1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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BURMA—Victoria Pt, at S tip of Tenasserim, is
evacuated by British.
LIBYA—13 Corps, Br Eighth Army, opens attack
on Rommel's Gazala line and meets firm resistance.
Both sides suffer heavy losses.
14 December
P.I.—Japanese Vigan and Aparri detachments
are placed under the same command and ordered,
after the Aparri force joins the Vigan at Vigan, to
march S to Lingayen Gulf. Adm Thomas C. Hart
withdraws the few remaining patrol bombers of
Patrol Wing 10 and 3 tenders from the Philippines,
leaving very little of the Asiatic Fleet to support
operations. Maj Gen Lewis H. Brereton has already
withdrawn the heavy bombers of FEAF from Luzon
to Del Monte airfield, Mindanao.
MALAYA—On W coast, Ind 11th Div completes
withdrawal to Gurun; Japanese, in close pursuit,
penetrate the new positions, night 14–15. Krohcol
force is dissolved and its components, which are
put under command of Ind 12th Brig, move to
Baling area, about 9 miles W of Kroh. Ind 3 Corps
sends small detachments to guard Grik road, which
is now uncovered. On E coast, Kelantan force continues
fighting withdrawal. Since airdromes on
Singapore are becoming congested, preparations are
being made to base air units in NEI.
15 December
P.I.—Gen Brereton receives permission to withdraw
the few remaining B–17's to Darwin (Australia).
Air defense of the Philippines is left to a
few fighters.
MALAYA—Ind 3 Corps remains under strong
pressure on W coast. During night 15–16, Ind 11th
Div begins withdrawal from Gurun positions to
Muda R. Garrison of Penang I. fortress, opposite
Butterworth, prepares to withdraw as RAF abandons
Butterworth airdrome.
USSR—On central front N of Moscow, Red
Army takes Klin, on rail line to Leningrad.
16 December
HAWAII—All elements of U.S. TF 14, bearing
supplies, reinforcements, and aircraft for relief of
Wake, rendezvous SW of Oahu and sail for Wake.
MALAYA—Ind 11th Div completes withdrawal
behind Muda R in Wellesley Province and defeats
enemy efforts to secure foothold on S bank. Ind 3
Corps decides to withdraw Ind 11th Div behind
Krian R. however, since it is greatly weakened by
sustained fighting without benefit of tank and adequate
air support. Fighting develops on Grik road
N of Grik, night 16–17, as small detachment guard-
[ 14–17 DECEMBER 1941 ]
ing the road encounters main body of Japanese
Patani force thrusting toward Kuala Kangsar in
effort to isolate Ind 11th Div on W coast. On E
coast, Kelantan troops begin withdrawal by rail
as movement of supplies and equipment is completed.
Penang I. fortress is evacuated as planned
during night 16–17.
BORNEO—Japanese invade British Borneo, landing
on N coast at Miri (Sarawak) and at Seria
(Brunei).
CHINA—U.S. War Department gives Brig Gen
John Magruder, head of American Military Mission
to China (AMMISCA), permission to divert Chinese
lend-lease to the British, provided Chinese
agree.
LIBYA—Axis forces begin withdrawal from Gazala
line toward next delaying position, Agedabia.
Ind 4th Div of 13 Corps, Br Eighth Army, which
has been particularly hard pressed by enemy, pauses
briefly to reorganize before joining other elements
of corps in pursuit.
USSR—Continuing firm pressure against
enemy in Moscow area, Soviet forces seize Kalinin,
NW of Klin.
17 December
U.S.—In command shake up, Adm Husband
E. Kimmel is replaced by Adm Chester W. Nimitz
as CinC, Pacific Fleet; Lt Gen Walter C. Short, CG
Hawaiian Department, is replaced by Lt Gen Delos
C. Emmons; Maj Gen Frederick L. Martin, CG
Air Force, Hawaiian Department, is replaced by
Brig Gen Clarence L. Tinker.
MIDWAY—Marine Scout Bombing Sq 231 completes
record flight from Hawaii to Midway, bolstering
U.S. positions there.
P.I.—Japanese Legaspi force, advancing NW on
Luzon along Route 1 toward Naga, makes its first
contact with Filipino forces near Ragay. B–17's begin
withdrawal from Mindanao to Australia.
MALAYA—Hard fighting continues on Grik
road. Weak defense detachment is reinf but falls
back under pressure of superior enemy forces. Ind
12th Brig Gp is ordered to Kuala Kangsar. Gen
Percival gives Ind 3 Corps permission to withdraw
to Perak R line if necessary. Perak Flotilla is formed
to prevent enemy from landing on W coast between
Krian and Bernam Rivers.
AUSTRALIA—Plan is drawn up for using Australia
as an Allied supply base under command of
Maj Gen George H. Brett.
BORNEO—Dutch planes begin 3-day series of
strikes against Japanese shipping off British North
Borneo.
USSR—German Army Group South opens offensive
against Sevastopol defenses, in the Crimea, and
is stubbornly opposed.