Monday, 2 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese Main Body, Southern Force (Vice Admiral Kondo Nobutake) overtakes fleeing Allied ships southwest of Bali; heavy cruiser Maya and destroyers Arashi and Nowaki sink British destroyer HMS Stronghold; heavy cruisers Atago and Takao attack what they initially identify as a "Marblehead-class" cruiser and sink her with gunfire; their quarry is actually destroyer Pillsbury (DD-227), which is lost with all hands at 14°30'S, 106°30'E.

            Submarine Perch (SS-176) is depth-charged and damaged by Japanese destroyer Ushio, Java Sea.

            Submarine S-38 (SS-143) attacks Japanese light cruiser Kinu but the latter evades all four torpedoes fired, 06°27'S,112°12'E.

            Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) torpedoes and sinks Japanese aircraft transport Kamogawa Maru north of Lombok Strait,08°06'S, 115°57'E.

            Japanese troops land at Zamboanga, Mindanao, P.I.

            Bataan-based USAAF P-40s sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.11 Kyo Maru in Subic Bay.

ATLANTIC—Antisubmarine Warfare Unit, Atlantic Fleet is established at Boston, Massachusetts.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—5 B‑17’s and 3 Light Bomber-30’s (the last airplane taking off just before midnight) evacuate the last 260 men from Jogjakarta, the last airfield on Java in Allied hands. Ground forces are within 20 mi at this time. Bataan-based P‑40’s attack shipping in Subic Bay. The pilots claim considerable damage to the ships, but 4 of the few P‑40’s remaining on Bataan are lost.

US ARMY

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese gain further ground in Java, where Dutch are continuing to resist; claim capture of Batavia, from which Netherlands East Indies Government has been forced to move to Bandoeng. Many ships are scuttled off Java to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese begin heavy air strikes on New Guinea in preparation for invasion of Huon Gulf area.

BURMA—Japanese continue to infiltrate westward between Burma 1st and Indian 17th Divisions and are swinging SW on Rangoon, bypassing Pegu.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 1 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC & PACIFIC— Base Force, Pacific Fleet is redesignated Service Force Pacific; Train, Atlantic Fleet is redesignated Service Force Atlantic.

PACIFIC—Battle of Sunda Strait continues as heavy cruiser Houston (CA-30) and Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth (Captain Hector M.L. Waller, RAN), heading for Sunda Strait, are attacked by three Japanese cruisers and nine destroyers (Rear Admiral Kurita Takeo). In the melee, Houston (05°50'S, 105°55'E) and Perth are sunk by torpedoes and gunfire of Japanese heavy cruisers Mogami and Mikuma; Japanese minesweeper W.2 and transports Ryuho Maru, Tatsuno Maru, Sakura Maru and Horai Maru are sunk, and landing ship Shinshu Maru damaged, by torpedoes fired by heavy cruiser Mogami; destroyers Shirakumo and Harukaze are damaged by gunfire. Houston's commanding officer, Captain Albert H. Rooks, killed while his ship is being abandoned, is later awarded the Medal of Honor (posthumously) in recognition of his heroism, courage, gallantry and distinguished service during the period between 4 and 27 February.

            Japanese oiler Tsurumi is torpedoed by Dutch submarine K-XV east of Nicholas Point, Banten Bay, Java.

            In another action in the wake of the Battle of the Java Sea, Japanese heavy cruisers Myoko, Ashigara, Haguro and Nachi engage three Allied ships (Captain Oliver L. Gordon, RN) fleeing Java, sinking British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter and destroyer HMS Encounter. U.S. destroyer Pope (DD-225), the third ship, escapes the cruisers but is located and bombed by floatplanes from seaplane carriers Chitose and Mizuho. Damaged by one close-miss, Pope is then located by carrier attack planes from Ryujo and bombed; scuttling is in progress when Myoko and Ashigara deliver the coup de grace with gunfire at 04°00'S, 111°30'E.

            Japanese planes bomb Surabaya, Java; destroyer Stewart (DD-224), previously damaged on 19 and 20 February 1942, is damaged again, by bomb.

