by Row, David
Jan 21st
The Chinese Government accepts the proposal that U.S. Major General Joseph W. Stilwell act as chief of the Generalissimo's Allied staff and agrees to give him executive authority over Allied Units. The Chinese 49th Division of the 6th Army is authorized by Auchinleck to move into Burma to help protect the Burma Road.
Japanese aircraft from the aircraft carriers HIJMS Akagi and HIJMS Kaga again bomb Rabaul on New Britain Island while aircraft from HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku bomb Kavieng on New Ireland.
In response to the movement of the Japanese convoy sighted the previous day in Makassar Strait, a USN task force under Rear Admiral Glassford, consisting of the light cruisers USS Boise and USS Marblehead and four destroyers sails from Koepang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies to engage it. Turbine trouble limits USS Marblehead to only fifteen knots, so the admiral orders the destroyers and the Boise on ahead.
The Allies are having problems in attacking the Japanese off the east coast of Borneo due to the sheer size of the island. There is a deficiency of airstrips capable of handling the heavier anti-shipping Beaufighters in range of the Japanese convoys (some that are capable are considered too dangerous due to lack of protection from Japanese landings), and the longer-ranged heavy bombers of the USAAF, while they have the range, are ineffective anti-shipping weapons. Accordingly, Somerville orders more of the Dutch and US submarines into the area, and four of the RN T-class are sent to the Java Sea. The need to keep attacking the Japanese convoys to Thailand limits how many of the RN submarines are available. Since there is a shortage (at the moment) of Japanese airpower in the area, he intends to move a striking force including fleet carriers into the Java sea to allow him to intercept future convoys - the almost non-existent road network in Borneo means the only practical way of transporting supplies, and often troops, is by sea.
Jan 22nd
Evacuation of nearly 500,000 citizens from Leningrad begins along the "ice road" across Lake Ladoga. (The Russians will manage to transport around 440,000 people out of Leningrad between 22 January and 15 April 1942.)
The USAAF Far East Air Force B-17's launch at least 15 missions out of Malang, Java, against shipping moving through Makassar Strait between Borneo and Celebes Island. Four missions abort due to bad weather, six end with negative results, and the remaining five suffer heavy losses but sink four ships. That evening the transports headed for Balikapang are intercepted by the USN cruiser and destroyer force. They find twelve transports, guarded by a light cruiser and seven destroyers.
Shortly before the USN force entered the bay, a Dutch submarine torpedoes a 7,000-ton transport, and the confusion allowed the American force to enter without being detected. The destroyers attacked the transport with torpedoes, while the Boise held off in order to use her main guns. It was not until the Boise actually started to hit one of the transports that the Japanese belatedly realised that the new attack was not another submarine. The escorts were hunting the Dutch submarine, and as a result, the destroyers were able to torpedo five transports, one more being set on fire by their guns, while the Boise left three more blazing and not under control, (two of these later had to be abandoned and scuttled).
When the Japanese escort finally turned back, the US destroyers, although they had expended their torpedoes, formed a line to protect the Boise, who was shelling the remaining transports, and had also torpedoed one. The Japanese force engaged the US destroyers, and managed to break through them to torpedo the Boise with one of the Long Lance torpedoes. At this point, the whole action was in confusion on both sides, and although heavily damaged the USN force was able to break off and retire under cover of the darkness, leaving eight transports sunk or sinking behind them.
It is now apparent that the Japanese operation in the Bismark Archipelago was much more than just the raid that intelligence had surmised, as aircraft from HIJMS Akagi and HIJMS Kaga attack Rabaul on New Britain Island for the third straight day, destroying the last of the fixed defences.
Japanese troops land on Mussau Island, largest island in the Saint Mathias group, located 113 miles northwest of Kavieng, New Ireland Island.
Off New Guinea aircraft from HIJMS Shokaku and HIJMS Zuikaku attack Lae, Salamaua and Bulolo.
These actions cause considerable worry to the Australian Government, as a Japanese landing in New Guinea would allow them to build up a major threat far too close to Australia, and far enough east to be difficult to protect from Singapore. After consultations with Alexander and Blamey at Singapore, it is agreed that the remaining two brigades of 8th Australian division be made available for movement to New Guinea if needed, and the Australians are also considering use of their conscript forces. Up until now, these have only been deployed on Australian territory, but there is a growing argument that it is better to fight offshore than on Australian soil. It is mandated though that all conscript forces will be under Australian command, not directly part of the Allied command structure.
A substantial part of the Far East fleet sails to support the Pillar convoy, allowing its light escorts to put into Ceylon to refuel without the convoy having to stop. The carrier Ark Royal also goes into port, as it was not intended for her to accompany the convoy to Singapore. While the attacks on Rabaul indicate that the Japanese carrier force is too far away to intercept it (assuming their intelligence realises it has reached Ceylon), Somerville takes no chances, two fleet carriers and two battleships as well as lighter ships reinforcing the convoy escort. If the Japanese break off the Rabaul attack, he expects these plus the land-based planes in the Singapore area to be sufficient cover, but he also orders Admiral Crace to make for Singapore to join him. Both he and General Alexander consider the supplies (and ships) of the convoy are vital to the continued defence of the Malay Peninsula.
