Tuesday, 20 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larson, USMC) arrives at Pago Pago, Samoa, in transports Lurline, Matsonia, and Monterey, along with cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship Lassen (AE-3), to protect that portion of the important lifeline to Australia. Cover for the operation is provided by TF 8 formed around carrier Enterprise (CV-6) (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5). The two carrier task forces then set course for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter (see 1 February).

           Motor torpedo boat PT-31, damaged by grounding the day before, is burned by crew to prevent capture, 14°45'N,120°13'E.

           Submarine S-36 (SS-141) is damaged when she runs aground on Taka Bakang Reef, Makassar Strait, Celebes, N.E.I.,04°57'N, 118°31'E (see 21 January).

           Destroyer Edsall (DD-219) and Australian minesweeper HMAS Deloraine sink Japanese submarine I-124 off Darwin, Australia.

           Japanese gunboat Aso Maru and auxiliary minesweeper No.52 Banshu Maru are sunk by mines, Subic Bay, Luzon, P.I., 14°45'N, 120°17'E.

           Japanese merchant storeship Sendai Maru is damaged by unknown cause off mouth of Davao Gulf.

           Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait, bound for Balikpapan, Borneo (see 21 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—General Brett, CG USAFIA, halts ferrying of aircraft from India to NEI. AAF has been sending Heavy Bombers to Java by way of Africa and India, but the Japanese are able to inflict prohibitive losses on AAF aircraft on the last stops of the route by interception from newly acquired airfields near Java.

US ARMY

LUZON—Japanese contain repeated attacks by Philippine Division (U.S- 31st and PS 45th Regiments) on W flank of II Corps while preparing for major assault to begin on 22d. After further fighting before Guitol, Japanese retire northward. In I Corps area, Japanese maintain pressure and continue infiltration into right flank from Mt. Silanganan.

MALAYA—British 53d Brigade counterattacks W of Yong Peng but is unable to recover lost ground. Muar force begins difficult withdrawal toward Yong Peng. Withdrawal of Segamat forces continues; during night 20–21, Australian 27th Brigade Group moves from Segamat River line to Yong Peng; Indian 9th Division pulls back to defensive position to E.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—More than 100 Japanese carrier-based planes attack Rabaul, New Britain, causing serious damage. Kavieng, New Ireland, is also attacked by air but in much less strength.

BURMA—Japanese cross into Burma in force and begin assault on N Tenasserim, attacking 16th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, on Myawadi–Kawkareik road, near Thai border E of Moulmein, in conjunction with air attacks.

USSR—Mozhaisk, about 60 miles W of Moscow, falls to Soviet forces.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Monday, 19 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Motor torpedo boat PT-31 is damaged when her engines fail because of what is believed to be sabotaged gasoline and she runs aground on reef north of Mayagao Point, Bataan, P.I.

ATLANTIC—In attacks against unescorted coastal shipping, unarmed U.S. steamship City of Atlanta is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 off the North Carolina coast at 35°42'N, 75°21'W; railroad ferry Seatrain Texas rescues the three survivors of the 46 man crew.

           German submarine U-66 torpedoes and sinks Canadian steamer Lady Hawkins at 35°00'N, 72°30'W (see 28 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps continues efforts to regain positions along Balantay River on W flank, 45th Infantry (—) (PS) reaching river in region between 31st Infantry (U.S.) and 41st Division (PA). 31st Infantry, however, is under increasingly strong pressure. Enemy column driving down Abo-Abo River valley reaches positions near Guitol and is engaged by 31st Division and elements of 21st Division (PA). I Corps restores OPL in counterattack but is forced to abandon it after nightfall. Elements of 92d Infantry (PA) are sent to block enemy infiltrators from Mt Silanganan, on corps E flank.

MALAYA—Bitter fighting continues in Muar- Yong Peng area. 53d Brigade of British 18th Division, under command of Indian 11th Division, takes responsibility for strategic positions W of Yong Peng—a defile and bridge—but loses them. Muar force (Indian 45th Brigade and 2 Australian Battalions), now isolated, is ordered to withdraw.

BORNEO—British North Borneo is surrendered to Japanese at Sandakan.

BURMA—Japanese seize Tavoy and its airfield. Because of this, it is decided to withdraw Mergui garrison by sea to Rangoon at once, although Mergui has not yet been attacked. Balance of Ch 93d Division (6th Army) is ordered to move into Burma.

