Tuesday, 27 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Submarine Gudgeon (SS-211) torpedoes and sinks Japanese submarine I-73 240 miles west of Midway, 28°24'N,178°35'E. 

           Submarine Seawolf (SS-197) delivers ammunition to Corregidor, P.I., and evacuates naval and army pilots.

           USAAF B-17s bomb and damage Japanese seaplane carrier Sanuki Maru off Balikpapan, Borneo.

           Naval Air Station, Puunene, Maui, T.H., is established.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. tanker Francis E. Powell is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-130 about eight miles northeast of Winter Quarter Lightship, 37°45'N, 74°53'W; a Coast Guard boat from the Assateague Island station and U.S. tanker W. C. Fairbanks rescue the 28 survivors from the 32 man crew. U.S. tanker Halo is torpedoed and damaged by U-130 about 17 miles northeast of Diamond Shoals Lightship, 35°33'N, 75°20'W.

           U.S. steamship Coamo rescues 71 survivors of Canadian steamer Lady Hawkins that had been sunk by U-66 on 19 January.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—B‑17’s of TG 8.9 return to Canton Island.

US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese begin assault against MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE in afternoon. After feint down East Road, main attack is made against Sectors C and D. Sector C is thinly manned and in the process of being reinforced by 41st Infantry from Sector D. Japanese force the outposts back and get small advance group across Pilar River. In I Corps area, enemy renews efforts to break through MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE on W coast and is again brought to a halt by 91st Division (PA). In South Sector, General Wainwright sends 3d Battalion of 45th Infantry to Quinauan Pt and 2d Battalion of 57th Infantry to Longoskawayan Pt to dislodge or destroy enemy along SW coast. Meanwhile, after preparatory fire from all available guns is conducted against Longoskawayan Pt, infantry attacks but is unable to clear it. Scouts of 2d Battalion, 57th Infantry, relieve naval Battalion there during night 27–28. Japanese are contained but cannot be cleared from Quinauan Pt. Water-borne reinforcements for this position land short of objective, between Anyasan and Silaiim Rivers, before dawn and put beach defenders, 1st Battalion of 1st Philippine Constabulary, to flight. 17th Pursuit Sq, from reserve, and 2d Battalion of 2d Philippine Constabulary, from MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to N, move against Japanese but are halted about 1,000 yards from shore. Japanese are ordered, upon reinforcing Quinauan beachhead, to drive to Mariveles.

MALAYA—General Percival, receiving permission from General Wavell to retire to Singapore at his discretion, decides to withdraw at once through Johore Bahru and across causeway to Singapore. Withdrawal is to be accomplished under cover of darkness and completed during night 30–31. East Force meets no opposition as it pulls back. While elements of Indian 11th Div’s Batu Pahat force fall back to Benut, the rest move to Ponggor River mouth, from which they are withdrawn by sea during the following nights. West Force fights local actions while retiring along main road and Railroad.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Singkawang II airfield, Borneo, under enemy attack, is ordered evacuated.

AUSTRALIA—General Barnes assumes command of base facilities in Australia.

LIBYA—As 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, prepares to counterattack in Msus area, enemy renews offensive, making main effort toward Benghazi while moving strong diversionary column toward Mechili.

USSR—On Donets front, Soviet forces seize important rail center of Lozovaya, W of Izyum.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Monday, 26 January 1942

US NAVY

ATLANTIC—First U.S. Expeditionary Force to Europe in World War II arrives in Northern Ireland.

           U.S. freighter West Ivis is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-125 off the eastern seaboard. There are no survivors from either the 36 man civilian crew or the 9 man Armed Guard.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

ARMY AIR FORCES—General Arnold recommends to Army CoS that AAFIB be composed of a HQ and 3 cmds-bomber, interceptor, and base.

US ARMY FORCES BRITISH ISLES—First increment of US troops arrives in N Ireland.

FAR EAST AF—Fighters from Bataan bomb and strafe Nichols and Nielson Fields on Luzon during 26/27 Jan, inflicting considerable damage on aircraft and fuel storage.

