December 9, 1941
World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Tuesday, 9 December 1941

China officially declares war on the axis powers including Japan, Germany and Italy.

FEAF: In the first American bombing mission of World War II, B-17s bomb Japanese ships off Luzon. Shortly after after 3:00am Japanese planes strike Nichols Field. This attack plus yesterday's attack on Clark Field and Iba Field, leaves the Far East Air Force (FEAF) strength reduced by half. Only 17 of 35 B-17's remain in commission. In total about 55 P-40's, 3 P-35's, and close to 30 other aircraft including B-10s, B-18s, and observation planes have been lost in aerial combat or destroyed on the ground.

During the morning and afternoon, B-17's from Mindanao fly reconnaissance missions and land at Clark and San Marcelino. Several more B-17's are flown from Mindanao to Luzon bases for resistance against a possible invasion attempt. The 3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Iba Field to Nichols Field with P-40's. The 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), based at Nichols Field begins operating from Clark Field with P-40's.

IJN: Nine G3Ms from the Genzan Kōkūtai bomb Kuantan. They were attacked by RAAF Hudson A16-17 piloted by F/O Widmer of 8 Squadron who was returning from a mission, and the pilot was credited with a G3M2 Nell probable over Kuantan (an observer on the ground reported seeing a plane on fire and two parachutes deployed). On 31 December he is shown as flying as navigator aboard a PBY Catalina of 205 Squadron.

Caribbean Air Force: HQ 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy) transfers from France Field to Rio Hato. HQ 32d Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Rio Hato to France Field. The 28th and 31st Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 37th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfer with P-26's P-40's from Albrook Field to Patilla Point and Chorrera respectively.

IJN: Japanese naval land attack planes from Chitose Kokutai bomb defense installations on Wake Island and Wilkes Island.

Japanese forces occupy Tarawa (Betio) and Makin in the Gilbert Islands.

Japanese Army occupies Bangkok without opposition.

Japanese submarines RO-63, RO-64, and RO-68 bombard Howland and Baker in the mistaken belief that American seaplane bases exist there.

I-10 shells and sinks unarmed Panamanian-flag motorship Donerail 200 miles southeast of Hawaii, 08°00'N, 152°00'W. There are only eight survivors of the 33-man crew; all seven passengers perish.

Transport William Ward Burrows (AP-6), en route to Wake Island, is re-routed to Johnston.

Japanese submarine RO-60 ran aground on a coral reef in the northern atoll in Kwajalein Atoll.

Nishikaichi Shigenori who had crash landed his A6M2 Zero 2266 on December 7, 1941 is placed under guard by islanders on Niihau.

River gunboat Mindanao (PR-8), en route from Hong Kong to Manila, encounters Japanese fishing vessel No. 3 South Advance Maru, stops her, and takes her 10-man Formosan crew prisoner. Mindanao leaves the craft adrift at 16°42'N, 118°53'E, and steams on, reaching her destination the following day.

USS Swordfish (SS-193), in initial U.S. submarine attack of the war, torpedoes Japanese ship 150 miles west of Manila at 14°30'N, 119°00'E. Her claim of a sinking, however, is not confirmed in enemy records.

Malaya: Japanese force the Indian 9th Division of Indian 3 Corps from Kota Bharu Airfield and continue air attacks on other locations including Kuantan. The RAF abandons Kuantan Airfield and withdraws to Singapore and Alor Star Airfield for Butterworth Airfield. RAF bombers without escorting fighters strike Singora Airfield in Thailand, the raid proves very costly. Dutch planes arrive in Singapore as reinforcements.

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