            Japanese naval forces sweep the waters south of Java. Destroyer Edsall (DD-219) is sunk by gunfire of battleships Hiei and Kirishima, heavy cruisers Tone and Chikuma, and planes from carriers Akagi and Soryu; the amount of main battery shells expended in the attempt to sink the U.S. ship amounts to 297 15-inch and 844 eight-inch. Edsall's five enlisted survivors are executed at Kendari subsequently. Oiler Pecos (AO-6), with Langley (AV-3) survivors on board as well as evacuees from Java, is bombed and sunk by carrier bombers from Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu, south of Christmas Island, 14°27'S, 106°11'E.

            Submarine Perch (SS-176) is depth-charged and damaged by Japanese destroyers Amatsukaze and Hatsukaze, 73 miles west of Bawean Island, Java Sea, 06°30'S, 113°50'E.

            As Japanese invasion of Java proceeds, Allied planes bomb enemy ships off the beaches: RAF Wildebeests damage light cruiser Kinu, transport Johore Maru, and army cargo ship Tokushima Maru. Dutch Martin 139s, RAF Blenheims, RAAF (or RAF) Hudsons also claim damage to Japanese ships.

            ABDA Command is dissolved as the fall of Java looms.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Hobart, Tasmania.

ATLANTIC—PBO (VP 82), on an antisubmarine sweep, bombs and sinks German submarine U-656 south of Newfoundland,46°15'N, 53°15'W. U-656 is the first U-boat sunk by U.S. Navy forces during World War II.

            Tug Sagamore (AT-20) attempts to tow damaged U.S. tanker R.P. Resor (torpedoed by German submarine U-578 on 27February) to shallow water to permit salvage, but to no avail. The gutted ship sinks about 31 miles east of Barnegat, New Jersey.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Last Heavy Bomber mission flown from Java.

US ARMY

MIDWAY—MAG 22 is formed from squadrons on the island.

LUZON—Japanese 14th Army, during period 6 January to date, has suffered severe setback on Luzon and sustained almost 7,000 casualties (2,700 killed and over 4,000 wounded).

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese, now in undisputed control of air and sea, make rapid progress on the ground on Java. Allied planes based on Java are virtually wiped out, many of them on the ground. After a final effort to stall enemy by air, surviving air personnel begin assembling in Jogjakarta, the last remaining airfield in Java, for withdrawal to Australia. Since Java ports are untenable, Allied naval command is dissolved and ships are directed to withdraw to Australia. U.S. DD’s Edsall and Pillsbury and PG Asheville, as well as a few British corvettes, are unable to make good their escape. Of Admiral Doorman’s original Java Sea striking force (5 cruisers and 10 DD’s), only 4 U.S. DD’s succeed in reaching Australia. Cruisers Houston (U.S.) and Perth (Aus) and DD’s Pope (U.S.), Encounter (Br), and Evertsen (Dutch) are lost while trying to escape.

BURMA—Burma 1st Division covers concentration of Chinese 5th Army in Toungoo area. 200th Division of the army, which is already disposed in this area, regains Nyaunglebin and Pyuntaza, on Rangoon–Mandalay road. General Wavell arrives in Burma and orders Rangoon held as long as possible, at least until reinforcements en route (63d Brigade Group) arrive. Indian 17th Division returns toward Waw, which is to be defended.

USSR—Soviet advance comes to a halt during March. Battle line remains about the same throughout month, despite continued fighting on all fronts. Germans are unable to relieve isolated II Corps, Sixteenth Army, SE of Staraya Russa, but succeed in withdrawing salient SW of Kaluga; contain Soviet attacks on southern front, which are extended to region E of Kharkov.

US MARINE CORPS

Battle of Sunda Strait.