MIDDLE EAST—General Auchinleck issues operations instructions to Commander, British Troops in Egypt (BTE), and Commander, Eighth Army, restating that objective in Libya is Tripoli and outlining plan for defensive stand in the event the Libyan offensive cannot be continued.

USSR—Heavy fighting continues on southern front; Germans in the Crimea recapture Feodosia.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Sunday, 18 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Germany, Italy, and Japan sign new military pact in Berlin.

PACIFIC—River gunboat Tutuila (PR-4), stranded at Chungking by Sino-Japanese hostilities since 1937, is decommissioned and her crew flown out of China. 

            Submarine Plunger (SS-179) torpedoes and sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Eizan Maru (ex-Panamanian Aurora) off mouth of Kii Suido, Honshu, 33°30'N, 135°00'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Frances Salman is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-552 off St. John’s, Newfoundland. There are no survivors from the 28 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Allan Jackson is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 about 50 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°57'N, 74°20'W; destroyer Roe (DD-418) rescues the 13 survivors from the 35 man crew.

            Unarmed U.S. tanker Malay is shelled and damaged by German submarine U-123 off Oregon Inlet, North Carolina,35°25'N, 75°23'W. Freighter Scania provides fire-fighting assistance while the tanker's assailant pursues other game (Latvian freighter Ciltvaria). Although Malay is torpedoed by U-123 upon the U-boat's return and damaged further, the holed tanker reaches Hampton Roads safely the next day. One man perishes in the shelling; four drown when the ship is abandoned after she is torpedoed.

 

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—First increment (1,400 men) of US forces to be sent to UK sails for N Ireland.

HAWAIIAN AF—Another unsuccessful attack on enemy submarines in Hawaiian area. B‑17’s of TG 8.9 conduct antisubmarine search from Canton Island.

 

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps renews efforts to restore W flank positions. U.S. 31st Infantry is still unable to gain Balantay River line on right and is under strong pressure along the river on left. Battalion of 45th Infantry (PS) reaches the Balantay to W of 31st Infantry and is attached to 31st Infantry. 2 other Battalions of 45th Infantry advance toward the Balantay between 31st Infantry and 41st Division (PA), but are halted short of objective. In I Corps area, Japanese increase pressure and force outposts to withdraw. Small enemy force is moving eastward unopposed to outflank E portion of line.

MALAYA—Indian 45th Brigade, reinforced, repels further enemy attacks in Muar-Yong Peng area and destroys a number of tanks, but landing of strong Japanese force a few miles N of Batu Pahat increases danger in this sector. In evening, Commander West Force orders withdrawal. Entire Muar front is placed temporarily under Indian 3 Corps command. During night 18–19, Indian 9th Division falls back behind Muar River, as does AUSTRALIAN 27th Brigade Group behind Segamat River. RAF bomber group withdraws from Singapore Island. to Sumatra.

USSR—On southern front, Red Army makes deep penetration near Izyum, on Donets River in the Ukraine; gains ground E of Kursk.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Saturday, 17 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-60 is sunk by British destroyer HMS Jupiter 25 miles north-northwest of Krakatoa, Java,06°00'S, 105°00'E.

            Japanese transport Fukusei Maru is stranded and wrecked off Yangtze Estuary, 31°00'N, 122°00'E.

ATLANTIC—U.S. freighter San Jose is sunk in collision with freighter Santa Elisa off Atlantic City, New Jersey, 39°15'N, 74°09'W.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s from Malang, staging through Kendari, hit Langoan airfield and ships in Menado Bay.

HAWAIIAN AF—Aircraft unsuccessfully attack submarines in Hawaiian area. B‑17’s of TG 8.9 proceed from Palmyra to Canton Island.

 

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—War Department appoints General Breton commander of tactical forces in ABDA area.

LUZON—II Corps counterattacks to restore W portion of line, formerly held by 51st Division (PA), and makes limited progress. U.S. 31st Infantry, moving N from Abucay Hacienda area, reaches Balantay River on left but is unable to make much headway on right. Reserves move forward to plug gap between the assault Battalions. Japanese encircling column begins unopposed march down Abo-Abo River toward Orion.

            In I Corps area, Moron defenders fall back under enemy pressure to ridge S and SE of Moron.

MALAYA—Additional reinforcements are moved into Muar-Yong Peng area as enemy continues attacks and build up. West Force withdraws Battalion from Segamat, and East Force releases one from Jemaluang for operations in this area.

