This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: U.S. Brigadier General Henry B. Claggett takes temporary command of U.S. Forces in Australia, pending the arrival of Major General George H. Brett from Chungking, China.

BORNEO: A Japanese convoy, despite attacks by British and Dutch planes and Dutch submarines, succeeds in landing troops in the Kuching area of the British protectorate of Sarawak, early in morning. The garrison, having already destroyed Kuching airdrome, requests permission to withdraw to Dutch Borneo and is told to delay the Japanese as long as possible before retiring. Dutch aircraft withdraw from Singkawang, Borneo, to Palembang, Sumatra.

HONG KONG: The British defenders are split in two, and are short of water. Japanese troops capture 53 British and Canadian soldiers, rope them together, and shoot or bayonet them to death. In the village of Stanley, the Japanese attack doctors and wounded soldiers in St. Stephen's College Emergency Hospital, bayoneting more than 50 men in their beds.
The British destroyer HMS Thracian runs aground and is captured by the Japanese. She is salvaged by the Japanese Navy, repaired and recommissioned on 25 November 1942 as Patrol Vessel No.101, then re-rated a training ship in March 1944, being attached to the torpedo school at Yokosuka. Recaptured in 1945, she is eventually broken up at Hong Kong post-war.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division, controlling all Indian III Corps troops north of the Slim and Bernam Rivers, is organizing a defense in depth astride the main road with the main line of resistance in the Kampar area and rear positions near the Slim River. Commander Australian Imperial Force Malaya, Major General Gordon Bennett (General Office Commanding Australian 8th Division), assigns responsibility for North Johore to the Australian 27th Brigade Group, 8th Division.
British air strength in Malaya has been reduced to 38 fighters, 40 dive bombers, 34 torpedo bombers, 17 reconnaissance aircraft and 17 others.

MIDWAY ISLANDS: USN seaplane tender USS Wright disembarks Marine reinforcements (Batteries "A" and "C," 4th Defense Battalion).

PACIFIC OCEAN: Two U.S. merchant vessels are shelled by Japanese submarines off the coast of California:
- HIJMS I-17 shells a 5,695 ton unarmed freighter about 19 nautical miles (36 kilometers) north-northwest of Catalina Island which is about 14 nautical miles SW of Long Beach, California. Although the freighter is abandoned, she is later reboarded and towed to San Pedro, California.
- HIJMS I-23 shells a 2,119 ton unarmed freighter off Monterey Bay south of San Francisco. The ship escapes.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, Admiral Thomas C. Hart, commander of the Asiatic Fleet, releases the 4th Marine Regiment, stationed at Olongapo, to defend the beaches of Corregidor. The Japanese Lamon Bay invasion force, which constitutes the southern prong of pincers applied against Manila, goes ashore early in morning at three points; Mauban, near Atimonan, and Siam. The main assault force, in the center, secures Atimonan, forcing the defenders back toward Pagbilao. The Mauban force takes that town and pushes 5 miles west. From Siam the Japanese advance in two columns, one southewest toward Tayabas Bay and the other southeast along Route 1 toward the Japanese Legaspi detachment. The Japanese on northern Luzon consolidate their beachhead and debouch on the central plain to thrust sharply toward the Agno River line. San Fabian and Binalonan fall, 26th Cavalry Regiment (Philippine Scouts) retiring from Binalonan across the Agno River to Tayug. The planned withdrawal toward Bataan is begun in the evening. U.S. Army, Far East headquarters, except for the rear echelon, and Manuel L. Quezon, President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, and Francis B. Sayre, U.S. High Commissioner of the Philippines, sail to Corregidor from Manila.
Fort Stotsenburg is evacuated. Major General Jonathan M. Wainwright's North Luzon Force, disposed generally along the line Tayug-Urdaneta- San Carlos-Aquilar, from east to west, begins withdrawing toward the Agno River line. The South Luzon Force, command of which passes from Major General George M. Parker to Brigadier General Albert M. Jones, is to withdraw northward into Bataan. General Parker moves to Bataan to head the Bataan Defense Force, organized to prepare defensive positions.
In the Sulu Archipelago, the Japanese invade Jolo Island in the evening against light resistance from the constabulary. Jolo Island is located about half way between Borneo and Mindanao Island.

Three USAAF Far East Air Force B-17 Flying Fortresses fly from Del Monte Field, Mindanao Island during the night of 24/25 December, bomb the airfield and shipping at Davao on Mindanao Island and land at Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia. Two USN PBY Catalinas leave Manila, Luzon, for Darwin with personnel of HQ Far East Air Force. Army Air Forces units on Luzon, as well as ground forces, begin moving to Bataan Peninsula.

UNITED STATES: The USN commissions the light cruiser USS Atlanta at the New York, New York Naval Shipyard. The USN now has 20 light cruisers in commission.

Japanese Ships Sunk:
SAGIRI DD 30 MILE N KUCHING by SUB
UNYO MARU #2 NAVY CARGO 2827 tons OFF KUCHING by AIR

 

[syscom3]

HONG KONG: This evening the British surrender in Hong Kong.

PHILLIPINE ISLANDS: The US submarine Sealion, commanded by Richard C. Voge, is scuttled at Cavite, Manila Bay. This decision is implemented after aircraft damage on 10 Dec, 1941. There were 4 hands lost.
Eight of the original 48 P-35As are left and the 34th Pursuit Sqdn is moved to Bataan.
The US forces in northern Luzon are holding their 2nd defense line.
The 3d, 17th, 20th, 21st and 34th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer from Ternate, Nichols Field, Clark Field, Nichols Field and Del Carmen respectively to Bataan with P-35's and P-40's. The 17th and 20th begin operating from Lubao, Luzon with P-40's HQ 27th Bombardment Group and the ground echelon of it's 16th, 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons transfer from Lipa Airfield, San Fernando and San Marceleno respectively to Cabcaben, Luzon.