Saturday, 28 February 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Battle of Java Sea, begun late the previous afternoon, concludes. Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro torpedoes and sinks Dutch light cruiser De Ruyter (Doorman's flagship, in which he is lost) while Nachi torpedoes and sinks Dutch light cruiser Java; remnants of the Allied force flee to Surabaya, sheltering briefly there before trying to escape to Australia. In the wake of the battle, submarine S-37 (SS-142) encounters boat from the sunken De Ruyter and recovers two U.S. Navy sailors who had been serving in a liaison capacity in the Dutch ship. Before continuing on patrol, the U.S. submariners provide the Dutch seamen with rations. S-37's sistership S-38 (SS-143) rescues survivors from sunken British destroyer HMS Electra.

           Japanese land on north coast of Java. Battle of Sunda Strait begins shortly before midnight as heavy cruiser Houston (CA-30) and Australian light cruiser HMAS Perth (Captain Hector M. L. Waller, RAN), attempting to retire from Java, accidentally encounter Japanese transport force and escorting ships (Rear Admiral Takagi Takeo) in Banten Bay, Java, and engage them (see 1 March).

           Minesweeper Whippoorwill (AM-35), while searching waters south of Tjilatjap for survivors of sunken seaplane tender Langley (AV-3), rescues crew of British freighter City of Manchester, that had just been torpedoed, shelled and sunk by Japanese submarine I-153 at 08°16'S, 108°52'E. Gunboat Tulsa (PG-22), in the vicinity on the same errand, takes on board the injured British merchant sailors and treats the wounded.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-578 torpedoes and sinks destroyer Jacob Jones (DD-130) off the Delaware capes, 38°42'N,74°39'W.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Oregon is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-156 about 150 miles northeast of Mona Passage, 20°44'N, 67°52'W; U-156 machineguns the crew trying to launch one of the lifeboats, killing six men. One group of 26 survivors reaches Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic, on 4 March; U.S. tanker Gulfpenn rescues other group of four men the following day.

           PBY (VP 73) mistakenly bombs and damages submarine Greenling (SS-213) outside submarine sanctuary off New London, Connecticut.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department directive gives General Wheeler mission of expediting flow of supplies and equipment to General Stilwell.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—After severe air attacks on air and naval installations, Japanese 16th Army invades Java during night 28 February–1 March, going ashore on N coast and making main effort near Batavia. Allied planes attack enemy shipping before and during landing. Admiral Doorman’s naval force, split into small groups, heads toward Soenda Strait in effort to escape from Java Sea; some of the vessels are not heard from again. Sea Witch, with 27 crated P–40’s on board, reaches Tjilatjap safely, but P–40’s are destroyed to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

BURMA—British Imperial forces fall back on Pegu from Payagyi and Waw in anticipation of general withdrawal.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 27 February 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Battle of Java Sea is fought as Allied naval force (Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) of five cruisers and11 destroyers in Java Sea near Surabaya attacks Japanese support force (Rear Admiral Takagi Takeo) covering Java invasion convoy. Japanese gunfire proves ineffective, as heavy cruisers Nachi and Haguro expend 1,271 8-inchrounds but achieve only five hits. Of those five, four are duds: one each on Houston (CA-30) and British heavy cruiser HMS Exeter, and two on Dutch light cruiser De Ruyter. The only shell that does explode reduces Exeter's speed. Japanese heavy cruiser Haguro torpedoes and sinks Dutch destroyer Kortenaer; survivors are rescued by British destroyer HMS Encounter. Japanese destroyer gunfire sinks British destroyer HMS Electra (see 28 February); while British destroyer HMS Jupiter is sunk by mine laid earlier that day by Dutch minelayer Gouden Leeuw. Allied gunfire damages Japanese destroyers Asagumo and Minegumo; U.S. destroyers' torpedo attack proves ineffective (see 28 February).

           Seaplane tender Langley (AV-3), carrying 32 USAAF P-40s earmarked for the defense of Java, is bombed by Japanese naval land attack planes (Takao Kokutai) 75 miles south of Tjilatjap, Java, 08°58'S, 109°02'E. Irreparably damaged, the ship that had once been the U.S. Navy's first aircraft carrier (she had been converted to a seaplane tender in 1936) is shelled and torpedoed by destroyer Whipple (DD-217). Necessity to clear the area precludes knowing exactly when Langley sinks.

