1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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and Machang), fights losing battle for Kota Bharu,
from which it starts withdrawing during night 8–9.
One Ind 11th Div column, driving toward Singora,
engages tank-supported enemy force 10 miles N of
frontier; another, advancing toward Patani, is opposed
only by Thai police forces. In conjunction with
ground attacks, Japanese planes strike repeatedly at
airfields in N Malaya and greatly reduce strength
of RAF Far East Command. RAF, after attacking
enemy shipping and troops in Kota Bharu area,
withdraws from the Kelantan airfields to Kuantan,
far to S. Singapore, ultimate objective of Japanese
25th Army in Malaya, is also attacked by air.
CHINA—Japanese seize International Settlement
at Shanghai, and many ships are sunk or captured in
its harbor; move troops toward Kowloon, on mainland
across from Hong Kong.
LIBYA—Axis forces begin orderly withdrawal
toward Gazala, followed closely by 13 and 30 Corps
of Br Eighth Army and harassed by RAF. Skillful
rear-guard action delays pursuit.
USSR—German Army Group North withdraws
from Tichwin, on Leningrad-Vologda RR, under
Soviet pressure. Army Group Center is slowly giving
ground in Moscow area.
9 December
CENTRAL PACIFIC—Japanese continue preinvasion
bombing of Wake and Guam; invade Gilbert
Is.
P.I.—Continuing neutralization of airpower on
Luzon, enemy bombers strike Nichols Field, near
Manila.
THAILAND—Japanese occupy Bangkok without
opposition.
MALAYA—Japanese force Ind 9th Div of Ind 3
Corps from Kota Bharu airfield and continue air
attacks on other fields, including Kuantan. RAF
abandons Kuantan airfield for Singapore I. and Alor
Star airfield, on NW coast, for Butterworth. RAF
bomber attack on Singora airfield (Thailand) proves
very costly since fighter protection is lacking. Dutch
planes arrive at Singapore to augment strength of
RAF.
CHINA—Declares war on Japan, Germany, and
Italy.
10 December
CENTRAL PACIFIC—Japanese invade Guam and
overwhelm small U.S. garrison; continue preinvasion
bombing of Wake.
P.I.—Two Japanese TF's, each consisting of
some 2,000 men, arrive off N Luzon from Formosa.
Landings begin simultaneously at Aparri and near
Vigan, but rough sea forces alteration in plans. The
Aparri force gets 2 cos ashore at Aparri and the rest
[ 9–11 DECEMBER 1941 ]
at Gonzaga, over 20 miles to E; upon closing on
Aparri, pushes 6 miles S and seizes Camalaniugan
airstrip. The Vigan force lands small group at Pandan,
near Vigan, and the rest at point 4 miles S;
quickly secures Vigan and sends elements N along
Route 3 toward Laoag. No opposition is offered by
11th Div (PA), which is responsible for defense of N
coast. U.S. planes attack shipping of the invasion
force. Capt Colin Kelly becomes the first U.S. hero
of World War II in this action by hitting what was
supposed to be a Japanese BB; subsequent investigation
has revealed that there were no BB's present.
Fighter aircraft from Batan I. provide cover for
enemy. Japanese planes bomb and strafe Nichols and
Nielson Fields, near Manila, and Del Carmen Field,
near Clark, achieving particularly damaging results
at Nichols. Cavite naval base also suffers heavily
from enemy air attack. FEAF, by this time half
strength, decides to confine its future activities to rcn
flights.
MALAYA—Japanese gain control of waters E of
Malaya and air over N Malaya. The small British
Eastern Fleet is severely crippled by loss of Repulse
and Prince of Wales off Kuantan to enemy planes.
Adm Sir Tom Phillips, CinC Eastern Fleet, is killed
in this action and is replaced by Vice Adm Sir
Geoffrey Layton. As enemy continues destructive
attacks on airfields in NW Malaya, RAF abandons
airfield at Sungei Patani and withdraws all serviceable
aircraft from Butterworth. From Butterworth,
RAF bomber sq, reduced to 2 aircraft, withdraws to
Taiping and RAAF fighter sq (6 repairable aircraft)
to Ipoh. Japanese begin series of heavy air
attacks against Penang I. Ind 9th Div withstands
attacks while organizing delaying positions S of
Kota Bharu. Ind 11th Div columns operating along
Thailand frontier attempt to delay enemy. Far East
Council is formed at Singapore.
LIBYA—Siege of Tobruk is lifted after 8 months
as Pol garrison breaks out of town early in morning
and joins other Br Eighth Army forces in
Acroma area. Forward supply base is soon organized
at Tobruk.
11 December
INTERNATIONAL SITUATION—Germany and Italy
declare war on U.S., which then replies with
declarations against them.
WAKE—Wake garrison (about 450 marines of
1st Defense Bn) repels invasion attempt. Japanese
naval force arrives off Wake early in morning and
at dawn opens fire. Shore batteries force the vessels
to withdraw with landing force still embarked.
4 aircraft of VMF–211, all that remain serviceable
of the original fighter sq on Wake, pursue and attack
enemy force as it retires toward the Marshalls.
2 planes that survive this action intercept shore-based