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