Thursday, 15 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics convenes at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to secure a unanimous and binding resolution for the American republics to sever relations with the Axis powers (see 28 January).

PACIFIC—American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Supreme Command is established at the Grand Hotel, Lembang, Java. General Sir Archibald Wavell, British Army, assumes supreme command of all forces in area; Lieutenant General George H. Brett, USAAF, is deputy commander; Admiral Thomas C. Hart is to command naval forces.

ATLANTIC—Storm with wind velocity of more than 80 knots and gusts of over 100 knots hits Hvalfjordur, Iceland; heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45) is damaged in collisions with U.S. freighter West Nohno and British trawler HMS Ebor Wyke, and in grounding near Hrafneyri light. Storm conditions last until 19 January and cause heavy damage among patrol planes based there and tended by seaplane tender Albemarle (AV-5).

   

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s, flying out of Palembang, attack Sungei Patani airfield.

ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND—The Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field. Cmdr is Lt Col Everett S Davis.

 

US ARMY

ALASKA—Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field under command of Lt Col Everett S. Davis.

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese, attacking vigorously at junction of 41st and 51st Divisions (PA), gain foothold on S bank of the Balantay. 51st Division commits reserves and service troops to no avail. Further reinforcements, Philippine Division (less 57th Infantry) from USAFFE reserve and 31st Division (—) (PA) from I Corps, are sent forward. Japanese enveloping column in central Bataan arrives in position to turn corps’ W flank and pauses to reorganize. Regrouping is conducted to E as enemy threat there diminishes. In I Corps area, the 2 Japanese columns driving on Moron converge and push closer to objective.

MALAYA—Forward elements of Australian 27th Brigade Group inflict more casualties on enemy in Gemas area before pulling back to main position. On W coast, Japanese reach N bank of Muar River and land small party between Muar and Batu Pahat, threatening communications of West Force in Yong Peng area. Boundary between West Force and Indian 3 Corps is altered to give this region, which Indian 45th Brigade is defending, to 3 Corps.

ABDA COMMAND—Headed by General Wavell, ABDA opens officially at Batavia, Java, at noon GMT. General Wavell is replaced as CinC India by General Sir Alan Hartley.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department, learning of transfer of Iraq and Iran to Middle East Command from India Command, cables the information to chiefs of U.S. Military North African Mission and U.S. Military Iranian Mission.

 

US MARINE CORPS