Sunday, 22 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Naeco is torpedoed by German submarine U-124 at 33°59'N, 76°40'W. Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPC-107) rescues 10 survivors from one lifeboat and two men from the sea; minesweeper Osprey (AM-56) rescues one survivor from a raft; tug Umpqua (AT-25) takes off one man who had returned to the ship after she had been abandoned. All told, 24 men perish with the ship, which later breaks in half (the stern section sinking). Destroyer Roper (DD-147) scuttles the bow section with gunfire.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Muskogee is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 at 28°00'N, 58°00'W. U-123 draws near to the survivors on two rafts and questions them before clearing the area. None of the 34 man crew, however, are ever seen again.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—President Roosevelt sends message to General MacArthur in Australia expressing his desire that General Wainwright control all forces in the Philippines; General MacArthur concurs.

BURMA—Japanese planes make another destructive attack on Magwe airdrome, forcing AVG and RAF aircraft to withdraw to Loiwing (on Chinese frontier) and Akyab, respectively. Troops defending Burma are thus denied close air support. General Stilwell, upon arriving at front, begins planning for counterattack in support of Chinese 200th Division at Toungoo. Chinese continue to withstand pressure against Toungoo from the S.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 21 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Esso Nashville is torpedoed by German submarine U-124 off Frying Pan Lightship Buoy,33°35'N, 77°22'W. High speed transport McKean (APD 5) rescues eight survivors from two lifeboats; Coast Guard cutters Tallapoosa (WPG-52) and Agassiz (WPC-126) recover the rest (21 men and 8 men, respectively). After Esso Nashville breaks in two, tug Umpqua (AT-25) tows the after end of the vessel to Morehead City, North Carolina. Later, U-124 torpedoes tanker Atlantic Sun off Beaufort (North Carolina) Lightship, but inflicts little damage; there are no casualties among the 40 man merchant complement or the 5 man Armed Guard and Atlantic Sun reaches Beaufort without further incident.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Wainwright, as commander of U.S. Forces in the Philippines (USFIP), which supersedes USAFFE, establishes HQ on Corregidor and appoints General Beebe his chief of staff. Maj General Edward P. King, Jr., is to be commander of Luzon Force.

AUSTRALIA—Lt General George H. Brett, U.S. Army, becomes commander of combined air forces, retaining command of USAFIA.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command is activated. It consists of 25 Pan-American transports, which are soon diverted from mission of taking supplies to China in order to supply forces withdrawing from Burma.

BURMA—Burma 1st Division, upon being relieved on Toungoo front by 200th Division, Chinese 5th Army, begins movement to Irrawaddy front, leaving large area S of Toungoo undefended. General Stilwell, now in Burma, issues orders for Chinese participation in defense of line Toungoo–Prome. Chinese 5th Army is charged with defense of Toungoo. Its 200th Division is reinforced by attachment of Temporary 55th Division (T-55th) of Chinese 6th Army, which is to move to Pyawbwe. In army reserve, Chinese 22d Division is directed to Taungdwingyi, where it is to be prepared to assist British in Prome area while Chinese 96th Division is to move to Mandalay. Crippling enemy air attack on Magwe airdrome reduces the already meager air force defending Burma.

LIBYA—British Eighth Army continues raids on forward landing grounds of Axis forces as diversion for convoy to Malta. Raids are partially successful, drawing off part of enemy’s aircraft, but convoy is unable to reach Malta intact and later suffers additional damage under air attack while unloading.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 20 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Oakmar is shelled by German submarine U-71 at 36°21'N, 68°50'W, and abandoned; submarine R-6 (SS-83) is sent to her assistance. U-71 torpedoes Oakmar and shells her until she sinks. Six men perish in the abandonment; the remainder (30 men) are rescued by Greek steamship Panos Pladelis.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Plan for Initiation of US Army Bombardment Operations in the British Isles’ further elaborates previous AAF plans outlining intention of launching strategic bombardment from UK against facilities supporting German national, economic, and industrial structure.

ARMY AIR FORCES IN BRITIAN—Report submitted by General Eaker in compliance with General Chaney’s instructions of 25 Feb indicates completion of studies of RAF Bomber Command operations and of airfields, training, tactical doctrine, equipment, and methods of conducting air offensive in cooperation with RAF. Report also indicates much dependence upon British for the present but emphasizes the apparent compatibility of the tactical doctrines of the US (daylight precision bombing) and RAF (night area bombing), and implies the principle of coordinating these attacks to complement each other.

US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Wainwright learns that he has been promoted to rank of Lt. General and that Washington has placed him in command of all U.S. forces in the Philippines.

