Thursday, 18 December 1941

US NAVY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt signs Executive Order No. 8984 that provides that Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet will take supreme command of the operating forces of all Navy fleets and coastal frontier commands, and be directly responsible to the President.

           In another executive order, President Roosevelt directs a commission, to be headed by retired Supreme Court Chief Justice Owen J. Roberts (Roberts Commission), to "ascertain and report the facts relating to the attack made by the Japanese armed forces upon the Territory of Hawaii on December 7, 1941...to provide bases for sound decisions whether any derelictions of duty or errors of judgment on the part of United States Army or Navy personnel contributed to such successes as were achieved by the enemy on the occasion mentioned; and if so, what these derelictions or errors were, and who were responsible therefor." In addition to Justice Roberts, the commission’s membership includes retired Admiral William H. Standley and Rear Admiral Joseph W. Reeves; Major General Frank R. McCoy, USA (Retired) and Brigadier General Joseph T. McNarney, USA (see 23 January 1942).

           Congress passes First War Powers Act. 

CARIBBEAN—State Department announces that Rear Admiral Frederick J. Horne and Admiral Georges Robert, French High Commissioner at Martinique, French West Indies, have reached an agreement neutralizing French Caribbean possessions.

PACIFIC—French motor mail vessel Marechal Joffre, manned by a scratch crew that includes aviation personnel from Patrol Wing Ten, departs Manila Bay for Borneo. Marechal Joffre will be formally acquired by the Navy on 20 April 1942, and will serve as the transport Rochambeau (AP‑63).

           Dutch Dornier 24 bombs and sinks Japanese destroyer Shinonome off Miri, Borneo.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF— General Tinker succeeds General Martinas Commanding General.

 

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese Legaspi detachment reaches Naga (Luzon).

MALAYA—Indian 11th Division completes withdrawal behind Krian R and is held in reserve in Taiping area. Forces defending Grik road are further reinf. After visiting forward areas, General Percival draws up plans for withdrawal behind Perak R; decides to amalgamate certain units, among them Indian 6th and 15th Brigades (to be designated Indian 6/15 Brigade) and to incorporate Indian 12th Brigade Group in Indian 11th Division.

CHINA—Japanese invade Hong Kong Island, crossing straits from mainland.

 

US MARINE CORPS