MONDAY, 5 JANUARY 1942
CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): The air echelon of the 22d Bombardment
Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), which has been operating from Hickam Field since 18 Dec 41, departs for Singosari with B-17's. The ground echelon is at Brisbane.
Malaya: CinC Eastern Fleet moves hq from Singapore to Batavia, Java. Gen Percival, at conference in Segamat, plans for withdrawal into Johore. On Slim R front, Ind 11th Div repels enemy attack down railway.
Burma: Hq of Ind 17th Div is established at Moulmein. Of 3 brigs that this div is to contain, only one--Ind 16th--is in Burma.
SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): B-17's from Malang stage through Samarinda, during the night of 4/5 Jan and attack shipping
in Davao Bay on Mindanao. US Forces in Australia (USFIA), which controls FEAF, is redesignated US Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), and Major General George H. Brett assumes command. The ground echelons
of the 17th Bombardment Squadron and 91st Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group transfer from Limay to Bataan. The air echelons are operating from Brisbane with A-24s.
U.S. Army: U.S. and Filipino troops complete withdrawal to new line extending along base of Bataan Peninsula from Dinalupihan on W to Hermosa on E. During night 5-6, withdrawal continues through Layac Junction, the funnel through which all roads into Bataan pass, final elements clearing it by 0200 after which the bridge is blown. Delaying position, called Layac line, is formed S of Layac Junction and manned by 71st and 72d Regts of 71st Div (PA), U.S. 31st Inf of Philippine Div, and 26th Cav (PS). 31st Inf, the only completely U.S. regt in the Philippines, has not yet been in action. Ration of Bataan defense force and of garrisons of fortified islands in Manila Bay is cut in half. Bataan echelon of hq is established on Bataan under Brig Gen Richard J. Marshall. Japanese continue daily air attacks on Corregidor and occasional attacks on other targets in Manila Bay area.
U.S. Navy: A change in regulations, covering display of National Insignia on aircraft,
returned the star to the upper right and lower left wing surfaces and revised
rudder striping to 13 red and white horizontal stripes. At Mariveles Seaplane Base Zeros strafe and sink five U.S. Navy seaplanes from Patrol Wing 10 (Pat Wing 10).
Pollack (SS-180) torpedoes Japanese cargo ship Heijo Maru 80 miles east-southeast of Tokyo Bay, Honshu, 34°15'N, 140°08'E.
Submarine tender Canopus (AS-9) is damaged by bombs, Lilimbom Cove, Mariveles, P.I.
USMC: Volunteers enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps including Robert Leckie author of Helmet For My Pillow (1957) and William D. Hawkins who later earned the Medal of Honor on Tarawa.
Australia: Gen Brett assumes duties as CG, U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA, previously USFIA).