LIBYA—Complying with request of 8 March for offensive action to divert enemy’s attention from Malta-bound convoy, British Eighth Army raids landing grounds in Derna and Benghazi areas after nightfall.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 19 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Philippine President Manuel Quezon and 13 members of his party are transported from Dumaguete, Negros, to Oroquito, Mindanao, after a 240 mile voyage in motor torpedo boat PT-41.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Suva, Fiji Islands.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Dickerson (DD-157) rescues 14 of the 40 man crew of tanker E.M. Clark, sunk by U-124 the previous day. Later, however, Dickerson is mistakenly fired upon and damaged by gunfire from U.S. freighter Liberator off Virginia capes; three men (including the ship's captain) are killed and six wounded. Later the same day, Liberator is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-332, three miles west of the Diamond Shoals Buoy, 35°05'N, 75°30'W; five crewmen perish. Tug Umpqua (AT-25) rescues 26 merchant sailors and the 4 man Armed Guard.

            Destroyer Hambleton (DD-455), at 35°39'N, 71°10'W; rescues six survivors of Honduran freighter Ceiba, sunk by U-124 on 17 March.

            British motor vessel Port Halifax rescues the 23 survivors of U.S. tanker W.E. Hutton, sunk by German submarine U-332 off Cape Lookout, North Carolina, the previous day.

            High speed transport Stringham (APD 6) rescues the 31 survivors of U.S. tanker Papoose, irreparably damaged the previous day by German submarine U-124. On report of the master, who believes his ship can be saved, tug Kewaydin (AT-24) is sent to investigate salvage possibilities. Papoose, however, is beyond saving, and sinks the next day; Kewaydin proceeds to assist Acushnet (see below).

            Damaged U.S. tanker Acme (torpedoed by German submarine U-124 on 17 March) is taken in tow by tug Acushnet (AT-63) and taken to Norfolk.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

BURMA—Lt General William J. Slim arrives in Burma to take command of Imperial troops, now formed into Burma I Corps. In Sittang Valley, Japanese begin drive on Toungoo and are opposed by Ch 200th Division.

USSR—German Army Group North is making determined efforts to break through to II Corps, Sixteenth Army, in Cholm-Staraya Russa area. Red Army maintains pressure on enemy on central and southern fronts.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 18 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—River gunboat Tutuila (PR-4), decommissioned at Chungking, China, on 18 January, is leased to the Chinese government for the duration of the war.

            Japanese merchant cargo ship Jumpo Maru is sunk, agent unknown, off Tsushima Island.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker E.M. Clark is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-124 about 22 miles southwest of Diamond Shoals, North Carolina, 34°50'N, 75°35'W. Venezuelan tanker Catatumbo rescues 23 of the tanker's complement. Unarmed U.S. tanker Papoose is torpedoed by German submarine U-124 about 15 miles south of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°17'N, 76°39'W (see 19 March 1942).

            Yacht Tourmaline (PY-20) and Coast Guard cutter Cuyahoga (WPC-157) rescue eight survivors of British tanker San Demetrio, sunk by U-404 on 16 March.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker W.E. Hutton is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-332 about 20 miles southeast of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°05'N, 76°40'W; 13 of the ship's complement of 36 merchant sailors perish in the attack (see 19 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

NEW HEBRIDES—U.S. Army troops (2 companies of 182d Infantry and an engineer company of Americal Division) arrive at Efate to build airfield.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 17 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—United States, in agreement with Allied governments, assumes responsibility for the strategic defense of entire Pacific Ocean.

            Submarine Grayback (SS-208) sinks Japanese collier Ishikari Maru six miles west of Port Lloyd, Chichi Jima, Bonins, 27°05'N, 142°05'E.

            Submarine Permit (SS-178) is damaged by depth charges off Tayabas Bay, P.I. but remains on patrol.

EUROPE—Naval Forces Europe (Vice Admiral Robert L. Ghormley) is established.

ATLANTIC—Destroyer Stack (DD-406) and carrier Wasp (CV-7) are damaged in collision while en route from Casco Bay, Maine, to Norfolk, Virginia.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Acme is torpedoed and damaged by German submarine U-124 west of Diamond Shoals,35°06'N, 75°23'W; U-124 later torpedoes and sinks Greek freighter Kassandra Louloudi four miles west-southwest of Diamond Shoals gas buoy. Coast Guard cutter Dione (WPC-107) rescues 20 survivors from Acme and 35 from Kassandra Louloudi; steamship Beta rescues 22 men from the latter ship.

