1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 25–29 DECEMBER 1941 ]
AUSTRALIA—Brig Gen Henry B. Claggett takes
temporary command of USFIA, pending arrival of
Gen Brett from Chungking.
LIBYA—Detachment Of 7th Armd Div, 13
Corps, Br Eighth Army, enters Benghazi and finds
that enemy has withdrawn.
25 December
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE—General George
C. Marshall, U.S. Chief of Staff, proposes at the
ARCADIA Conference in Washington that Far Eastern
forces be placed under a unified command.
MIDWAY—Garrison is strengthened as Marine
Fighter Sq 221 flies in from USS Saratoga.
P.I.—USAFFE hq opens on Corregidor. Rear
Adm F. W. Rockwell is put in charge of all naval
activities in the Philippines. North Luzon Force
reaches Agno R and prepares to hold there until
night 26–27. 71st Div (PA) withdraws from E flank
of line to reorganize. Japanese troops from Urdaneta
succeed in crossing the Agno near Tayug, night
25–26. South Luzon Force begins northward withdrawal
toward Bataan. Japanese, in close pursuit,
seize Sampoloc and Pagbilao.
SULU ARCHIPELAGO—Japanese complete conquest
of Jolo I, increasing threat to NEI.
BORNEO—After brisk fighting in vicinity of
Kuching airdrome, Sarawak, small Ind garrison
breaks contact with enemy and starts on foot toward
Dutch Borneo.
CHINA—Br garrison of Hong Kong surrenders
to Japanese. Many Allied ships are captured or sunk
off the island. At a Joint Military Council meeting
to consider lend-lease transfers, Chinese representative
announces that the Generalissimo has decided,
because of the seizure of the Tulsa's cargo, that he
will not co-operate with the British and will recall
Ch troops.
26 December
MIDWAY—Garrison is increased by 4th Defense
Bn units and ground echelon of VMF–211, who had
made a futile attempt to relieve the Wake garrison.
P.I.—Naval defense forces under Adm Rockwell
move to Corregidor. Manila is declared an
open city. North Luzon Force, except for 194th
Tank Bn, falls back from the Agno to line Santa
Ignacia–Guimba–San Jose. South Luzon Force continues
to withdraw in 2 columns and organizes
first line of defense of Sariaya.
MALAYA—Ipoh is evacuated by Ind 11th Div
troops, but Ind 12th Brig Gp fights rear-guard action
at Chemor, to N.
CHINA—Tulsa Incident ends with conciliatory
meeting between Chiang Kai-shek and Gen Ma-
[ 9 ]
gruder during which it is agreed to send an
AMMISCA officer to Rangoon.
MIDDLE EAST—Gen Auchinleck is notified that
4 fighter sqs are to be transferred from Middle East
to Far East; accedes to request for tanks.
NORWAY—Br Commandos (Cdos) raid German
bases on islands off Norway.
27 December
FAR EAST—Lt Gen Sir Henry Pownall relieves
Air Chief Marshal Brooke-Popham as Br CinC Far
East.
P.I.—Luzon front is quiet as Japanese consolidate
along the Agno. North Luzon Force withdraws
toward next delaying line, Tarlac–Cabanatuan,
where it is to make maximum delaying effort.
On S Luzon, Japanese continue to pursue U.S. columns
along Routes 23 and 1; on latter, Japanese
break through main positions of 53d Inf and seize
Candelaria.
MALAYA—Ind 11th Div rear guards (12th and
28th Brigs) begin withdrawal to defense positions
near Kampar. In E Malaya, Japanese threat to Kuantan
is increasing. Enemy forces near Trengganu-
Pahang border are placed under arty fire.
BURMA—Lt Gen T. J. Hutton replaces Gen
MacLeod as commander of Burma Army.
LIBYA—7th Armd Div of 13 Corps, Br Eighth
Army, attacks Rommel’s Agedabia position, which
is well-suited by nature for defense, but makes no
headway.
NORWAY—Br Commandos again raid enemy
bases on islands off Norway.
28 December
U.S.—First contingent of construction battalions
("Seabees") is authorized in Navy.
P.I.—Japanese begin drive from the Agno toward
Cabanatuan. In S Luzon, Japanese force 52d
Inf (PA) back to Tiaong. Gen Jones receives orders
to withdraw speedily to Bataan. 53d Inf (PA) moves
to Bataan for rest and reorganization. Enemy seizes
Luisiana, on Route 1, and 1st Inf (PA) withdraws
westward.
LIBYA—13 Corps, Br Eighth Army, continues
assault on Agedabia with 22d Armd Brig of 7th
Armd Div, whose tank strength by this time has
been greatly reduced because of mechanical failure.
After futile effort to get behind enemy position, 22d
Armd Brig falls back to El Haseiat. Both sides
suffer heavy tank losses.
29 December
P.I.—On N Luzon, gist Div (PA) holds Cabanatuan
against strong enemy thrust, but Japa-