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

SATURDAY, 24 JANUARY 1942

Malaya: Outline plan for withdrawal to Singapore is issued. 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.

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.

New Guinea: Allied forces evacuate Lae and Salamaua, which are threatened by Japanese,

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.