December 2, 1941
World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Tuesday, 2 December 1941

IJN: The coded signal "Niitakayama Nobore 1208" (Climb Mt. Niitaka December 8) is transmitted to all units and vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Niitakayama (Mount Niitaka) on Formosa (Taiwan) is the highest peak in the Empire of Japan. After receiving this signal, warships and carriers opened sealed top secret orders indicating hostilities will commence against the Allies on December 8, 1941. Across the International Date Line, the Hawaii Operation would commence in the morning of December 7, 1941 against Pearl Harbor and Oahu in the Territory of Hawaii (Hawaii) in the United States.

USN: U.S. freighter Dunboyne receives first Naval Armed Guard crew. By the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy will arm some 6,236 merchantmen; approximately 144,970 officers and enlisted men will defend these merchant vessels in every theater of war.

USS Enterprise (CV-6) launches twelve F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211) that land at Wake Island Airfield as reinforcements and the carrier departs for Pearl Harbor.

USS Trout (SS-202) arrives off Midway on a simulated war patrol.

USAAF: 14th Bombardment Squadron (14th BS) is attached to the 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG).

USMC: Twelve F4F Wildcats aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6) are delivered to Marine Fighter Squadron 211 (VMF-211) at Wake Island Airfield.

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