December 11, 1941
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Thursday, 11 December 1941

Germany and Italy declare war on United States.

USA: United States declares war on Germany and Italy.

ZONE OF INTERIOR: 2nd Air Force (2nd AF) and 4th Air Force (4th AF) are assigned to the US Army Western Defense Command.

Caribbean Air Force: The 7th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy), VI Bomber Command, transfers from Howard Field to David Field with B-17's and B-18's. The 32d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 36th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), based at Losey Field, Puerto Rico sends a detachment to Arecibo, Puerto Rico with P-36's. The 74th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 6th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Aguadulce to Rio Hato with B-18's.

IJN: Japanese force attempt an amphibious landing at Wake Island. Defending 5" shore batteries return fire and score a hit and sinks Hayate and scores a hit on Yayoi that causes minor damage. Due to the strong defense, the Japanese invasion is suspended. While withdrawing, attacked by U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) F4F-Wildcats from VMF-211 that bomb and sink Kisaragi the first destroyer sunk with bombs dropped by a fighter aircraft.

USN: While refueling in heavy seas, USS Craven (DD-382) accidentally collided with USS Northampton (CA-26) and the destroyer sustained damage and returns to Pearl Harbor.

Secretary of the Navy Knox arrives on Oahu to personally assess the damage inflicted by the Japanese on December 7, 1941.

Submarine Triton (SS-201), patrolling south of Wake Island, attacks the Japanese ship she has encountered shortly before midnight; she is unsuccessful.

USMC: F4F Wildcats from Marine Fighter Squadron 211 (VMF-211) attack Japanese warships off Wake Island. F4F-3 Wildcat 211-F-11 piloted by Captain Henry T. Elrod bombs and sinks Kisaragi the first destroyer sunk with bombs dropped by a fighter aircraft.

Wake Island garrison (Commander Winfield S. Cunningham) repulses Japanese invasion force (Rear Admiral Kajioka Sadamichi); Marine shore battery gunfire (1st Defense Battalion) sinks destroyer Hayate and damages destroyers Oite, Mochizuki, and Yayoi, and Patrol Boat No. 33 (high-speed transport); USMC F4Fs (VMF 211) bomb and sink destroyer Kisaragi and strafe and damage light cruiser Tenryu and armed merchant cruiser Kongo Maru. Later the same day, USMC F4F (VMF 211) bombs and most likely damages submarine RO 66 south of Wake. U.S. submarines deployed off Wake, Triton to the south and Tambor (SS-198) to the north, take no active part in the battle. Following the abortive assault, Japanese naval land attack planes (Chitose Kokutai) bomb marine gun batteries on Peale islet.

Japanese submarine I-9 shells unarmed U.S. freighter Lahaina about 800 miles northeast of Honolulu, T.H., 27°42'N, 147°38'W.

Japanese make landings at Legaspi on Luzon.

Unarmed U.S. freighter Capillo, damaged by bomb on 8 December 1941, is partially scuttled by U.S. Army demolition party, off Corregidor, P.I. (see 29 December). Freighter Sagoland, damaged by bombs the previous day, sinks in Manila Bay.

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