Thursday, 26 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine S-38 (SS-143) bombards Japanese radio station on enemy-occupied Bawean Island, that had been set up the previous day.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Melbourne, Australia.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. bulk carrier Marore is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-432 off the North Carolina coast, 35°33'N, 74°58'W. U.S. tanker John D. Gill rescues 25 survivors; 15 more men land at Coast Guard Big Kinnakeet Lifeboat Station. There are no casualties.

            U.S. tanker R.P. Resor is torpedoed by German submarine U-578 five miles off Sea Girt, Delaware, 39°47'N,73°26'W; of the 41 man merchant crew and 8 Armed Guard sailors on board, one civilian and one Armed Guard sailor are rescued by submarine chaser PC-507. Coast Guard cutters Icarus (WPC-110) and Antietam (WPC-128), yacht Zircon (PY-16) and coastal minesweeper AMc-200 converge on the scene; Eagle Boat PE-55 attacks sound contact in the vicinity without result (see 1 March).

            U.S. tanker Cassimir is sunk in collision with U.S. freighter Lara 48 miles from Frying Pan Shoals lightship, 33°28'N,77°34'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese amphibious force, consisting of a Battalion of infantry and a FA battery, sails from Olongapo, Luzon, for Mindoro.

AUSTRALIA—U.S. TF bound for New Caledonia reaches Australia.

INDIAN OCEAN—USS Langley (ACV), with 32 fighters on board, is sunk en route to Java by Japanese planes.

BURMA—Hard fighting is developing in Waw area, NE of Pegu, as enemy continues infiltration westward from Sittang River.

LIBYA—13 Corps is responsible for defenses organized in depth over 36-mile area from Gazala to Bir Hacheim. 30 Corps prepares defensive positions on frontier and has detachment at Giarabub.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 25 February 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Coast Guard assumes responsibility for U.S. port security.

PACIFIC—Japanese force lands on Bawean Island, 85 miles north of Surabaya, Java, and sets up a radio station (see 26February).

            Submarines Perch (SS-176) attacks what she identifies as a Japanese merchantman but is damaged by shellfire and is forced to break off action. Perch remains on patrol.

            Japanese cargo ship Fukushima Maru runs aground on a reef and is wrecked, Katsura Bay, 35°09'N, 140°18'E.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—AWPD recommends removal of GYMNAST from list of current projects. This proposal, if adopted, would leave Eighth AF uncommitted to any operation.

US ARMY FORCES BRITISH ISLES—General Chaney instructs General Eaker and staff to VIII Bomber Command to proceed to HQ, RAF Bomber Command for study of bombing operations, and to make reconnaissance of certain airfields and submit plans for reception and assignment of AAF units.

US ARMY

ABDA COMMAND—Is dissolved and defense of Java is left to the Dutch, who are to be assisted by Br, Aus, and U.S. detachments.

BURMA—Japanese are infiltrating into Pegu Yomas through gap of some 30–40 miles that exists between Burma 1st Division at Nyaunglebin and Indian 17th Division at Pegu, threatening Rangoon–Mandalay road.

INDIA—General Stilwell, who receives rank of Lt Gen, AUS, confers with GHQ, India, at New Delhi.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 24 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 16 (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) raids Wake Island to destroy Japanese installations there. SBDs and TBDs (VB 6, VS 6, VT 6) from carrier Enterprise (CV-6) and SOCs (VCS 5) from heavy cruisers Northampton (CA-26) and Salt Lake City (CA-25) bomb installations on Wake. Bombardment unit consisting of Northampton and Salt Lake City and destroyers Balch (DD-363) and Maury (DD-401) (Rear Admiral Raymond A. Spruance) shells the atoll. Combined efforts of Enterprise's planes (bombing and strafing) and ships' gunfire sink guard boats No.5 Fukyu Maru and No.1 Miho Maru. Fortunately, the bombing and shelling of Wake harms none of the American marines, sailors and construction workers too badly wounded to have been evacuated in the initial increment of POWs, and the civilian workmen (Contractors Pacific Naval Air Bases) retained on the island to continue work on defenses. One SBD (VS 6) is lost, however, and its crew taken prisoner (see 13 March).

