This day in the war in the Pacific 65 years ago.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: At a meeting between Australians and U.S. officials, the Australians agree
(1) to prepare several bases and refueling sites
in the interior to permit flying from Brisbane, Queensland, and Darwin, Northern Territory; and
(2) to provide Royal Australian Air Force pilots to assist in training raw USAAF pilots.

Convoy ZK.5 consisting of British transport SS Aquitania, the Norwegian freighter MS Herstein and British freighter SS Sarpedon carrying 4,250 Australian troops of the 39th and 53rd (Militia) Battalions and 10,000 tons (9 072 metric tonnes) of equipment departs Sydney, New South Wales, for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, escorted by the Australian heavy cruisers HMAS Australia (D 84) and Canberra (H 30), light cruiser HMAS Perth (D 29) and New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Achilles (70).
This is the first substantial build up of Allied forces in New Guinea.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: Australian National Airlines (ANA) aircraft begins the evacuation of civilians from Rabaul on New Britain Island.

MALAYA: The Japanese are attacking British forces as they withdraw from Ipoh toward Kampar and the River Slim.

MIDWAY ISLANDS: Over 850 civilian construction workers are evacuated by two USN ships.

NEW ZEALAND: The government scrapes the bottom of the manpower barrel and comes up with three battalions to defend the country. There are no tanks, very few guns, and almost no vehicles. However, the New Zealand 2nd Division is regrouping in Egypt to continue battling the Axis forces.

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by three Australian Hudsons of No. 32 Squadron off Kina, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The destroyer's steering gear is damaged and she has to put into Ternate in the
Halmahera Islands, NEI, for repairs.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The Japanese begin a drive from the Agno River toward Cabanatuan. In southern Luzon, the Japanese force the 52d Infantry Regiment [Philippine Army (PA)], 51st Division (PA), back to Tiaong.
Brigadier General Albert Jones, Commanding General 51st Division (PA), receives orders to withdraw speedily to Bataan. The 53d Infantry Regiment (PA) moves to Bataan for rest and reorganization. The Japanese seize
Luisiana, on Route 1, and the 1st Infantry Regiment (PA), 1st Division (PA) withdraws westward.
Philippines -(Far East Air Force): The ground echelon of the 17th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group transfers from Cabcaben to Limay, Luzon. The air echelon is operating from Brisbane, Australia.

UNITED STATES: The USN Chief of Bureau of Yards and Docks, Vice Admiral Ben Moreell, requests authority from the Bureau of Navigation to create a contingent of construction units able to build everything from airfields to roads under battlefield conditions. These units will be
known as the "Seabees" for the first letters of Construction Battalion.

[syscom3]

Today marks the first instance of aircraft reinforcements being sent to Alaska.

ALASKA: In response to repeated requests by this Command to the War Department for additional aircraft to defend Alaska, the 77th Bombardment Squadron (Medium), 42d Bombardment Group (Medium), arrives at Elmendorf Field, Anchorage with 13 B-26's.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC THEATER OF OPERATIONS (Far East Air Force): Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, arrives at his new HQ at Darwin. Colonel Harold H George remains at Manila in command of the air elements left in the Philippines, the chief center of Army Air Force activity in the S Philippines being Del Monte on Mindanao where air personnel are under the command of Major Ray T Ellsmore. (Brigadier General George is killed in an aircraft accident near Darwin on 29 Apr 42. Victorville AFB, California is renamed George AFB on 2 Jun 1950 in his memory.) The ground echelon of the 16th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, transfers from Cabcaben to Bataan. The air echelon is operating from Brisbane.

AUSTRALIA: Major General Lewis H Brereton, Commanding General Far East Air Force, arrives at his new headquarters at Darwin, Northern Territory.

BURMA: From Bokpyin, the Japanese withdraw under pressure into Thailand.

CHINA: The establishment of the China Theater under supreme command of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek, who is to be assisted by an Allied staff, is announced. The theater is to include portions of Thailand and French Indochina in friendly hands.

EAST INDIES: The Indian detachment from Kuching, Sarawak, arrives at Sanggau, Dutch Borneo, and is placed under Dutch command.

