, HX 167 will not encounter any enemy submarines but poor navigation by the convoy will result in a critical fuel state for the "short legged" flush‑deck destroyers (see 3 January 1942).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—General Brereton, Commanding General, arrives at new HQ at Darwin. Col Harold H George remains at Manila in Command of air elements left in the Philippines, the chief center of AAF activity in S Philippines being Del Monte, where air personnel are under command of Maj Ray T Ellsmore.

ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND—In response to repeated requests by this Command to the WD for additional aircraft to defend Alaska, the 77th Bomb Squadron arrives at Elmendorf Field. The 11th Pursuit Squadron arrives the next day.

 

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On N Luzon, gist Division (PA) holds Cabanatuan against strong enemy thrust, but Japanese succeed in crossing Pampanga R near there. Another enemy force, heading for Tarlac in 21st Division (PA) sector, reaches position just N of Tarlac. All elements of South Luzon Force withdraw quickly toward Bataan. Japanese planes attack Corregidor for the first time. Medium and dive bombers drop some 60 tons of bombs. Although wooden structures suffer heavily, little damage is done to military installations. AA fire from forts guarding Manila Bay destroys a number of bombers. 4th Marines takes responsibility for beach defense.

MALAYA—On Indian 11th Division front, Indian 12th Brigade holds firmly against strong enemy attack but, since its position is becoming untenable, falls back through Kampar to Bidor, where it is held in reserve.

BORNEO—Indian detachment from Kuching, Sarawak, arrives at Sanggau, Dutch Borneo, and is placed under Dutch command.

CHINA—Establishment of China Theater under supreme command of Chiang Kai-shek, who is to be assisted by an Allied staff, is announced. Theater is to include portions of Thailand and Indochina in friendly hands.

BURMA—From Bokpyin, Japanese withdraw under pressure into Thailand.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Sunday, 28 December 1941

 US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyer Patterson (DD‑392) rescues second of two groups of survivors from sunken U.S. freighter Manini at21°06'N, 161°55'E.

           Destroyer Peary (DD‑226) is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by RAAF Hudsons off Kina, Celebes, N.E.I.

           Japanese destroyer Akikaze and army cargo ships Kamogawa Maru and Komaki Maru are damaged by marine casualties east of Luzon.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

U.S.—First contingent of construction battalions ("Seabees") is authorized in Navy.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese begin drive from the Agno toward Cabanatuan. In S Luzon, Japanese force 52d Infantry (PA) back to Tiaong. General Jones receives orders to withdraw speedily to Bataan. 53d Infantry (PA) moves to Bataan for rest and reorganization. Enemy seizes Luisiana, on Route 1, and 1st Infantry (PA) withdraws westward.

LIBYA—13 Corps, British Eighth Army, continues assault on Agedabia with 22d Armored Brigade of 7th Armored Division, whose tank strength by this time has been greatly reduced because of mechanical failure. After futile effort to get behind enemy position, 22d Armored Brigade falls back to El Haseiat. Both sides suffer heavy tank losses.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Saturday, 27 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Destroyer Allen (DD‑66) rescues first of two groups of survivors from U.S. freighter Manini (sunk by Japanese submarine I 175 on 17 December) at 21°29'N, 159°36'E. 

           Coast Guard cutter Tiger rescues 14 survivors of U.S. freighter Prusa, sunk by Japanese submarine I 172 on 19December. A second group of 11 survivors reaches safety after a 2,700‑mile voyage, rescued by a Fijian government vessel and taken to Boruin, Gilberts.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Connecticut is shelled by Japanese submarine I 25 about 10 miles west of the mouth of the Columbia River.

           Submarine Perch (SS‑176) torpedoes Japanese supply ship Noshima in South China Sea, 22°14'N, 115°13'E.

           Six PBYs (VP 101) bomb Japanese shipping at Jolo, P.I. against heavy fighter opposition; four Catalinas are lost.

           Japanese bomb shipping in Manila Bay and Pasig River (Takao Kokutai and 1st Kokutai). Philippine customs cutters Arayat and Mindoro and motor vessel Ethel Edwards are set afire, while lighthouse tender Canlaon is destroyed by a direct hit. Steamship Taurus is scuttled in the Pasig River (see 29 December).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

FAR EAST—Lieutenant General Sir Henry Pownall relieves Air Chief Marshal Brooke-Popham as British CinC Far East.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Luzon front is quiet as Japanese consolidate along the Agno. North Luzon Force withdraws toward next delaying line, Tarlac–Cabanatuan, where it is to make maximum delaying effort. On S Luzon, Japanese continue to pursue U.S. columns along Routes 23 and 1; on latter, Japanese break through main positions of 53d Infantry and seize Candelaria.

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division rear guards (12th and 28th Brigades) begin withdrawal to defense positions near Kampar. In E Malaya, Japanese threat to Kuantan is increasing. Enemy forces near Trengganu- Pahang border are placed under artillery fire.

BURMA—Lieutenant General T. J. Hutton replaces General MacLeod as commander of Burma Army.