            Honduran freighter Ceiba is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-124 at 35°43'N, 73°49'W (see 19 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SW PACIFIC AREA—General MacArthur arrives in Australia to assume command of United Nations forces in SWPA. He actually assumed command on 18 April.

US ARMY

AUSTRALIA—From Mindanao, General MacArthur flies to Darwin, where he will be in supreme command of forces in SW Pacific. Formal delineation of this area has not yet been agreed upon. Col Beebe, deputy chief of staff of USAFFE, is promoted to brigadier general.

CHINA BURMA INDIA—Air Vice Marshal Stevenson, commanding Allied air forces, moves HQ from Burma to Calcutta, India.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 16 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Permit (SS-178) delivers ammunition to Corregidor, and evacuates second increment of naval radio and communications intelligence people.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Australia is torpedoed, shelled, and irreparably damaged by German submarine U-332 off Diamond Shoals, 35°07'N, 75°22'W. U.S. freighter William J. Salman rescues survivors and transfers them to yacht Ruby (PY-21) for further transportation to Southport, North Carolina. Australia, sunk in shallow water, is written off as a total loss and her wreck demolished on 20 March.

            British tanker San Demetrio is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-404 at 37°03'N, 73°50'W (see 18 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—3 B‑17’s of 435th Reconnaissance Squadron, 19th Bomb Group begin evacuating General MacArthur, his family, and his staff from Del Monte to Australia.

US ARMY

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US MARINE CORPS

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Sunday, 15 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Coast Guard lighthouse tender Acacia (WAGL-200) is shelled and sunk by German submarine U-161 south of Haiti.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Ario is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-158 11 miles southwest of Cape Lookout, 34°20'N, 76°39'W. Destroyer Dupont (DD-152) rescues the 29 survivors of the 36 man crew.

            U.S. tanker Olean is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-158 15 miles south of Cape Lookout, 34°24'N,76°29'W. Coast Guard motor lifeboats from Cape Lookout and Fort Mason stations rescue 33 survivors.

            While providing coverage for convoy ON 74, PBO (VP 82) bombs and sinks German submarine U-503, North Atlantic, 43°50'N, 48°45'W.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SOUTH PACIFIC—67th Fighter Squadron, the first AAF tactical unit in the theater, arrives on New Caledonia.

ELEVENTH AF—XI Fighter Command is activated at Elmendorf Field commander is Col Norman D Sillin. Its operational components are the 11th and the 18th Pursuit Squadrons.

US ARMY

LUZON—In Manila Bay area the Japanese, having emplaced additional artillery along S shore of Manila Bay SW of Ternate, renew intensive bombardment of fortified islands. Shelling is conducted daily and in great force through 21 March, despite U.S. counterbattery fire. Forts Frank and Drum are particularly hard hit.

BURMA—General Stilwell is notified that General Wavell, as Supreme Commander, India, is responsible for operations in Burma.

US MARINE CORPS

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Saturday, 14 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Amphibious Force Atlantic Fleet (Rear Admiral Roland M. Brainard) is established.

            Unarmed U.S. collier Lemuel Burrows is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-404 off Atlantic City, New Jersey, 39°18'N, 74°16'W. Freighter Sewalls Point rescues one group of survivors; a boat from James Elwood Jones the other.

            Panamanian motorship Annetta I rescues the last survivor of unarmed U.S. tanker J.N. Pew, sunk by German submarine U-67 on 21 February; 33 of the 36 man crew are lost.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Joint Chiefs of Staff decide to continue on the defensive in the Pacific with forces already there and to build up forces in United Kingdom for an offensive against Germany.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General MacArthur and his party reach Mindanao.

IRAN—U.S. Iranian Mission begins releasing civilian contractors in accordance with War Department directive of 18 February calling for militarization of contract activities throughout world.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 13 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Auckland, New Zealand.

            Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur and Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell, with their respective staffs, reach Cagayan, Mindanao, after a 560 mile voyage in heavy to moderate seas, in motor torpedo boats PT-32, PT-34, PT-35, and PT-41. PT-32 becomes disabled during the operation, and is scuttled by gunfire of submarine Permit (SS-178) one mile southwest of Taguayan Island, P.I., 10°58'N, 121°12'E.

            Submarine Gar (SS-206) torpedoes and sinks Japanese victualling stores ship Chichibu Maru between six and ten miles southwest of Mikura Jima, south of Tokyo Bay, Japan, 33°53'N, 139°29.5'E.

            Japanese minesweeper No.2 Tama Maru sinks as the result of damage inflicted by U.S. Navy carrier-based planes on 10 March during the Lae-Salamaua Raid.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. schooner Albert F. Paul is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-332 off the east coast of the United States, 26°00'N, 72°00'W. There are no survivors.