AUSTRALIA: Lieutenant Colonel Charles H. Caldwell sets up HQ Far East Air Force at Darwin Airfield. HQ V Bomber Command is also established at Darwin. The air echelons are operating from Brisbane, Australia; the ground echelons will fight as infantry on Luzon.

BURMA: Some 3 waves of 27 Sally Bombers with around 30 fighter escorts hit Rangoon and Mingaladon Airfield. There were no 3rd Squadron AVG losses, but the Japanese lost a confirmed 25 bombers and 10 fighters. Two of our 40s made belly landings after their engines had been hit.
Duke Hedman made ACE on this air combat.

PTO: USN - Two-plane detachments from squadrons at Pearl and Kaneohe began patrols from Palmyra, a principal staging base to the South Pacific.

 

[syscom3]

CHINA: The Tulsa Incident occurred in Burma on 19 December when a U.S. officer asked the Government of Burma to impound lend-lease material at Rangoon, much of which was in the freighter SS Tulsa in the harbor, pending a decision on its use. This incident ends today with a conciliatory meeting between Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek and Brigadier General John Magruder, head of the American Military Mission to China (AMMISCA), during which it is agreed to send an AMMISCA officer to Rangoon.

MALAYA: Ipoh is evacuated by Indian 11th Division troops, but the Indian 12th Brigade Group fights a rear-guard action at Chemor, to the north.

MIDWAY ISLANDS: USN seaplane tender USS Tangier, diverted from the attempt to relieve Wake Island, disembarks Battery B, 4th Marine Defense Battalion and the ground echelon of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Hundred Twenty One at Midway to augment that garrison's defenses.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Manila, is declared an open city but Japanese bombing continues unabated. USN defense forces under Rear Admiral Francis W. Rockwell, Commander of the Sixteenth Naval District and the Philippine Naval Coastal Frontier, move to Corregidor Island. The North Luzon Force, except for the 194th Tank Battalion, falls back from the Agno River to the line Santa Ignacia-Guimba- -San Jose. The South Luzon Force continues to withdraw in two columns and organizes their first line of defense west of Sariaya.
Japanese "Nell" and "Betty" bombers based on Formosa bomb shipping in Manila Bay; the USN destroyer USS Peary is damaged by near-misses. Motor torpedo boat PT-33, damaged by grounding on 24 December about 53 nautical miles SSW of Manila in position 13.46N, 120.40E, is burned to prevent capture.
MacArthur declares Manila to be an "open city" in the hopes of sparing it from attack. MacArthur's tactic fails as the Japanese bomb the city the next day.

UNITED STATES: Lieutenant General John DeWitt, Commanding General Fourth Army and Commanding General Western Defense Command, telephones the Provost General in Washington, D.C. to say that the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce is demanding the internment of all Japanese, citizens or not, in the Southern California area. DeWitt feels such a move would likely alienate loyal Japanese.

Japanese Ships Sunk:
W6 AM near KUCHING by AIR

 

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Prime Minister John Curtin's New Year's message includes the following: "Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom."

BURMA: Lieutenant General Thomas J. Hutton, Chief General Staff, India, replaces Lieutenant General D.K. MacLeod as General Officer Commanding Burma.

JAPAN: Most of the I-boat submarines off the U.S. west coast have depleted their fuel reserves. The Naval General Staff decides that the shelling of densely populated areas, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, California, will result in civilian losses and retaliation by the Americans. Vice Admiral Shimizu Mitsumi, commander of the Advance Expeditionary Force (Sixth Fleet), cancels the shellings.

MALAYA: British Lieutenant General Henry Pownall takes over from RAF Air Chief Marshal (U.S. General) Sir Robert Brooke-Popham as Commander in Chief, Far East Command with headquarters in Singapore. In 1942, Pownall became Chief of Staff of the American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command.
Indian 11th Division rear guards (12th and 28th Brigades) begin a withdrawal to defense positions near Kampar. In eastern Malaya, a Japanese threat to Kuantan is increasing. Japanese forces near the Trengganu-Pahang border are placed under artillery fire.

PACIFIC OCEAN: Japanese submarine I-25 shells an 8,684 ton tanker about 10 nautical miles W of the mouth of the Columbia River which is the boundary between the states of Washington and Oregon.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Luzon front is quiet as the Japanese consolidate along the Agno River. The North Luzon Force withdraws toward the next delaying line, Tarlac-Cabanatuan, where it is to make maximum delaying effort. In southern Luzon, the Japanese continue to pursue U.S. columns along Routes 23 and 1; on the latter, the Japanese break through the main positions of the 53d Infantry Regiment (Philippine Army) and seize Candelaria.
Six USN PBY Catalinas of Patrol Squadron One Hundred One bomb Japanese shipping at Jolo Island in Suva Province, against heavy fighter opposition; four Catalinas are lost.
Japanese "Nell" and "Betty" bombers based on Formosa bomb shipping in Manila Bay and the Pasig River. Two Philippine customs cutters and a motorboat are set afire, while a lighthouse tender is destroyed by a direct hit. A steamship is scuttled in the Pasig River.

UNITED STATES: Rubber rationing is instituted by the U.S. government, due to shortages caused by World War II. Tires are the first items to be restricted by law.

Winston Churchill became the first British prime minister to address a joint meeting of the United States Congress.

 

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: At a meeting between Australians and U.S. officials, the Australians agree
(1) to prepare several bases and refueling sites in the interior to permit flying from Brisbane, Queensland, and Darwin, Northern Territory; and
(2) to provide Royal Australian Air Force pilots to assist in training raw USAAF pilots.
Convoy ZK.5 consisting of British transport SS Aquitania, the Norwegian freighter MS Herstein and British freighter SS Sarpedon carrying 4,250 Australian troops of the 39th and 53rd (Militia) Battalions and 10,000 tons of equipment departs Sydney, New South Wales, for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, escorted by the Australian heavy cruisers HMAS Australia and Canberra , light cruiser HMAS Perth and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles.
This is the first substantial build up of Allied forces in New Guinea.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Australian National Airlines (ANA) aircraft begins the evacuation of civilians from Rabaul on New Britain Island.

