January 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 18 JANUARY 1942

Malaya: Ind 45th Brig, reinf, repels further enemy attacks in Muar-Yong Peng area and destroys a number of tanks, but landing of strong Japanese force a few miles N of Batu Pahat increases danger in this sector. In evening, Commander West Force orders withdrawal. Entire Muar front is placed temporarily under Ind 3 Corps command. During night 18-19, Ind 9th Div falls back behind Muar R, as does AUS 27th Brig Gp behind Segamat R. RAF bomber group withdraws from Singapore to Sumatra.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): Another unsuccessful attack on enemy submarines in Hawaiian area. B-17's of Task Group 8.9 conduct anti-submarine patrols from Canton.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, II Corps renews efforts to restore west flank positions. U.S. 31st Inf is still unable to gain Balantay River line on right and is under strong pressure along the river on left. Bn of 45th Inf (PS) reaches the Balantay to west of 31st Inf and is attached to 31st Inf. 2 other bns of 45th Inf advance toward the Balantay between 31st Inf and 41st Div (PA), but are halted short of objective. In the I Corps area, Japanese increase pressure and force outposts to withdraw. Small enemy force is moving eastward unopposed to outflank the eastern portion of line.

U.S. Navy: During the night, PT-31 and PT-34 enter Subic Bay and spot a two masted freighter and fire torpedoes but one stuck in the tube and failed to launch. The other released but exploded a minute later prematurely.

USS Tutuila (PR-4) stranded at Chungking is decommissioned and her remaining complement of two officers and 22 sailors are flown out of China.

USS Plunger (SS-179) torpedoes and sinks Eizan Maru (ex-Panamanian Aurora) off the mouth of the Kii Strait at roughly Lat 33°30'N Long 135°00'E.