MALAYA: On the Indian 11th Division front, the Indian 12th Brigade holds firmly against a strong Japanese attack but, since its position is becoming untenable, falls back through Kampar to Bidor, where it is held in reserve.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: In northern Luzon, the 91st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] holds Cabanatuan against a strong enemy thrust, but the Japanese succeed in crossing the Pampanga River near there. Another Japanese force, heading for Tarlac in the 21st Division (PA) sector, reaches
a position just north of Tarlac. All elements of the South Luzon Force withdraw quickly toward Bataan. Japanese "Betty" bombers (Mitsubishi G4M, Navy Type 1 Attack Bombers) and "Nell" bombers (Mitsubishi G3M, Navy
Type 96 Attack Bombers) from Formosa, attack Corregidor for the first time. Although wooden structures suffer heavily, little damage is done to military installations. Antiaircraft fire from forts guarding Manila Bay destroy a number of bombers. The 4th Marine Regiment takes
responsibility for beach defense. During the bombings, submarine tender USS Canopus (AS-9) is damaged in Mariveles Harbor, river gunboat USS Mindanao (PR- is damaged by near-misses off Corregidor.

UNITED STATES: All German, Italian and Japanese aliens in
California, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington and are ordered to surrender contraband.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by syscom3

PACIFIC OCEAN: USN destroyer USS Peary (DD-226) is damaged when mistakenly bombed and strafed by three Australian Hudsons of No. 32 Squadron off Kina, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The destroyer's steering gear is damaged and she has to put into Ternate in the
Halmahera Islands, NEI, for repairs.

Sys where did you get this info from? I don't doubt it happened, its just that 32 squadron wasn't formed until Feb 1942. Just wondering what Hudson squadron was responsible thats all.

[syscom3]

Originally Posted by Wildcat

Sys where did you get this info from? I don't doubt it happened, its just that 32 squadron wasn't formed until Feb 1942. Just wondering what Hudson squadron was responsible thats all.

I get it off of a "this day in WW2" forum.

Is it possible that the Hudsons were flying in small detachments before the group was formed?

[Wildcat]

Don't think so. Of the 11 or so squadrons equipped with Hudsons It is more likely that the a/c was from either 2 or 13 sqn. At the time 2 sqn was based in Darwin but had detachments at Penfoi and Ambon. 2 sqn was very active around Timor and the NEI's but took heavy losses and was actually awarded a US Presidential unit Citaition for its heroic actions.
13 sqn has a similar history, a/c were detached to Laha on Ambon and Namlea on Buru Is, NEI. Because of constant attacks on their bases (as with 2sqn) and coulped with high losses, the sqn was withdrawn to darwin. 13 sqn was also awarded a US Presidential Unit Citation.
Sorry for the rant, but fascinating history I find.

[syscom3]

Wildcat, interesting discrepency you found.

We know the ship was damaged, and the crew reported it as being from friendly aircraft (an oxymoron if you think of it...).

It could be a case of mistaken ID of the aircraft.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Major General George H. Brett, who arrived from China three days ago, assumes command of U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA) with headquarters in Brisbane, Queensland.