MALAYA: The Japanese are attacking British forces as they withdraw from Ipoh toward Kampar and the River Slim.

MIDWAY ISLANDS: Over 850 civilian construction workers are evacuated by two USN ships.

NEW ZEALAND: The government scrapes the bottom of the manpower barrel and comes up with three battalions to defend the country. There are no tanks, very few guns, and almost no vehicles. However, the New Zealand 2nd Division is regrouping in Egypt to continue battling the Axis forces.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Peary is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by three Australian Hudsons of No. 32 Squadron off Kina, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The destroyer's steering gear is damaged and she has to put into Ternate in the Halmahera Islands, NEI, for repairs.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Japanese begin a drive from the Agno River toward Cabanatuan. In southern Luzon, the Japanese force the 52d Infantry Regiment [Philippine Army (PA)], 51st Division (PA), back to Tiaong. Brigadier General Albert Jones, Commanding General 51st Division (PA), receives orders to withdraw speedily to Bataan. The 53d Infantry Regiment (PA) moves to Bataan for rest and reorganization. The Japanese seize Luisiana, on Route 1, and the 1st Infantry Regiment (PA), 1st Division (PA) withdraws westward. Philippines -(Far East Air Force): The ground echelon of the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th BG transfers from Cabcaben to Limay, Luzon. The air echelon is operating from Brisbane, Australia.

UNITED STATES: The USN Chief of Bureau of Yards and Docks, Vice Admiral Ben Moreell, requests authority from the Bureau of Navigation to create a contingent of construction units able to build everything from airfields to roads under battlefield conditions. These units will beknown as the "Seabees" for the first letters of Construction Battalion.

 

[syscom3]

Today marks the first instance of aircraft reinforcements being sent to Alaska.

ALASKA: In response to repeated requests by this Command to the War Department for additional aircraft to defend Alaska, the 77th Bombardment Squadron, 42d BG (Medium), arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with 13 B-26's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, arrives at his new HQ at Darwin. Colonel Harold H George remains at Manila in command of the air elements left in the Philippines, the chief center of Army Air Force activity in the S Philippines being Del Monte on Mindanao where air personnel are under the command of Major Ray T Ellsmore. (Brigadier General George is killed in an aircraft accident near Darwin on 29 Apr 42. Victorville AFB, California is renamed George AFB on 2 Jun 1950 in his memory.) The ground echelon of the 16th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, transfers from Cabcaben to Bataan. The air echelon is operating from Brisbane.

AUSTRALIA: Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, arrives at his new headquarters at Darwin, Northern Territory.

BURMA: From Bokpyin, the Japanese withdraw under pressure into Thailand.

CHINA: The establishment of the China Theater under supreme command of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who is to be assisted by an Allied staff, is announced. The theater is to include portions of Thailand and French Indochina in friendly hands.

EAST INDIES: The Indian detachment from Kuching, Sarawak, arrives at Sanggau, Dutch Borneo, and is placed under Dutch command.

MALAYA: On the Indian 11th Division front, the Indian 12th Brigade holds firmly against a strong Japanese attack but, since its position is becoming untenable, falls back through Kampar to Bidor, where it is held in reserve.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In northern Luzon, the 91st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] holds Cabanatuan against a strong enemy thrust, but the Japanese succeed in crossing the Pampanga River near there. Another Japanese force, heading for Tarlac in the 21st Division (PA) sector, reaches a position just north of Tarlac. All elements of the South Luzon Force withdraw quickly toward Bataan. Japanese "Betty" bombers and "Nell" bombers from Formosa, attack Corregidor for the first time. Although wooden structures suffer heavily, little damage is done to military installations. Antiaircraft fire from forts guarding Manila Bay destroy a number of bombers. The 4th Marine Regiment takes responsibility for beach defense. During the bombings, submarine tender USS Canopus is damaged in Mariveles Harbor, river gunboat USS Mindanao is damaged by near-misses off Corregidor.

UNITED STATES: All German, Italian and Japanese aliens in California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington and are ordered to surrender contraband.

Japanese Ships Sunk:
RO-66 SS near KWAJELEIN by OTHER

 

[Wildcat]

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by three Australian Hudsons of No. 32 Squadron off Kina, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The destroyer's steering gear is damaged and she has to put into Ternate in the
Halmahera Islands, NEI, for repairs.

Sys where did you get this info from? I don't doubt it happened, its just that 32 squadron wasn't formed until Feb 1942. Just wondering what Hudson squadron was responsible thats all.

 

[syscom3]

Sys where did you get this info from? I don't doubt it happened, its just that 32 squadron wasn't formed until Feb 1942. Just wondering what Hudson squadron was responsible thats all.

I get it off of a "this day in WW2" forum.

Is it possible that the Hudsons were flying in small detachments before the group was formed?

 

[Wildcat]

Don't think so. Of the 11 or so squadrons equipped with Hudsons It is more likely that the a/c was from either 2 or 13 sqn. At the time 2 sqn was based in Darwin but had detachments at Penfoi and Ambon. 2 sqn was very active around Timor and the NEI's but took heavy losses and was actually awarded a US Presidential unit Citaition for its heroic actions.
13 sqn has a similar history, a/c were detached to Laha on Ambon and Namlea on Buru Is, NEI. Because of constant attacks on their bases (as with 2sqn) and coulped with high losses, the sqn was withdrawn to darwin. 13 sqn was also awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.
Sorry for the rant, but fascinating history I find.

 

[syscom3]

BORNEO - Fifteen days of vicious fighting in Borneo ends with the Japanese in control of the country and heavy Allied losses.