            Chilean freighter Tolten is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-404 off Barnegat, New Jersey, 40°10'N,73°50'W; subsequently, plane en route from Langley Field to Mitchell Field sights one survivor on a life raft at 39°50'N, 73°40'W; Coast Guard cutter Antietam (WPC-128), coastal minesweeper AMc-200 are sent to the scene; NAS Lakehurst sends three L-type blimps, one of which, L 2, ultimately sights the raft seen earlier that day. Net tender Larch (YN-16) rescues the one survivor of what was a crew of between 16 and 21 men.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

NEW GUINEA—Japanese, having gained firm positions in Lae-Salamaua area, replace infantry with naval forces.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Japanese force from 4th Fleet sails from Rabaul, New Britain, for Buka, which is eventually seized together with other positions in N Solomons.

INDIA—First detachment of U.S. troops (Air Forces personnel) to reach CBI arrive at Karachi, having been diverted from Java.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 12 March 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—By executive order President Roosevelt combines duties of Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet and Chief of Naval Operations (see March 26).

PACIFIC—U.S. Army troops (Brigadier General Alexander M. Patch) arrive on New Caledonia to establish a base at Nouméa.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker John D. Gill is torpedoed and irreparably damaged by German submarine U-158 off Frying Pan Shoals, 33°55'N, 77°39'W. Four of the seven man Armed Guard are lost. Coast Guard cutter CG-186 and cutter Agassiz (WPC-126) rescue one group of survivors, tanker Robert H. Colley the remainder. John D. Gill sinks the next morning.

            German submarine U-126 torpedoes unarmed U.S. freighters off the coast of Cuba, sinking Olga off Camaguey,23°39'N, 77°00'W, and damaging Colabee about 10 miles off Cape Guajaba, 22°14'N, 77°35'W. Colabee drifts ashore and grounds on a shoal; Cuban ship Oriente rescues one group of survivors (and then tows the damaged ship off the shoal), tanker Cities Service Kansas the other. Cuban Navy vessels later salvage the ship.

            First British armed trawlers sent to augment U.S. Navy patrol force efforts off the German submarine-plagued Eastern Seaboard, HMS Wastwater and HMS Le Tigre, begin patrol operations in Third Naval District waters. They are assigned duties off Atlantic City and Barnegat, New Jersey.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—10 P‑40’s arrive in Karachi by ship from Australia.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—XII Bomber Command is activated at MacDill Field.

US ARMY

NEW CALEDONIA—U.S. TF (17,500 men) under General Patch reaches Noumea to assist in defense of that area.

ANDAMAN ISLANDS—Garrison of Andaman Islands. (Company of British and Battalion of Gurkhas) is withdrawn, since loss of Rangoon makes it unfeasible to maintain this seaplane base.

BURMA—Burma Army establishes hq at Maymyo.

US MARINE CORPS

U. S. forces arrive in New Caledonia.

Wednesday, 11 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Lieutenant General Douglas MacArthur and Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell depart Luzon, with their respective staffs, in motor torpedo boats PT-32, PT-34, PT-35, and PT-41, bound for Mindanao. For his role in the evacuation, as well as other operations in the Philippines since the start of hostilities, Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley, Commander, Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, will receive the Medal of Honor (see 13 March).

            Submarine Pollack (SS-180), operating in the East China Sea about 270 miles east of Shanghai, sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Fukushu Maru, 30°53'N, 126°20'E and passenger-cargo ship Baikal Maru, 31°00'N, 126°32'E.

            U.S. passenger ship Mount McKinley is stranded off Unimak Island, Aleutians; wrecked subsequently by heavy seas, the ship will be written off as a total loss.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Texan is torpedoed, shelled, and sunk by German submarine U-126 about 40 miles east of Nuevitas, Cuba, 21°32'N, 76°24'W; Cuban fishing boat Yoyo rescues survivors.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Caribsea is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-158 about 14 miles east of Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 34°40'N, 76°10'W; U.S. freighter Norlindo rescues survivors.

            Coastal minesweeper AMc-202, at 40°32'N, 71°40'W, rescues seven survivors from Brazilian steamship Cairo, sunk by German submarine U-94 on 9 March, and transports them to New London, Connecticut.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General MacArthur and his family and staff embark from Corregidor in 4 PT boats for Mindanao.

