January 24, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 24 JANUARY 1942

China: Chinese SBs from the 2nd BG bombed the aerodrome at Anqing escorted by the American Volunteer Group (AVG) "Flying Tigers".

Shortly before midday on 24 January six Ki-21s of the 14th Sentai led by Captain Ryosuke Motomura, escorted by 20 Ki-27s of the 50th Sentai led by the 1st chutai commander, Captain Fujio Sakaguchi, attacked Rangoon. On the way to the target the fast Ki-21s had left their escorts behind, reaching Rangoon alone. All available Allied fighters were scrambled including P-40s from the AVG’s 1st and 2nd Squadrons and Buffaloes (67 Squadron) and two Hurricanes (the only serviceable) from RAF flown by Squadron Leaders Stone and Elsdon. The Hurricanes attacked the bombers claiming damage to several of them. At this stage a single P-40 joined in, followed by a flight of 67 Squadron's Buffaloes and more P-40s from both the 1st and 2nd AVG Squadrons. The Japanese bombes were shot from the sky and the 67 Squadron pilots claimed four victories. Amongst the AVG pilots, Neale was credited with two bombers, while in the 2nd Squadron Squadron Leader Hill, Flight Leader Rector and Ray Hastey each claimed one. Whilst between them the RAF and AVG pilots had claimed nine bombers, they had indeed done great execution, virtually destroying the 14th Sentai formation, which lost five of its six Ki-21s, including that flown by Captain Motomura. The Americans had then encountered the 50th Sentai Ki-27s as these arrived, and claimed six shot down - Flight Leader Bartelt was credited with two, and Hill, Rector, Howard and Frank Schiel (1st AVG Squadron) with one apiece. The 50th Sentai actually lost three for no claims including that flown by the Formation Commander Captain Fujio Sakaguchi.

At the same time a second Japanese formation, comprising three Ki-30s of the 31st Sentai escorted by 25 Ki-27s of the 77th Sentai, slipped in to strafe Mingaladon. The Ki-30 crews claimed three small aircraft destroyed on the ground and a fuel dump in flames, whilst the fighters reported engaging P-40s, Captain Toyoki Eto claiming one shot down and Warrant Officer Fujinaga a probable. Lieutenant Shinjirou Nagoshi claimed one large aircraft destroyed on the airfield and other pilots three more damaged.

Malaya: Outline plan is issued for the withdrawal to Singapore. Hard fighting continues at Batu Pahat. Japanese are approaching Kluang, in Ind 9th Div sector. Additional units (Aus MG bn and about 2,000 Aus reinforcements, many of whom are poorly trained) arrive at Singapore.

Toyoki Eto and Fujinaga may well have been engaged with two Hurricanes flown by Squadron Leader Stone and Pilot Officer Fuge, which was scrambled an hour or so after the raid by 14th Sentai. Stone reported being attacked by a fighter as he was coming into land, although his aircraft was not hit.

Burma: Rear elements of Mergui garrison arrive at Rangoon. Moulmein is now threatened.

CENTRAL PACIFIC (Hawaiian Air Force): Lost on a patrol is P-40B 41-13297 (KIA).

RAAF: Ditched is Hudson "Tit Willow" A16-106 crew later rescued.

USN: The first surface action by the U.S. Navy since the Spanish-American War. During the Battle of Balikpapan in the early morning escorting Japanese destroyers were searching for a Dutch submarine leaving their transports unguarded. Meanwhile at at 3:16am four U.S. Navy (USN) destroyers from Destroyer Division 59 (DesDiv 59) including USS Paul Jones (DD-230), USS Parrott (DD-218), USS Pope (DD-225) and USS John D. Ford (DD-228) attack the Japanese transports with gunfire and torpedoes. Although many of the Mark 15 torpedoes ran too deep, they managed to sink Kuretake Maru, Nana Maru, Sumanoura Maru, Tatsukami Maru and Patrol Boat P-37 and damage two other transports. During the attack, USS John D. Ford (DD-228) was damaged by gunfire before withdrawing at 4:00am.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, II Corps begins disengaging and withdrawing combat troops. Japanese maintain intense pressure on Philippine Div and attack covering force, but bulk of troops withdraw successfully. Situation in I Corps area deteriorates rapidly. 1st Div, exhausted by prolonged fighting along MLR and critically in need of supplies and ammunition, remains under pressure. Additional strength is applied against Japanese roadblock on West Road without avail. In Service Command Area Japanese cannot be ousted from Quinauan and Longoskawayan Pts. Sailors and marines succeed, however, in regaining Pucot Hill and driving enemy back to Longoskawayan and Lapiay Pts.

NEI: The first of a small group of U.S. P-40's reaches Java from Australia.

IJN: Japanese landing at Kendari. Meanwhile, thirty-five carrier planes from Soryu and Hiryu strike Ambon.

Australia: Combined Chiefs of Staff order the Darwin area incorporated into the American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) Command.