BORNEO—Japanese force lands at Sandakan, British North Borneo.

LIBYA-EGYPT—30 Corps, British Eighth Army, receives surrender of Halfaya garrison and takes many prisoners. 1st Free French (FF) Brigade Group was to have participated in attack on Halfaya, had the garrison not surrendered. With destruction of enemy in E Cyrenaica and reopening of communication line from there into Egypt, first phase of Libyan campaign is successfully concluded. In W Cyrenaica, 13 Corps reconnoiters enemy’s El Agheila position.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Friday, 16 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—War Production Board is established to supplant Office of Production Management.

PACIFIC—Japanese invade Burma from Thailand.

            Japanese submarines continue mining the approaches to Darwin, Northern Territory: I-122 mines Clarence Strait, I-123 Bunda Strait, and I-124 the waters off Darwin itself (see 20 January).

            Japanese cargo ship Taishu Maru is wrecked when she runs aground off Okushiri Island, Hokkaido, 42°00'N,139°00'E.

            During a routine search from carrier Enterprise (CV-6), TBD (VT 6) flown by Aviation Chief Machinist's Mate Harold F. Dixon (Naval Aviation Pilot) fails to return to the ship and force-lands at sea at about 04°20'S, 169°30'E due to fuel starvation. Dixon and his two man crew have no food and no water (see 19 February).

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—First significant deployment of aircraft from Hawaiian AF begins with movement of 6 B‑17’s, commanded by Lt Col Walter C Sweeney, to Palmyra for duty with TG 8.9.

 

US ARMY

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Representatives of 21 American Republics meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to provide for hemispheric solidarity against attack.

LUZON—In II Corps area, 51st Division (PA) counterattacks to restore positions on corps W flank; after making limited progress on right, is subjected to severe pressure and falls back in confusion, W flank elements making futile attempt to gain contact with I Corps on rugged terrain of Mt. Natib. Entire line on Bataan is jeopardized by enemy breakthrough in this sector. Japanese encircling force, although in position to turn W flank of corps, prepares instead to advance down Abo-Abo River valley. To E, 41st Division (PA) refuses its left flank in effort to tie in with 51st Division and, with assistance of elements of 23d and 32d Regiments and quickly formed provisional Battalion, succeeds in halting enemy. U.S. 31st Infantry moves to vicinity of Abucay Hacienda, on left flank of 41st Division, and prepares to counterattack; reserve force, 45th Infantry (PS), also moves toward attack positions. I Corps engages enemy for first time. Japanese cross Batalan River and attack Moron but are forced back to river line by 1st Infantry and elements of 26th Cavalry. Cavalrymen are withdrawn after engagement because of heavy losses.

MALAYA—Japanese cross Muar River and force Indian 45th Brigade from Muar, on S bank; continue landings on W coast in Muar-Batu Pahat area, increasing threat to communications. 53d Brigade of British 18th Division is released to Indian 3 Corps, which places it under Indian 11th Division command; 2 Battalions are dispatched to positions W of Yong Peng and the third is held in reserve at Ayer Hitam. RAF, concentrated on Singapore Island, prepares to withdraw to Sumatra. Singapore airdromes are still targets of daily enemy air attacks.

BURMA—46th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, arrives. Japanese attack and eventually outflank Imperial forces at Myitta, threatening Tavoy.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Thursday, 15 January 1942

US NAVY

GENERAL—Third Conference of Foreign Ministers of the American Republics convenes at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to secure a unanimous and binding resolution for the American republics to sever relations with the Axis powers (see 28 January).

PACIFIC—American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Supreme Command is established at the Grand Hotel, Lembang, Java. General Sir Archibald Wavell, British Army, assumes supreme command of all forces in area; Lieutenant General George H. Brett, USAAF, is deputy commander; Admiral Thomas C. Hart is to command naval forces.

ATLANTIC—Storm with wind velocity of more than 80 knots and gusts of over 100 knots hits Hvalfjordur, Iceland; heavy cruiser Wichita (CA-45) is damaged in collisions with U.S. freighter West Nohno and British trawler HMS Ebor Wyke, and in grounding near Hrafneyri light. Storm conditions last until 19 January and cause heavy damage among patrol planes based there and tended by seaplane tender Albemarle (AV-5).

   

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—B‑17’s, flying out of Palembang, attack Sungei Patani airfield.

ALASKA DEFENSE COMMAND—The Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field. Cmdr is Lt Col Everett S Davis.

