1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

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to Kendari (Celebes). Unopposed landings are
made at both places, but convoy off Balikpapan is
attacked by Dutch planes. On Sumatra, RAF reinforcements
from Middle East begin arriving at
Palembang, where one of the 2 airdromes is attacked
for first time by enemy planes.
BURMA—Japanese planes begin period of intensified
attacks on Rangoon area in effort to destroy
Allied aircraft in Burma.
LIBYA—Axis troops take Antelat and Saunnu
despite opposition of 13 Corps, Br Eighth Army.
USSR—Thrusting strongly SW from Valdai
Hills, NW of Moscow, Red Army seizes Cholm,
German center of resistance near boundary of Center
and Northern Army Groups. To SE, Rzhev, another
enemy center of resistance, is being encircled.
24 January
LUZON—II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing
combat troops. Japanese maintain intense
pressure on Philippine Div and attack covering
force, but bulk of troops withdraw successfully.
Situation in I Corps area deteriorates rapidly. 1st
Div, exhausted by prolonged fighting along MLR
and critically in need of supplies and ‘ammunition,
remains under pressure. Additional strength is
applied against Japanese roadblock on West Road
without avail. In Service Command Area Japanese
cannot be ousted from Quinauan and Longoskawayan
Pts. Sailors and marines succeed, however,
in regaining Pucot Hill and driving enemy
back to Longoskawayan and Lapiay Pts.
MALAYA—Outline plan for withdrawal to Singapore
is issued. Hard fighting continues at Batu
Pahat. Japanese are approaching Kluang, in Ind 9th
Div sector. Additional units (Aus MG bn and about
2,000 Aus reinforcements, many of whom are poorly
trained) arrive at Singapore.
MAKASSAR STRAIT—Battle of Makassar Strait,
first big naval battle of the war, occurs early in
morning when 4 U.S. DD’s strike at enemy shipping
off Balikpapan, Borneo, with good effect.
NEI—The first of a small group of U.S. P–40’s
reaches Java from Australia.
NEW GUINEA—Allied forces evacuate Lae and
Salamaua, which are threatened by Japanese.
AUSTRALIA—Combined Chiefs of Staff order
Darwin area incorporated into ABDA Command.
BURMA—Rear elements of Mergui garrison arrive
at Rangoon. Moulmein is now threatened.
LIBYA—Br Eighth Army’s 13 Corps prepares
to counterattack or, if enemy cannot be contained,
to fall back on line Derna–Mechili as Axis offensive
halts briefly.
USSR—Soviet forces on Donets front in the
Ukraine break through enemy positions in Izyum
[ 24–26 JANUARY 1942 ]
area and capture Barvenkova, about 40 miles E of
Lozovaya; in Valdai Hills sector to N, deepen salient
between Cholm and Rzhev to vicinity of Velikie
Luki, where Germans are firmly established.
25 January
MIDWAY—Shelled by Japanese submarine.
LUZON—Responsibility for defense of beach
area of S Bataan passes from Gen McBride of Service
Command Area to commanders of I and II
Corps. II Corps continues withdrawal under air
attack and with Japanese in full pursuit. I Corps
abandons Mauban MLR. Withdrawal of 1st Div
southward begins during morning and continues
through night 25–26. Diverting enemy attention,
other elements of I Corps press in on roadblock on
West Road from the W. In South Sector, operations
against Japanese at Quinauan and Longoskawayan
Pts remain indecisive.
THAILAND—Declares war on U.S.
MALAYA—Since Batu Pahat must be abandoned
at once, Gen Percival orders entire line in central
Johore withdrawn. Ind 3 Corps is responsible for
withdrawal operation, which begins after nightfall.
Meanwhile, Batu Pahat defense force fights losing
battle for that town throughout day. Ind 11th Div
commander sends Br 53d Brig Gp to relief of Batu
Pahat defense force, but most of the column is
unable to get through. To E, enemy attacks in Ayer
Hitam-Kluang area are beaten off.
BURMA—Gen Wavell, visiting Rangoon, orders
Moulmein held. 16th Brig, Ind 17th Div, is disposed
W of Salween R, opposite Moulmein. Ind 46th Brig
is ordered to Bilin area. Lull ensues as Japanese
bring up reinforcements to vicinity of Paan and
Moulmein, on Salween R.
LIBYA—Speeding eastward again, Rommell’s
forces seize Msus. Weakened 1st Armd Div of 13
Corps, Br Eighth Army, is ordered to fall back on
Mechili, leaving detachment to protect withdrawal
of Ind 4th Div from Benghazi and Barce. Gen
Auchinleck visits Eighth Army hq, where he remains
until 1 February. Gen Ritchie revokes order
for general withdrawal of 13 Corps and orders Ind
4th Div, over which he takes direct control, and
1st Armd Div to counterattack in Msus area.
26 January
LUZON—Philippine II and I Corps complete
withdrawal to final defense line on Bataan in
morning, closely followed by Japanese. The new
line, which is to be continuous for the first time,
extends from Orion on E to Bagac on W and is generally
behind Pilar–Bagac road. Gaps develop in each
corps sector when USAFFE withdraws Philippine