EAST INDIES: In the Netherlands East Indies, the air echelon of the Far East Air Force's 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfers from Batchelor Field near Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia to Singosari, Java, with B-17 Flying Fortresses.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz assumes command of the Pacific Fleet in ceremonies on board the submarine USS Grayling (SS- 209) at Pearl Harbor.
Japanese submarines shell Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii Islands.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division now holds a relatively well-organized defense position in western Malaya, with the Indian 6/15 Brigade disposed on the main line of resistance at Kampar and the Indian 28th Brigade Group to the east. The Japanese increase pressure against the 28th Brigade Group. On the east coast, the Kuantan defense force
completes a concentration west of Kuantan River and destroys the ferry.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The evacuation of Manila is completed as the rear echelon of U.S. Army Forces Far East headquarters leaves. The North Luzon Force closes in final defense positions, Bamban-Arayat, before San Fernando and Plaridel, east of the Calumpit bridge. On the eastern
flank, the 91st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] goes into reserve south of Baliuag, leaving the 71st Division (PA) to delay the Japanese briefly at Baliuag; both divisions then retire toward the Calumpit bridge. Firm contact is made between the North and South Luzon Forces in the San
Fernando area after the latter crosses the Calumpit bridge.
Brigadier General Albert Jones, Commanding General South Luzon Force, is placed in command of all forces east of the Pampanga River.
The USN submarine rescue vessel USS Pigeon (ASR-6) transports an armed party to Sangley Point in Manila Bay and brings out a Luzon Stevedoring Company lighter loaded with 97 mines and eight truckloads of aerial depth charges; USS Pigeon then tows the barge to a point 4.5
miles (7,2 kilometers) off Sangley Point and capsizes it in 11 fathoms (66 feet or 20 meters) of water. The sailors also destroy the aircraft repair shop at Cavite Naval Base and one irreparable PBY Catalina.
American pilots are evacuated from the Philippines to prevent their capture by the Japanese invaders. The 17th and 20th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), cease operating from Lubao with P-40's and return to their base on Bataan.

UNITED STATES: The members of the Arcadia Conference being held in Washington, D.C. order a joint American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA)
Command to be established to control all Allied forces in the Southwest Pacific. British General Sir Archibald Wavell, Commander-in- Chief, India, will command.
America's last automobiles with chrome-plated trim are
manufactured today. Starting tomorrow, chrome plating becomes illegal. It is part of an effort to conserve resources for the American war effort but the chrome is not missed too much because virtually no automobiles are produced in the U.S. from 1942 through the end of World War II.

[syscom3]

CHINA: The Chinese request lend-lease aid for construction of a road across northern Burma to link with the Burma Road. The projected road would extend from Ledo, India, to Fort Hertz and Myitkyina, Burma, and Lung-ling, China.

EAST INDIES: Two Japanese infantry platoons land on the 75 square kilometer (29 square mile) Labuan Island, British North Borneo,capturing the British Resident, Hugh Humphrey who later recalled: "I was repeatedly hit by a Japanese officer with his sword (in its scabbard) and exhibited for 24 hours to the public in an improvised cage, on the grounds that, before the Japanese arrived, I had sabotaged the war effort of the Imperial Japanese Forces by destroying stocks of aviation fuel on
the island."
The air echelon of the USAAF Far East Air Force's 93d
Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfers from Batchelor Field, Northern Territory, Australia, to Singosari, Java, with B-17 Flying Fortresses.

MALAYA: The Japanese attack the Kampar position in western Malaya in force but are unable to break through. The Indian 11th Division is in grave danger as a Japanese amphibious force lands in the Utan Melentang area, at the mouth of the Bernam River, behind the Kampar line. The Indian 12th Brigade Group moves from Bidor to meet this threat. Japanese aircraft deliver the first severe blow against Tengah airdrome on Singapore Island.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: The South Luzon Force, upon completing their withdrawal across the Pampanga River at Calumpit by 0500 hours and destroying bridges there at 0615 hours, is disbanded. Its components continue
their withdrawal toward Bataan, and Brigadier General Albert Jones rejoins the 51st Division [Philippine Army (PA)].
The Japanese move through Plaridel to Calumpit but are unable to cross the Pampanga River. The Covering force [elements of 71st and 91st Divisions (PA)] withdraws
from the river line toward San Fernando. Meanwhile, the 21st and 11th Divisions (PA) continue fighting withdrawals, the 21st along the route Bamban-Angeles- Poroc and the 11th on the route Malagang-San Fernando- Guagua (north of Sexmoan), arriving on the line Porac-Guagua during the night 1/2 January.
HQ 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Clark Field to Mariveles, Luzon, Philippines . The ground echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Clark Field, Luzon to Bugo, Mindanao. The air echelon is operating from Singosari, Java with B-17's.