US ARMY

LUZON—Philippine II and I Corps complete withdrawal to final defense line on Bataan in morning, closely followed by Japanese. The new line, which is to be continuous for the first time, extends from Orion on E to Bagac on W and is generally behind Pilar–Bagac road. Gaps develop in each corps sector when USAFFE withdraws Philippine Division as its reserve. Units are hastily shifted to replace 31st (U.S.) and 57th (PS) Regiments in II Corps line and 45th Infantry (PS) in I Corps line. II Corps, responsible for E Bataan from coast to Pantingan River, organizes its line into 4 sectors, from E to W: Sector A, 31st Infantry of 31st Division (PA); Sector B, Provisional Air Corps Regiment; Sector C, elements of 31st Division (PA) and remnants of 51st Division (PA); Sector D, 41st and 21st Divisions (PA) and 33d Infantry, less 1st Battalion, of 31st Division (PA). In addition, beach defense forces are organized as Sector E. 1st Battalion of 33d Infantry, 31st Division (PA), and regiment of PA combat engineers constitute corps reserve. Japanese patrol along E slopes of Mt Samat almost to MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE but do not discover gap in line, which exists for several hours. I Corps line, extending from Pantingan River to W coast, is divided into Right and Left Sectors: Right Sector is manned by 2d PC Regiment (less one Battalion) on E and 11th Division (PA) on W; disposed in Left Sector are elements of 1st Division (PA) on E and 91st (PA) on W. Beach defense forces make up South Sector. 26th Cavalry (PS) is held in corps reserve. Japanese open offensive, driving S along West Road toward Binuangan River. 91st Division (PA) contains these attacks. In South Sector, Japanese maintain beachheads at Quinauan and Longoskawayan Pts and move reinforcements toward former. USAFFE sends 88th FA (PS) to W coast from II Corps sector, one of its gun batteries to Quinauan Pt and another to Longoskawayan Pt.

MALAYA—Japanese amphibious force lands in E Malaya at Endau and moves rapidly inland. Some damage is done to the convoy by RAF planes as it approaches Endau and by naval vessels after it has anchored, but British lose HMS Thanet in the action. Indian 11th Division makes another unsuccessful attempt to relieve Batu Pahat force, which withdraws by infiltration, leaving wounded behind.

NORTHERN IRELAND—First convoy of U.S. troops arrives.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Sunday, 25 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese submarine I-73 shells Midway Island. 

           Japanese destroyer Hatsuharu is damaged by U.S. aircraft east of Kendari, Celebes.

ATLANTIC—German submarine U-125 attacks unarmed U.S. tanker Olney, forcing the latter aground off Cape Lookout, North Carolina, 37°55'N, 74°56'W. Olney is subsequently removed from her predicament, however, repaired, and returned to service.

           U.S. steamer Tennessee rescues one boatload of 21 survivors from U.S. collier Venore, torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 on 25 January; two survivors reach port in a second boat. U.S. motor tanker Australia rescues the only other surviving sailor the same day. Seventeen men of Venore's crew perish.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—The first AAF pursuit squadron (17th Pursuit Squadron), (Provisional) under Maj Charles A Sprague, arrives in Java with 13 P‑ 40’s flown from Australia.

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

US ARMY

MIDWAY—Shelled by Japanese submarine.

LUZON—Responsibility for defense of beach area of S Bataan passes from General McBride of Service Command Area to commanders of Island and II Corps. II Corps continues withdrawal under air attack and with Japanese in full pursuit. I Corps abandons Mauban MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE. Withdrawal of 1st Division southward begins during morning and continues through night 25–26. Diverting enemy attention, other elements of I Corps press in on roadblock on West Road from the W. In South Sector, operations against Japanese at Quinauan and Longoskawayan Pts remain indecisive.

THAILAND—Declares war on U.S.

MALAYA—Since Batu Pahat must be abandoned at once, General Percival orders entire line in central Johore withdrawn. Indian 3 Corps is responsible for withdrawal operation, which begins after nightfall. Meanwhile, Batu Pahat defense force fights losing battle for that town throughout day. Indian 11th Division commander sends British 53d Brigade Group to relief of Batu Pahat defense force, but most of the column is unable to get through. To E, enemy attacks in Ayer Hitam-Kluang area are beaten off.

BURMA—General Wavell, visiting Rangoon, orders Moulmein held. 16th Brigade, Indian 17th Division, is disposed W of Salween River, opposite Moulmein. Indian 46th Brigade is ordered to Bilin area. Lull ensues as Japanese bring up reinforcements to vicinity of Paan and Moulmein, on Salween River.

LIBYA—Speeding eastward again, Rommell’s forces seize Msus. Weakened 1st Armored Division of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army, is ordered to fall back on Mechili, leaving detachment to protect withdrawal of Indian 4th Division from Benghazi and Barce. General Auchinleck visits Eighth Army hq, where he remains until 1 February. General Ritchie revokes order for general withdrawal of 13 Corps and orders Indian 4th Division, over which he takes direct control, and 1st Armored Division to counterattack in Msus area.

