US NAVY
ATLANTIC—Carrier Yorktown (CV‑5) departs Norfolk,
Virginia, the first carrier reinforcement dispatched to the Pacific.
Convoy ON
45, escorted by TU 4.1.2 (Commander Fred D. Kirtland), is dispersed because of
bad weather.
Destroyer Benson
(DD‑421) sights white distress rocket at 0241 and alters course in hopes of
locating survivors of merchantman Nidardal; the intense darkness in
which the search is being conducted renders it barely possible to see the
surface of the ocean from the bridge, and the loudness of the wind makes it
unlikely that a hail can be heard no more than 50 to 100 feet from the ship. Benson
searches throughout the daylight hours but finds no trace of the missing
ship or her crew. She abandons the search at nightfall and proceeds to
Reykjavik.
PACIFIC—TF 14 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher),
comprising carrier Saratoga (CV‑3) (with VMF 221 embarked), four
destroyers; heavy cruisers Astoria (CA‑34) (flagship), Minneapolis (CA‑36),
and San Francisco (CA‑38); and five destroyers, sails from Pearl Harbor.
These ships will overtake the force formed around Tangier (AV‑8) and Neches
(AO‑5) and their consorts that is to relieve Wake Island.
Japanese
Pearl Harbor Attack Force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) detaches carriers Hiryu
and Soryu, heavy cruisers Tone and Chikuma, and two
destroyers (Rear Admiral Abe Hiroaki) to reinforce second planned attack on
Wake Island.
Japanese
naval land attack planes (Chitose Kokutai) bomb Wake.
Submarine Tambor
(SS‑198), damaged by operational casualty, retires from the waters off
Wake.
Submarine Swordfish
(SS‑193), attacking Japanese convoy south of Hainan Island, torpedoes army
transport Atsutasan Maru, 18°06'N, 109°44'E.
Gunboat Erie
(PG‑50) boards Panamanian motor vessel Santa Margarita and orders
her to proceed to Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Later the same day, the gunboat tows
disabled motor boat Orion into Puntarenas.
US ARMY AIR FORCE
US ARMY
HAWAII—All elements of U.S. TF 14, bearing supplies,
reinforcements, and aircraft for relief of Wake, rendezvous SW of Oahu and sail
for Wake.
MALAYA—Indian 11th Division completes withdrawal behind
Muda R in Wellesley Province and defeats enemy efforts to secure foothold on S
bank. Indian 3 Corps decides to withdraw Indian 11th Division behind Krian
River however, since it is greatly weakened by sustained fighting without
benefit of tank and adequate air support. Fighting develops on Grik road N of
Grik, night 16–17, as small detachment guarding the road encounters main body
of Japanese Patani force thrusting toward Kuala Kangsar in effort to isolate
Indian 11th Division on W coast. On E coast, Kelantan troops begin withdrawal
by rail as movement of supplies and equipment is completed. Penang Island
fortress is evacuated as planned during night 16–17.
BORNEO—Japanese invade British Borneo, landing on N coast
at Miri (Sarawak) and at Seria (Brunei).
CHINA—U.S. War Department gives Brigadier General John
Magruder, head of American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA), permission to
divert Chinese lend-lease to the British, provided Chinese agree.
LIBYA—Axis forces begin withdrawal from Gazala line toward
next delaying position, Agedabia. Indian 4th Division of 13 Corps, British
Eighth Army, which has been particularly hard pressed by enemy, pauses briefly
to reorganize before joining other elements of corps in pursuit.
USSR—Continuing firm pressure against enemy in Moscow area,
Soviet forces seize Kalinin, NW of Klin.
US MARINE CORPS
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