BURMA—Burma Army regroups in preparation for defense of upper Burma. In Irrawaddy Valley, Indian 17th Division is disposed in Tharrawaddy area. In Sittang Valley, Burma 1st Division, after successful diversionary attacks against Shwegyin and Madauk, E of Nyaunglebin, withdraws, except for 13th Brigade, to positions N of Kanyutkwin. General Stilwell is placed in command of Chinese 5th and 6th Armies. Chinese 6th Army is holding Shan States. Chinese 5th Army, except for 200th Division disposed in Toungoo area, is to concentrate at Mandalay. 

MALTA—Military garrison is placed under command of CinC MEF. Naval and RAF garrisons are under command of CinC Mediterranean and Air Officer Commanding in Chief, respectively. Lt General Sir William Dobbie, Governor of Malta, remains commander in chief.

US MARINE CORPS

Gen MacArthur leaves Philippines for Australia.

Tuesday, 10 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), which includes ships of TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher), on the heels of initial nuisance raids by RAAF Hudsons, attacks Japanese invasion fleet (Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi) off Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea. SBDs (VB 2, VS 2, VB 5, VS 5) and TBDs (VT 2, VT 5), supported by F4Fs (VF3 and VF 42) from carriers Lexington (CV-2) and Yorktown (CV-5) sink armed merchant cruiser Kongo Maru, auxiliary minelayer Ten'yo Maru, and transport Yokohama Maru; and damage light cruiser Yubari; destroyers Yunagi, Asanagi, Oite, Asakaze, and Yakaze; minelayer Tsugaru; seaplane carrier Kiyokawa Maru; transport Kokai Maru; and minesweeper No.2 Tama Maru. One SBD (VS 2) is lost to antiaircraft fire. USAAF B-17s and RAAF Hudson conduct follow up strikes but inflict no appreciable additional damage. In a message to Prime Minister Churchill, President Roosevelt hails the raid as "the best day's work we've had." The success of the U.S. carrier strike (the first time in which two carrier air groups attack a common objective) convinces Japanese war planners that continued operations in the New Guinea area will require carrier support, thus setting the stage for confrontation in the Coral Sea (see 4-8 May).

            Japanese invade Finschhafen, New Guinea.

            Japanese collier Kosei Maru is sunk by mine in Lingayen Gulf, P.I., 16°05'N, 120°20'E.

            USMC F2As (VMF 221) from Midway shoot down Japanese reconnaissance flying boat (Yokosuka Kokutai) attempting to reconnoiter the atoll.

ATLANTIC—U.S. tanker Gulftrade is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-588 about two miles east of Barnegat, New Jersey, 39°50'N, 73°52'W; net tender Larch (YN-16) and Coast Guard cutter Antietam (WPC-128), along with Eagle Boat PE-48 and Coast Guard motor lifeboats from the Barnegat station are sent to the scene. Larch rescues seven survivors; Antietam nine.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

MIDWAY—Enemy patrol plane is shot down SW of island.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General Wainwright visits General MacArthur on Corregidor and learns that he (Wainwright) will head Luzon Force and that his I Corps will be turned over to General Jones, 51st Division CG. General Mac- Arthur, after his withdrawal from the Philippines, plans to remain in control of Philippine operations from Australia through Col Lewis C. Beebe, who will be deputy chief of staff of USAFFE.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese make another landing on New Guinea, at Finschhafen. U.S. planes, 104 strong, from carriers Lexington and Yorktown make co-ordinated attacks on enemy shipping and installations at Lae and Salamaua, considerably damaging shipping and airfields. A few B–17’s from Townsville, Australia, follow up carrier strikes with attacks on same area. Japanese fly fighters from Rabaul, New Britain, to Huon Gulf area and continue neutralization of Port Moresby by air.

IRAN—Declared eligible for U.S. lend-lease.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese invade Finschhafen, New Guinea.

Monday, 9 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) disembarks U.S. High Commissioner to the Philippine Islands Francis B. Sayre and his party (embarked since 24 February) at Fremantle, Australia. The collapse of the ABDA command has led to this change of destination.

            Java surrenders to the Japanese.

ATLANTIC—Naval Air Transport Service Squadron (VR 1) is established at Norfolk, Virginia, for operations in Atlantic area.

            U.S. freighter Alcoa Scout rescues survivors of U.S. freighter Mary, sunk by German submarine U-129 on 3 March.

            Brazilian steamship Cairo is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-94 at 39°10'N, 72°02'W (see 11 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—Military reorganization, implementing Executive Order of 28 Feb, becomes effective. The Air Corps and the US Army Air Force Combat Command, which previously had made up the AAF under General Arnold as Chief, are discontinued, and the AAF is reorganized with Arnold as CG. Army Ground Forces under General McNair and Services of Supply (later Army Serv Forces) under General Sommervell are also organized. All are under control of General Marshall, CoS. In the Navy, Adm King, CinC US Fleet, assumes additional responsibilities as he succeeds Adm Stark as Chief of Naval Operations.

