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and finds that enemy has withdrawn.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
No comments:
Post a Comment