January 17, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 1942

U.S. War Department appoints General Lewis H. Brereton commander of tactical forces in American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) area.

China: 84th IF Chutai based in Indochina, escort three Ki-21s bombing Kunming. Due to bad weather they became separated, two are shot down, the third damaged and force-landed.

Malaya: Additional reinforcements are moved into Muar-Yong Peng area as enemy continues attacks and build up. West Force withdraws bn from Segamat, and East Force releases one from Jemaluang for operations in this area. Japanese force lands at Sandakan.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): Aircraft unsuccessfully attack submarines in the Hawaiian Islands area. B-17's of Task Group 8.9 proceed from Palmyra to Canton.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): B-17's from Malang staging through Kendari bomb Langoan Airfield and Japanese ships in Menado Bay.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, II Corps counterattacks to restore western portion of line, formerly held by 51st Div (PA), and makes limited progress. U.S. 31st Inf, moving N from Abucay Hacienda area, reaches Balantay R on left but is unable to make much headway on right. Reserves move forward to plug gap between the assault bns. Japanese encircling column begins unopposed march down Abo-Abo R toward Orion. In I Corps area, Moron defenders fall back under enemy pressure to ridge S and SE of Moron.

Royal Navy: HMS Jupiter (F85) detects and releases depth charges on Japanese submarine I-60 forcing the submarine to the surface then sinks her with gunfire in the southern Sunda Strait at roughly Lat 6° 19' 30" S, Long 104° 49' 20" E

Japanese transport Fukusei Maru is stranded and wrecked off Yangtze Estuary, 31°00'N, 122°00'E.

USN: Completed is PT-67.