SE ASIA—Japanese forces complete capture of Rangoon, dealing China a great blow by cutting off supplies from Burma Road.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—Major reorganization of U.S. Army is effective this date. GHQ is abolished and 3 autonomous commands—Army Ground Forces under Lt General Lesley J. McNair, Army Air Forces under Lt General Henry H. Arnold, and Services of Supply (later designated as Army Service Forces) under Maj General Brehon B. Somervell—are given responsibility for Zone of Interior functions under General Marshall as Chief of Staff. Field forces remain under control of War Department General Staff. Admiral King is appointed Chief of Naval Operations in addition to his post of CinC, U.S. Fleet. Admiral King succeeds Admiral Harold R. Stark, who will command U.S. naval forces operating in European waters.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General MacArthur announces that General Yamashita has replaced General Homma as CinC of enemy forces in the Philippines.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese complete conquest of Java and thereby gain control of entire Netherlands East Indies. With Malaya Barrier thus penetrated, Australia is in greater danger.

NEW GUINEA—Land-based planes attack Japanese convoy in Huon Gulf with unobserved results. Japanese aircraft continue neutralization of points in New Guinea.

BURMA—Burma Army forces at Taukkyan continue northward withdrawal without serious difficulty.

US MARINE CORPS

Java surrenders to Japanese, ending conquest of Netherlands East Indies

Sunday, 8 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese naval force (Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi) occupies Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

            Japanese occupy Rangoon, Burma.

            Small reconnaissance seaplane from Japanese submarine I-25 reconnoiters Wellington, New Zealand.

ATLANTIC—Net tender Mulberry (YN-22) rescues 14 survivors from U.S. freighter Cardonia, sunk by German submarine U-126the day before.

            Coast Guard cutter Calypso (WPC-104) rescues 54 survivors from Brazilian steamship Arabutan, sinks their lifeboats as a hazard to navigation, and transports the men to Little Creek, Virginia.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—HQ Tenth AF begins moving from Patterson Field to India. Between this date and 13 Mar, the 8 B‑17’s in India transport 474 troops and 29 tons of supplies from India to Magwe and on the return flights evacuate 423 civilians.

ELEVENTH AF—Col William O Butler assumes command of the Eleventh with HQ at Ft Richardson.

US ARMY

ALASKA—Brigadier General William O. Butler assumes command of U.S. Eleventh Air Force under Alaska Defense Command (Maj General Simon B. Buckner, Jr.). Alaska Defense Command is in turn under Western Defense Command (Lt General John L. De-Witt), which was designated a theater of operations early in the war.

BURMA—63d Brigade and elements of 16th, with tank and artillery support, clear Japanese block on Rangoon–Prome road at Taukkyan. During period 8–13 March, heavy bombers of U.S. Tenth Air Force transport troops and supplies from India to Magwe, Burma.

MIDDLE EAST—General Ritchie is ordered by General Auchinleck to provide diversion in Libya for passage of convoy to Malta. Supply situation on Malta is very serious.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese land at Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

 

Saturday, 7 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Grenadier (SS-210) torpedoes Japanese transport Asahisan Maru south of Shioyasaki, 36°27'N, 141°06'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Barbara is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-126 approximately nine miles north-northwest of West Tortuga Island, Dominican Republic, 20°00'N, 73°56'W; a PBY rescues one group of survivors while the remainder reach shore. Later, U-126 shells and sinks unarmed U.S. freighter Cardonia about five miles west-northwest of San Nicholas Mole, Haiti, 19°53'N, 73°27'W; 22 survivors reach safety at San Nicholas Mole less than five hours after the ship sinks (see 8 March).

            U.S. freighter Independence Hall, straggling from convoy SC 73, founders and sinks off Sable Island, 43°55'N,59°55'W. Ten of the 38 man merchant crew perish; there are no casualties among the 9 man Armed Guard.

            Brazilian steamship Arabutan is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-155 off the Virginia capes, 35°15'N,73°55'W (see 8 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese conquest of Java is virtually completed. Radio and cable communications with Bandoeng cease. Final reports indicate that enemy is still advancing on all fronts, that the defenders are completely exhausted, and that all Allied fighter planes have been destroyed.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese convoy arrives in Huon Gulf during night 7–8 and under cover of naval bombardment lands assault forces at Salamaua and Lae without opposition.

