1942 - US Army Center Of Military History

[ 31 MARCH–5 APRIL 1942 ]
command. As CINCPOA, Adm Nimitz is to maintain
communications between U.S. and SWPA; support
operations in SWPA; and be prepared to take
offensive action. In addition to SWPA and POA,
Pacific Theater is to include Southeast Pacific Area—
ocean stretches W of Central and South America.
Pacific War Council is established in Washington.
Inter-American Defense Board holds its first
meeting in Washington.
BURMA—Ch 200th Div withdraws from Toungoo
under pressure. On Irrawaddy front, Burma I
Corps TF falls back to Prome from Paungde area,
leaving vehicles behind at Shwedaung. During night
30–31, Japanese attack Ind 63d Brig at Prome and
soon breach defenses, exposing right flank of Ind
17th Div.
ASCENSION I.—First detachment of U.S. forces
arrives to build airstrip on this small island, which
lies about midway between South America and
Africa.
31 March
BURMA—Ch 200th Div makes contact with Ch
22d Div N of Toungoo and withdraws N of Pyinmana
as reserve. With loss of Toungoo, road to
Mawchi is left undefended and Japanese, during
next few days, overrun small Ch garrison at Mawchi;
continue E, forcing elements of Ch T-55th Div
back to Bawlake
1 April
U.S.—Pacific War Council holds its first meeting
at Washington, D.C.
NEW GUINEA—Japanese from NEI land at a
number of points on Dutch New Guinea coast, from
Sorong on NW tip to Hollandia, during period 1–20
April; landings are virtually unopposed.
BURMA—CinC India, visiting front, agrees to
immediate withdrawal of Burma I Corps to Allanmyo
area, N of Prome. Japanese continue to press
in on Prome.
Iraq—Dock construction project at Umm Qasr
is begun after cargo of City of Dalhart is unloaded.
USSR—Stalemate exists along entire line. Germans
of Army Group North are largely concerned
during the month with extricating II Corps of Sixteenth
Army from pocket SE of Staraya Russa.
2 April
INDIA—U.S. Tenth Air Force flies its first combat
mission, attacking shipping off Andaman Is.;
subsequently concentrates on enemy positions in
Burma.
B URMA—Burma I Corps withdraws from
Prome.
[ 31 ]
3 April
LUZON—Japanese open all-out offensive against
Bataan line, which is by now understrength, undernourished,
poorly clothed and equipped, and battle
weary. After air and arty bombardment, lasting
from 1000 until 1500, Japanese move forward,
making main effort against Sector D, the W flank
of II Corps, where 41st and 21st Divs (PA) are
thinly spread and dazed as result of preliminary
bombardment. 41st, on W, gives way and is rendered
virtually ineffective as a fighting force,
although regt on extreme W succeeds in withdrawing
in an orderly fashion. Bn on W flank of 21st Div
is forced to pull back. Effort to re-establish line of
41st Div after dark is partially successful. The only
corps reserve unit, 33d Inf (PA), less 1st Bn, is
released to Sector D as is Prov Tank Gp ( — ) of
Luzon Force reserve. In I Corps sector to W,
Japanese succeed in reaching MLR on E flank but
are unable to pierce it.
BURMA—Burma I Corps continues northward
withdrawal from Allanmyo area although not under
enemy pressure. In Sittang Valley, Gen Stilwell
begins deploying Chinese for stand at Pyinmana.
Ch 22d Div is to fall back gradually on Pyinmana,
where Ch 96th Div is to take over.
MIDDLE EAST—India is removed from U.S.
Iranian Mission’s sphere of responsibility, but Karachi
remains base for the 2 U.S. Middle East
missions. Gen Wheeler is relieved as chief of Iranian
Mission.
4 April
LUZON—In II Corps area, Japanese attack is
again preceded by demoralizing arty bombardment
in conjunction with air attacks. MLR of Sector D
collapses as 41st Div withdraws again and 21st Div
is forced from MLR to reserve line in front of Mt
Samat. After nightfall, Japanese regroup for assault
on Mt Samat. Sector C has to refuse its left flank
because of enemy breakthrough. Luzon Force sends
2 regts of Philippine Div—31st (U.S.) and 45th
(PS)—to support II Corps.
INDIAN OCEAN—Japanese naval force in Indian
Ocean sinks Br cruisers Dorsetshire and Cornwall
near Colombo, Ceylon.
MIDDLE EAST—Col Don G. Shingler is notified
that he is to head U.S. Iranian Mission, replacing
Gen Wheeler. Iranian projects now have top priority,
and construction project at Umm Qasr, Iraq, is
suspended.
5 April
LUZON—After air and arty preparation, Japanese
resume offensive in the II Corps area, concen-