UNITED STATES: The Declaration of the United Nations is signed by 26 nations in Washington, D.C. The original signatories are Australia, Belgium, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India,
Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Poland, South Africa, the U.K., the U.S., the U.S.S.R., and Yugoslavia. The parties pledge
to uphold the Atlantic Charter, to employ all their resources in the war against the Axis powers and agree not to negotiate a separate peace with Germany, Italy or Japan. The Atlantic Charter and its eight principles are:
(1) the renunciation of territorial aggression;
(2) territorial changes only with consent of the peoples concerned;
(3) restoration of sovereign rights and self-government; (4) access to raw materials for all nations;
(5) world economic cooperation;
(6) freedom from fear andwant;
(7) freedom of the seas;
( disarmament of aggressors are also endorsed by the signatories at the Arcadia Conference.

The United States Treasury order freezing Philippine funds in the United States goes into effect. This order is issued "in view of the situation created by the temporary enemy occupation of important parts of the Philippine Islands."

U.S. Attorney General Francis Biddle, issues orders to all
German, Italian and Japanese aliens to hand in their short-wave radios, cameras and firearms to their local police stations. They are also forbidden to change their address without permission and, if living on the east
coast, to obey a 2100 to 0600 hour curfew.

Joseph Stalin is named "Time" magazine's "Man of the Year" for 1941.

The U.S. Office of Production Management prohibits the sales of new cars and trucks to civilians. All automakers dedicate their plants entirely to the war effort. By the end of the month, domestic car manufacture has stopped. Automobile plants are converted wholesale to the
manufacture of bombers, jeeps, military trucks, and other equipment.

WAKE ISLAND: A USAAF Hawaiian Air Force B-17 Flying Fortress based on Oahu, Territory of Hawaii, refuels at Midway Islands and then photographs Wake Island.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Major General George H. Brett, Commanding General-Designate
of the U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA), sends a message to General George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army in Washington, D.C., stating that he sees little hope of effectively reinforcing the Philippine Islands until a large airbase can be established at Darwin, Northern Territory, and a large supply and repair depot established at Townsville, Queensland.

MALAYA: Japanese force reaches Telok Anson via the Perak River and
go ashore, greatly increasing the threat to the Indian III Corps. The
1st Independent Company and Indian 3d Cavalry Squadron defending this
area, are forced back through the Indian 12th Brigade Group, which in turn
comes under severe pressure. Although Japanese attacks on the Kampar
position are still being contained, it is decided to withdraw to the Slim River after nightfall because of the precarious situation along the coast. A Japanese landing attempt at Kuala Selangor is frustrated by artillery fire late in the day.

NETHERLANDS: During the day, 12 RAF Bomber Command Hampdens conduct
"roving patrols" of the Dutch and German Coasts but only one aircraft bombs, the Leeuwarden Airfield.

PACIFIC OCEAN: In the Java Sea, the 7,395 ton Dutch freighter SS
Langkoeas, formerly the German freighter SS Stassfurt, departed
Soerabaja, Java, Netherlands East Indies yesterday for the Middle East. Today, she is torpedoed by Japanese submarine HIJMS I-58 during this evening north of Bawean Island. Bawean Island is located between Java and Borneo about 82 nautical miles (152 kilometers) north of Surabaja. The crew
(24 Dutch, 55 Chinese, 12 Java-natives) immediately began abandoning
ship, and the submarine approaches and begins machine gunning everyone in
the boats. There are three survivors, one Dutch, one Chinese and one
Javanese. They are brought aboard the submarine and after being questioned, they are thrown back into the water. The three manage to survive and make it to a small island where they are found by a fisherman. They are later picked up by a Dutch (PBY) Catalina and brought to Soerabaja, where they tell their story.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: One battalion of the Japanese 1st Formosa
Regiment and two of the 47th Infantry Regiment make the triumphal march into Manila, watched only by a curious few. Japanese troops also take
over Cavite Naval Base and find it a total wreck from their own bombs.
Japanese aircraft begin daily attacks on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. The
defenders on Luzon complete a successful withdrawal through San Fernando,
the final elements clearing the town at 0200 hours, and organize delaying positions along a 10-mile (16 kilometer) front from Porac to Guagua. Holding this line are the 21st Division [Philippine Army (PA)] on the west, its left flank covered by 26th Cavalry (Philippine Scouts) at San Jose, south of Porac, and the 11th Division PA) on the east. The Japanese attack the west flank in the vicinity of Porac in the afternoon and force the 21st Division to fall back. Meanwhile, Japanese east of the Pampanga River succeed in crossing the river and move to San Fernando, where they join with Japanese from Angeles. There are now 80,000 troops and 26,000 civilians on Bataan Peninsula. The troops are worn out and beginning to suffer malaria. There are food supplies to feed 100,000 men for 30 days and the troops are put on half rations. But, morale is high because the troops expect a huge relief convoy to arrive at any moment.