US MARINE CORPS

 

Saturday, 24 January 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Battle off Balikpapan (Battle of Makassar Strait) occurs when four U.S. destroyers (Commander Paul H. Talbot) (DesDiv 59) attack Japanese Borneo invasion convoy. Destroyer John D. Ford (DD-228) is damaged by gunfire(01°20'N, 117°01'E) but sinks transport Tsuruga Maru; destroyer Parrott (DD-218) sinks transport Sumanoura Maru; destroyers Paul Jones (DD-230) and Pope (DD-225) sink transport Tatsukami Maru; Paul Jones sinks cargo ship Kuretaki Maru; Parrott sinks Patrol Boat No.37, 00°10'N, 118°00'E. USAAF B-17s and Dutch Martin 139s and Brewster 339s bomb invasion shipping, sinking transports Nana Maru and Jukka Maru, 00°10'N, 118°00'E.

           Naval battalion (Commander Francis J. Bridget) drives Japanese troops back to Longoskawayan and Quinauan Points on Bataan Peninsula.

           Japanese land at Kendari, Celebes; Kavieng, New Ireland; and Subic Bay.

           Submarine tender Canopus (AS-9) is damaged by bombs, Lilimbom Cove, Mariveles.

           Submarine Swordfish (SS-193) sinks Japanese gunboat Myoken Maru north of Kema, Celebes, 01°26'N, 125°08'E.

CARIBBEAN—Submarine S-26 (SS-131) is accidentally rammed and sunk by submarine chaser PC-460 in Gulf of Panama, 08°13'N,79°21'E. PC-460 rescues three survivors. Despite a search by the patrol craft and the other three submarines in company, S-21 (SS-126), S-29 (SS-134) and S-44 (SS-155), no other survivors are found; 46 men lose their lives in the mishap.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

UNITED STATES—Special Court of Inquiry on Pearl Harbor, headed by Supreme Court Justice Owen J Roberts, places main responsibility for the 7 Dec 41 disaster on Adm Kimmel and General Short, accusing them of neglecting to heed attack warning, failing to confer with each other, and taking only minimum precautions.

US ARMY

LUZON—II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing combat troops. Japanese maintain intense pressure on Philippine Division and attack covering force, but bulk of troops withdraw successfully. Situation in I Corps area deteriorates rapidly. 1st Division, exhausted by prolonged fighting along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE and critically in need of supplies and ‘ammunition, remains under pressure. Additional strength is applied against Japanese roadblock on West Road without avail. In Service Command Area Japanese cannot be ousted from Quinauan and Longoskawayan Pts. Sailors and marines succeed, however, in regaining Pucot Hill and driving enemy back to Longoskawayan and Lapiay Pts.

MALAYA—Outline plan for withdrawal to Singapore is issued. Hard fighting continues at Batu Pahat. Japanese are approaching Kluang, in Indian 9th Division sector. Additional units (Australian MG Battalion and about 2,000 Australian reinforcements, many of whom are poorly trained) arrive at Singapore.

MAKASSAR STRAIT—Battle of Makassar Strait, first big naval battle of the war, occurs early in morning when 4 U.S. DD’s strike at enemy shipping off Balikpapan, Borneo, with good effect.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—The first of a small group of U.S. P–40’s reaches Java from Australia.

NEW GUINEA—Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, which are threatened by Japanese.

AUSTRALIA—Combined Chiefs of Staff order Darwin area incorporated into ABDA Command.

BURMA—Rear elements of Mergui garrison arrive at Rangoon. Moulmein is now threatened.

LIBYA—British Eighth Army’s 13 Corps prepares to counterattack or, if enemy cannot be contained, to fall back on line Derna–Mechili as Axis offensive halts briefly.

USSR—Soviet forces on Donets front in the Ukraine break through enemy positions in Izyum area and capture Barvenkova, about 40 miles E of Lozovaya; in Valdai Hills sector to N, deepen salient between Cholm and Rzhev to vicinity of Velikie Luki, where Germans are firmly established.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese land at Kavieng, New Ireland.

Friday, 23 January 1942

US NAVY 

PACIFIC—Roberts Commission, whose work had begun on 18 December 1941, concludes its investigation to "ascertain and report the facts relating to the attack made by the Japanese armed forces upon the Territory of Hawaii on December 7,1941..." The exhibits gathered amount to 2,173 printed pages.

           Japanese land at Balikpapan, Borneo, N.E.I.

           Japanese occupy Rabaul, New Britain, and land at Kieta, Bougainville, Solomons.

           Japanese force lands on southwest coast of Bataan peninsula; local Army commander inserts naval battalion of sailors and marines (Commander Francis J. Bridget) into the battle as a stopgap. It blocks enemy progress. Motor torpedo boat PT-34 is damaged in action with Japanese armed launch while on patrol off Bataan Peninsula.