           U.S. freighter Sea Witch delivers 27 crated USAAF P-40s to Tjilatjap, Java, but the planes will be destroyed on the docks to deny their use by the victors.

           Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) damages Japanese fleet tanker Manju Maru 28°55'N, 138°15'E.

ATLANTIC—Joint U.S.-Mexican Defense Commission is established.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Battle of Java Sea. Allied air and naval units try to stop convoy of some 80 ships approaching Java from NE. All available B‑17’s, A‑24’s, P‑40’s and Light Bomber-30’s are put into the air but achieve only insignificant results. An Allied naval force, 5 cruisers and 11 destroyers, under Adm Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, meets the enemy near Surabaya and is decisively defeated, losing 5 ships. Most of Fifth AF ground echelon in Java is evacuated by sea. The Sea Witch delivers 27 crated P‑40’s to Tjilatjap, Java, but these will be destroyed to prevent their falling into Japanese hands. 32 P‑40’s aboard the USS Langley, which sailed from Australia for India on 23 Feb, are lost when the Langley is sunk by aircraft 100 mi S of Tjilatjap. The pilots are rescued by other vessels in the convoy, but the enemy sinks these ships with the exception of a destroyer, which delivers 2 of the pilots to Perth. The Langley, America’s first aircraft carrier, was sunk.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt, by executive order, authorizes creation of joint Mexican–U.S. Defense Commission. Brigadier General Raymond A. Wheeler, now in Iran, is named commander of SOS CBI; General Wheeler is also to continue as chief of Iranian Mission.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—Japanese force lands on NE Mindoro, where a town and airfield are overrun. No effort is made to secure rest of island. Enemy blockade about the Philippines is thus tightened.

JAVA SEA—Organized Allied naval resistance collapses during Battle of Java Sea. Combined naval TF under Rear Admiral Doorman attacks Japanese convoy approaching Java and is decisively defeated. British DD’s Electra and Jupiter and Dutch DD Kortenaer are sunk, as are Dutch cruisers De Ruyter and Java. Japanese sustain some damage but not enough to interfere with their plan for completing conquest of Netherlands East Indies.

INDIA—General Wavell arrives in New Delhi from Java.

FRANCE—British successfully raid radio location station at Bruneval during night 27–28, dropping parachute force of 120.

US MARINE CORPS

Battle of Java Sea

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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Thursday, 19 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese forces land on Bali, N.E.I.

           Battle of Badoeng Strait begins as Allied naval force (Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) of three cruisers and accompanying destroyers attacks retiring Japanese Bali occupation force (Rear Admiral Kubo Kyuji) in Badoeng Strait. Destroyer Stewart (DD-224) is damaged by gunfire of destroyers Oshio and Asashio, 07°18'S, 112°46'E. Dutch destroyer Piet Hien is sunk; 30 of her survivors find motor whaleboat jettisoned by destroyer John D. Ford (DD-228) and proceed unaided to Java. Dutch light cruisers Java and Tromp are damaged by Japanese gunfire. Japanese destroyers Ushio and Michisio are damaged by Allied gunfire.

           Japanese carrier striking force (Vice Admiral Nagumo Chuichi) attacks Darwin, Australia; 189 planes from carriers Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu and Soryu bomb shipping, airfields, and shore installations; carrier bombers sink destroyer Peary(DD 226), 12°30'S, 130°50'E, U.S. Army Transport Miegs and U.S. freighter Mauna Loa (on board the latter all hands--37 man crew and seven passengers--survive); and damage seaplane tender (destroyer) William B. Preston (AVD-7). U.S. freighter Portmar is damaged and beached (one of her 34 man crew is killed; two of the 300 embarked soldiers perish as well; 12 men are injured); freighter Admiral Halstead (carrying drummed gasoline) is damaged as well (she suffers no casualties). In related actions, U.S. freighter Florence D, under charter to the Army and carrying a cargo of ammunition, rescues eight man PBY (VP 22) crew (Lieutenant Thomas H. Moorer) off north coast of Australia, near Darwin, and later comes under attack by Japanese carrier aircraft that bomb and sink the ship (one man of Moorer's crew and three of the 37 man ship's complement are killed in action); Australian minesweeper HMAS Warrnambol and mission boat St. Francis rescue the survivors. Japanese carrier planes also bomb and sink Philippine motorship Don Isidro (chartered by the U.S. Army to run supplies to Corregidor) off northwest coast of Bathurst Island, 11°00'S, 130°00'E; 11 of the 67 man crew and one of the 16 embarked soldiers are killed. HMAS Warrnambol rescues the surviving crew and passengers. Japanese naval land attack planes (Kanoya and 1st Kokutais) bomb airfield at Darwin.