The Pentagon receives a depressing radio message from the Philippines that says: "Manila, Cavite lost; MacArthur fights on, holding Corregidor." The news from the Phillippines only gets worse as MacArthur is later forced to abandon Corregidor as well.

THAILAND: The American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) raid a Japanese
air base in Thailand, one of the first offensive air strikes by the Allies in Asia. Security restrictions require the leader of the raid be identified only as "Scarsdale Jack." During the coming months, he will become famous. He is John Van Kuren Newkirk, a former Navy pilot from Westchester County, New York, U.S.A.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D Roosevelt announces the
beginning of the Liberty Ship program, i.e., the construction of 200 merchant
ships of a standardized design.
Lieutenant General Hugh A. Drum, Commanding General First Army,
tentatively selected for a field command in China, arrives in Washington, D.C., where he confers with various military leaders and finds opinions
as to role of U.S. in China widely divergent.
The first organized lighter-than- air units of World War II, Airship Patrol Group One (ZPG-1) and Airship Squadron Twelve (ZP-12) are established at Naval Air Station Lakehurst, New Jersey. The USN is the only military service in the world to use non-rigid airships--also known as blimps--during the war.

[Wildcat]

Originally Posted by syscom3

Wildcat, interesting discrepency you found.

We know the ship was damaged, and the crew reported it as being from friendly aircraft (an oxymoron if you think of it...).

It could be a case of mistaken ID of the aircraft.

Sys I did some looking and low and behold this incident was in one of my books about RAAF Hudsons
The a/c was indeed a Hudson from no 2 squadron, and the crew were not blamed for the incident because a USN PBY had radioed in the Peary as an enemy warship! Blunders all around!

[syscom3]

EAST INDIES: In British Borneo, the Japanese invade Labuan Island, in Brunei Bay, without opposition. From there, a detachment moves to mainland at Mempakul, thence to Weston on foot, and from Weston to Beaufort by rail.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division completes a withdrawal to the Slim River line. Because of the threat to communications in western Malaya, the Kuantan force on the east coast, which had previously been ordered to
hold the airdrome until 10 January, begins fighting a withdrawal at once. Newly formed and poorly trained the Indian 45th Brigade, reinforced, and an Indian Pioneer battalion (a labor unit) arrive at Singapore and
concentrate in southern Malaya.
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Edward Cumming (1896-1971), commander
of the 2d Battalion, 12th Frontier Force Regiment, Indian Army, is awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions today. The Japanese make a furious attack on the battalion near Kuantan and penetrate the position.
Colonel Cumming, with a small party of men immediately leads a counter-attack and although all his men became casualties and he himself had two bayonet wounds in the stomach he manages to restore the situation sufficiently for the major portion of the battalion and its vehicles to be
withdrawn. Later he drives a carrier under very heavy fire, collecting isolated detachments of his men and is again wounded. His gallant actions helped the brigade to withdraw safely. He later achieves the rank of Brigadier.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, the Japanese continue determined attacks on the western flank of the Porac-Guagua line, where the 21st Division (Philippine Army) succeeds in halting them below Pio; the Japanese
exert strong pressure on the eastern flank in the vicinity of Guagua.