           Oiler Neches (AO-5) is torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-72, off Hawaiian Islands, 21°01'N, 160°06'W. The loss of the oiler supporting TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.) forces cancellation of the projected raid on Wake.

           Destroyer Edsall (DD-219) is damaged by explosion of own depth charges during attack on submarine contact in Howard Channel, Clarence Strait, one of the approaches to Darwin, Australia.

           Submarine Seadragon (SS-194) damages Japanese merchant cargo ship Fukuyo Maru off the northern coast of French Indochina, 12°00'N, 109°00'E.

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. collier Venore is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-66 about 20 miles southeast of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, 35°50'N, 75°20'W (see 25 January).

US ARMY AIR FORCE

HAWAIIAN AF—B‑17’s of TG 8.9 return from Nandi to Canton Island.

ZONE OF THE INTERIOR—Flying Tiger Command is established and given jurisdiction over the Southeast Gulf Coast and West Coast Flying Tiger Centers which had been established on 8 Jul 40.

US ARMY

UNITED STATES—General Stilwell, in Washington, accepts China assignment and takes over part of staff previously selected by General Drum.

LUZON—Philippine Division, on II Corps W flank, withstands increasingly heavy pressure. After nightfall, II Corps begins withdrawal to final defense line. In I Corps area, Japanese maintain heavy pressure against Mauban MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE and frustrate further attempts to reduce roadblock on West Road. In Service Command Area, enemy amphibious force heading for Caibobo Pt, having lost its way during night, arrives at 2 points on SW coast, both well S of objective. About a third land at Longoskawayan Pt; the rest land at Quinauan Pt. General McBride, responsible for defense of S tip of Bataan except for naval reservation near Mariveles, sends Philippine Constabulary elements to Quinauan Pt, but they make little headway. Comdr Francis J. Bridget, commanding naval reservation, dispatches sailors and marines to Longoskawayan Pt; these, reinforced by personnel of U.S. 301st Chemical Company and a howitzer from the Constabulary, clear Pucot Hill, but enemy returns after nightfall.

MALAYA—Rear guards from Segamat and Muar fronts complete withdrawal through Yong Peng at midnight, 23–24; West Force then comes under command of Indian 3 Corps, which is to defend central Johore and thereby protect Singapore naval base until reinforcements arrive. Japanese are to be kept N of line Batu Pahat–Ayer Hitam–Kluang–Jemaluang, if possible. Fighting continues in Batu Pahat area, and road from there to Ayer Hitam is closed. Japanese intensify air attacks.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese Fourth Fleet lands troops at Rabaul (New Britain) and Kavieng (New Ireland). Small Australian garrison of the important Rabaul base is soon overwhelmed. Kavieng is undefended. Japanese are now within easy striking distance of New Guinea.

SOLOMON ISLANDS—Elements of Japanese Fourth Fleet invade Kieta (Bougainville) without opposition.

NETHERLANDS EAST INDIES—Japanese invasion forces move S in 2 convoys, one through Makassar Strait to Balikpapan (Borneo) and the other through Molucca Passage to Kendari (Celebes). Unopposed landings are made at both places, but convoy off Balikpapan is attacked by Dutch planes. On Sumatra, RAF reinforcements from Middle East begin arriving at Palembang, where one of the 2 airdromes is attacked for first time by enemy planes.

BURMA—Japanese planes begin period of intensified attacks on Rangoon area in effort to destroy Allied aircraft in Burma.

LIBYA—Axis troops take Antelat and Saunnu despite opposition of 13 Corps, British Eighth Army.

USSR—Thrusting strongly SW from Valdai Hills, NW of Moscow, Red Army seizes Cholm, German center of resistance near boundary of Center and Northern Army Groups. To SE, Rzhev, another enemy center of resistance, is being encircled.

US MARINE CORPS

Japanese occupy Rabaul, New Britain, and land at Kieta on Bougainvillea in the Solomon Islands.

Thursday, 22 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—Japanese reinforcements land in Subic Bay area.

           Japanese land on Mussau Island, north of New Ireland.

           Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

           TF 11 (Vice Admiral Wilson Brown Jr.), formed around carrier Lexington (CV-2), departs Oahu to raid Wake Island (see 23 January).

           Destroyers Gridley (DD-380) and Fanning (DD-385) are damaged in collision 150 miles northwest of American Samoa as TF 8 proceeds toward the Marshalls and Gilberts.

           Survey vessel Sumner (AG 32) arrives at Bora Bora, Society Islands, and commences survey work at that place (see29 January and 12 February).