ALASKA (Air Force, Alaska Defense Command): The 11th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), Western Theater of Operations, US Army, arrives at Elmendorf Field with 25 P-40's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): HQ 19th BG and the air echelon of it's 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfer from Batchelor Field to Singosari, Java, Netherlands East Indies with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th is on Luzon and Mindanao. The air echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), transfers from Batchelor Field to Singosari, Java with B-17's. The ground echelon is on Luzon.

 

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Major General George H. Brett, who arrived from China three days ago, assumes command of U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA) with headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, the air echelon of the Far East Air Force's 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfers from Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Singosari, Java, with B-17 Flying Fortresses.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz assumes command of the Pacific Fleet in ceremonies on board the submarine USS Grayling (SS- 209) at Pearl Harbor.
Japanese submarines shell Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Islands.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division now holds a relatively well-organized defense position in western Malaya, with the Indian 6/15 Brigade disposed on the main line of resistance at Kampar and the Indian 28th Brigade Group to the east. The Japanese increase pressure against the 28th Brigade Group. On the east coast, the Kuantan defense force completes a concentration west of Kuantan River and destroys the ferry.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The evacuation of Manila is completed as the rear echelon of U.S. Army Forces Far East headquarters leaves. The North Luzon Force closes in final defense positions, Bamban-Arayat, before San Fernando and Plaridel, east of the Calumpit bridge. On the eastern flank, the 91st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] goes into reserve south of Baliuag, leaving the 71st Division (PA) to delay the Japanese briefly at Baliuag; both divisions then retire toward the Calumpit bridge. Firm contact is made between the North and South Luzon Forces in the San Fernando area after the latter crosses the Calumpit bridge.
Brigadier General Albert Jones, Commanding General South Luzon Force, is placed in command of all forces east of the Pampanga River.
The USN submarine rescue vessel USS Pigeon transports an armed party to Sangley Point in Manila Bay and brings out a Luzon Stevedoring Company lighter loaded with 97 mines and eight truckloads of aerial depth charges; USS Pigeon then tows the barge to a point 4.5 miles off Sangley Point and capsizes it in 11 fathoms of water. The sailors also destroy the aircraft repair shop at Cavite Naval Base and one irreparable PBY Catalina.
American pilots are evacuated from the Philippines to prevent their capture by the Japanese invaders. The 17th and 20th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), cease operating from Lubao with P-40's and return to their base on Bataan.

UNITED STATES: The members of the Arcadia Conference being held in Washington, D.C. order a joint American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command to be established to control all Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific. British General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in- Chief, India, will command.
America's last automobiles with chrome-plated trim are manufactured today. Starting tomorrow, chrome plating becomes illegal. It is part of an effort to conserve resources for the American war effort but the chrome is not missed too much because virtually no automobiles are produced in the U.S. from 1942 through the end of World War II.

 

[syscom3]

CHINA: The Chinese request lend-lease aid for construction of a road across northern Burma to link with the Burma Road. The projected road would extend from Ledo, India, to Fort Hertz and Myitkyina, Burma, and Lung-ling, China.

EAST INDIES: Two Japanese infantry platoons land on the 75 square kilometer Labuan Island, British North Borneo, capturing the British Resident, Hugh Humphrey who later recalled: "I was repeatedly hit by a Japanese officer with his sword (in its scabbard) and exhibited for 24 hours to the public in an improvised cage, on the grounds that, before the Japanese arrived, I had sabotaged the war effort of the Imperial Japanese Forces by destroying stocks of aviation fuel on the island."
The air echelon of the USAAF Far East Air Force's 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfers from Batchelor Field, Northern Territory, Australia, to Singosari, Java, with B-17 Flying Fortresses.

MALAYA: The Japanese attack the Kampar position in western Malaya in force but are unable to break through. The Indian 11th Division is in grave danger as a Japanese amphibious force lands in the Utan Melentang area, at the mouth of the Bernam River, behind the Kampar line. The Indian 12th Brigade Group moves from Bidor to meet this threat. Japanese aircraft deliver the first severe blow against Tengah airdrome on Singapore Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The South Luzon Force, upon completing their withdrawal across the Pampanga River at Calumpit by 0500 hours and destroying bridges there at 0615 hours, is disbanded. Its components continue their withdrawal toward Bataan, and Brigadier General Albert Jones rejoins the 51st Division [Philippine Army (PA)].
The Japanese move through Plaridel to Calumpit but are unable to cross the Pampanga River. The Covering force [elements of 71st and 91st Divisions (PA)] withdraws
from the river line toward San Fernando. Meanwhile, the 21st and 11th Divisions (PA) continue fighting withdrawals, the 21st along the route Bamban-Angeles- Poroc and the 11th on the route Malagang-San Fernando- Guagua (north of Sexmoan), arriving on the line Porac-Guagua during the night 1/2 January.
HQ 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Clark Field to Mariveles, Luzon, Philippines .
The ground echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), transfers from Clark Field, Luzon to Bugo, Mindanao. The air echelon is operating from Singosari, Java with B-17's.

WAKE ISLAND: A USAAF Hawaiian Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress based on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, refuels at Midway Islands and then photographs Wake Island.

UNITED STATES: The Declaration of the United Nations is signed by 26 nations in Washington, D.C. The original signatories are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, the U.K., the U.S., the U.S.S.R., and Yugoslavia. The parties pledge
to uphold the Atlantic Charter, to employ all their resources in the war against the Axis powers and agree not to negotiate a separate peace with Germany, Italy or Japan. The Atlantic Charter and its eight principles are:
(1) the renunciation of territorial aggression;
(2) territorial changes only with consent of the peoples concerned;
(3) restoration of sovereign rights and self-government; (4) access to raw materials for all nations;
(5) world economic cooperation;
(6) freedom from fear and want;
(7) freedom of the seas;
( 8 ) disarmament of aggressors are also endorsed by the signatories at the Arcadia Conference.