Jan 23rd
The Japanese 55th Regimental Group, numbering about 5300 troops, lands at Rabaul on New Britain Island. At the same time the Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force lands at Kavieng on New Ireland Island. The small Australian garrison at Rabaul numbers 76 officers and 1314 other ranks. The garrison is unable to stop the landings, and after initial resistance retire back into the jungle in the hope a relief operation will be undertaken.
Elements of the Japanese Fourth Fleet invade Kieta on Bougainville (in the Solomon Islands) without opposition.
With the Philippines effectively under Japanese control it is almost impossible for Alexander to intervene effectively in the eastern DEI due to lack of air cover - the Dutch air force, though fighting bravely, is short of modern aircraft and he still needs to defend against the considerable Japanese air force presence in Thailand. The worry is that if the Japanese advance far enough into the DEI they will uncover Australia, meaning more forces will be needed to protect the north of the country. He asks the Dutch to prepare some airstrips so he can deploy torpedo-carrying Beaufighters further forward, although the RAF is worried about the lack of protection on the ground, which has so far been shown to be inadequate. He also expects to receive a number of Wellingtons suitable for long-range torpedo attacks (already on the way from the Middle East), but their ground support will arrive on Pillar. He also asks if the USAAF can deploy any more fighters to contest the Japanese.
Despite the losses to the USN night attack the remaining Japanese transports unload their troops at Balikpapan. However due to their heavy losses en route they go no further than the town itself while they wait for an additional convoy. A second convoy passes through the Moluccas passage in order to land troops on Kendari on the east coast of Celebes Island, capturing the airfield there.
TF 6814 departs New York for New Zealand and then to New Caledonia. This unit with other additions will become the famous Americal Division.
Two RAF Hurricane squadrons arrive in Sumatra. Conditions are described as 'primitive even by North African standards'.
In Manila Japan sets up a puppet government, in which three-quarters of the pre-war senate agree to serve.
Jan 24th
&
nbsp; 400 Ghurkhas, who have travelled around the coast of Borneo on a couple of rather ancient ships found in the harbour after the Japanese defeat at Labuan, finally make an arrival off Sandakan. Given the conditions of the voyage, and the fact that few Ghurkhas can swim, the troops insist on immediately offloading and seeking to attack the Japanese. Aided by information from some of the local police who had escaped the Japanese invasion, as soon as it is dark they infiltrate the town. Shortly afterwards the night is disturbed by gunshots, grenades and the Ghurkha's bloodcurdling battle cry. In a confused action that lasts some hours the Ghurkhas hunt down and kill the Japanese troops, many of whom were initially caught by surprise. The Ghurkhas themselves take over a 100 casualties, but by the morning report that the town is in Allied hands again.
The Japanese attack into Burma halts; the British defenders are not certain if this was just a probing attack, or if in fact the damage to the rail system has caused the Japanese to become more cautious. It had been intended to evacuate the British force by sea, but as the attack seems to have stopped for the moment this is postponed. Alexander expects any serious attack to come in further north (despite the appalling road system available to support it). There is also a small possibility that the force in the south of the 'handle' may be a route into Thailand if the Japanese can be pushed back from Malaya.
The Japanese Eastern Invasion Force lands at Kendari on Celebes Island. A USN seaplane tender, the destroyer USS Childs, is leaving Kendari harbour and spots the Japanese. A rainsquall obscures the seaplane tender for a while, allowing her to avoid two Japanese destroyers. She is attacked by six Japanese aircraft at 0800 hours, but managed to escape to the south. By the evening, Kendari is fully occupied by the Japanese. Most of the Dutch troops are captured by the Japanese; some fight a guerrilla war for a short period, while others try to escape to safer parts of the archipelago. Kendari Airdrome is considered the best in the Netherlands East Indies and is immediately put into operation by the Japanese 21st Air Flotilla. The loss is a blow to the Allies, who had been hoping to build the forces at the airfield up once ground troops could be found to make it secure, but the rapid fall of the Philippines has not allowed them time to find the required men.
USAAF B-17's based at Malang, Java, and Dutch Martin Model 139WHs and Brewster 339s (the export version of the Buffalo) bomb invasion shipping, sinking a number of transports.
On Bataan, II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing combat troops. The Japanese maintain pressure on the Philippine Division and attack the covering force, but the bulk of the troops withdraw successfully. The situation in the I Corps area is deteriorating rapidly. The 1st Division, Philippine Army, exhausted by prolonged fighting along the main line of resistance and critically in need of supplies and ammunition, remains under pressure.
