Wednesday, January 28, 2026

Wednesday, 28 January 1942

US NAVY

INTERNATIONAL—Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics at Rio de Janeiro is concluded. Despite the efforts of Argentina and Chile, Pan-American unity is preserved; within days, all Latin American nations that had not already done so (except Argentina and Chile) sever ties with Germany, Italy, and Japan.

PACIFIC—Japanese land on Rossel Island off New Guinea. 

ATLANTIC—PBO (VP 82) on an antisubmarine sweep astern of convoy HX 172 attacks a surfaced submarine in the North Atlantic off Newfoundland at 43°50'N, 53°50'E. Although pilot (Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Donald F. Mason) reports "sighted sub, sank same" no U-boat is lost on this date.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

EIGHTH AF—Activated at Savannah AB, Col Asa N Duncan commanding. Originally designated as the air element of GYMNAST.

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s from Malang and Palembang attack airfields at Kendari and Kuala Lumpur.

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

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Rio Conference of American republics ends.

UNITED STATES—Eighth Air Force is activated at Savannah, Georgia, under Brigadier General Asa N. Duncan.

LUZON—In II Corps area, 41st Infantry completes movement into Sector C line, taking up positions between 31st and 51st Division elements. Japanese renew attack against corps in evening: some cross Tiawir River in front of Sector D, where they are halted; others attempt to move forward in Sector C without success. From W coast, in I Corps area, Japanese move eastward along corps’ MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to 1st Division sector, where defense preparations are not yet completed; during night 28–29, Japanese breach MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE there and pour southward through gap. As the enemy force becomes divided in dense jungle, two pockets, called Little Pocket and Big Pocket, are formed, Little Pocket about 400 yards below MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE and Big Pocket nearly a mile behind MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE. In South Sector, Scouts of 2d Battalion, 57th Infantry, attack Longoskawayan Pt and advance two thirds of its length before artillery support is obstructed by Pucot Hill. 3d Battalion of 45th Infantry (PS) attacks enemy beachhead at Quinauan Pt, but jungle terrain and enemy make progress slow and costly. At night 3d Battalion is reinforced by Company B of

57th Infantry. In Anyasan-Silaiim sector, 17th Pursuit Sq and Philippine Constabulary elements push almost to coast of Anyasan Bay, but Constabulary, fearing counterattack, withdraws in confusion after dark.

MALAYA—East Force continues unopposed withdrawal toward Singapore. Japanese reach Benut and continue southward behind Indian 11th Division. Gap develops between the two brigs of Indian 9th Division withdrawing along Railroad; 22d Brigade becomes isolated from main body.

LIBYA—Indian 4th Division is authorized to withdraw from Benghazi since armored elements of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, are too busily engaged to assist it. Indian 7th Brigade, the last to withdraw, finds its line of retreat blocked but breaks out to S and eventually makes its way back to Eighth Army.

US MARINE CORPS

 

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