           Submarine S-37 (SS-142) is damaged by grounding off the northeast corner of Lembogan Island, Lombok Strait, N.E.I., but continues on patrol.

           Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate Harold F. Dixon (Naval Aviation Pilot) and his two man crew (VT 6), whose plane ditched due to fuel exhaustion on 16 January, reach Danger Islands, 10°48'S, 165°49'E, having spent 34 days at sea in their rubber boat. They have subsisted on occasional fish speared with a pocket knife, two birds, and rain water. While the straight-line distance traveled measures 450 miles, the estimated track is approximately 1,200 miles. Dixon is awarded the Navy Cross for heroism, leadership, and resourcefulness.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Dallas (DD-199) rescues 46 survivors from Brazilian tanker Olinda, sunk the day before by German submarine U-432.

           Unarmed U.S. tanker Pan Massachusetts is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-128 about 20 miles off Cape Canaveral, Florida, 28°27'N, 80°08'W; Coast Guard lighthouse tender Forward (WAGL-160) and British tanker Elizabeth Massey rescue 18 survivors from the 38 man crew.

           U.S. freighter Lake Osweya is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-96 in the North Atlantic, 43°14'N,54°45'W. Although U-96 sees three lifeboats pull away from the ship, no survivors from the 30 man merchant complement or the seven man Armed Guard are ever found.

CARIBBEAN—Transport William P. Biddle (AP-15) arrives at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and disembarks the 9th Defense Battalion.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—Operating out of Malang, Madioen, and Jogjakarta, A‑24’s, with P‑40 escort, and B‑17’s attack vessel landing troops on Bali. The attacks, carried out during the afternoon of 19 Feb and throughout the morning of 20 Feb, cause considerable damage to vessels but fail to halt the landings. P‑40’s shoot down or turn back several bombers weeping W over Java. Japanese airplane attack Darwin, bombing vessels loaded with troops destined for defense of Koepang on Timor Island. 10 P‑40’s sent to Darwin to escort the convoy are almost entirely wiped out by the attack.

SEVENTH AF—VII AF Bomber Command is activated.

US ARMY

BADOENG STRAIT—Combined Allied naval force undeRear Admiral Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, attacks enemy vessel off Bali, night 19–20. Although considerable damage is believed to have been done to enemy, Dutch DD Piet Hein is sunk and other Allied vessels are damaged.

AUSTRALIA—Darwin undergoes destructive attack by Japanese planes from carriers in Banda Sea and ground base at Kendari. Most of the shipping in the harbor, including USS Peary (DD), is destroyed. Virtually all the aircraft crowded on the airfield are demolished. This is the greatest single Japanese air effort since attack on Pearl Harbor.