As a result of the capture of the first Australian territory by the Japanese (the islands of New Britain and New Ireland off Australian New Guinea, the Combined Chiefs of staff put the port of Darwin under the command of ABDA. Unless the Japanese carrier fleet can be eliminated or at least reduced in strength, the RN does not have the strength to defend Singapore/Ceylon and conduct operations off New Guinea, especially as the location of the Japanese fleet is often undetected until an attack - it is pointed out that there is a lot of the Pacific ocean to hide in. Only the British have radar-equipped planes, and not very many of them. There is also the problem of keeping a large force at sea in the area - Darwin, while useful, is hardly a major fleet base. The best suggestion at present is more air power, in particular reconnaissance planes. After pressure from London the RAF agree to release twelve ASV-equipped Stirlings from Coastal Command - with the current preoccupation of the U-boats off the US coast, these can be spared. It is hoped their range and radar will allow better coverage north of Australia, especially if the US can provide additional Catalinas.
There is some good news for the RAF when they ask about the possibility of more fighters. The Mk8 Spitfire is now in full production, and in addition to increased performance has a much longer range that the earlier models. While the Spitfires are needed in Europe to face the Me109's and Fw190's (and in any case isn't considered suitable for much of the Far East due to its relatively delicate undercarriage), this means that it will be replacing the fighter version of the Whirlwind (it is considerably cheaper to produce). Park has been talking with his old mentor Dowding, and the suggestion is to refurbish the Whirlwinds as the Spitfires replace them, and also modify some to the earlier reconnaissance version. This will give the RAF in Malaya a long-distance fighter, as well as a very fast reconnaissance aircraft. The planes have enough range to fly themselves out, but this is delayed for a few weeks so that the equipment needed to support them can be assembled and sent out. Park is promised the first squadrons before the end of February, although it will take longer to get their support equipment and personnel in place. Park asks that the reconnaissance version is given priority, as he already has support available for that model, and they can be used to replace lost or damaged aircraft.
US Marines land on the island of Samoa to protect it from the Japanese. While it is agreed protection of the islands between Australia and the US is important, there is growing criticism of what is seen as an overly defensive mindset that is deploying the available troops far from any likely Japanese action, as well as tying up the carrier forces on convoy escort duties. The British positions in Malaya make the western route to Australia secure, and while losing an island or two to the Japanese would be inconvenient, the critics point out it would not be a disaster.
Jan 25th
The Thai government declares war on the United States and the United Kingdom. The governments of Great Britain, New Zealand and the Union of South Africa respond in kind. While Thailand has effectively been at war since the Japanese arrived, this action is seen as a response to growing internal criticism of the Thai government. It remains to be seen if the Thai army will be used in action against Imperial forces.
The Pillar convoy and escort are spotted by Japanese reconnaissance planes as it approaches the coast of Sumatra, heading for Singapore. This has been anticipated by Somerville, and the convoy is escorted by the fleet carriers Illustrious and Bulwark as well as the light carrier Colossus, who keep a heavy CAP over the ships at all times. The RAF in southern Malaya is also on the alert, and raids go in for the next few days onto the Japanese airfields in Thailand to disrupt any concerted action against the vital convoy. The only attack that day is by submarine; a torpedo passes astern of one of the escorting destroyers, and after a short action by the escorts a thick patch of oil and other debris indicates the demises of the Japanese submarine. The British are happy the Japanese don't attempt more in the way of air strikes; it is not known at the time that they are still waiting for more torpedoes (torpedoes are a very heavy item to ship, they require careful handling, and the fragile logistics structure in the area isn't really up to transporting them yet).
The RAF also use the presence of the convoy to stage a heavy raid against the repair work on the Thai railway line, using Beaufighters with 250lb bombs and AP and incendiary shells for their cannon, which prove to be most effective 'train-busters'. The raid is a success - the Japanese are concentrating on the convoy on the other side of the peninsula, and at least three engines and considerable engineering supplies are destroyed. This leads to an increasing number of ever more angry notes from General Yamashita to his air force counterparts. It will also tie up more fighters until the railway is repaired.
The Australian government orders full mobilization. The War Cabinet orders that “all able-bodied white male British subjects” between 18- and 45-years-old should be called up immediately for service. The central government also assumes control of all state budgets. There is some political opposition to this in Australia, but the unified government makes this easy to ignore.
The USAAF Far East Air Force’s 20th Pursuit Squadron, which is preparing to depart Brisbane, Queensland for Port Moresby, New Gu
inea, is ordered to fly to Darwin, Northern Territory, as quickly as possible for duty in Java. It will be replaced in New Guinea by an RAAF Sparrowhawk squadron. After the events of the last few weeks the Australian aircraft industry has been breaking its records for production of the Sparrowhawk and Beaufighter aircraft, and these will equip new squadrons based in Northern Australia and New Guinea. The British government has also agreed to send 100 Cormorant dive bombers to Australia; these are not currently needed by the carriers as reserves for them are seen as satisfactory, and there is a lack of naval targets in the European theatre. While there were suggestions that they could be used to give the RAF a force of dive bombers, this idea was not looked on favourably in the Air Ministry.