UNITED STATES: U.S. President Franklin D Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston S Churchill announce the creation of a unified command in the Southwest Pacific, with British General Sir Archibald P Wavell as supreme commander of American-British- Dutch-Australian (ABDA) forces in that area. General Wavell is directed:
(1) to hold the Malay Barrier (the line Malay Peninsula-Sumatra- Java-Northern Australia) and operate as far beyond the barrier as possible in order to check the Japanese advance;
(2) hold Burma and Australia;
(3) restore communications with the Philippine Islands through the Netherlands East Indies;
(4) maintain communications within the theater.
Above all, Wavell's forces, mostly Australians and British, are to hold Australia and Burma.
In another move, Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek is named Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in China. The Arcadia Conference makes Chiang Kai-shek, a Chinese leader, the leader of Allied troops stationed in and a
round China.Military planners come to the realization that it will be impossible to reinforce the Philippine Islands and the troops in those islands are doomed. When told of this, Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson notes, "There are times when men must die."

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: Major General George Brett assumes command of the U.S. Forces in Australia. One of his first orders is to divert two transports en route from Brisbane, Queensland, to the Philippine Islands to put in at Darwin, Northern Territory. This effectively ends the effort to
reinforce the troops in the Philippines.

BISMARCK ARCHIPELAGO: The Japanese begin an air offensive against Rabaul on New Britain Island, the strategic base in the Bismarck Archipelago, garrisoned by 5,400 men (principally the Australian 2/22d Battalion,
8th Division; an RAAF detachment; 100 men of the New Guinea Volunteer Reserve; and a few Royal Australian Navy officers). Located at Rabaul are a fighter strip at Lakunai and a bomber strip at Vunakanu.

BURMA: A pilot of the 2d Fighter Squadron, American Volunteer Group ("Flying Tigers"), shoots down a Japanese "Claude" (Mitsubishi A5M Navy Type 96 Carrier Fighter) over Rangoon at 1205 hours.

CHINA: The Chinese halt the Japanese drive in the Changsha area of Hunan Province.

MALAYA: The Indian 11th Division is under constant air attacks as it prepares defensive positions along the Slim River in western Malaya. A Japanese force moves south along the west coast to the Selangor River, then east along the river, threatening the communications line at Rawang. To meet this threat, the Indian 6/15 Brigade Group starts toward Batang Berjuntai.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: Japanese Lieutenant General HOMMA Masaharu, Commanding General 14th Army, meets with Manila Mayor Jorge Vargas. After both smile for the camera, HOMMA imposes the Japanese Military Administration under Major General HAYASHI Yoshide.. He in turn imposes a curfew, blackout, martial law, firearms turn-in, a ban on radio transmissions and listening to non-Japanese statements. He also warns that any hostile act against the Japanese will result in ten Filipinos dying for every Japanese killed. All industries, factories, banks, schools, churches, and printing presses must come under Japanese control. The flying of the Filipino or U.S. flags or singing of the "Star-Spangled Banner" is forbidden.
Continuing strong attacks against the flank of the Porac-Guagua line, the Japanese overrun Guagua and continue along Route 7 to Lubao, cutting the planned line of retreat of the 11th Division [Philippine Army (PA)]. The 21st Division (PA) zone (the western part of the line) is relatively quiet. Withdrawal from the line Porac-Guagua begins under cover of darkness on 4/5 January with the 21st Division covering for the 11th Division. Some cut-off elements of the 11th Division make a circuitous withdrawal through San Jose, while others move down Route 7 and form an outpost line between Lubao and Santa Cruz.
USAAF Far East Air Force fighters from Bataan on Luzon, attempt the interception of a bombing raid on Corregidor Island in Manila Bay. The fighters, failing to intercept until the Japanese aircraft are over the target, have little effect on the raid. Several fighters depart for Mindanao following the mission.
During the night of 4/5 January, eight B-17 Flying Fortresses based at Singosari Airdrome, Java, Netherlands East Indies, stage through Samarinda Airdrome, Dutch Borneo, and attack Japanese warships and transports in Malalag Bay, Davao, Mindanao Island, from 25,000 feet
(7 620 meters) and damage heavy cruisers HIJMS Myoko and Nachi.

