Wednesday, January 21, 2026

Monday, 19 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boat PT-31 is damaged when her engines fail because of what is believed to be sabotaged gasoline and she runs aground on reef north of Mayagao Point, Bataan, P.I.

ATLANTIC—In attacks against unescorted coastal shipping, unarmed U.S. steamship City of Atlanta is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 off the North Carolina coast at 35°42'N, 75°21'W; railroad ferry Seatrain Texas rescues the three survivors of the 46 man crew.

           German submarine U-66 torpedoes and sinks Canadian steamer Lady Hawkins at 35°00'N, 72°30'W (see 28 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—B‑17’s of TG 8.9 fly antisubmarine mission from Canton Island.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps continues efforts to regain positions along Balantay River on W flank, 45th Infantry (—) (PS) reaching river in region between 31st Infantry (U.S.) and 41st Division (PA). 31st Infantry, however, is under increasingly strong pressure. Enemy column driving down Abo-Abo River valley reaches positions near Guitol and is engaged by 31st Division and elements of 21st Division (PA). I Corps restores OPL in counterattack but is forced to abandon it after nightfall. Elements of 92d Infantry (PA) are sent to block enemy infiltrators from Mt Silanganan, on corps E flank.

MALAYA—Bitter fighting continues in Muar- Yong Peng area. 53d Brigade of British 18th Division, under command of Indian 11th Division, takes responsibility for strategic positions W of Yong Peng—a defile and bridge—but loses them. Muar force (Indian 45th Brigade and 2 Australian Battalions), now isolated, is ordered to withdraw.

BORNEO—British North Borneo is surrendered to Japanese at Sandakan.

BURMA—Japanese seize Tavoy and its airfield. Because of this, it is decided to withdraw Mergui garrison by sea to Rangoon at once, although Mergui has not yet been attacked. Balance of Ch 93d Division (6th Army) is ordered to move into Burma.

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck issues operations instructions to Commander, British Troops in Egypt (BTE), and Commander, Eighth Army, restating that objective in Libya is Tripoli and outlining plan for defensive stand in the event the Libyan offensive cannot be continued.

USSR—Heavy fighting continues on southern front; Germans in the Crimea recapture Feodosia.

US MARINE CORPS

 

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