            Small reconnaissance seaplane launched from Japanese submarine I-9 reconnoiters Pearl Harbor.

            Panamanian motor freighter Snark is mined while attempting to enter Nouméa, New Caledonia, without a pilot. Destroyer Worden (DD-352) tows the crippled ship out of the channel but has to abandon further salvage when the damaged vessel drifts and grounds hard and fast onto a reef.

            Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) embarks U.S. High Commissioner to the Philippine Islands Francis B. Sayre and his party off Manila Bay (see 9 March). Their original destination is Surabaya, Java.

            Submarines Pike (SS-172) and Pickerel (SS-177) are sent to assist stranded submarine Tarpon (SS-175) in Boling Strait, N.E.I.; in the event that they cannot free the grounded boat, they are to destroy her. Fortunately, Tarpon manages to work herself free by removing anchors, torpedoes, oil and ammunition.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Heavy Bomber units begin evacuating Java.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Reports of unidentified air planes approaching Los Angeles from the ocean during 24/25 Feb result in ‘Battle of Los Angeles’ in which some 1,400 rounds of 3-in AA ammo is fired against various ‘targets.’ Later the Army will conclude that the ‘battle’ had been touched off by 1 to 5 unidentified aircraft, but the Navy will maintain there was no reason for the firing.

US ARMY

WAKE—U.S. naval TF (Enterprise, 2 cruisers, 7 DD’s), under command of Vice Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., considerably damages Japanese positions by aerial and naval bombardment.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Evacuation of Java continues. General Brereton and his staff leave for India.

INDIA—General Stilwell arrives at Karachi.

USSR—During 10-day battle on northern front, Red Army encircles II Corps of German Sixteenth Army SE of Staraya Russa. German forces to S are containing Soviet efforts to break through to Smolensk on central front and to Dnieper bend in the Ukraine.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 23 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-17 shells oil refinery at Ellwood, California.

           Submarine Tarpon (SS-175) is damaged when she runs aground in Boling Strait, N.E.I. and becomes stranded (see 24 February).

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Lihue is torpedoed by German submarine U-161 about 275 miles west of Martinique, 14°30'N,64°45'W; Lihue, damaged, engages U-161 in a surface gunnery action before the freighter is subsequently abandoned and the crew rescued by British tanker British Governor. Canadian armed merchant cruiser HMCS Prince Henry places a salvage party on board in attempt to save Lihue. Minesweeper Partridge (AM-16) tries to tow Lihue to safety, but the crippled merchantman sinks short of St. Lucia, the intended destination. There are no casualties to either the36 man merchant crew or the 9 man Armed Guard.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Sun is torpedoed by German submarine U-502 about 54 miles north of Aruba, 13°02'N,70°41'W, and although initially abandoned is reboarded. She is ultimately repaired and returned to service; there are no casualties among the 36 man crew (see 5 July).

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Republic, torpedoed by German submarine U-504 on 21 February, having drifted onto reefs off Hobe Sound, Florida, sinks.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—HQ VIII Bomber Command established in UK General Eaker assumes command.

FIFTH AF—B‑17’s fly first mission against Rabaul. Operating out of Townsville, the force suffers mechanical trouble and runs into bad weather. Only 1 Heavy Bomber manages to bomb the target. General Brereton, CG, departs for India after issuing order terminating HQ Fifth AF. Until 3 Sep 42, units of Fifth AF will be initially under control of ABDACOM and then Allied AF (SWPA).

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Japanese submarine I-17 fires 13 rounds of 5 1/2-in shells from range of 2,500 yds at oil refinery N of Santa Barbara. Pursuit and bomber aircraft sent to the area are unable to destroy the sub.

