Thursday, 22 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese reinforcements land in Subic Bay area.

           Japanese land on Mussau Island, north of New Ireland.

           Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

           TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around carrier Lexington (CV-2), departs Oahu to raid Wake Island (see 23 January).

           Destroyers Gridley (DD-380) and Fanning (DD-385) are damaged in collision 150 miles northwest of American Samoa as TF 8 proceeds toward the Marshalls and Gilberts.

           Survey vessel Sumner (AG 32) arrives at Bora Bora, Society Islands, and commences survey work at that place (see29 January and 12 February).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Norvana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. There are no survivors, and pieces of wreckage from the ship when she explodes hit her attacker.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—From this date through 3 Feb, B‑17’s launch at least 15 missions out of Malang against shipping moving through Makassar Strait. 4 missions abort due to bad weather, 6 end with negative results, and the remaining 5 suffer heavy losses but sink 4 ships.

US ARMY

LUZON—General MacArthur orders withdrawal of entire Mauban–Abucay line southward to final defense position on Bataan, behind Pilar–Bagac road; withdrawal is to start after nightfall on 23d and be completed by daylight of 26th. In II Corps area, Japanese open offensive that forces Philippine Division back to positions E and S of Abucay Hacienda, approximately those held at beginning of counteroffensive on 16 January. In I Corps area, elements of 91st Division (PA), supported by Scouts of 26th Cavalry and tanks, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce roadblock on West Road and to reach 1st Division troops still fighting along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to N. Japanese begin series of amphibious operations, night 22–23, when Battalion embarks in barges at Moron and sails toward Caibobo Pt, below Bagac. U.S. PT boat encounters and sinks

2 vessels.

MALAYA—Six-day battle on Muar front ends in victory for Japanese. Indian 45th Brigade, despite close air and naval support during the operation, is destroyed as a fighting body. Muar force destroys its vehicles and weapons and pushes toward Yong Peng by infiltration, leaving wounded behind. Batu Pahat defense force (detachment of Indian 11th Div) skirmishes with enemy on Batu Pahat–Ayer Hitam road. Indian 8th Brigade Group, 9th Division, having withdrawn from Segamat sector to positions astride main road between Labis and Yong Peng, is attacked by enemy. East Force repels enemy attempt to cross river at Mersing. Partly trained Indian 44th Brigade, reinforced, and

7,000 Indian reinforcements arrive at Singapore.

MAKASSAR STRAIT—U.S. submarine attacks enemy convoy.

BURMA—Indian 16th Brigade breaks off action in Kawkareik area and falls back toward Moulmein.

LIBYA—Continuing swiftly eastward, Axis forces occupy Agedabia.

US MARINE CORPS

Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.