BURMA—Indian 17th Division continues to defend Bilin River line throughout day but is ordered to fall back after dark. Mandalay receives its first enemy air attack.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 18 February 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Truxtun (DD-229) and stores issuing ship Pollux (AKS-2) run aground during storm near Placentia Bay, Newfoundland; the former just east of Ferryland Point and the latter off Lawn Point. Minesweeper Brant (AM-24) arrives on scene and contributes rescue parties as well as brings medical officer and corpsmen from destroyer tender and Support Force flagship Prairie (AD-15). The tragedy produces deep admiration for the lifesaving efforts of the local population. "Hardly a dozen men from both ships would have been saved," one observer writes later, "had it not been for the superb work of the local residents." Many men jeopardize their own lives frequently to save the American sailors; several hang by lines over the cliffs to keep survivors from dragging over sharp rocks as they are pulled up from the beach below; others go out in a dory, risking swamping several times in the rough waves; after working all day rescuing Truxtun's people, some of the local inhabitants then toil all night rescuing Pollux's men with a stamina that defies description. Though poor, the men, women, and children of the town of St. Lawrence turn out to outfit the “survivors with blankets, warm clothes, boots, fed them, cleaned them up as best they could and turned them in their own beds." Subsequently, they turn a deaf ear to offers to pay for food and clothing used in succoring the shipwrecked Americans. Destroyer Wilkes (DD-441) also runs aground off Lawn Head, 46°53'N, 55°28'W, but manages to free herself from her predicament and escape the fates of Truxtun and Pollux.

           Brazilian tanker Olinda is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-432 at 37°30'N, 75°00'W (see 19 February).

CARIBBEAN—U.S. freighter Mokihana is torpedoed by German submarine U-161 while lying at anchor at Port of Spain, Trinidad,12°55'N, 80°33'E; there are no casualties among the 36 man merchant crew or 9 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department orders overseas contract activities throughout the world militarized. All civilian contract activities are to be terminated by 18 August 1942.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invade Bali, off E coast of Java, landing on SE coast, night 18–19. This completes isolation of Java. British volunteer party from Batavia (Java) sails to Oesthaven (Sumatra), where equipment is salvaged and demolitions are performed without interference from enemy.

BURMA—Situation of Indian 17th Division deteriorates as Japanese gain foothold on W bank of Bilin River near Bilin and continue pressure on flanks. TF’s are formed by Burma Army to protect Pegu from SE and sea approaches to Syriam.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 17 February 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Seabees (First Naval Construction Battalion) arrive at Bora Bora, Society Islands.

           Submarine Triton (SS-201) torpedoes and sinks Japanese gunboat No. 5 Shin'yo Maru off Nagasaki, Japan, 32°14'N,127°14'E.

           Japanese destroyer Ayanami is damaged when she fouls an uncharted reef 2.4 nautical miles off Durai, Anambas Islands.

ATLANTIC—Coastal minesweeper Detector (AMc-75) is accidentally sunk in collision with U.S. tanker Oswego 300 yards east-northeast of Finn's Ledge Buoy, at the entrance to the north channel at Boston, Massachusetts. There are no casualties.

           Coastal minesweeper Paramount (AMc-92) accidentally runs aground off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, and is abandoned without loss. Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPG-107) provides assistance. Paramount is salvaged and returned to service.

           Destroyer Jacob Jones (DD-130) rescues 16 men from Brazilian steamship Buarque, that had been sunk by German submarine U-432 on 15 February; U.S. steamship Eagle rescues 16 more, thus accounting for all survivors.

           Coast Guard cutter Woodbury (WPC-155) rescues all hands (40 men) from mined tanker E.H. Blum. Both halves of the ship are later salvaged and rejoined, and E.H. Blum returns to active service.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—Col Harry A Halverson becomes CO.

ELEVENTH AF—Colonel Lionel H Dunlap arrives from ZI and becomes CO of the Eleventh.

US ARMY

BORA BORA—U.S. Army units arrive.

LUZON—I Corps completely restores MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE without opposition as enemy continues to withdraw.

BURMA—Japanese maintain pressure against Indian 17th Division along Bilin River and continue outflanking attempts.