ATLANTIC—Unarmed U.S. freighter Norvana is torpedoed and sunk by German submarine U-123 south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. There are no survivors, and pieces of wreckage from the ship when she explodes hit her attacker.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

FAR EAST AF—From this date through 3 Feb, B‑17’s launch at least 15 missions out of Malang against shipping moving through Makassar Strait. 4 missions abort due to bad weather, 6 end with negative results, and the remaining 5 suffer heavy losses but sink 4 ships.

US ARMY

LUZON—General MacArthur orders withdrawal of entire Mauban–Abucay line southward to final defense position on Bataan, behind Pilar–Bagac road; withdrawal is to start after nightfall on 23d and be completed by daylight of 26th. In II Corps area, Japanese open offensive that forces Philippine Division back to positions E and S of Abucay Hacienda, approximately those held at beginning of counteroffensive on 16 January. In I Corps area, elements of 91st Division (PA), supported by Scouts of 26th Cavalry and tanks, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce roadblock on West Road and to reach 1st Division troops still fighting along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE to N. Japanese begin series of amphibious operations, night 22–23, when Battalion embarks in barges at Moron and sails toward Caibobo Pt, below Bagac. U.S. PT boat encounters and sinks

2 vessels.

MALAYA—Six-day battle on Muar front ends in victory for Japanese. Indian 45th Brigade, despite close air and naval support during the operation, is destroyed as a fighting body. Muar force destroys its vehicles and weapons and pushes toward Yong Peng by infiltration, leaving wounded behind. Batu Pahat defense force (detachment of Indian 11th Div) skirmishes with enemy on Batu Pahat–Ayer Hitam road. Indian 8th Brigade Group, 9th Division, having withdrawn from Segamat sector to positions astride main road between Labis and Yong Peng, is attacked by enemy. East Force repels enemy attempt to cross river at Mersing. Partly trained Indian 44th Brigade, reinforced, and

7,000 Indian reinforcements arrive at Singapore.

MAKASSAR STRAIT—U.S. submarine attacks enemy convoy.

BURMA—Indian 16th Brigade breaks off action in Kawkareik area and falls back toward Moulmein.

LIBYA—Continuing swiftly eastward, Axis forces occupy Agedabia.

US MARINE CORPS

Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea.

 

Wednesday, 21 January 1942

US NAVY

PACIFIC—In response to the movement of the Japanese convoy sighted the previous day in Makassar Strait, a U.S. task force (Rear Admiral William A. Glassford), consisting of light cruisers Boise (CL-47) (flagship) and Marblehead (CL-12) and four destroyers sails from Koepang, Timor, to engage it. En route, however, Boise steams across an uncharted pinnacle in Sape Strait, N.E.I., and suffers sufficient damage to eliminate her from the force. Turbine trouble limits Marblehead (the ship to which Glassford transfers his flag) to only 15 knots, so the admiral orders the destroyers (Commander Paul H. Talbot) ahead (see 24 January).

           Submarine S-36 (SS-141), damaged by grounding on 20 January, is scuttled by her crew in Makassar Strait.

US ARMY AIR FORCE

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

US ARMY

LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese continue preparations for offensive, massing assault forces on extreme W flank of corps; contain further attempts of Philippine Division to restore W flank positions. In I Corps area, small enemy force, having circled about E flank of corps, reaches West Road in area 4 miles E of Mauban and blocks it, cutting off 1st Division troops along MAIN LINE OF RESISTANCE from forces to S. Forces that can be spared from other sectors attack the Japanese block from N and S but are unable to reduce it.

MALAYA—Withdrawal of defense forces from Muar and Segamat fronts continues. Commander of West Force is placed in charge of all troops on Yong Peng-Muar road. Muar force is supplied by air. East Force patrols ambush enemy force driving on Mersing.

CELEBES SEA—Enemy convoy is observed moving S in Celebes Sea.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese planes continue preinvasion bombardment of Rabaul (New Britain) and Kavieng (New Ireland). At Rabaul, the only coastal battery is destroyed.

NEW GUINEA—Japanese begin air offensive against New Guinea with 50-plane attack on Lae- Salamaua area.

CHINA—Chinese Government accepts proposal that General Stilwell act as chief of the Generalissimo’s Allied staff and agrees to give him executive authority over Allied units. Ch 49th Division (6th Army) is authorized to move into Burma.

LIBYA—Axis forces, with strong air support, go on the offensive in W Cyrenaica, pushing rapidly eastward in 3 columns astride main road. British Eighth Army’s 13 Corps commander orders withdrawal to line Agedabia–El Haseiat at once and a further retreat if necessary; orders Indian 4th Division to check coastal advance toward Benghazi.

US MARINE CORPS