The United States Treasury order freezing Philippine funds in the United States goes into effect. This order is issued "in view of the situation created by the temporary enemy occupation of important parts of the Philippine Islands."

U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle, issues orders to all German, Italian and Japanese aliens to hand in their short-wave radios, cameras and firearms to their local police stations. They are also forbidden to change their address without permission and, if living on the east coast, to obey a 2100 to 0600 hour curfew.

Joseph Stalin is named "Time" magazine's "Man of the Year" for 1941.

The U.S. Office of Production Management prohibits the sales of new cars and trucks to civilians. All automakers dedicate their plants entirely to the war effort. By the end of the month, domestic car manufacture has stopped. Automobile plants are converted wholesale to the manufacture of bombers, jeeps, military trucks, and other equipment.

 

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Major General George H. Brett, Commanding General-Designate of the U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA), sends a message to General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army in Washington, D.C., stating that he sees little hope of effectively reinforcing the Philippine Islands until a large airbase can be established at Darwin, Northern Territory, and a large supply and repair depot established at Townsville, Queensland.

MALAYA: Japanese force reaches Telok Anson via the Perak River and go ashore, greatly increasing the threat to the Indian III Corps. The 1st Independent Company and Indian 3d Cavalry Squadron defending this area, are forced back through the Indian 12th Brigade Group, which in turn comes under severe pressure. Although Japanese attacks on the Kampar position are still being contained, it is decided to withdraw to the Slim River after nightfall because of the precarious situation along the coast. A Japanese landing attempt at Kuala Selangor is frustrated by artillery fire late in the day.

NETHERLANDS: During the day, 12 RAF Bomber Command Hampdens conduct "roving patrols" of the Dutch and German Coasts but only one aircraft bombs, the Leeuwarden Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Java Sea, the 7,395 ton Dutch freighter SS Langkoeas, formerly the German freighter SS Stassfurt, departed Soerabaja, Java, Netherlands East Indies yesterday for the Middle East. Today, she is torpedoed by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-58 during this evening north of Bawean Island. Bawean Island is located between Java and Borneo about 82 nautical miles (152 kilometers) north of Surabaja. The crew (24 Dutch, 55 Chinese, 12 Java-natives) immediately began abandoning ship, and the submarine approaches and begins machine gunning everyone in the boats. There are three survivors, one Dutch, one Chinese and one Javanese. They are brought aboard the submarine and after being questioned, they are thrown back into the water. The three manage to survive and make it to a small island where they are found by a fisherman. They are later picked up by a Dutch (PBY) Catalina and brought to Soerabaja, where they tell their story.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: One battalion of the Japanese 1st Formosa Regiment and two of the 47th Infantry Regiment make the triumphal march into Manila, watched only by a curious few. Japanese troops also take over Cavite Naval Base and find it a total wreck from their own bombs.
Japanese aircraft begin daily attacks on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. The defenders on Luzon complete a successful withdrawal through San Fernando, the final elements clearing the town at 0200 hours, and organize delaying positions along a 10-mile front from Porac to Guagua. Holding this line are the 21st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] on the west, its left flank covered by 26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts) at San Jose, south of Porac, and the 11th Division PA) on the east. The Japanese attack the west flank in the vicinity of Porac in the afternoon and force the 21st Division to fall back. Meanwhile, Japanese east of the Pampanga River succeed in crossing the river and move to San Fernando, where they join with Japanese from Angeles. There are now 80,000 troops and 26,000 civilians on Bataan Peninsula. The troops are worn out and beginning to suffer malaria. There are food supplies to feed 100,000 men for 30 days and the troops are put on half rations. But, morale is high because the troops expect a huge relief convoy to arrive at any moment.
The Pentagon receives a depressing radio message from the Philippines that says: "Manila, Cavite lost; MacArthur fights on, holding Corregidor." The news from the Phillippines only gets worse as MacArthur is later forced to abandon Corregidor as well.

THAILAND: The American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) raid a Japanese air base in Thailand, one of the first offensive air strikes by the Allies in Asia. Security restrictions require the leader of the raid be identified only as "Scarsdale Jack." During the coming months, he will become famous. He is John Van Kuren Newkirk, a former Navy pilot from Westchester County, New York, U.S.A.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D Roosevelt announces the beginning of the Liberty Ship program, i.e., the construction of 200 merchant ships of a standardized design.
Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum, Commanding General First Army, tentatively selected for a field command in China, arrives in Washington, D.C., where he confers with various military leaders and finds opinions as to role of U.S. in China widely divergent.
The first organized lighter-than- air units of World War II, Airship Patrol Group One (ZPG-1) and Airship Squadron Twelve (ZP-12) are established at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. The USN is the only military service in the world to use non-rigid airships--also known as blimps--during the war.

 

[Wildcat]

Wildcat, interesting discrepency you found.

We know the ship was damaged, and the crew reported it as being from friendly aircraft (an oxymoron if you think of it...).

It could be a case of mistaken ID of the aircraft.

Sys I did some looking and low and behold this incident was in one of my books about RAAF Hudsons
The a/c was indeed a Hudson from no 2 squadron, and the crew were not blamed for the incident because a USN PBY had radioed in the Peary as an enemy warship! Blunders all around!

