1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 12 ] [ 4–7 JANUARY 1942 ]
BORNEO—Japanese invade Labuan I., in Brunei
Bay, without opposition. From there, detachment
moves to mainland at Mempakul, thence to Weston
on foot, and from Weston to Beaufort by rail.
4 January
LUZON—Continuing strong attacks against E
flank of Porac-Guagua line, Japanese overrun
Guagua and continue along Route 7 to Lubao,
cutting planned line of retreat of 11th Div (PA).
21st Div zone (W part of line) is relatively quiet.
Withdrawal from line Porac–Guagua begins under
cover of darkness, 4–5, with 21st Div covering for
11th. Some cut-off elements of 11th Div make circuitous
withdrawal through San Jose, while others
move down Route 7 and form OPL between Lubao
and Santa Cruz.
MALAYA—Ind 11th Div is under constant air
attacks as it prepares defensive positions along Slim
R in W Malaya. Japanese force moves S along W
coast to Selangor R, then E along the river, threatening
communications line at Rawang. To meet this
threat, Ind 6/15 Brig Gp starts toward Batang
Berjuntai.
NEW BRITAIN—Japanese begin air offensive
against Rabaul, strategic base in Bismarck Archipelago,
garrisoned by 1,400 men (principally 2/22d
Bn of 8th Div, AIF; RAAF detachment; 100 men of
NGVR; and a few RAN officers). Located at
Rabaul are a fighter strip at Lakunai and a bomber
strip at Vunakanu.
CHINA—Chinese halt enemy drive in Changsha
area of Hunan Province.
5 January
LUZON—U.S. and Filipino troops complete
withdrawal to new line extending along base of
Bataan Peninsula from Dinalupihan on W to Hermosa
on E. During night 5–6, withdrawal continues
through Layac Junction, the funnel through which
all roads into Bataan pass, final elements clearing it
by 0200 after which the bridge is blown. Delaying
position, called Layac line, is formed S of Layac
Junction and manned by 71st and 72d Regts of 71st
Div (PA), U.S. 31st Inf of Philippine Div, and 26th
Cav (PS). 31st Inf, the only completely U.S. regt
in the Philippines, has not yet been in action. Ration
of Bataan defense force and of garrisons of fortified
islands in Manila Bay is cut in half. Bataan echelon
of hq is established on Bataan under Brig Gen
Richard J. Marshall. Japanese continue daily air
attacks on Corregidor and occasional attacks on
other targets in Manila Bay area.
MALAYA—CinC Eastern Fleet moves hq from
Singapore to Batavia, Java. Gen Percival, at con-
ference in Segamat, plans for withdrawal into Johore.
On Slim R front, Ind 11th Div repels enemy attack
down railway.
AUSTRALIA—Gen Brett assumes duties as CG,
U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA, previously
USFIA).
BURMA—Hq of Ind 17th Div is established at
Moulmein. Of 3 brigs that this div is to contain, only
one—Ind 16th—is in Burma.
MIDDLE EAST—Gen Auchinleck is given responsibility
for Iraq and Iran. Lt Gen E. P. Quinan’s
forces in Iraq become Br Tenth Army, corresponding
to Br Ninth Army under Gen Sir Henry Maitland
Wilson in Syria.
USSR—Red Army lands reinforcements on
Crimean coast near Eupatoria and Sudak in effort
to break siege of Sevastopol naval base, but can
make little headway against firm German resistance.
On central front S of Kaluga, Soviet forces hold
Belev, W of Oka R. Action on northern front along
Volkhov R is indecisive.
6 January
LUZON—After destructive arty exchanges in
morning, Japanese having the advantage of air
spotting, enemy attacks the overextended delaying
line S of Layac Junction in force and makes limited
penetration; enters Dinalupihan without opposition.
Withdrawal of line begins during night 6–7.
Japanese aerial bombardment of Corregidor ends
except for nuisance raids. Enemy air attacks during
first week of 1942 have resulted in little damage to
fortifications.
MALAYA—On Ind 11th Div front, Ind 6/15 Brig
Gp reaches Batang Berjuntai area and takes up defensive
positions S of Selangor R. Kuantan force
completes withdrawal from E Malaya through Jerantut
during night 6–7; continues W in Raub area.
CHINA—Having accepted nomination of Chiang
Kai-shek as Supreme Commander of an Allied China
Theater, Chinese ask that a senior U.S. officer be
sent to China to act as chief of the Generalissimo’s
Allied staff.
LIBYA—Br 1st Armd Div, which has recently arrived
from U. K. and relieved 7th Armd Div of 13
Corps, Br Eighth Army, reaches Antelat. Port at
Derna opens to traffic.
7 January
LUZON—Siege of Bataan begins as U.S. and
Filipino forces complete withdrawal from Layac line.
North Luzon Force becomes I Philippine Corps,
containing about 22,500 men of 1st 31st, 71st, and
91st Divs (all PA), 26th Cav (PS), miscellaneous
troops, and supporting weapons. Bataan Defense