UNITED STATES: President Franklin D. Roosevelt declares lend-lease aid to the Provisional Government of Czechoslovakia as vital to the defense of the U.S.
Lieutenant General John DeWitt, Commanding General Western Defense Command, meets with the Chief of the War Department's Aliens Division to come up with a definition of strategic areas where all enemy aliens would be excluded.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: In Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, the War
Cabinet today agrees to a British request for the transfer of the Australian
I Corps, comprising the veteran 6th and 7th Divisions, from the Middle East to Southeast Asia. In December, British Prime Minister Winston
Churchill assured the Australian Prime Minister, John Curtin, that
he would do everything possible to strengthen the whole Far Eastern front
from Rangoon, Burma, to Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia.
The U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA) is formally activated and
officially redesignated U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA).
Headquarters is located in the MacRobertson Girls High School in
Melbourne, Victoria.

BURMA: Headquarters of the Indian 17th Division is established at
Moulmein. Of the three brigades that this division is to contain,
only one, the Indian 16th, is in Burma.

HAWAIIAN ISLANDS: CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): The air echelon of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which has been operating from Hickam Field, Hawaii since 18 Dec 41, departs for Singosari, Java with B-17's. The ground echelon is at Brisbane. SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): B-17's from Malang, Java stage through Samarinda, Borneo during the night of 4/5 Jan and attack shipping in Davao Bay on Mindanao , Philippines. US Forces in Australia (USFIA), which controls FEAF, is redesignated US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), and Major General George H Brett assumes command. The ground echelons of the 17th and 91st Bombardment Squadrons, 27th Bombardment Group transfer from Limay to Bataan. The air echelons are operating from Brisbane with A-24s.

JAPAN: Tokyo accepts Laurenzo Marques in Mozambique as a suitable
site to exchange diplomats with the United States.

MALAYA: The Commander-in- Chief British Eastern Fleet, Admiral Sir
Geoffrey Layton, moves headquarters from Singapore to Batavia, Java,
Netherlands East Indies.Lieutenant General Arthur Percival, General Officer Commanding Malaya Command, at a conference in Segamat, plans for a withdrawal into Johore.On the Slim River front, the Indian 11th Division repels a Japanese attack down the railway line.



PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: On Luzon, U.S. and Filipino troops complete
their withdrawal to a new line extending along the base of the Bataan
Peninsula from Dinaluplhan on the west to Hermosa on the east.
During the night of 5/6 January, the withdrawal continues through Layac Junction, the funnel through which all roads into Bataan pass, the final elements clearing it by 0200 hours, after which the bridge is blown. A
delaying position, called the Layac line, is formed south of Layac Junction
and manned by the 71st and 72d Regiments, 71st Division, Philippine
Army, the U.S. 31st Infantry Regiment of the Philippine Division, and the 26th
Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts. The 31st Infantry Regiment, the
only completely U.S. regiment in the Philippines, has not yet been in
action.
The food ration of the Bataan defense force and of garrisons of
fortified islands in Manila Bay is cut in half. The Bataan echelon
of Headquarters US Army Forces Far East (USAFFE) is established on
Bataan under Brigadier General Richard J. Marshall. The Japanese continue
daily air attacks on Corregidor and occasional attacks on other targets in
the Manila Bay area.
USAAF B-17 Flying Fortresses from Malang, Java, Netherlands
East Indies, stage through Samarinda, Dutch Borneo, during the night of
4/5 January and attack shipping in Davao Bay on Mindanao Island.

UNITED STATES: The government orders all men between the ages of 20
and 44 to register for the draft (conscription) by 16 February.
The U.S. Senate Committee investigating Hollywood war propaganda is dissolved.
Today is the deadline for enemy aliens in San Francisco, California, to surrender radio transmitters, shortwave receivers and precision
cameras to the U.S. Army's Western Defense Command. Also
Japanese-American selective service registrants are classified as
enemy aliens (IV-C) and many Japanese-American soldiers are discharged or assigned to menial labor such as "kitchen police (KP)."
A change in USN regulations, covering display of National Insignia on aircraft, returned the star to the upper right and lower left wing surfaces and revised rudder striping to 13 red and white horizontal stripes.