NEW CALEDONIA—Maj General Alexander M. Patch, commander-designate of New Caledonia Task Force, arrives.

BURMA—Burma Army evacuates Rangoon, moving along Prome road except for demolition forces, which are removed by sea. Loss of Rangoon seriously handicaps supply and reinforcement of Burma Army, which must now depend on air for this. Withdrawal from Rangoon is halted at Taukkyan by enemy roadblock. Bypassed force in Pegu is ordered to withdraw.

US MARINE CORPS

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Friday, 6 March 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-129 torpedoes and sinks unarmed U.S. freighter Steel Age about 130 miles northeast of Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, 06°45'N, 53°15'W, and takes the sole survivor captive.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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US ARMY

AUSTRALIA—U.S. TF sails for New Caledonia.

CHINA—General Stilwell confers for the first time with Chiang Kai-shek in Chungking.

BURMA—Newly arrived 63d Brigade, under command of Indian 17th Division, makes futile effort to clear block on Rangoon–Pegu road and relieve Pegu garrison, which is isolated. General Alexander orders Rangoon evacuated since situation in lower Burma is deteriorating rapidly; denial program is to be put into effect at midnight 6–7.

US MARINE CORPS

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Thursday, 5 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Salmon (SS-182) torpedoes Japanese transport Taito Maru north of Lombok, N.E.I., 05°35'S, 112°35'E.

            Japanese transport Takao Maru, damaged and driven aground off Vigan, Luzon, on 10 December 1941, is destroyed by Filipino saboteurs.

ATLANTIC—Coastal yacht Alabaster (PYc-21) collides with unidentified merchant ship while patrolling off Cape May, New Jersey, but since the damage suffered by neither ship is serious enough to hamper their operations, both vessels continue on their way.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Collamer, straggling from convoy HX 178, is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-404 off the coast of Nova Scotia, 44°18'N, 63°10'W. British freighter Empire Woodcock rescues the 24 survivors from the 31 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. freighter Mariana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-126 east of Nassau, Bahamas,22°14'N, 71°23'W. There are no survivors from the 36 man crew.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

TENTH AF—General Brereton who arrived in India from NEI on 25 Feb, formally takes command of Tenth AF, which at this time has 8 tactical aircraft (B‑17’s).

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Civil Air Patrol begins flying patrols off the E coast. XII Interceptor Command (later redesignated XII Fighter Command) is activated at Drew Field.

US ARMY

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Dutch continue a losing battle for Java. Batavia is reported evacuated.

NEW BRITAIN—Japanese convoy bound for Huon Gulf, New Guinea, sails from Rabaul, New Britain, during night 5–6.

INDIA—General Breton takes command of U.S. Tenth Air Force, which is at this time extremely small, with HQ at New Delhi.

BURMA—Lt General Sir Harold R. L. G. Alexander arrives at Rangoon to take command of Burma Army. General Hutton remains as Chief of General Staff. General Alexander at once begins offensive to close gap between Burma 1st and Indian 17th Divisions. Japanese attack Pegu from W and succeed in entering the town.

USSR—Moscow announces recapture by Red Army of Yukhnov, NW of Kaluga, on central front.

US MARINE CORPS

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Wednesday, 4 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—TG 16.5 (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) raids Marcus Island; SBDs (VB 6, VS 6) from carrier Enterprise (CV-6) bomb Japanese installations there.

            Operation K: two Japanese reconnaissance flying boats (Yokosuka Kokutai), refueled by submarines I-15 and I-19 at French Frigate Shoals, bomb Oahu, T.H., but cause no damage (see 10 March).

            Submarine Grampus (SS-207) torpedoes and sinks Japanese tanker No.2 Kaijo Maru 145 miles south of Truk,00°56'N, 149°31'E.

            Submarine Narwhal (SS-167) torpedoes and sinks Japanese army cargo ship Taki Maru off Amami O Shima, south of Kyushu, 28°37'N, 129°10'E.

            Submarine S-39 (SS-144) torpedoes and sinks Japanese oiler Erimo south of Billiton Island, 04°19'S, 108°25'E.

            Submarine Sargo (SS-188), while approaching Fremantle, Australia, is mistakenly attacked and damaged by an RAAF Hudson.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

SEVENTH AF—A lone Japanese aircraft attempts to attack Honolulu but drops its bombs short of the city. Overcast conditions prevent successful pursuit by Seventh AF airplanes.

US ARMY

HAWAII—2 Japanese planes drop total of 4 bombs near Punch Bowl crater, Oahu. No damage.