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck is ordered to release a more divisions for action in Far East—British 70th and Australian 9th. Australian 9th Division is subsequently allowed to remain in Middle East.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 16 February 1942

US NAVY

CARIBBEAN—Operation NEULAND begins with simultaneous attacks on Dutch and Venezuelan oil ports to disrupt production and flow of petroleum products vital to the Allied war effort; German submarine U-156 shells refinery on Aruba, N.W.I. and torpedoes and damages U.S. tanker Arkansas as she lies alongside Eagle Dock; a second torpedo misses the ship and runs up on the beach. There are no casualties among the 37 man crew. The enemy does not emerge from the action unscathed, however, for the explosion of a shell prematurely in a gun barrel injures two men on board U-156, which will receive permission to put in to Martinique (see 20-21 February).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker E.H. Blum blunders into U.S. minefield off Cape Henry, Virginia, 36°57'N, 75°52'W and is damaged by mine and breaks in half (see 17 February).

           Coast Guard cutter Calypso (WPG-104) rescues 42 survivors from Brazilian steamship Buarque, that had been sunk by German submarine U-432 the day before (see 17 February).

PACIFIC—Japanese planes bomb U.S. Timor-bound convoy, escorted by heavy cruiser Houston (CA-30) and destroyer Peary (DD 226); U.S. Army transport Miegs and U.S. freighter Mauna Loa are damaged by near-misses. On board the latter, one crewman is killed; of the 500 troops embarked, one is killed and 18 wounded. Houston's heavy antiaircraft fire saves the convoy from destruction, but the imminent fall of Timor results in the recall of the convoy and its routing back to Darwin (see 19 February).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

CARIBBEAN—German submarines attack Aruba Island., off coast of Venezuela.

LUZON—I Corps reduces salient in MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to area 75 by 100 yards. In South Sector, enemy remnants from Silaiim Pt, attempting to escape northward, are detected about 7 miles from the point and destroyed in 2-day fight. In Manila Bay area, Japanese destroy section of pipeline on Cavite shore through which Fort Frank on Carabao Island. received fresh water. Distillation plant is put into operation at Fort Frank.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Withdrawal of British personnel and operational aircraft from Sumatra to Java is completed. Equipment is left behind at Oesthaven. Allied convoy bound for Timor is recalled to Darwin because of heavy attacks by Japanese planes.

US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 15 February 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Singapore surrenders to the Japanese.

           Japanese army paratroops secure vital oil refineries at Palembang, on southeast Sumatra, N.E.I.; enemy capture of this territory establishes sea and air control of the Karimata Channel and Gaspar Strait.

           Having proceeded through Gaspar Strait to the north of Banka and failed to contact the Japanese force (which has already reached Banka Strait), ABDA striking force (Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) is attacked by Japanese naval land attack planes (Genzan, Mihoro, and Kanoya Kokutais) as well as carrier attack planes from carrier Ryujo. Australian light cruiser HMAS Hobart is straddled, while near misses damage U.S. destroyers Barker (DD-213) and Bulmer (DD-222), which will need to retire to Australia for repairs.

           U.S. Army transport Meigs, U.S. freighters Mauna Loa and Portmar, and Australian coaster Tulagi, escorted by heavy cruiser Houston (CA-30), destroyer Peary (DD-226) and Australian corvettes HMAS Swan and HMAS Warrego sails from Darwin, Australia, for Timor (see 16 and 19 February).

ATLANTIC—Brazilian steamship Buarque is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-432 30 miles southwest of Cape Henry,36°35'N, 75°20'W (see 16 February).

           U.S. tanker Point Breeze suffers explosion in engine room that damages steering gear, forcing the ship to go aground off Throggs Neck, New York; one man is killed and one is blown overboard. Point Breeze later floats free and is towed to New York for repairs.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SE ASIA—Japanese forces on Malay Peninsula capture Singapore.

US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese attack in limited strength to ease pressure against troops withdrawing northward from I Corps sector. I Corps continues to make steady progress against salient in MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE.

SINGAPORE—Malayan campaign ends with surrender of Singapore, W anchor of Malay Barrier, to Japanese. General Percival meets with Japanese commander, General Tomoyuki Yamashita, and surrenders his forces (more than 64,000 troops—Indian, British, and Australian) unconditionally, effective at nightfall.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invasion fleet enters river mouth near Palembang, Sumatra, and unloads troops despite repeated and costly attacks by aircraft from Palembang II airdrome. Dutch and RAF personnel withdraw from Palembang, where demolition of refineries is only partially completed. British personnel holding landing grounds in central and N Sumatra are ordered to W coast for withdrawal.

