February 2, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

MONDAY, 2 FEBRUARY 1942

USA: General Joseph Stilwell is designated Chief of Staff to Supreme Commander, China Theater, and is directed by War Department to "increase the effectiveness of United States assistance to the Chinese Government for the prosecution of the war and to assist in improving the combat efficiency of the Chinese Army."

USAAF: Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. earns his wings and is commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at Kelly Field, Texas.

PACIFIC OCEAN AREA: VII Interceptor Command is activated at Fort Shafter with Brigadier General Howard C. Davidson in command. Major General Willis H. Hale commands the VII Bomber Command.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA: 49th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) Headquarters (HQ), 7th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor), 8th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor) and 9th Pursuit Squadrons (Interceptor) arrive at Melbourne from the US with P-40's; first mission on March 14, 1942, April 20, 1942 and March 18, 1942 respectively for each squadron.

U.S. Army: On Luzon, II Corps attacks to clear bridgehead, at first employing 31st Engr Bn (PA) and then reinforcing with elements of 41st Inf after opposition proves stubborn. Enemy completes withdrawal from bridgehead during night 2-3. In I Corps area, armd platoon of 192d Tank Bn and platoon of 1st Bn, 45th Inf, attempt unsuccessfully to reduce Big Pocket. In South Sector, Co C of 192d Tank Bn assists Scouts in another attack on Quinauan Pt beachhead, but results are no more satisfactory. Other Scout bns (2d Bn of 45th Inf; 3d and 1st Bns of 57th Inf) attack abreast to clear Anyasan- Silaiim sector, making slow progress except on left, where no opposition is met.

U.S. Navy: USS Seadragon (SS-194) sinks Japanese army cargo ship Tamagawa Maru off Cape Bolinao on Luzon at roughly Lat 17°16'N, Long 119°48'E, but misses Nisshu Maru in the same attack.

Japanese minesweeper W.9 is sunk, and minesweepers W.11 and W.12 damaged by Dutch mines off Ambon at Lat 3°42'S Long 128°10'E.