January 20, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

TUESDAY, 20 JANUARY 1942

China: A Japanese force had advanced through the Dawna Mountains and had taken Kawkereik by the end of the day, whilst the 77th Sentai had provided patrols overhead. On one of these around midday the 3rd chtutai - pilots from which earlier in the patrol had accounted for two Buffaloes shot down at Moulmein - had escorted 31st Sentai Ki-30s to the area, and the eight Ki-27s were patrolling when six 113 Squadron Blenheims escorted by six 2nd AVG Squadron P-40s approached, on their way to bomb Mesoht. Squadron Leader Newkirk claimed two of the Japanese aircraft shot down and another probable, and Bob Neale one probable; however Moss was shot down but baled out, while Bert Christman's aircraft was badly damaged; Moss returned later and was also credited with a Ki-27 shot down (identified as an ‘I-97’), while two aircraft were claimed destroyed on the ground by Blenheim crews. In the two engagements, the 3rd Chutai claimed four victories and one probable - two by Lieutenant Yoshiro Kawabara, one each by Lieutenant Shigeru Suzuki (Class 52) and Shimoda, and one probable by Lieutenant Jun-ichi Ogata, for the loss of Suzuki during the fight with the P-40s. Over Tavoy the crews of one flight of 31st Sentai Ki-30s also claimed two aircraft shot down, possibly double-claiming with the Ki-27s.

Malaya: Br 53d Brig counterattacks W of Yong Peng but is unable to recover lost ground. Muar force begins difficult withdrawal toward Yong Peng. Withdrawal of Segamat forces continues; during night 20-21, Aus 27th Brig Gp moves from Segamat R line to Yong Peng; Ind 9th Div pulls back to defensive position to E.

Burma: Japanese cross into Burma (Myanmar) in force and begin assault on north Tenasserim, attacking 16th Brig, Ind 17th Div, on Myawadi-Kawkareik road, near Thailand border E of Moulmein, in conjunction with air attacks.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC Far East Air Force: Major General George H. Brett, Commanding General U.S. Army Forces in Australia (USAFIA), halts ferrying of aircraft from India to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI). The USAAF has been sending bombers from the United States via the "Africa Route" via India to Java, but the Japanese are able to inflict prohibitive losses on USAAF aircraft on the last stops of the route by interception from newly acquired airfields near Java.

IJN: Japanese aircraft carriers Akagi, Kaga, Zuikaku and Shōkaku under the command of Admiral Nagumo launch a strikes against Rabaul and Kavieng in preparation for amphibious assaults against each location. Akagi launches 20 x B5N1 Kates led by Commander Murata Shigeharu aboard as an observer escorted by 9 x A6M2 Zeros. Kaga launches 27 x B5N1 Katess escorted by 9 x A6M2 Zeros. Zuikaku launches 19 D3A1 Vals escorted by 6 A6M2 Zeros without loss. Shōkaku launches 19 D3A1 Vals without loss. The only loss was B5N1 Kate pilot Sugihara shot down by anti-aircraft fire that crashed atop Mount Kombiu (Mother). At Kavieng, dive bombers strike Kavieng Airfield and Kavieng wharf while escorting A6M2 Zeros strafed Induna Star docked at Government wharf in Kavieng Harbor.

Australian Army: At Rabaul, due to the Japanese air raid, 11 were killed and slightly more wounded. MS Herstein at the Burns, Philp & Company wharf is damaged and abandoned in Simpson Harbor and drifts until it ran aground. Shot down by anti-aircraft fire is B5N1 Kate pilot Sugihara that crashed atop Mount Kombiu (Mother).

RAAF: Eight Wirraways from No. 24 Squadron scramble from Vunakanau Airfield near Rabaul to intercept the incoming Japanese air raid against Rabaul but were intercepted by escorting A6M2 Zeros and within seven minutes three were shot down including CA-7 Wirraway A20-179 pilot F/O John C. Lowe and CA-8 Wirraway A20-303 pilot Charles F. Bromley, two crash landing and one was damaged. Afterwards, only two Wirraways remained. Also lost is Hudson A16-97 pilot F/Lt Robert W. B. Cuming (KIA) crashed on take off from Poeloeti Airfield (Penfui) in West Timor.

U.S. Army: Japanese contain repeated attacks by Philippine Division (U.S. 31st and PS 45th Regts) on west flank of II Corps while preparing for major assault to begin on January 22, 1942. After further fighting before Guitol, Japanese retire northward. In I Corps area, Japanese maintain pressure and continue infiltration into right flank from Mt. Silanganan.

U.S. Navy: Task Force 8 (TF 8) formed around carrier Enterprise (CV-6) (Vice Admiral William F. Halsey Jr.) and TF 17 (Rear Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher) formed around carrier Yorktown (CV-5) provide cover for the U.S. Marines arrival at Pago Pago then depart for the Japanese-held Marshalls and Gilberts to carry out the initial raids on the enemy's defensive perimeter.

S-36 (SS-141) is damaged when she runs aground on Taka Bakang Reef in the Makassar Strait at Lat 4°57'N, Long 118°31'E.

Destroyer USS Edsall (DD-219) and Australian minesweeper HMAS Deloraine sink Japanese submarine I-124 off Darwin.

Japanese gunboat Aso Maru and auxiliary minesweeper No.52 Banshu Maru are sunk by mines in Subic Bay at Lat 14°45'N, Long 120°17'E.

Japanese merchant storeship Sendai Maru is damaged by unknown cause off the mouth of Davao Gulf.

A Japanese convoy is reported in Makassar Strait bound for Balikpapan on Borneo.

USMC: Pursuant to an act of Congress, Major General Commandant Thomas Holcomb becomes the first Lieutenant General in the Marine Corps.

Second Marine Brigade under Brigadier General Henry L. Larson, USMC aboard transports Lurline, Matsonia, and Monterey, along with cargo ship Jupiter (AK-43) and ammunition ship Lassen (AE-3) arrives at Pago Pago to protect American Samoa.