January 3, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 3 JANUARY 1942

China: Three P-40B Warhawks led by John Newkirk from AVG, 2nd Squadron to raid Raheng Airfield in Thailand. They arrived just as Ki-27s from the 77th Sentai were landing. The Japanese fighters were from Lampong had raided Moulmein air base and were using Raheng for refuelling. Some of the Ki-27s had just landed as Newkirk, Vice Squadron Leader James Howard and Flight Leader David Hill approached, while the 77th’s third element actually followed the P-40s in (mistaking them for ‘Spitfires’). Seeing many aircraft lined up on the ground, Howard went down to strafe unaware that he had a Ki-27 on his tail. Newkirk turned in behind this, opened fire and reported that it crash-landed, turned over and burst into flames. Hill meanwhile claimed another fighter shot off Newkirk's tail, and Newkirk then claimed another before heading for home, whilst Howard reported the destruction of four fighters on the ground; troops who were firing at the strafers were also attacked. Newkirk did not realise that he had been under attack himself until he was shown the tail of his aircraft, which was peppered with 22 7.7mm bullet holes. He was credited with a ‘Zero’ and an ‘I-96’ shot down, the other fighters not being specifically identified. During the fight Sergeant Major Matsunaga claimed one of the attackers shot down and Lieutenant Kisaij Beppu one probable, but Warrant Officer Yokoyama was shot down and badly wounded. On the ground one Ki-27 was burned, one badly damaged and one damaged to a lesser extent.

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston S. Churchill announce the creation of a unified command in the South West Pacific, with General Sir Archibald P. Wavell as supreme commander of American, British, Dutch, and Australia (ABDA) forces in that area. The new ABDA command is directed to hold the Malay Barrier spanning from the Malay Peninsula-Sumatra-Java-Australia) and operate as far beyond as possible to check Japanese advance; hold Burma and Australia; restore communications with the Philippines via the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) and maintain communications within theater. These objectives will prove impossible.

Borneo: Japanese invade Labuan Island without opposition. From there, a detachment moves to mainland at Mempakul, thence to Weston on foot, and from weston to Beaufort by rail.

Malaya: Indian 11th Div completes withdrawal to Slim River line. Because of threat to communications in west Malaya, Kuantan force on east coast, which had previously been ordered to hold RAF Kuantan airdrome until January 10, 1942, begins fighting withdrawal at once. Newly formed and poorly trained Indian 45th Brig, reinf, and an Indian Pioneer Battalion (a labor unit) arrive at Singapore and concentrate in southern Malaya.

Philippines: Japanese Army continue determined attacks on western flank of Porac-Guagua line, where 21st Division (PA) succeeds in halting then south of Pio; exert strong pressure on east flank in vicinity of Guagua.

Japanese collier Moji Maru is sunk by mine southwest of Hong Kong.

Japanese merchant cargo ship Meiko Maru is sunk by accidental gasoline explosion off Hainan Island, 15°01'N, 112°48'E.