 

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EAST INDIES: In British Borneo, the Japanese invade Labuan Island, in Brunei Bay, without opposition. From there, a detachment moves to mainland at Mempakul, thence to Weston on foot, and from Weston to Beaufort by rail.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division completes a withdrawal to the Slim River line. Because of the threat to communications in western Malaya, the Kuantan force on the east coast, which had previously been ordered to hold the airdrome until 10 January, begins fighting a withdrawal at once. Newly formed and poorly trained the Indian 45th Brigade, reinforced, and an Indian Pioneer battalion (a labor unit) arrive at Singapore and concentrate in southern Malaya.
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Edward Cumming (1896-1971), commander of the 2d Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army, is awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions today. The Japanese make a furious attack on the battalion near Kuantan and penetrate the position. Colonel Cumming, with a small party of men immediately leads a counter-attack and although all his men became casualties and he himself had two bayonet wounds in the stomach he manages to restore the situation sufficiently for the major portion of the battalion and its vehicles to be withdrawn. Later he drives a carrier under very heavy fire, collecting isolated detachments of his men and is again wounded. His gallant actions helped the brigade to withdraw safely. He later achieves the rank of Brigadier.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, the Japanese continue determined attacks on the western flank of the Porac-Guagua line, where the 21st Division (Philippine Army) succeeds in halting them below Pio; the Japanese exert strong pressure on the eastern flank in the vicinity of Guagua.

UNITED STATES: U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston S Churchill announce the creation of a unified command in the Southwest Pacific, with British General Sir Archibald P Wavell as supreme commander of American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) forces in that area. General Wavell is directed:
(1) to hold the Malay Barrier (the line Malay Peninsula-Sumatra- Java-Northern Australia) and operate as far beyond the barrier as possible in order to check the Japanese advance;
(2) hold Burma and Australia;
(3) restore communications with the Philippine Islands through the Netherlands East Indies;
(4) maintain communications within the theater.
Above all, Wavell's forces, mostly Australians and British, are to hold Australia and Burma.
In another move, Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek is named Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in China. The Arcadia Conference makes Chiang Kai-shek, a Chinese leader, the leader of Allied troops stationed in and a round China.Military planners come to the realization that it will be impossible to reinforce the Philippine Islands and the troops in those islands are doomed. When told of this, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson notes, "There are times when men must die."

 

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AUSTRALIA: Major General George Brett assumes command of the U.S. Forces in Australia. One of his first orders is to divert two transports en route from Brisbane, Queensland, to the Philippine Islands to put in at Darwin, Northern Territory. This effectively ends the effort to reinforce the troops in the Philippines.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Japanese begin an air offensive against Rabaul on New Britain Island, the strategic base in the Bismarck Archipelago, garrisoned by 5,400 men (principally the Australian 2/22d Battalion, 8th Division; an RAAF detachment; 100 men of the New Guinea Volunteer Reserve; and a few Royal Australian Navy officers). Located at Rabaul are a fighter strip at Lakunai and a bomber strip at Vunakanu.

BURMA: A pilot of the 2d Fighter Squadron, American Volunteer Group ("Flying Tigers"), shoots down a Japanese "Claude" (Mitsubishi A5M Navy Type 96 Carrier Fighter) over Rangoon at 1205 hours.

CHINA: The Chinese halt the Japanese drive in the Changsha area of Hunan Province.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division is under constant air attacks as it prepares defensive positions along the Slim River in western Malaya. A Japanese force moves south along the west coast to the Selangor River, then east along the river, threatening the communications line at Rawang. To meet this threat, the Indian 6/15 Brigade Group starts toward Batang Berjuntai.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Japanese Lieutenant General HOMMA Masaharu, Commanding General 14th Army, meets with Manila Mayor Jorge Vargas. After both smile for the camera, HOMMA imposes the Japanese Military Administration under Major General HAYASHI Yoshide.. He in turn imposes a curfew, blackout, martial law, firearms turn-in, a ban on radio transmissions and listening to non-Japanese statements. He also warns that any hostile act against the Japanese will result in ten Filipinos dying for every Japanese killed. All industries, factories, banks, schools, churches, and printing presses must come under Japanese control. The flying of the Filipino or U.S. flags or singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is forbidden.
Continuing strong attacks against the flank of the Porac-Guagua line, the Japanese overrun Guagua and continue along Route 7 to Lubao, cutting the planned line of retreat of the 11th Division [Philippine Army (PA)]. The 21st Division (PA) zone (the western part of the line) is relatively quiet. Withdrawal from the line Porac-Guagua begins under cover of darkness on 4/5 January with the 21st Division covering for the 11th Division. Some cut-off elements of the 11th Division make a circuitous withdrawal through San Jose, while others move down Route 7 and form an outpost line between Lubao and Santa Cruz.
USAAF Far East Air Force fighters from Bataan on Luzon, attempt the interception of a bombing raid on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. The fighters, failing to intercept until the Japanese aircraft are over the target, have little effect on the raid. Several fighters depart for Mindanao following the mission.
During the night of 4/5 January, eight B-17 Flying Fortresses based at Singosari Airdrome, Java, Netherlands East Indies, stage through Samarinda Airdrome, Dutch Borneo, and attack Japanese warships and transports in Malalag Bay, Davao, Mindanao Island, from 25,000 feet and damage heavy cruisers HIJMS Myoko and Nachi.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares lend-lease aid to the Provisional Government of Czechoslovakia as vital to the defense of the U.S.
Lieutenant General John DeWitt, Commanding General Western Defense Command, meets with the Chief of the War Department's Aliens Division to come up with a definition of strategic areas where all enemy aliens would be excluded.

 

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AUSTRALIA: In Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the War Cabinet today agrees to a British request for the transfer of the Australian I Corps, comprising the veteran 6th and 7th Divisions, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. In December, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill assured the Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, that he would do everything possible to strengthen the whole Far Eastern front from Rangoon, Burma, to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
The U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA) is formally activated and officially redesignated U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA). Headquarters is located in the MacRobertson Girls High School in Melbourne, Victoria.

