1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 14–22 MARCH 1942 ]
eventually seized together with other positions in
N Solomons.
INDIA—First detachment of U.S. troops (Air
Forces personnel) to reach CBI arrive at Karachi,
having been diverted from Java.
14 March
U.S.—Joint Chiefs of Staff decide to continue
on the defensive in the Pacific with forces already
there and to build up forces in United Kingdom
for an offensive against Germany.
P.I.—Gen MacArthur and his party reach
Mindanao.
IRAN—U.S. Iranian Mission begins releasing
civilian contractors in accordance with War Department
directive of 18 February calling for militarization
of contract activities throughout world.
15 March
LUZON—In Manila Bay area the Japanese, having
emplaced additional arty along S shore of
Manila Bay SW of Ternate, renew intensive bombardment
of fortified islands. Shelling is conducted
daily and in great force through 21 March, despite
U.S. counterbattery fire. Forts Frank and Drum
are particularly hard hit.
BURMA—Gen Stilwell is notified that Gen
Wavell, as Supreme Commander, India, is responsible
for operations in Burma.
17 March
AUSTRALIA—From Mindanao, Gen MacArthur
flies to Darwin, where he will be in supreme command
of forces in SW Pacific. Formal delineation of
this area has not yet been agreed upon. Col Beebe,
deputy chief of staff of USAFFE, is promoted to
brig gen.
CBI—Air Vice Marshal Stevenson, commanding
Allied air forces, moves hq from Burma to
Calcutta, India.
18 March
NEW HEBRIDES—U.S. Army troops (2 cos of
182d Inf and an engr co of Americal Div) arrive
at Efate to build airfield.
19 March
BURMA—Lt Gen William J. Slim arrives in
Burma to take command of Imperial troops, now
formed into Burma I Corps. In Sittang Valley, Japanese
begin drive on Toungoo and are opposed by
Ch 200th Div.
USSR—German Army Group North is mak-
[ 29 ]
ing determined efforts to break through to II Corps,
Sixteenth Army, in Cholm-Staraya Russa area. Red
Army maintains pressure on enemy on central and
southern fronts.
20 March
P.I.—Gen Wainwright learns that he has been
promoted to rank of lt gen and that Washington
has placed him in command of all U.S. forces in the
Philippines.
LIBYA—Complying with request of 8 March
for offensive action to divert enemy’s attention from
Malta-bound convoy, Br Eighth Army raids landing
grounds in Derna and Benghazi areas after nightfall.
21 March
P.I.—Gen Wainwright, as commander of U.S.
Forces in the Philippines (USFIP), which supersedes
USAFFE, establishes hq on Corregidor and
appoints Gen Beebe his chief of staff. Maj Gen
Edward P. King, Jr., is to be commander of Luzon
Force.
AUSTRALIA—Lt Gen George H. Brett, U.S.
Army, becomes commander of combined air forces,
retaining command of USAFIA.
CBI—Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command is
activated. It consists of 25 Pan-American transports,
which are soon diverted from mission of taking
supplies to China in order to supply forces withdrawing
from Burma.
BURMA—Burma 1st Div, upon being relieved
on Toungoo front by 200th Div, Ch 5th Army,
begins movement to Irrawaddy front, leaving large
area S of Toungoo undefended. Gen Stilwell, now
in Burma, issues orders for Ch participation in
defense of line Toungoo–Prome. Ch 5th Army
is charged with defense of Toungoo. Its 200th Div
is reinf by attachment of Temporary 55th Div
(T-55th) of Ch 6th Army, which is to move to
Pyawbwe. In army reserve, Ch 22d Div is directed
to Taungdwingyi, where it is to be prepared to assist
British in Prome area while Ch 96th Div is to move
to Mandalay. Crippling enemy air attack on Magwe
airdrome reduces the already meager air force
defending Burma.
LIBYA—Br Eighth Army continues raids on
forward landing grounds of Axis forces as diversion
for convoy to Malta. Raids are partially successful,
drawing off part of enemy’s aircraft, but convoy is
unable to reach Malta intact and later suffers additional
damage under air attack while unloading.
22 March
U.S.—President Roosevelt sends message to
Gen MacArthur in Australia expressing his desire