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS—U.S. and Great Britain sign mutual-aid agreement on settlement of lend-lease obligations.

UNITED STATES—Enemy submarine shells Bankline Oil Refinery near Santa Barbara, California. This is the first attack of the war on U.S. mainland.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—U.S. Fifth Air Force makes first attack against Rabaul, New Britain. 6 B–17’s from Townsville, Australia, strike with unobserved results.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese report conquest of Ambon completed. General Brett f lies from Java, which is in imminent danger, to Australia.

BURMA—Violent fighting for Sittang River bridgehead continues. Indian 17th Division destroys Sittang bridge at 0530 to prevent enemy from using it, although 16th and 46th Brigades are still E of the river. Remnants of these brigades eventually cross in small craft or by swimming, but battle of Sittang bridgehead is disastrous for Indian 17th Division; 46th Brigade must be broken up to provide replacements.

MIDDLE EAST—Auchinleck revises plans for defense of Northern Front, instructing British Ninth and Tenth Armies to impose maximum delay on enemy in the event of Axis offensive.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 22 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) disembarks Philippine President Manuel Quezon and his party (embarked since 20February) at San Jose, Panay, P.I., to continue their journey out of the archipelago.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Cities Service Empire is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-128 25 miles north of Bethel Shoals, 28°00'N, 80°22'W. Destroyer Biddle (DD-151) rescues survivors from life rafts while Coast Guard cutter Vigilant (WPC-154) goes alongside and rescues men directly from the burning ship. All told, 3 of the 9 man Armed Guard are lost, in addition to 11 of the 41 man civilian complement.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker W.D. Anderson is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-504 about 12 miles northeast of Jupiter Point Lighthouse, 27°09'N, 79°56'W. The sole survivor of the 36 man crew swims ashore at Stewart, Florida.

           Unarmed U.S. freighter West Zeda is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 about 125 miles southeast of Trinidad, B.W.I., 09°13'N, 69°04'W. Schooner Emeralda rescues the entire 35 man crew, who suffer no casualties in the encounter with the U-boat.  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt orders General Mac- Arthur to leave the Philippines.

BURMA—Japanese open strong attacks against

2 brigades of Indian 17th Division E of Sittang River in Mokpalin area before withdrawal through Sittang bridge bottleneck can be accomplished.

UNITED KINGDOM—Hq of U.S. Army Bomber Command, USAFBI, is established under General Eaker.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 21 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Triton (SS-201) sinks Japanese merchant cargo vessel Shokyu Maru in East China Sea, 60 miles south of Quelpart Island, 32°10'N, 126°28'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker J.N. Pew is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-67 about 225 miles west of Aruba, D.W.I, 12°40'N, 74°00'W; two survivors reach the coast of Colombia, 35 miles east of Riohacha (see 14 March).

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Republic is torpedoed by German submarine U-504 about three miles east of Jupiter Inlet, Florida, 27°05'N, 80°15'W; three crewmen perish in the initial explosion, while two drown in the abandonment. One lifeboat reaches shore unaided (18 men on board) while U.S. tanker Cities Service Missouri rescues six men from a second boat (see 23 February).

EUROPE—Admiral Leahy receives instruction to see Admiral Darlan immediately about German submarine U-156's receiving assistance at Martinique. Unless the Vichy French can assure the U.S. government that no Axis ships or planes will be allowed to enter French ports or territory in the Western Hemisphere, and that unless such assurances are rigidly maintained, the United States "will take such action in the interest of security of the Western Hemisphere as it may judge necessary and in accordance with existing inter-American obligations." Leahy writes in his diary that everything points to his early recall to Washington "for consultation" (see 16 April).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—General Brett, Dep CG ABDACOM, informs WD of his decision to evacuate Fifth AF and other US troops from Java. Fifth AF bombers at Java bases fly about 20 strikes, usually in 2-and 3-aircraft elements, against shipping in Java Sea and against targets on Bali from this date through 1 Mar. 11 strikes are complete failures; the remainder, although causing some damage to vessels and airfield facilities, fail to deter the invasion of Java.