LIBYA—7th Armored Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, attacks Rommel’s Agedabia position, which is well-suited by nature for defense, but makes no headway.

NORWAY—British Commandos again raid enemy bases on islands off Norway.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Friday, 26 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Manila, P.I., is declared an open city but Japanese bombing continues unabated. Japanese naval land attack planes (Takao Kokutai and 1st Kokutai) bomb shipping in Manila Bay; destroyer Peary (DD‑226) is damaged by near‑misses.

           Motor torpedo boat PT‑33, damaged by grounding on 24 December five miles northwest of Cape Santiago, Luzon,13°46'N, 120°40'E, is burned to prevent capture.

           Dutch Army planes bomb and sink Japanese minesweeper W.6 and collier No. 2 Unyo Maru off Kuching, Sarawak,01°34'N, 110°21'E.

           Japanese destroyer Murasame and minesweeper W.20 are damaged by marine casualties off Takao, Formosa.

           Seaplane tender Tangier (AV‑8), diverted from the attempt to relieve Wake Island, disembarks Battery "B," 4thDefense Battalion and ground echelon of VMF 221 at Midway to augment that garrison's defenses.

ATLANTIC—Submarine chaser PC 451 accidentally rams and sinks U.S. tug Nancy Moran off east coast of Florida.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

MIDWAY—Garrison is increased by 4th Defense Battalion units and ground echelon of VMF‑211, who had made a futile attempt to relieve the Wake garrison.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Naval defense forces under Adm Rockwell move to Corregidor. Manila is declared an open city. North Luzon Force, except for 194th Tank Battalion, falls back from the Agno to line Santa Ignacia–Guimba–San Jose. South Luzon Force continues to withdraw in 2 columns and organizes first line of defense of Sariaya.

MALAYA—Ipoh is evacuated by Indian 11th Division troops, but Indian 12th Brigade Group fights rear-guard action at Chemor, to N.

CHINA—Tulsa Incident ends with conciliatory meeting between Chiang Kai-shek and General Magruder during which it is agreed to send an AMMISCA officer to Rangoon.

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck is notified that 4 fighter squadrons are to be transferred from Middle East to Far East; accedes to request for tanks.

NORWAY—British Commandos (Cdos) raid German bases on islands off Norway.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Thursday, 25 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Admiral Thomas C. Hart turns over all remaining naval forces in the Philippines to Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell (Commandant Sixteenth Naval District). After Japanese bombers destroy PBYs (VPs 101 and 102) earmarked to transport him and his staff south, Hart sails in submarine Shark (SS‑174) (held in readiness for that eventuality) to establish new Asiatic Fleet headquarters in Java (see 1 January 1942). During Japanese bombing of shipping in Manila Bay, submarine Sturgeon (SS‑187) is straddled but is not damaged.

           British surrender Hong Kong. U.S. freighter Admiral Y.S. Williams, under repairs in that port for damage incurred in a grounding that had occurred on 24 September, is intentionally damaged to prevent use by the Japanese. The merchantman is salvaged, however, and is renamed Tatsutama Maru. U.S. steamship (ex‑yacht) Hirondelle (also under repairs in the Crown Colony when caught there by the outbreak of hostilities) and Philippine steamship Argusare captured. Hirondelle is renamed Gyonan Maru and will survive the war. Argus is refitted and commissioned in the Japanese Navy as the gunboat Hong Kong Maru; for her fate under her new owners, see 19‑21 June 1943. Philippine steamship Churruca is scuttled.

           Japanese land at Jolo, P.I. Submarine Sealion (SS‑195), damaged by bombs at Cavite, P.I., on 10 December, is scuttled by demolition crew.

           Carrier Saratoga (CV‑3) diverted from the attempt to relieve Wake Island, flies off USMC F2As (VMF 221) to Midway. These will be the first fighter aircraft based there.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—Lt Col Charles H Caldwell sets up HQ FEAF on RAAF airfield at Darwin.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE—General George C. Marshall, U.S. Chief of Staff, proposes at the ARCADIA Conference in Washington that Far Eastern forces be placed under a unified command.

MIDWAY—Garrison is strengthened as Marine Fighter Squadron 221 flies in from USS Saratoga.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—USAFFE HQ opens on Corregidor. Rear Adm F. W. Rockwell is put in charge of all naval activities in the Philippines. North Luzon Force reaches Agno River and prepares to hold there until night 26–27. 71st Division (PA) withdraws from E flank of line to reorganize. Japanese troops from Urdaneta succeed in crossing the Agno near Tayug, night 25–26. South Luzon Force begins northward withdrawal toward Bataan. Japanese, in close pursuit, seize Sampoloc and Pagbilao.

SULU ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese complete conquest of Jolo Island, increasing threat to Netherlands East Indies.

BORNEO—After brisk fighting in vicinity of Kuching airdrome, Sarawak, small Indian garrison breaks contact with enemy and starts on foot toward Dutch Borneo.