 

US ARMY

ALASKA—Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf Field under command of Lt Col Everett S. Davis.

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese, attacking vigorously at junction of 41st and 51st Divisions (PA), gain foothold on S bank of the Balantay. 51st Division commits reserves and service troops to no avail. Further reinforcements, Philippine Division (less 57th Infantry) from USAFFE reserve and 31st Division (—) (PA) from I Corps, are sent forward. Japanese enveloping column in central Bataan arrives in position to turn corps’ W flank and pauses to reorganize. Regrouping is conducted to E as enemy threat there diminishes. In I Corps area, the 2 Japanese columns driving on Moron converge and push closer to objective.

MALAYA—Forward elements of Australian 27th Brigade Group inflict more casualties on enemy in Gemas area before pulling back to main position. On W coast, Japanese reach N bank of Muar River and land small party between Muar and Batu Pahat, threatening communications of West Force in Yong Peng area. Boundary between West Force and Indian 3 Corps is altered to give this region, which Indian 45th Brigade is defending, to 3 Corps.

ABDA COMMAND—Headed by General Wavell, ABDA opens officially at Batavia, Java, at noon GMT. General Wavell is replaced as CinC India by General Sir Alan Hartley.

MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department, learning of transfer of Iraq and Iran to Middle East Command from India Command, cables the information to chiefs of U.S. Military North African Mission and U.S. Military Iranian Mission.

 

US MARINE CORPS

 

Wednesday, 14 January 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—Panamanian tanker Norness is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 at 40°26'30"N, 70°54'30"W; destroyer Ellyson (DD-454) and Coast Guard cutter Argo (WPC 100) rescue 30 men, while fishing boat Malvina picks up nine and brings them to Newport, Rhode Island.

  

US ARMY AIR FORCE

INTERNATIONAL—ARCADIA conference ends. Major discussions include creation of CCS to direct US-British war effort, and employment of main military efforts against Germany while containing the Japanese offensive. Conference ended with the creation of the ABDA (American British Dutch Australian) command under the command of Sir Archibald Wavell. His mission was to hold the Malay Barrier while the United States held open lines of communication to Australia and New Zealand.

ARMY AIR FORCES—Col Claude E Duncan leaves Washington for Britain to prepare for arriv INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Anglo-American ARCADIA Conference ends in Washington. Among major decisions reached are: agreement to establish Combined Chiefs of Staff to direct British- American war effort; the main effort must be made first against Germany; occupation of French North Africa (GYMNAST) is of strategic importance in Atlantic area.

UNITED STATES—As discussions are begun in Washington to consider who shall go to China instead of General Drum, General Marshall proposes Maj General Joseph W. Stilwell, who is being considered for command of GYMNAST.

LUZON—In II Corps area, strong Japanese pressure against W flank of 41st Division (PA) forces outposts to retire across Balantay River. 51st Division (PA) withdraws to S bank of river to tie in with 41st. Japanese enveloping column continues slowly down center of Bataan but is still N of MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE. In I Corps area, Japanese start S on W coast toward Moron in

2 columns, one by sea and the other along trail from Olongapo. Waterborne elements land about midway between Olongapo and Moron and continue S on foot. General Wainwright sends containing force to Moron.

MALAYA—Indian 3 Corps completes withdrawal into Johore and assumes responsibility for S part of Johore; assault elements (Australian 22d Brigade of Australian 8th Div) are designated East Force and disposed astride Malacca–Segamat road. AIF Malaya (less Australian 22d Brigade), responsible for NW Johore, is reinforced by Indian 9th Division and Indian 45th Brigade and is designated West Force. Australian 27th Brigade and Indian 8th Brigade Groups are astride main road and Railroad N of Segamat. Enemy is to be kept N of line Muar–Segamat–Mersing, if possible. Japanese overtake West and East Forces. Many cyclists are killed in ambush prepared near Gemas by elements of West Force. East Force patrols encounter enemy from Kuantan in Endau area. On this date and 15th, Dutch detachment of about 80 native troops with European officers f lies from Netherlands East Indies to Singapore and concentrates in Labis area, N Johore, for guerrilla action against enemy communications.

USSR—Moscow announces capture by Red Army of Medyn, on central front NW of Kaluga.

al of Shadow Staff of Bomber Command.

FAR EAST AF—HQ moves from Darwin to Java.

 

US ARMY

 

US MARINE CORPS