BURMA: Headquarters of the Indian 17th Division is established at Moulmein. Of the three brigades that this division is to contain, only one, the Indian 16th, is in Burma.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): The air echelon of the 22d Bombardment Squadron, 7th BG (Heavy), which has been operating from Hickam Field, Hawaii since 18 Dec 41, departs for Singosari, Java with B-17's. The ground echelon is at Brisbane.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): B-17's from Malang, Java stage through Samarinda, Borneo during the night of 4/5 Jan and attack shipping in Davao Bay on Mindanao , Philippines. US Forces in Australia (USFIA), which controls FEAF, is redesignated US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), and Major General George H Brett assumes command. The ground echelons of the 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons, 27th Bombardment Group transfer from Limay to Bataan. The air echelons are operating from Brisbane with A-24s.

JAPAN: Tokyo accepts Laurenzo Marques in Mozambique as a suitable site to exchange diplomats with the United States.

MALAYA: The Commander-in- Chief British Eastern Fleet, Admiral Sir Geoffrey Layton, moves headquarters from Singapore to Batavia, Java, Netherlands East Indies. Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, at a conference in Segamat, plans for a withdrawal into Johore.On the Slim River front, the Indian 11th Division repels a Japanese attack down the railway line.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, U.S. and Filipino troops complete their withdrawal to a new line extending along the base of the Bataan Peninsula from Dinaluplhan on the west to Hermosa on the east.
During the night of 5/6 January, the withdrawal continues through Layac Junction, the funnel through which all roads into Bataan pass, the final elements clearing it by 0200 hours, after which the bridge is blown. A delaying position, called the Layac line, is formed south of Layac Junction and manned by the 71st and 72d Regiments, 71st Division, Philippine Army, the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Division, and the 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts. The 31st Infantry Regiment, the only completely U.S. regiment in the Philippines, has not yet been in action.
The food ration of the Bataan defense force and of garrisons of fortified islands in Manila Bay is cut in half. The Bataan echelon of Headquarters US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) is established on Bataan under Brigadier General Richard J. Marshall. The Japanese continue daily air attacks on Corregidor and occasional attacks on other targets in the Manila Bay area.
USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses from Malang, Java, Netherlands East Indies, stage through Samarinda, Dutch Borneo, during the night of 4/5 January and attack shipping in Davao Bay on Mindanao Island.

UNITED STATES: The government orders all men between the ages of 20 and 44 to register for the draft (conscription) by 16 February.
The U.S. Senate Committee investigating Hollywood war propaganda is dissolved. Today is the deadline for enemy aliens in San Francisco, California, to surrender radio transmitters, shortwave receivers and precision cameras to the U.S. Army's Western Defense Command. Also Japanese-American selective service registrants are classified as enemy aliens (IV-C) and many Japanese-American soldiers are discharged or assigned to menial labor such as "kitchen police (KP)."
A change in USN regulations, covering display of National Insignia on aircraft, returned the star to the upper right and lower left wing surfaces and revised rudder striping to 13 red and white horizontal stripes.

 

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AUSTRALIA: The government advises the British Government that the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions will be sent to the Far East. The government of Australia declares war on Bulgaria.

CHINA: Having accepted the nomination of Chiang Kai-shek as Supreme Commander of an Allied China Theater, the Chinese ask that a senior U.S. officer be sent to China to act as chief of the Generalissimo' s Allied staff.

EAST INDIES: A Japanese amphibious force lands at Brunei Bay, British Borneo. During the night, seven Japanese flying-boats attack Ambon Island, Netherlands East Indies, damaging two RAAF Hudsons and a Buffalo based at Laha.

MALAYA: On the Indian 11th Division front, the Indian 6/15 Brigade Group reaches the Batang Berjuntai area and takes up defensive positions south of the Selangor River. The Kuantan force completes their withdrawal from eastern Malaya through Jerantut during the night of 6/7 January and continues west in the Raub area.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: After a destructive artillery exchanges on Luzon in the morning, the Japanese, having the advantage of aerial spotting, attack the overextended delaying line south of Layac Junction in force and make a limited penetration entering Dinalupihan without opposition. The withdrawal of this line begins during the night of 6/7 January.
Japanese aerial bombardment of Corregidor ends except for nuisance raids. Japanese air attacks during the first week of 1942 have resulted in little damage to the fortifications on Corregidor.

PACIFIC: The Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larsen, USMC) embarked in troop transports (former Matson Line passenger liners) SS Lurline, SS Monterey and SS Matsonia, and cargo ship USS Jupiter and ammunition ship USS Lassen sails from San Diego, California, for Pago Pago, American Samoa. The initial escort is provided by Task Force 17 comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown, the heavy cruiser USS Louisville, the light cruiser USS St. Louis and three destroyers.

UNITED STATES: In his annual State of the Union message to Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said today that Americas land, sea and air forces would be sent to Britain. He also announces massive increases in war production, including more than doubling the rate of aircraft building. This was his first speech to Congress since the war began. Mr Roosevelt spoke warmly of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who recently addressed the same audience, and wished him a safe return.
Roosevelt submits a budget request of US$59 billion for Fiscal Year 1943 (with inflation, that is US $707 billion in year 2005 dollars). He also announces that the first year of a supercharged production schedule would result in 45,000 aircraft, 45,000 tanks, 20,000 antiaircraft guns, and 8 million tons in new ships; this will be upped to Forecasts for 1943 of 125,000 planes, 75,000 tanks and 11 million tons of shipping in 1943. Congressmen are stunned at the proposal, but Roosevelt is undeterred: "These figures and similar figures for a multitude of other implements of war will give the Japanese and Nazis a little idea of just what they accomplished. "
Leland Ford, Los Angeles, California, member of the House of Representatives, in a telegram to Secretary of State Cordell Hull, asks that all Japanese Americans be removed from the West Coast stating, "I do not believe that we could be any too strict in our consideration of the Japanese in the face of the treacherous way in which they do things."

