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 Cavalrymen are withdrawn after engagement because of heavy losses.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

 

11 January 1942, Sunday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Carrier Saratoga (CV-3) is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-6, 500 miles southwest of Oahu, T.H., 19°00'N,165°00'W. 

            Naval Station Pago Pago, Samoa, is shelled by Japanese submarine.

            Japan declares war on the Netherlands; invasion of Netherlands East Indies begins as Japanese Central Force (Vice Admiral Hirose Sueto) lands Army 56th Regimental Combat Group and 2d Kure Special [Naval] Landing Force at Tarakan; naval paratroops (1st Yokosuka Special Landing Force) occupy Menado. Eastern Force (Rear Admiral Kubo Kuji) then follows up the airborne assault on Menado with 1st Special Landing Force going ashore at Menado and Kema, Celebes. These operations will secure control of the northern approaches to the Java Sea.

            U.S. Army transport Liberty Glo is torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-166 about 10 miles southwest of Lombok Strait, 08°54'S, 115°28'E. Although destroyer Paul Jones (DD-230) and Dutch destroyer Van Ghent take the damaged ship in tow and beach her on the shores of Bali, Liberty Glo will be written off as a total loss.

            U.S. tankship Manatawny sinks in Manila Bay as the result of damage received on 13 December 1941.

ATLANTIC—Operation Paukenschlag ("roll of the kettledrums") descends upon the eastern seaboard of the U.S. like a "bolt from the blue." The first group of five German submarines takes up station off the east coast of the United States on this date. Over the next month, these boats (U-66, U-109, U-123, U-125 and U-130) will sink 26 Allied ships; the presence of the enemy off the eastern seaboard takes U.S. Navy antisubmarine forces by surprise (see 14 January and following).

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s, out of Malang, attack landing forces on island of Tarakan.

 

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Plan to dispatch U.S. V Corps, reinforced, and air and supply forces to N Ireland (MAGNET) is approved.

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese advancing down E coast of Bataan drive back OPL of 57th Infantry (PS), cross Calaguiman River, and after nightfall begin assault on MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE, forcing 57th Infantry to fall back a little. Fighting continues throughout night 11–12. Reserves are committed and 57th Infantry counterattacks, regaining most of lost ground by dawn of 12th. To W, another enemy column shifts W in sector of 41st Division (PA) and is contained by that division. Advance elements of still another column, pushing slowly S in central Bataan toward 51st Division (PA), reach, Orani River by morning.

MALAYA—Lull develops in ground action as Indian 3 Corps continues withdrawal into Johore, but enemy planes remain active and begin series of strikes against Muar.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invade Netherlands East Indies at 2 points. Central assault force, with air support from Jolo Island., lands at rich oil center of Tarakan, off E coast of Dutch Borneo, while E assault force from Davao, Mindanao, invades Celebes at Menado and Kema. Naval paratroop force is dropped on airfield just S of Menado. Allied planes are unable to halt enemy, and the small Dutch garrisons are quickly overwhelmed. Japanese soon put Tarakan and Menado into use as air bases from which to support operations to S.

LIBYA-EGYPT—South African 2d Division of 30 Corps, British Eighth Army, attacks Sollum, just across Egyptian border, and captures it early on 12th. 13 Corps pursues Rommel’s forces toward El Agheila, a strong natural position.

USSR—Soviet forces continue to push westward on central front and cut N–S Rzhev–Brvansk Railroad line.

 

US MARINE CORPS

            Japanese begin invasion of Netherlands East Indies.

 

10 January 1942, Saturday

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Destroyer Paul Jones (DD-230) rescues survivors from Dutch steamships Camphuijs (sunk on 9 January by Japanese submarine I-158 at 04°40'S, 111°47'E) and Benkoelen (also sunk on the 9th by Japanese submarine I-165 at 04°50'S,112°50'E).

            Submarine Pickerel (SS-177) torpedoes and sinks Japanese gunboat Kanko Maru at mouth of Davao Gulf, off Cape San Augustin, P.I., 06°19'N, 125°54'E.

            Submarine Stingray (SS-186) torpedoes and sinks Japanese cargo ship Harbin Maru in South China Sea off the south coast of Hainan Island, 17°40'N, 109°20'E.

            Dutch submarine O-19 torpedoes and sinks Japanese army cargo ship Akita Maru and torpedoes merchant cargo ship Tairyu Maru at the mouth of the Gulf of Siam, 07°40'N, 102°50'E.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—Fighter units complete movement (begun 24 Dec 41) from various bases on Luzon to Bataan Peninsula.

 

US ARMY

LUZON—General MacArthur inspects Bataan defenses. Japanese make their first surrender demand, dropping it from the air. In II Corps area, Japanese force driving S along East Road splits, most of it moving W; both forces reach OPL along Calaguiman River below Samal and exert strong pressure against it. Enemy column pushing S in central Bataan is slowed by jungle terrain. In I Corps area, Japanese W assault force reaches Olongapo without opposition.

MALAYA—Indian 3 Corps abandons Port Swettenham and Kuala Lumpur while falling back to cover Port Dickson and Seremban area. Japanese planes, which since late December have been making night attacks on airdromes on Singapore, begin daylight raids on the airdromes.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—General Wavell, Supreme Commander of ABDA area, f lies to Java, where he confers with members of ABDA staff; establishes hq at Lembang,

10 miles N of Bandoeng.

BURMA—Commander of Indian 17th Division arrives in Burma to take charge of Tenasserim operations.

 

US MARINE CORPS