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

 

 

Tuesday, 23 December 1941

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—U.S.‑British War Council composed of President Roosevelt, British Prime Minister Churchill, and their chief naval, military, and civilian advisers meets for the first time in Washington, D.C. 

PACIFIC—Wake Island (Commander Winfield S. Cunningham) is captured by naval landing force (Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi) that overcomes gallant resistance offered by the garrison that consists of marines, sailors, volunteer civilians (Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases) and a USAAF radio detachment. Japanese Patrol Boat No. 32 and Patrol Boat No. 33 (old destroyers converted to high speed transports) intentionally run ashore to facilitate landing of troops, are destroyed by marine shore batteries (1st Defense Battalion). Planes from carriers Hiryu and Soryu, as well as seaplane carrier Kiyokawa Maru provide close air support for the invasion. Open cargo lighter YCK 1 is lost to Japanese occupation of the atoll, as are civilian tugs Pioneer and Justine Foss, and dredge Columbia.

           Uncertainty over the positions of and number of Japanese carriers and reports that indicate Japanese troops have landed on the atoll compel Vice Admiral William S. Pye, Acting Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet, to recall TF 14(Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) while it is 425 miles from its objective.

           Palmyra Island is shelled by Japanese submarines I 71 and I 72.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Montebello is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I 21 about four miles south of Piedras Blancas light, California, 35°30'N, 121°51'W. I 21 machine‑guns the lifeboats, but miraculously inflicts no casualties. I 21 later also shells unarmed U.S. tanker Idaho near the same location.

           Japanese submarine I 17 shells unarmed U.S. tanker Larry Doheny southwest of Cape Mendocino, California,40°00'N, 125°00'W, but the American ship escapes.

           USAAF B‑17s bomb Japanese ships in Lingayen Gulf and off Davao, damaging minesweeper W.17 and destroyer Kuroshio off the latter place. USAAF P‑40s and P‑35s strafe landing forces in San Miguel Bay, Luzon, damaging destroyer Nagatsuki.

           Submarine Seal (SS‑183) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Soryu Maru off Vigan, Luzon, 17°35'N, 120°12'E.

           Japanese troops land at Kuching, Sarawak, Borneo. Off the invasion beaches, Dutch submarine K XIV torpedoes and sinks transport Hokkai Maru, army transport Hiyoshi Maru, and damages army cargo ship Nichiran Maru and transport Katori Maru.

ATLANTIC—TU 4.1.4 (Commander Richard E. Webb) assumes escort duty for convoy HX 166; the ships reach their destination without being attacked by U‑boats.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FEAF—4 B‑17’s take off from Del Monte shortly after midnight during 22/23 Dec and bomb shipping in Lingayen Gulf. 12 P‑40’s and 6 P‑35’s strafe forces landing in San Miguel Bay. FEAF comes under control of newly-created USFIA. General Brereton, Commanding General, receives orders establishing HQ FEAF at Darwin.

 

US ARMY

WAKE—Japanese naval force arrives off Wake about 0200 and puts ashore about 1,500 personnel of Special Naval Landing Force. Garrison holds out for about ii hours before being overwhelmed. TF 14, the relief force, after reaching point a little more than 400 miles from Wake, is recalled shortly before surrender of the island and retires toward Midway, the last American base remaining between Hawaii and the Philippines.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—On Luzon, General Douglas MacArthur decides to evacuate Manila and withdraw to Bataan to make a delaying stand. During night 23–24, enemy invasion force of 7,000 men arrives in Lamon Bay from the Ryukyus. Enemy invasion force sails from Mindanao for Jolo Island, Sulu Archipelago.

MALAYA—Indian 3 Corps completes withdrawal of all W coast forces behind Perak R, night 23–24. Japanese planes, which so far have concentrated on airfields, begin intensive action against forward areas.

BORNEO—Japanese convoy is detected heading toward Kuching, Sarawak.

CHINA—Japanese begin drive on Changsha, Hunan Province.

BURMA—Japanese open series of strong air attacks on Rangoon, beginning battle for air supremacy that is to last until late February 1942. Exodus of civilian laborers hampers port operations in Rangoon.

LIBYA—Because of supply difficulties, which increase as pursuit progresses westward, elements of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, are forced to remain in place. However, Indian 4th Division seizes Barce, on coast, and forward elements Of 7th Armored Division force enemy to retire from Antelat to Agedabia.

 

US MARINE CORPS

WAKE—Wake Island surrenders to Japanese.

 

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