In baseball, Cleveland Indians star pitcher Bob Feller, winner of 76 games in three previous seasons, follows Detroit Tigers' outfielder Hank Greenberg into the military. Feller, saying, "I've always wanted to be on the winning side," enlists in the Navy and reports to Norfolk, Virginia, for duty. During the 44 months he spent in the Navy, most
of the time he was stationed aboard the battleship U.S.S. Alabama in the gunnery department where he earned eight Battle Stars.
The Pan American Airways Boeing B-314A, msn 2083, registered NC18609 and named "Pacific Clipper." arrives in New York City after making the first round-the-world trip by a commercial airplane. This aircraft was in Auckland, New Zealand on 8 December 1941, and returned to the U.S. flying westward via Australia, the East Indies, India, Africa, South America and Trinidad, a total of 31,500 miles.

 

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.....shows Wavell Singapore Island'snorth side, which is undefended. No defense works are being built, or even planned. Wavell, furious, asks Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya, why this is so; Percival repliesthat defenses would be bad for morale. Wavell says that the impact would be greater when retreating troops begin crossing the causeway from the mainland and orders Percival to build defenses. Percival doesn't....

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: A Japanese air raid on Rabaul, New Britain Island, destroys a Hudson and two Wirraways and damages two other Hudson, all of No. 24 Squadron RAAF.

CHINA: In Changsha Province, Chinese and Japanese troops fight a fairly pointless battle which neither side wins.

EAST INDIES: In Borneo, Japanese troops in British Sarawak reach the border of Dutch West Borneo.

MALAYA: The Japanese, in a strong tank-infantry assault beginning before dawn, break through the Slim River positions of Indian 11th Division and drive rapidly 19 miles toward Kuala Lumpur, reaching positions 2 miles south of Slim village.
The Indian III Corps withdraws from the Slim River line southward to Tanjong Malim, between the village of Slim and the road junction at Kuala Kubu. This action temporarily leaves the Indian 11th Division ineffective as a fighting force.
General Archibald Lord Wavell, who has been named Commander in Chief American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, arrives at Singapore to find out why the British are losing. He gets an earful. Brigadier Ivan Simson, the chief engineer, shows Wavell Singapore Island's north side, which is undefended. No defense works are being built, or even planned. Wavell, furious, asks Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya, why this is so; Percival replies
that defenses would be bad for morale. Wavell says that the impact would be greater when retreating troops begin crossing the causeway from the mainland and orders Percival to build defenses. Percival doesn't.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The siege of Bataan begins as U.S. and Philippine forces complete their withdrawal from the Layac Line. The North Luzon Force becomes the I Philippine Corps, containing about 22,500 men of 1st, 31st, 71st, and 91st Divisions, all Philippine Army (PA), 26th Cavalry Philippine Scouts (PS), miscellaneous troops, and supporting weapons.
The Bataan Defense Force is renamed II Philippine Corps and consists of about 25,000 men of the 11st, 21st, 41st, and 51st Divisions (all PA), 57th Infantry (PS) of the Philippine Division, and supporting weapons.
The defense of Bataan as far south as the Mariveles Mountains is divided about equally between the two corps, I Corps being responsible for the western half and II Corps for the eastern half. The Service Command Area is located at the southern tip below the Mariveles Mountains and is the responsibility of Brigadier General A. C. McBride; in this area are the 2d Division Philippine Constabulary, organized on this date, provisional infantry units formed from USAAF personnel and a provisional battalion of USN and USMC personnel. Defenses on Bataan are organized in depth: the main line of resistance (MLR) extends from Mauban on the west to Mabatang on the east, a distance of 20 miles (32 kilometers); the outpost line (OPL) is disposed before the MLR; and the rear line of defense is being formed to be manned by the U.S. Army Forces, Far East (USAFFE) reserve, i.e., the U.S. Philippine Division, less the 57th Infantry Regiment; a tank group; a self-propelled mount group.

UNITED STATES: The USN's authorized aircraft strength is increased from 15,000 to 27,500.

 

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CANADA: In Vancouver, British Columbia, Federal Minister Ian Mackenzie announces that the Royal Mounted Canadian Police will be registering all Japanese-Canadians in British Columbia; a national security matter under the War Measures Act. They are later moved inland to detention camps.

EAST INDIES: Japanese troops advance into Jesselton, the capital of British North Borneo, and haul down the Union Flag. The British had little choice but to quit the town. On 15 December, when the Japanese 124th Infantry Regiment came ashore at the burning oilfields at Miri, all the British Empire had to oppose them was one Indian battalion, the local Sarawak Rangers and the police. From Miri two Japanese battalions sailed west to the airfield at Kuching, where they are still fighting; a third sailed east and took Jesselton. Japanese forces also occupy Beaufort, British North Borneo.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: The Japanese submarine HIJMS I-19 launches a "Glen" seaplane to fly a reconnaissance mission over Pearl Harbor.

MALAYA: General Archibald Lord Wavell, who has been named Commander in Chief Amercian-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command, visits the Malayan front, where preparations are being made for the withdrawal of the Indian III Corps into Johore. The Australian 8th Division (less the 22nd Brigade Group) is ordered to move to northwestern Johore to meet the main Japanese drive on the Gegamat-Mount Ophir-Muar line. The Australians will be supplemented by the last four battalions of the Indian 9th Division.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, the front is quiet as the Japanese regroup for a drive on Bataan and U.S. and Philippine forces organize defense positions.

THAILAND: The Japanese 21st Infantry Regiment and supporting units land on the Kra Peninsula at Singora and Patani.
Pilots of the 3d Fighter Squadron of the American Volunteer Group (the Flying Tigers) shoot down three "Ann" bombers over Mesoht.

UNITED STATES: The War Department orders that only USAAF, antiaircraft and service troops be sent to Australia where the emphasis will be placed on the rapid build up of the USAAF Far East Air Force.
Congress establishes the Office of Civilian Defense (OCD) which will be headed by New York City Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia.
The Federal Government orders the distillery industry to convert 60 percent of its whiskey-making capacity to ethyl alcohol production, a move that will sharply increase the availability of explosive smokeless powder.