CHINA—British garrison of Hong Kong surrenders to Japanese. Many Allied ships are captured or sunk off the island. At a Joint Military Council meeting to consider lend-lease transfers, Chinese representative announces that the Generalissimo has decided, because of the seizure of the Tulsa's cargo, that he will not co-operate with the British and will recall Chinese troops.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

 

Wednesday, 24 December 1941

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Absaroka is shelled by Japanese submarine I 17 about 26 miles off San Pedro, California,33°40'N, 118°25'W; although abandoned, she is later reboarded and towed to San Pedro. 

           Unarmed U.S. steamship Dorothy Philips is shelled by Japanese submarine I 23 off Monterey Bay, California.

           Seaplane tender Wright (AV‑1) disembarks Marine reinforcements (Batteries "A" and "C," 4th Defense Battalion) at Midway.

           Second Marine Brigade (Colonel Henry L. Larsen, USMC) is formed at Camp Elliott, California, to defend American Samoa (see 6 and 20 January 1942).

           Japanese land at Lamon Bay, Luzon.

           Motor torpedo boat PT‑33 is damaged by grounding on reef five miles northwest of Cape Santiago, Luzon, 13°46'N,120°40'E.

           During Japanese bombing of shipping in Manila Bay by naval land attack planes (Takao Kokutai and 1st Kokutai), seized French steamship Si‑Kiang is set afire off Mariveles; of the 8‑man USMC guard detachment on board (from 1stSeparate Marine Battalion), two marines are killed and three wounded. Tug Napa (AT‑32) assists in fire‑fighting efforts.

           Dutch submarine K XVI torpedoes and sinks Japanese destroyer Sagiri off Kuching, Sarawak, 01°34'N, 110°21'E.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—3 B‑17’s fly from Del Monte during 24/25 Dec, bomb airfield and shipping at Davao, and land at Batchelor Field. 2 airplanes leave Manila for Darwin with personnel of Hq FEAF. AAF units on Luzon, as well as ground forces, begin moving to Bataan Peninsula.

ZONE of the INTERIOR—95th Bomb Squadron, at Pendleton Field, claims sub sunk off mouth of Columbia R, but this claim is not confirmed by committees of USN and British Admiralty which later assesses damage to enemy subs during World War II.

 

US ARMY

ST PIERRE AND MIQUELON Islands.—These islands, off Newfoundland, are seized by Free French.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE—Anglo-American conference, called ARCADIA, opens in Washington to consider war strategy. Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, and British and U.S. Chiefs of Staff attend.

U.S.—American engineers and military members of Iranian, USSR, and North African missions sail for the Middle East from New York on Army transport Siboney.

MIDWAY—Garrison is reinf with 2 batteries of 4th Defense Battalion, which arrive from HawaiIsland

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On Luzon, Adm Hart releases 4th Marines, stationed at Olongapo, to defend beaches of Corregidor. Japanese Lamon Bay invasion force, which constitutes southern prong of pincers applied against Manila, goes ashore early in morning at 3 points—Mauban, near Atimonan, and Slain. Main assault force, in center, secures Atimonan, forcing defenders back toward Pagbilao. Mauban force takes that town and pushes 5 miles W. From Slain enemy advances in 2 columns, one SW toward Tayabas Bay and the other SE along Route 1 toward the Legaspi detachment. Japanese on N Luzon consolidate beachhead and debouch on central plain to thrust sharply toward Agno R line. San Fabian and Binalonan fall, 26th Cav (PS) retiring from Binalonan across the Agno to Tayug. Planned withdrawal toward Bataan is begun in evening. USAFFE HQ, except for rear echelon, and President and High Commissioner of the Philippines sail to Corregidor from Manila. Fort Stotsenburg is evacuated. Major General Jonathan M. Wainwright's North Luzon Force, disposed generally along line Tayug– Urdaneta–San Carlos–Aquilar, from E to W, begins withdrawing toward Agno R line. South Luzon Force, command of which passes from General Parker to Brigadier General Albert M. Jones, is to withdraw northward into Bataan. General Parker moves to Bataan to head Bataan Defense Force, organized to prepare defensive positions.

SULU ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese invade Jolo Island in evening against light resistance from the constabulary.

BORNEO—Japanese convoy, despite attacks by British and Dutch planes and Dutch submarines, succeeds in landing troops in Kuching area, Sarawak, early in morning. Garrison, having already destroyed Kuching airdrome, requests permission to withdraw to Dutch Borneo and is told to delay enemy as long as possible before retiring. Dutch aircraft withdraw from Singkawang, Borneo, to Palembang, Sumatra.

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division, controlling all Indian 3 Corps troops N of Slim and Bernam Rivers, is organizing defense in depth astride main road with MLR in Kampar area and rear positions near Slim River Commander AIF Malaya, Ma) General Gordon Bennett (Commanding General Australian 8th Div), assigns responsibility for N Johore to Australian 27th Brigade Group, Australian 8th Division.

AUSTRALIA—Brigadier General Henry B. Claggett takes temporary command of USFIA, pending arrival of General Brett from Chungking.

LIBYA—Detachment Of 7th Armored Division, 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, enters Benghazi and finds that enemy has withdrawn.

 

US MARINE CORPS