US ARMY

LUZON—Lull settles over entire front as both sides dig in and prepare for further action. Japanese have completed withdrawal from I Corps area; diversionary forces employed against II Corps are ordered back to Balanga area.

BURMA—Removed from jurisdiction of ABDA Command and placed under command of CinC, India. 7th Armored Brigade arrives at Rangoon from Middle East; is soon committed on Pegu front. Indian 17th Division continues toward Sittang bridge near Mokpalin with Japanese in close pursuit.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 20 February 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet directs Atlantic and Pacific Fleets to establish Amphibious Forces.

PACIFIC—TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), en route to attack Rabaul, is spotted by Japanese reconnaissance flying boats (Yokohama Kokutai). Although the American attack is cancelled, Japanese naval land-based bombers (4th Kokutai) attack TF 11, centering their efforts upon Lexington (CV-2). In the ensuing battle off Bougainville, combat air patrol F4Fs (VF 3) and SBDs (VS 2) (the latter utilized in the anti-torpedo plane role) and ships' antiaircraft fire annihilate the enemy formations. In the battle, Lieutenant Edward H. O'Hare (VF 3) shoots down five bombers in six minutes, a phenomenal performance that earns him the Medal of Honor.

           Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) embarks Philippine President Manuel Quezon, his wife and two children, Vice President Sergio Osmeña, and other Philippine government officials off Mariveles.

           In the wake of the Japanese carrier strike the day before, Darwin, Australia, is abandoned as an Allied naval base. RAF and USAAF air operations from the field outside the port, however, will continue.

           Japanese invade Timor Island, N.E.I.

           Destroyer Stewart (DD-224), damaged by shellfire in the Battle of Badoeng Strait the previous night, suffers further damage when, improperly shored and placed on blocks, she rolls on her port side in a Dutch floating drydock at Surabaya, Java.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter Delplata is torpedoed by German submarine U-156 about 60 miles west of Martinique, 14°45'N,62°10'W. Small seaplane tender Lapwing (AVP-1) rescues the 52 survivors (including the 13 man Armed Guard) and then scuttles the irreparably damaged merchantman with gunfire.

           Unarmed U.S. freighter Azalea City is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-432 about 125 miles east-southeast of Ocean City, Maryland, 38°00'N, 73°00'W. There are no survivors from the 38 man crew.

EUROPE—Admiral William D. Leahy writes to President Roosevelt that he expects a recall "for consultation" since the French have not responded positively to Roosevelt's message of 11 February. President Roosevelt, while sympathetic to Admiral Leahy's position, subsequently informs his ambassador to Vichy that "to hold the fort [in Vichy] is as important a military task as any other in these days." Leahy is thus retained in France. On the same day that Leahy writes to the President, however, German submarine U-156 puts in to Martinique to put ashore one of the men wounded by the premature barrel explosion on 16 February (see 21 February).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES IN BRITIAN—General Eaker arrives in UK with 6 staff officers.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Grants billion-dollar loan to USSR.

LUZON—In Manila Bay area, Japanese artillery bombardment of fortified islands reaches peak intensity.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invade Timor, where Australian 2/40th Battalion defends Penfoie airdrome.

SOUTH PACIFIC—Newly formed U.S. naval TF, consisting of USS Lexington with screen of cruisers and DD’s, heads toward Rabaul, New Britain, to disperse Japanese concentrations but when attacked by enemy planes withdraws without executing mission. Japanese suffer heavy plane losses and postpone operations scheduled against New Guinea.

BURMA—Indian 17th Division begins withdrawal behind Sittang River, 48th Brigade leading.

UNITED KINGDOM—Maj General Ira C. Eaker, who is to command VIII Bomber Command, arrives by air to prepare for reception of U.S. air force (Eighth); reports to Maj General James E. Chaney, CG USAFBI.

US MARINE CORPS

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