1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 15–17 JANUARY 1942 ]
be kept N of line Muar–Segamat–Mersing, if possible.
Japanese overtake West and East Forces. Many
cyclists are killed in ambush prepared near Gemas
by elements of West Force. East Force patrols encounter
enemy from Kuantan in Endau area. On this
date and 15th, Dutch detachment of about 80 native
troops with European officers flies from NEI to
Singapore and concentrates in Labis area, N Johore,
for guerrilla action against enemy communications.
USSR—Moscow announces capture by Red
Army of Medyn, on central front NW of Kaluga.
15 January
ALASKA—Alaskan Air Force is activated at Elmendorf
Field under command of Lt Col Everett S.
Davis.
LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese, attacking
vigorously at junction of 41st and 51st Divs (PA),
gain foothold on S bank of the Balantay. 51st Div
commits reserves and service troops to no avail.
Further reinforcements, Philippine Div (less 57th
Inf) from USAFFE reserve and 31st Div ( — ) (PA)
from I Corps, are sent forward. Japanese enveloping
column in central Bataan arrives in position to
turn corps’ W flank and pauses to reorganize. Regrouping
is conducted to E as enemy threat there
diminishes. In I Corps area, the 2 Japanese columns
driving on Moron converge and push closer to
objective.
MALAYA—Forward elements of Aus 27th Brig
Gp inflict more casualties on enemy in Gemas area
before pulling back to main position. On W coast,
Japanese reach N bank of Muar R and land small
party between Muar and Batu Pahat, threatening
communications of West Force in Yong Peng area.
Boundary between West Force and Ind 3 Corps is
altered to give this region, which Ind 45th Brig is
defending, to 3 Corps.
ABDA COMMAND—Headed by Gen Wavell,
ABDA opens officially at Batavia, Java, at noon
GMT. Gen Wavell is replaced as CinC India by
Gen Sir Alan Hartley.
MIDDLE EAST—U.S. War Department, learning
of transfer of Iraq and Iran to Middle East Command
from India Command, cables the information
to chiefs of U.S. Military North African Mission
and U.S. Military Iranian Mission.
16 January
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES—Representatives
of 21 American Republics meet in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil, to provide for hemispheric solidarity against
attack.
Luzon—In II Corps area, 51st Div (PA) counterattacks
to restore positions on corps W flank; after
[ 15 ]
making limited progress on right, is subjected to
severe pressure and falls back in confusion, W flank
elements making futile attempt to gain contact with
I Corps on rugged terrain of Mt. Natib. Entire line
on Bataan is jeopardized by enemy breakthrough in
this sector. Japanese encircling force, although in
position to turn W flank of corps, prepares instead
to advance down Abo-Abo R valley. To E, 41st Div
(PA) refuses its left flank in effort to tie in with
51st Div and, with assistance of elements of 23d and
32d Regts and quickly formed prov bn, succeeds in
halting enemy. U.S. 31st Inf moves to vicinity of
Abucay Hacienda, on left flank of 41st Div, and
prepares to counterattack; reserve force, 45th Inf
(PS), also moves toward attack positions. I Corps
engages enemy for first time. Japanese cross Batalan
R and attack Moron but are forced back to river line
by 1st Inf and elements of 26th Cav. Cavalrymen are
withdrawn after engagement because of heavy
losses.
MALAYA—Japanese cross Muar R and force Ind
45th Brig from Muar, on S bank; continue landings
on W coast in Muar-Batu Pahat area, increasing
threat to communications. 53d Brig of Br 18th Div
is released to Ind 3 Corps, which places it under
Ind 11th Div command; 2 bns are dispatched to
positions W of Yong Peng and the third is held in
reserve at Ayer Hitam. RAF, concentrated on
Singapore I, prepares to withdraw to Sumatra.
Singapore airdromes are still targets of daily enemy
air attacks.
BURMA—46th Brig, Ind 17th Div, arrives.
Japanese attack and eventually outflank Imperial
forces at Myitta, threatening Tavoy.
17 January
U.S.—War Department appoints Gen Breton
commander of tactical forces in ABDA area.
Luzon—II Corps counterattacks to restore W
portion of line, formerly held by 51st Div (PA),
and makes limited progress. U.S. 31st Inf, moving
N from Abucay Hacienda area, reaches Balantay R
on left but is unable to make much headway on
right. Reserves move forward to plug gap between
the assault bns. Japanese encircling column begins
unopposed march down Abo-Abo R toward Orion.
In I Corps area, Moron defenders fall back under
enemy pressure to ridge S and SE of Moron.
MALAYA—Additional reinforcements are moved
into Muar-Yong Peng area as enemy continues attacks
and build up. West Force withdraws bn from
Segamat, and East Force releases one from Jemaluang
for operations in this area.
BORNEO—Japanese force lands at Sandakan,
British North Borneo.
LIBYA-EGYPT—30 Corps, Br Eighth Army, re-