January 1, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

THURSDAY, 1 JANUARY 1942

US: U.S. President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Churchill sign the Joint Declaration of the United Nations (United Nations Declaration). Only the United States and Britain had discussed the document's creation, but ultimately representatives of 24 other nations, including the Soviet Union and China, will sign. There will be no separate peace agreements; the signatories pledge to fight until the Axis is defeated.

China: Chinese request lend-lease aid for construction of road across N Burma to link with Burma Road. The projected road would extend from Ledo, India, to Fort Hertz, Myitkyina, and Lungling.

Burma: Air Vice Marshal D. F. Stevenson takes command of Allied air forces in Burma, replacing Gp Capt E. R. Manning, RAF.

Malaya: Japanese attack Kampar position in west Malaya in force but are unable to break through. Ind 11th Div is in grave danger as enemy amphibious force lands in Utan Melentang area, at mouth of Bernam R, behind Kampar line. Ind 12th Brig Gp moves from Bidor to meet this threat. Japanese aircraft deliver first severe blow against Tengah Airfield on Singapore.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): HQ 24th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) transfers from Clark Field to Mariveles. The ground echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Clark Field to Bugo, Mindanao. The air echelon is operating from Singosari with B-17's. The air echelon of the 93d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 19th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Batchelor Field to Singosari with B-17's. The ground echelon is still on Luzon and Mindanao.

A group of U.S. Pursuit pilots including 1st Lt. Boyd D. "Buzz" Wagner took off flying a Beechcraft Model 18 from Bataan southward to Bandjermasin Airfield in southern Borneo. When the right engine failed to start, it was abandoned and the group hitched a ride aboard a U.S. Navy (USN) PBY Catalina to Soerabaja Airfield on Java and a week later are flown to Darwin.

U.S. Army: South Luzon Force, upon completing withdrawal across the Pampanga River at Calumpit by 0500 and destroying bridges there at 0615, is disbanded. Its components continue withdrawal toward the Bataan Peninsula, and Gen Jones rejoins 51st Div (PA). Japanese move through Plaridel to Calumpit but are unable to cross the Pampanga River at Calumpit without the bridges. Covering force (elements of 71st and 91st PA Divs) withdraws from the Pampanga River line toward San Fernando. Meanwhile, 21st and 11th Divs (PA) continue fighting withdrawals, 91st along route Bamban-Angeles-Porac and 11th on route Malagang-San Fernando-Guagua (N of Sexmoan), arriving on line Porac-Guagua during night 1-2.

RAAF: Lost is Hudson A16-29 (KIA) crashed into the sea off Ambon. Four Hudsons from No. 24 Squadron conduct a reconaissance and bombing mission against Kapingamarangi Atoll.

USN: Admiral Thomas C. Hart (Commander in Chief, Asiatic Fleet) arrives in Surabaya, Java, N.E.I., after his passage from Manila, P.I., in submarine Shark (SS-174).

Unarmed U.S. freighter Malama, en route from Honolulu to Manila, is bombed and sunk by floatplane from Japanese armed merchant cruiser Aikoku Maru at 26°21'N, 153°24'W. Aikoku Maru takes the 35-man crew and the 8 passengers prisoner.

Japanese army cargo ship Teiun Maru (ex-German Bremerhaven) is sunk by mine (U.S. or Japanese) off mouth of Lingayen Gulf at Lat 16°05'N Long 120°20'E.

Japanese oiler Toen Maru is damaged by mine southwest of Hong Kong.