AUSTRALIA—Allied convoy with reinforcements for Koepang, Timor (Australian 2/4 Pioneer Battalion and U.S. 148th FA Regiment, less one Battalion), sails from Darwin. The units are to secure Penfoie airdrome, the only staging point on Timor for flights to Java.

BURMA—Indian 17th Division begins withdrawal behind Bilin River line, 46th Brigade abandoning Thaton. Japanese follow closely and try to outflank division.

US MARINE CORPS

Singapore surrenders.

Saturday, 14 February 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Submarine Sargo (SS-188) delivers ammunition to Polloc Harbor, Mindanao, P.I., and evacuates USAAF groundcrews (14th Bombardment Squadron).

           Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) torpedoes and sinks Japanese transport Amagisan Maru off Davao, P.I., 06°45'N,126°54'E.

           Admiral Thomas C. Hart, USN, is relieved as Commander in Chief Allied Naval Forces in Southwest Pacific by Vice Admiral Conrad E. L. Helfrich, RNN.

           Japanese army paratroopers assault Palembang, Sumatra. During ensuing Allied air attacks on Japanese invasion convoy, RAF Blenheims bomb and sink merchant ship Inabasan Maru off Palembang.

           ABDA Float orders task force (Rear Admiral Karel W.F.M. Doorman) to proceed and attack Japanese Palembang-bound expeditionary force. As Doorman's ships--two Dutch light cruisers, a Dutch flotilla leader, one British heavy cruiser, one Australian light cruiser, four Dutch destroyers and six American--heads toward its objective, Dutch destroyer Van Ghent runs aground on a reef north of Banka Island; irreparably damaged, she is scuttled; sistership Banckert takes off the crew (see 15 February).

           On request from local British naval authorities, light cruiser Boise (CL-47), at Ceylon en route to Bombay, India, for repairs following her grounding in Sape Strait on 21 January, provides her two SOCs (VCS 9) to augment routine RAF Catalina searches from the seaplane station at Kogalla, Ceylon. Boise's planes fly morning and evening search flights for the next three days.

           PBY (VP 73) accidentally bombs submarine Thresher (SS-200), returning from a war patrol, southwest of Oahu, T.H.

           Japanese submarine I-23 is last reported south of Oahu, T.H. She is not heard from again, and her fate is unknown.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SEVENTH AF—A B‑17 flies photo reconnaissance of Wake Island.

US ARMY

LUZON—I Corps further reduces salient in MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE, which is now about half its original size.

ABDA COMMAND—Vice Admiral Conrad E. L. Helfrich of Royal Netherlands Navy succeeds Admiral Hart as commander of ABDA Combined Naval Striking Force.

SINGAPORE—Japanese continue to make main effort against W part of S Area and gain ground near Alexandra. Water supply of garrison is in danger of failing within a short time. Supplies of food and ammunition are also dwindling rapidly. British flotilla withdrawing from Singapore is attacked by enemy naval and air forces in approaches to Bangka Strait and suffers heavily. Boat carrying Rear Adm, Malaya, and Air Officer Commanding, Far East, is driven ashore on small deserted island where the men later perish.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invade Sumatra, dropping paratroopers in Palembang area after air attack on Palembang Island airdrome. Small force defending airdrome (150 Dutch infantry and about 60 RAF ground defense gunners) is forced to withdraw toward W coast, Japanese having blocked road to town of Palembang. Allied naval TF moves N to engage enemy shipping in Bangka Strait but comes under heavy air attack and retires to base. Palembang- based aircraft are attacking enemy shipping in Bangka Strait and cannot be notified in time to intercept invasion force.

IRAQ—Siboney reaches Basra where American civilian construction force debarks and proceeds by lorry to Umm Qasr, hq of Iranian District engineer, to begin construction projects. Cargo does not arrive at Umm Qasr until end of month.

US MARINE CORPS

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