February 21, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Major General George H Brett, Deputy Commanding General American-British-Dutch-Australian Forces Command (ABDACOM) informs the War Department of his decision to evacuate the 5th Air Force and other US troops from Java. 5th Air Force bombers at Java bases fly about 20 strikes, usually in 2 and 3 aircraft elements, against shipping in the Java Sea and against targets on Bali from this date through 1 March. Eleven strikes are complete failures; the remainder, although causing some damage to vessels and airfield facilities, fail to deter the Japanese invasion.

USN: Seaplane tender USS Curtiss (AV-4) and Patrol Squadron 14 arrives Nouméa on New Caledonia to begin operations in the South Pacific.