[syscom3]

AUSTRALIA: The government advises the British Government that the Australian 6th and 7th Divisions will be sent to the Far East. The government of Australia declares war on Bulgaria.

CHINA: Having accepted the nomination of Chiang Kai-shek as Supreme Commander of an Allied China Theater, the Chinese ask that a senior U.S. officer be sent to China to act as chief of the Generalissimo' s Allied
staff.

EAST INDIES: A Japanese amphibious force lands at Brunei Bay, British Borneo. During the night, seven Japanese flying-boats attack Ambon Island, Netherlands East Indies, damaging two RAAF Hudsons and a Buffalo based at Laha.

MALAYA: On the Indian 11th Division front, the Indian 6/15 Brigade Group reaches the Batang Berjuntai area and takes up defensive positions south of the Selangor River. The Kuantan force completes their withdrawal from eastern Malaya through Jerantut during the night of 6/7 January and continues west in the Raub area.

PHILIPPINE ISLANDS: After a destructive artillery exchanges on Luzon in the morning, the Japanese, having the advantage of aerial spotting, attack the overextended delaying line south of Layac Junction in force and make a limited penetration entering Dinalupihan without opposition. The withdrawal of this line begins during the night of 6/7 January.
Japanese aerial bombardment of Corregidor ends except for nuisance raids. Japanese air attacks during the first week of 1942 have resulted in little damage to the fortifications on Corregidor.

UNITED STATES: In his annual State of the Union message to Congress, President Franklin D. Roosevelt said today that Americas land, sea and air forces would be sent to Britain. He also announces massive increases in war production, including more than doubling the rate of aircraft building. This was his first speech to Congress since the war began.
Mr Roosevelt spoke warmly of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who recently addressed the same audience, and wished him a safe return.
Roosevelt submits a budget request of US$59 billion for Fiscal Year 1943 (with inflation, that is US$707 billion in year 2005 dollars). He also announces that the first year of a supercharged production schedule would result in 45,000 aircraft, 45,000 tanks, 20,000 antiaircraft guns, and 8 million tons in new ships; this will be upped to Forecasts for 1943 of 125,000 planes, 75,000 tanks and 11 million tons of shipping in 1943. Congressmen are stunned at the proposal, but Roosevelt is undeterred: "These figures and similar figures for a multitude of other implements of war will give the Japanese and Nazis a little idea of just what they accomplished. "
Leland Ford, Los Angeles, California, member of the House of Representatives, in a telegram to Secretary of State Cordell Hull, asks that all Japanese Americans be removed from the West Coast stating, "I do not believe that we could be any too strict in our consideration of the
Japanese in the face of the treacherous way in which they do things."
The Second Marine Brigade (Brigadier General Henry L. Larsen, USMC) embarked in troop transports (former Matson Line passenger liners) SS Lurline, SS Monterey and SS Matsonia, and cargo ship USS Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship USS Lassen (AE-3) sails from San Diego, California, for Pago Pago, American Samoa. The initial escort is provided by Task Force 17 comprised of the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5), the heavy cruiser USS Louisville (CA-2, the light cruiser USS St. Louis (CL-49) and three destroyers.
In baseball, Cleveland Indians star pitcher Bob Feller, winner of 76 games in three previous seasons, follows Detroit Tigers' outfielder Hank Greenberg into the military. Feller, saying, "I've always wanted to be on the winning side," enlists in the Navy and reports to Norfolk, Virginia, for duty. During the 44 months he spent in the Navy, most
of the time he was stationed aboard the battleship U.S.S. Alabama (BB- 60) in the gunnery department where he earned eight Battle Stars.
The Pan American Airways Boeing B-314A, msn 2083, registered NC18609 and named "Pacific Clipper." arrives in New York City after making the first round-the-world trip by a commercial airplane. This aircraft was in Auckland, New Zealand on 8 December 1941, and returned to the U.S. flying westward via Australia, the East Indies, India, Africa, South America and Trinidad, a total of 31,500 miles (50 594 kilometers).