February 18, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 1942

USA: War Department orders overseas contract activities throughout the world militarized. All civilian contract activities are to be terminated by August 18, 1942.

Burma: Situation of Ind 17th Div deteriorates as Japanese gain foothold on the west bank of Bilin River near Bilin and continue pressure on flanks. TF's are formed by Burma Army to protect Pegu from SE and sea approaches to Syriam.

NEI: During the night, Japanese invasion force arrives off the southeast coast of Bali and will begin landing in the early hours of February 19, 1942. This landing completes isolation of Java. Br volunteer party from Batavia on Java departs to Oesthaven on Sumatra, where equipment is salvaged and demolitions are performed without interference from enemy.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Detachment of the 22d Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), departs Nandi Airfield for Australia with B-17's. The squadron is based at Jogjakarta. Air echelon of 91st Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group begins operating from Malang with A-24s; ground echelon is on Bataan.

"Singosari Savior" by Paul Eckley depicts P-40E Warhawk pilot Lt. 2nd Lt. Frank E. Adkins from the 17th Pursuit Squadron (17th PS) intercepts G4M1 Bettys from the Takao Kokutai over Surabaja then chased by escorting A6M2 Zeros that hit his fuel tank and disabled his guns. Lost over eastern Java, he followed a B-17 Flying Fortress landing at the highly camouflaged runway at on Singosari Airfield. After parking near a hangar, Adkins realizes he was hit in his fuel tank and his guns were disabled and later returns to Ngoro Airfield.

ABDA: In the evening, a group of American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) warships departs Tjiltjap for an attack on Japanese forces landing at Bali. The force force includes Hr. Ms. De Ruyter and Hr. Ms. Java with destroyers Hr. Ms. Kortenaer, Hr. Ms. Piet Hein, USS John D. Ford (DD-228) and USS Pope (DD-225). While departing, Hr. Ms. Kortenaer becomes stranded on a sandbar and has to wait for the tide to become freed.