MARCUS ISLAND—U.S. planes from carrier Enterprise make surprise attack on island just before dawn, achieving satisfactory results.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS—General MacArthur is reorganizing his forces in the Philippines in preparation for his departure. Composite Visayan-Mindanao Force is divided into 2 commands. General Sharp retains command of forces on Mindanao; the Visayan forces are placed under Brigadier General Bradford G. Chynoweth. MacArthur’s plans envisage the formation of 2 more commands. Maj General George F. Moore’s harbor defense forces on Corregidor and other islands in Manila Bay will constitute one, the forces on Luzon the other.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Dutch continue fighting on Java and report that destruction of principal installations has been completed.

CHINA—General Stilwell establishes HQ, American Army Forces, China, Burma, and India, at Chungking, using his U.S. Task Force in China and AMMISCA personnel as a nucleus. General Magruder’s directive is altered to place AMMISCA personnel at disposal of General Stilwell.

US MARINE CORPS

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Tuesday, 3 March 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Submarine Perch (SS-176), depth-charged and irreparably damaged by Japanese destroyers Ushio and Sazanami, is scuttled by her crew in Java Sea. All hands (59 men) survive the boat's loss and are taken prisoner.

            Gunboat Asheville (PG-21) is sunk by gunfire of Japanese destroyers Arashi and Nowaki south of Java, 12°33'S,111°35'E. Asheville's sole survivor will perish in POW camp in 1945.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Mary is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-129 about 250 miles northeast of Paramaribo, Dutch Guiana, 08°25'N, 52°50'W (see 9 March).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—CCS take under consideration recommendation to continue SUPERGYMNAST as an ‘academic study’ only. Thus the proposed N African venture ceases to affect Eighth AF until it is revived later as TORCH.

FIFTH AF—Japanese airplanes attack airfield and harbor at Broome, Australia at 1000, shortly after arrival of 8 Heavy bombers evacuating men from Java. The Japanese destroy 2 B‑17’s, 2 B‑24’s, 12 seaplanes, and 2 Hudsons, and kill at least 45 Dutch civilians and 20 US airmen.

US ARMY

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Dutch continue losing battle for Java against superior enemy forces.

AUSTRALIA—Japanese planes strike hard at Broome, where refugees from Java are concentrated, destroying many planes on ground and in water.

BURMA—Fighting continues in Waw-Pyinbon area, NE of Pegu. 63d Brigade Group arrives at Rangoon.

US MARINE CORPS

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Monday, 2 March 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese Main Body, Southern Force (Vice Admiral Kondo Nobutake) overtakes fleeing Allied ships southwest of Bali; heavy cruiser Maya and destroyers Arashi and Nowaki sink British destroyer HMS Stronghold; heavy cruisers Atago and Takao attack what they initially identify as a "Marblehead-class" cruiser and sink her with gunfire; their quarry is actually destroyer Pillsbury (DD-227), which is lost with all hands at 14°30'S, 106°30'E.

            Submarine Perch (SS-176) is depth-charged and damaged by Japanese destroyer Ushio, Java Sea.

            Submarine S-38 (SS-143) attacks Japanese light cruiser Kinu but the latter evades all four torpedoes fired, 06°27'S,112°12'E.

            Submarine Sailfish (SS-192) torpedoes and sinks Japanese aircraft transport Kamogawa Maru north of Lombok Strait,08°06'S, 115°57'E.

            Japanese troops land at Zamboanga, Mindanao, P.I.

            Bataan-based USAAF P-40s sink Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser No.11 Kyo Maru in Subic Bay.

ATLANTIC—Antisubmarine Warfare Unit, Atlantic Fleet is established at Boston, Massachusetts.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FIFTH AF—5 B‑17’s and 3 Light Bomber-30’s (the last airplane taking off just before midnight) evacuate the last 260 men from Jogjakarta, the last airfield on Java in Allied hands. Ground forces are within 20 mi at this time. Bataan-based P‑40’s attack shipping in Subic Bay. The pilots claim considerable damage to the ships, but 4 of the few P‑40’s remaining on Bataan are lost.

US ARMY

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese gain further ground in Java, where Dutch are continuing to resist; claim capture of Batavia, from which Netherlands East Indies Government has been forced to move to Bandoeng. Many ships are scuttled off Java to prevent them from falling into enemy hands.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese begin heavy air strikes on New Guinea in preparation for invasion of Huon Gulf area.

BURMA—Japanese continue to infiltrate westward between Burma 1st and Indian 17th Divisions and are swinging SW on Rangoon, bypassing Pegu.

US MARINE CORPS

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