1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 28 ]
8 March
ALASKA—Brig Gen William O. Butler assumes
command of U.S. Eleventh Air Force under Alaska
Defense Command (Maj Gen Simon B. Buckner,
Jr.). Alaska Defense Command is in turn under
Western Defense Command (Lt Gen John L. De-
Witt), which was designated a theater of operations
early in the war.
BURMA—63d Brig and elements of 16th, with
tank and arty support, clear Japanese block on Rangoon–Prome
road at Taukkyan. During period 8–13
March, heavy bombers of U.S. Tenth Air Force
transport troops and supplies from India to Magwe,
Burma.
MIDDLE EAST—Gen Ritchie is ordered by Gen
Auchinleck to provide diversion in Libya for passage
of convoy to Malta. Supply situation on Malta is
very serious.
9 March
U.S.—Major reorganization of U.S. Army is effective
this date. GHQ is abolished and 3
autonomous commands—Army Ground Forces under
Lt Gen Lesley J. McNair, Army Air Forces
under Lt Gen Henry H. Arnold, and Services of
Supply (later designated as Army Service Forces)
under Maj Gen Brehon B. Somervell—are given
responsibility for Zone of Interior functions under
Gen Marshall as Chief of Staff. Field forces remain
under control of War Department General Staff.
Adm King is appointed Chief of Naval Operations
in addition to his post of CinC, U.S. Fleet.
Adm King succeeds Adm Harold R. Stark, who
will command U.S. naval forces operating in
European waters.
P.I.—Gen MacArthur announces that Gen
Yamashita has replaced Gen Homma as CinC of
enemy forces in the Philippines.
NEI—Japanese complete conquest of Java and
thereby gain control of entire NEI. With Malaya
Barrier thus penetrated, Australia is in greater
danger.
NEW GUINEA—Land-based planes attack Japanese
convoy in Huon Gulf with unobserved results.
Japanese aircraft continue neutralization of points
in New Guinea.
BURMA—Burma Army forces at Taukkyan continue
northward withdrawal without serious difficulty.
10 March
MIDWAY—Enemy patrol plane is shot down SW
of island.
P.I.—Gen Wainwright visits Gen MacArthur
on Corregidor and learns that he (Wainwright)
will head Luzon Force and that his I Corps will be
turned over to Gen Jones, 51st Div CG. Gen Mac-
[ 8–13 MARCH 1942 ]
Arthur, after his withdrawal from the Philippines,
plans to remain in control of Philippine operations
from Australia through Col Lewis C. Beebe, who
will be deputy chief of staff of USAFFE.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese make another landing
on New Guinea, at Finschhafen. U.S. planes, 104
strong, from carriers Lexington and Yorktown make
co-ordinated attacks on enemy shipping and installations
at Lae and Salamaua, considerably damaging
shipping and airfields. A few B–17’s from
Townsville, Australia, follow up carrier strikes with
attacks on same area. Japanese fly fighters from
Rabaul, New Britain, to Huon Gulf area and continue
neutralization of Port Moresby by air.
IRAN—Declared eligible for U.S. lend-lease.
11 March
P.I.—Gen MacArthur and his family and staff
embark from Corregidor in 4 PT boats for Mindanao.
BURMA—Burma Army regroups in preparation
for defense of upper Burma. In Irrawaddy Valley,
Ind 17th Div is disposed in Tharrawaddy area. In
Sittang Valley, Burma 1st Div, after successful
diversionary attacks against Shwegyin and Madauk,
E of Nyaunglebin, withdraws, except for 13th Brig,
to positions N of Kanyutkwin. Gen Stilwell is placed
in command of Ch 5th and 6th Armies. Ch 6th
Army is holding Shan States. Ch 5th Army, except
for 200th Div disposed in Toungoo area, is to concentrate
at Mandalay.
MALTA—Military garrison is placed under command
of CinC MEF. Naval and RAF garrisons are
under command of CinC Mediterranean and Air
Officer Commanding in Chief, respectively. Lt Gen
Sir William Dobbie, Governor of Malta, remains
commander in chief.
12 March
NEW CALEDONIA—U.S. TF (17,500 men) under
Gen Patch reaches Noumea to assist in defense of
that area.
ANDAMAN Is.—Garrison of Andaman Is. (co of
British and bn of Gurkhas) is withdrawn, since loss
of Rangoon makes it unfeasible to maintain this seaplane
base.
B URMA—Burma Army establishes hq at
Maymyo.
13 March
NEW GUINEA—Japanese, having gained firm
positions in Lae-Salamaua area, replace infantry
with naval forces.
SOLOMON Is.—Japanese force from 4th Fleet
sails from Rabaul, New Britain, for Buka, which is