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

 

Prototype Rails Presentation 2026

 I presented a clinic at Cocoa Beach for Prototype Rails 2026 entitled "What's It Take To Move a Division."  A copy of that presentation can be found on Google Drive here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1JKoi8xajggUWle9Wr1Sa53TS7D6V1_9o/view?usp=sharing

In the clinic I used the movement of the 86th Infantry Division to Camp Cooke as an example.  I previously wrote about that move in 2019.  That post is here: https://northbaylines.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-blackhawks-move-west.html

It contains links to copies of the original movement memos and a spreadsheet version of the schedule and load out.

9 January 1942, Friday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Pollack (SS-180) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Teian Maru (ex-Yugoslav Tomislav)40 miles south-southwest of Inubozaki, Japan, 35°00'N, 140°36'E.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s, flying out of Kendari, strike shipping in Davao Bay. 

 

US ARMY  

LUZON—Japanese open assault on Bataan at 1500 From Dinalupihan-Hermosa area, 3 RCT’s with artillery support move forward, against II Corps on E and toward I Corps sector on W. None of the columns reaches the OPL. II Corps, defending Abucay line (from Mabatang on Manila Bay to Mt Natib) with 57th Infantry (PS) on E, 41st Division (PA) in center, and 51st Division (PA) on W, opens fire on enemy combat team driving down East Road and makes patrol contact with it. To W, another Japanese column advances unmolested down trail from Dinalupihan to vicinity of Album. In Island Corps area, enemy column from Dinalupihan is slowed only by demolitions while moving W along Route 7 toward Olongapo. Disposed along Island Corps’ Mauban line (Mt Silanganan on E to Mauban on Subic Bay) are Company K of 1st Infantry (PA); 31st FA Battalion of 31st Division (PA) organized as infantry; and 3d Infantry of 1st Division (PA). Additional troops are maintaining OPL to front.

MALAYA—General Percival issues instructions for withdrawal of Indian 3 Corps into Johore, where final stand before Singapore Naval Base is to be made. Corps begins withdrawal at once, executing demolition program as it goes. Indian 11th Division and line of communications troops are to delay enemy along two lines: one covering Seremban and Port Dickson, and the other covering Tampin and Malacca; Indian 9th Division is to clear Kuala Pilah and Tampin, respectively.

BORNEO—RAF planes from Malaya terminate action over Borneo with reconnaissance flight over Kuching.

CHINA—As consideration of the U.S. role in China continues in Washington, General Marshall decides to recommend against sending General Drum to China because of the small effort that is currently to be made there.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

8 January 1942, Thursday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-19 reconnoiters Pearl Harbor.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE  

UNITED KINGDOM—General Chaney designated CG USAFBI; continues as Chief SPOBS.

 

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department orders that only Air Corps, AA, and service troops be sent to Australia, where emphasis will be placed on rapid build up of air forces.

LUZON—Front is quiet as Japanese regroup for drive on Bataan and U.S. and Philippine forces organize defense positions.

MALAYA—General Wavell visits Malayan front, where preparations are being made for withdrawal of Indian 3 Corps into Johore.

BORNEO—Japanese occupy Jesselton, British North Borneo.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

7 January 1942, Wednesday

US NAVY

GENERAL—Navy's authorized aircraft strength is increased from 15,000 to 27,500.

PACIFIC—Submarine Pollack (SS-180) torpedoes and sinks Japanese collier No.1 Unkai Maru south of Honshu, 34°27'N,139°59'E.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

  

US ARMY

LUZON—Siege of Bataan begins as U.S. and Filipino forces complete withdrawal from Layac line. North Luzon Force becomes I Philippine Corps, containing about 22,500 men of 1st 31st, 71st, and 91st Divisions (all PA), 26th Cavalry (PS), miscellaneous troops, and supporting weapons. Bataan Defense Force is renamed II Philippine Corps and consists of about 25,000 men of 11th, 21st 41st, and 51st Divisions (all PA), 57th Infantry (PS) of Philippine Division, and supporting weapons. Defense of Bataan as far S as Mariveles Mts is divided about equally between the

2 corps, Island Corps being responsible for W half and II Corps for E half. Service Command Area is located at S tip below Mariveles Mts and is the responsibility of Brigadier General A. C. McBride; in this area are 2d Division (PC)—organized on this date—provisional infantry units formed from air corps personnel, and provisional Battalion of Navy and Marine personnel. Defenses on Bataan are organized in depth: MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE extends from Mauban on W to Mabatang on E, a distance of 20 miles; OPL is disposed before the MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE; and rear line of defense, manned by USAFFE reserve (Philippine Division, less 57th Inf; tank group; SPM group), is being formed.

MALAYA—Japanese, in strong tank-infantry assault beginning before dawn, break through Slim River positions of Indian 11th Division and drive rapidly toward Kuala Lumpur, reaching positions a miles S of Slim village. Indian 3 Corps withdraws the Slim River line southward to Tanjong Malim, between village of Slim and road junction at Kuala Kubu. This action temporarily leaves Indian 11th Division ineffective as a fighting force. General Wavell arrives at Singapore.

BORNEO—Japanese in Sarawak reach frontier of Dutch West Borneo.

LIBYA—13 Corps, British Eighth Army, patrols to Agedabia and finds that enemy has withdrawn. Convoy arrives safely at Benghazi. Because of rough seas, this port is not put into full operation.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

6 January 1942, Tuesday

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larsen, USMC) embarked in troop transports (former Matson Line passenger liners) Lurline, Monterey and Matsonia, and cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship Lassen (AE-3) sails from San Diego, California, for Pago Pago, American Samoa. Initial escort is provided by TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5) (see 20 January).

            Japanese amphibious force lands at Brunei Bay, Borneo.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

LUZON—After destructive artillery exchanges in morning, Japanese having the advantage of air spotting, enemy attacks the overextended delaying line S of Layac Junction in force and makes limited penetration; enters Dinalupihan without opposition. Withdrawal of line begins during night 6–7. Japanese aerial bombardment of Corregidor ends except for nuisance raids. Enemy air attacks during first week of 1942 have resulted in little damage to fortifications.

MALAYA—On Indian 11th Division front, Indian 6/15 Brigade Group reaches Batang Berjuntai area and takes up defensive positions S of Selangor River. Kuantan force completes withdrawal from E Malaya through Jerantut during night 6–7; continues W in Raub area.

CHINA—Having accepted nomination of Chiang Kai-shek as Supreme Commander of an Allied China Theater, Chinese ask that a senior U.S. officer be sent to China to act as chief of the Generalissimo’s Allied staff.

LIBYA—British 1st Armored Division, which has recently arrived from U. K. and relieved 7th Armored Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, reaches Antelat. Port at Derna opens to traffic.

 

US MARINE CORPS