January 26, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 26 JANUARY 1942

China: 23 Ki-27s from 50th Sentai fly a fighter sweep over Mingaladon during the morning. P-40s and three Hurricanes flown by Squadron Leader Stone (Z5473/J), Squadron Leader Elsdon (BD921) and Pilot Officer Moorhouse (BE233) were scrambled and a general dogfight commenced. Moorhouse was attacked by three Ki- 27s, firing a short burst at two before experiencing trouble with his guns which, as he latter discovered, had not been fully loaded. The American pilots were attacked as they were climbing. Bob Prescott and Louis Hoffman both being shot down; Hoffman, a 43 year-old ex U.S. Navy fighter pilot, was killed; his aircraft was found upside down minus its starboard wing, with the pilot’s body half out of the cockpit. Gil Bright and Bob Moss engaged the Ki-27s, Bright claiming one shot down, though Moss was forced to bale out. With the aid of local farmers, Moss was transported back to Mingaladon on an oxcart. Meanwhile, Bob Neale and Bill McGarry of the 1st AVG Squadron had also each claimed fighters shot down in this action, while the 50th Sentai pilots claimed four confirmed and six probable victories against an estimated dozen Allied fighters, losing one Ki-27 themselves.

Sergeant Rutherford of 67 Squadron undertook a low-level reconnaissance over the Kawkareik area, as a result of which five 113 Squadron Blenheims were sent off during the latter part of the afternoon, with an escort of two Hurricanes and six P-40s. At the last moment Pilot Officer Fuge's Hurricane refused to start, so only Squadron Leader Elsdon accompanied Jack Newkirk's AVG flight. After the bombing, movement was spotted in the Attaran River valley, which proved to be some 50 elephants being driven to batter a route through the jungle, followed by a column of Japanese troops and light armoured vehicles. The Americans strafed, reporting that they had caused much damage and confusion.

Malaya: Japanese amphibious force lands in east of Malaya at Endau and moves rapidly inland. Some damage is done to the convoy by RAF planes as it approaches Endau and by naval vessels after it has anchored, but British lose HMS Thanet in the action. Ind 11th Div makes another unsuccessful attempt to relieve Batu Pahat force, which withdraws by infiltration, leaving wounded behind.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): During the night of Janary 26-27, 1942 fighters from Bataan bomb and strafe Nichols Field and Nielson Field inflicting considerable damage to aircraft and fuel storage.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, Philippine II and I Corps complete withdrawal to final defense line on Bataan in morning, closely followed by Japanese. The new line, which is to be continuous for the first time, extends from Orion on E to Bagac on W and is generally behind Pilar-Bagac road. Gaps develop in each corps sector when USAFFE withdraws Philippine Div as its reserve. Units are hastily shifted to replace 31st (U.S.) and 57th (PS) Regts in II Corps line and 45th Inf (PS) in I Corps line. II Corps, responsible for E Bataan from coast to Pantingan R, organizes its line into 4 sectors, from E to W: Sector A, 31st Inf of 31st Div (PA); Sector B, Prov Air Corps Regt; Sector C, elements of 31st Div (PA) and remnants of 51st Div (PA); Sector D, 41st and 21st Divs (PA) and 33d Inf, less 1st Bn, of 31st Div (PA). In addition, beach defense forces are organized as Sector E. 1st Bn of 33d Inf, 31st Div (PA), and regt of PA combat engineers constitute corps reserve. Japanese patrol along E slopes of Mt Samat almost to MLR but do not discover gap in line, which exists for several hours. I Corps line, extending from Pantingan R to W coast, is divided into Right and Left Sectors: Right Sector is manned by 2d PC Regt (less one bn) on E and 11th Div (PA) on W; disposed in Left Sector are elements of 1st Div (PA) on E and 91st (PA) on W. Beach defense forces make up South Sector. 26th Cav (PS) is held in corps reserve. Japanese open offensive, driving S along West Road toward Binuangan R. 91st Div (PA) contains these attacks. In South Sector, Japanese maintain beachheads at Quinauan Point and Longoskawayan Point and move reinforcements toward former. USAFFE sends 88th FA (PS) to W coast from II Corps sector, one of its gun batteries to Quinauan Point and another to Longoskawayan Point.

In what was the first use of large caliber sea coast artillery against an enemy since the U.S. Civil War when Battery Geary on Corregidor Island commenced fire at Japanese position at Longoskawayan Point on Bataan Peninsula. Firing for four days, Battery Geary was instrumental in defeating the Japanese landing.