Saturday, 7 February 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—President signs Executive Order 9054 establishing War Shipping Administration (WSA) to bring the control and operation of all U.S. merchant shipping under a single head. The WSA's most pressing task is to mobilize the shipping capacity of the country (the majority of which is still in private hands by the end of the year 1941) to bring it under single control so that vessels can be allocated more readily on the basis of overall shipping needs of the U.S. and the Allies (see 9 February).

PACIFIC—Commander Naval Forces Southwest Pacific Area (Vice Admiral William A. Glassford) establishes headquarters at the port of Tjilatjap, on Java's south coast.

           Yacht Isabel (PY-10) rescues all 187 survivors from Dutch freighter Van Cloon, which had been torpedoed and shelled earlier that day by Japanese submarine I-155 and beached in a sinking condition off Java, 06°25'S, 111°25'E.

           Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Sydney, Australia. 

           Japanese submarines RO-61 and RO-62 are damaged in collision, Kwajalein atoll.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter West Jaffrey is stranded off Halfbald Island, Nova Scotia, 43°36'N, 66°02'W, and wrecked. There are no casualties to either the merchant crew or the 14 man Armed Guard.

           Coast Guard cutter Nike (WPC-112) rescues all 37 survivors of U.S. tanker China Arrow, sunk by German submarineU-103 off Winter Quarter Lightship on 5 February.

           U.S. freighter Mary is damaged in collision with freighter Palimol at 24°50'N, 66°00'W, and proceeds to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for repairs.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

 

US ARMY

PACIFIC—ANZAC Force is placed under command of Vice Admiral Herbert F. Leary, USN.

LUZON—I Corps opens all-out attack, under command of CG, Left Sector, against enemy pockets and partially encircles both. 1st Division is employed against Little Pocket. 92d Infantry of 91st Division (PA) makes main attack against Big Pocket from W and is supported by elements of 11th, Philippine, and 51st Divisions. In South Sector, after Scouts on left flank come up against enemy positions in Anyasan–Silaiim area and are brought to a halt, Filipino air corps troops and Constabulary Battalion are committed to form continuous line from Silaiim Bay to Quinauan Pt. Methodical destruction of enemy remnants at Quinauan Pt continues. Japanese relief force attempting to evacuate troops from SW coast is attacked by P–40’s and shore guns and forced back to Olongapo.

US MARINE CORPS