January 7, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 7 JANUARY 1942

Malaya: Japanese, in strong tank-infantry assault beginning before dawn, break through Slim R positions of Ind 11th Div and drive rapidly toward Kuala Lumpur, reaching positions 2 miles S of Slim village. Ind 3 Corps withdraws the Slim R line southward to Tanjong Malim, between village of Slim and road junction at Kuala Kubu. This action temporarily leaves Ind 11th Div ineffective as a fighting force. Gen Wavell arrives at Singapore.

Borneo: Japanese in Sarawak reach the frontier of Dutch West Borneo.

IJN: A6M2 Zeros from the Tainan Kokutai (Tainan Air Group) arrive at Zettle Airfield on Jolo Island.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, Siege of Bataan begins as U.S. and Filipino forces complete withdrawal from Layac line. North Luzon Force becomes I Philippine Corps, containing about 22,500 men of 1st, 31st, 71st, and 91st Divs (all PA), 26th Cav (PS), miscellaneous troops, and supporting weapons. Bataan Defense Force is renamed II Philippine Corps and consists of about 25,000 men of 11th, 21st, 41st, and 51st Divs (all PA), 57th Inf (PS) of Philippine Div, and supporting weapons. Defense of Bataan as far S as Mariveles Mts is divided about equally between the 2 corps, I Corps being responsible for W half and II Corps for E half. Service Command Area is located at S tip below Mariveles Mts and is the responsibility of Brig Gen A. C. McBride; in this area are 2d Div (PC)--organized on this date-- provisional infantry units formed from air corps personnel, and provisional bn of Navy and Marine personnel. Defenses on Bataan are organized in depth: MLR extends from Mauban on W to Mabatang on E, a distance of 20 miles; OPL is disposed before the MLR; and rear line of defense, manned by USAFFE reserve (Philippine Div, less 57th Inf; tank group; SPM group), is being formed. Contractors Pacific Naval Air Base personnel augmented by U.S. Army personnel begin expanding Mariveles Airfield.

U.S. Navy: Naval aviation is expanded to 27,500 aircraft by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Submarine Pollack (SS-180) torpedoes and sinks Japanese collier No.1 Unkai Maru south of Honshu, 34°27'N, 139°59'E.