December 31, 1941
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Wednesday, 31 December 1941

FEAF: American pilots are evacuated from the Philippines to prevent their capture by the Japanese. 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. The air echelon of the 30th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group transfers from Batchelor Field to Singosari with B-17's. The ground echelon is on Luzon and Mindanao.

USN: Admiral Chester W. Nimitz takes command as Commander in Chief (CinC) Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor at a ceremony in front of the Torpedo Building at Quarry Point with senior officers.

Commissioned is USS Gato (SS-212) in the U.S. Navy (USN) as the lead ship of the Gato class sumbarine and will have a distinguished career including thirteen war patrols in the Pacific.

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE--ARCADIA conferees order joint Australian-British-Dutch-American (ABDA) Command to be established under Gen Wavell of the British Army.

Philippines: The evacuation of Manila is completed when the rear echelon of USAFFE HQ departs for Bataan. North Luzon Force closes in final defense positions, Bamban-Arayat, before San Fernando and Plaridel, east of Calumpit Bridge. On the eastern flank, 91st Div (PA) goes into reserve south of Baliuag, leaving 71st Div (PA) to delay enemy briefly at Baliuag; both divs then retire toward Calumpit Bridge. Firm contact is made between North and South Luzon Forces ign San Fernando area after latter crosses Calumpit Bridge. General Jones is placed in command of all forces east of Pampanga River.

Malaya: Ind 11th Div now holds relatively well-organized defense position in west Malaya, with Ind 6/15 Brig disposed on MLR at Kampar and Ind 28th Brig Gp to E. Japanese increase pressure against 28th Brig Gp. On E coast, Kuantan defense force completes concentration W of Kuantan R and destroys ferry.

China: Joint Military Council is formed in Chungking.

Australia: Lt. General George H. Brett arrives Darwin to take command of U.S. Forces in Australia (USFIA).

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