Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 148

Today in World War II History—January 5, 1942

Sign posted in window of store owned by a Japanese-American the day after Pearl Harbor, shortly before the man’s internment, Oakland, CA, March 1942 (Photo: Dorothea Lange, Library of Congress: LC-USZ62-23602)

80 Years Ago—Jan. 5, 1942: In the Philippines, US & Filipino forces complete retreat into Bataan peninsula; troops are put on half rations.

In US, “enemy aliens” are required to surrender transmitters, shortwaves, and precision cameras.

Rationing of tires and all rubber goods goes into effect in the US (Read more: “Tire Rationing in World War II”).

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Today in World War II History—January 4, 1942

Japanese fleet at Truk, preparing for the invasion of Rabaul, photographed by an RAAF Hudson, 9 January 1942 (Royal Australian Air Force photo)

80 Years Ago—Jan. 4, 1942: Japanese begin pre-invasion air raids on the major British naval and air base of Rabaul in the Bismarcks in the South Pacific.

In Hong Kong, Japanese order non-Chinese enemy nationals to report to Murray Parade Grounds; 2800 civilians will be interned on the grounds of Stanley Prison, and 121 will die during internment.

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Today in World War II History—January 3, 1942

Chiang Kai-shek, 1943 (public domain via Wikipedia)

80 Years Ago—Jan. 3, 1942: Japanese land at Brunei on Borneo in Netherlands East Indies.

Gen. Chiang Kai-shek is named Commander in Chief of Allied Forces in China.

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Today in World War II History—January 2, 1942

Japanese tanks and troops moving toward Manila, Philippine Islands, 22 Dec 1941 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Jan. 2, 1942: British and South African troops take Bardia, Libya, after a long siege.

Japanese take Manila in the Philippines as well as Clark Field and Cavite Navy Yard.

Thirty-three members of a German spy ring under Fritz Duquesne are convicted in the largest espionage case in US history.

US Army orders 300,000 D-ration chocolate bars from Hershey, designed to melt at higher temperatures and not be too tasty, so soldiers would save them for emergencies.

Thirty-three mug shot portraits of the Duquesne spy ring; Duquesne is in the first row, far right (Library of Congress: cph.3c28525)

 

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Today in World War II History—January 1, 1942

World War II poster

80 Years Ago—Jan. 1, 1942: Roosevelt and Churchill sign the “Declaration by the United Nations” at the Arcadia Conference in Washington; 24 other Allied nations will sign it, promising not to seek a separate peace.

US discontinues automobile manufacturing for civilian sale for the duration of the war; 500,000 remain in stock.

The Rose Bowl is held at Duke University in Durham, NC, due to a ban on large gatherings on the West Coast (Oregon State defeats Duke 20-16).

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Today in World War II History—December 31, 1941

Japanese bicycle-mounted troops on Luzon, December 1941 (US Army Center of Military History)

80 Years Ago—Dec. 31, 1941: US and Filipino forces form new defense line north of the Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.

Japanese ships shell islands of Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii.

US Navy transfers a carrier, 3 battleships, and 11 destroyers from the Atlantic to the Pacific Fleet.

New York City residents are urged not to use noisemakers for New Year’s Eve to avoid confusion with air raid alarms.

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Today in World War II History—December 30, 1941

Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien, San Francisco, CA, Fleet Week, October 2014 (Photo: Sarah Sundin)

80 Years Ago—Dec. 30, 1941: German Gen. Erwin Rommel retreats to El Agheila, Libya, and the positions held before his April offensive against the British.

Soviets take Kerch and Feodosiya in the Crimea.

Gandhi resigns from leadership of India’s Congress Party when it decides to support Britain.

Kaiser Shipyards in Richmond, CA, launches its first Liberty-class cargo ship.

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Today in World War II History—December 29, 1941

Map showing Japanese offensives in Dec 1941 (US Military Academy)

80 Years Ago—Dec. 29, 1941: British evacuate from British Borneo to Dutch Borneo.

Japanese bomb Corregidor island in the Philippines for the first time.

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Today in World War II History—December 28, 1941

Poster for US Navy Construction Battalions (Seabees), WWII

80 Years Ago—Dec. 28, 1941: US Rear Adm. Ben Moreel requests authorization of Navy construction battalions: the “Seabees.”

Japanese paratroopers land on Sumatra.

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Today in World War II History—December 27, 1941

US poster encouraging conservation of rubber, WWII

80 Years Ago—Dec. 27, 1941: Japanese bomb Manila despite “open city” declaration.

First British combined operation of the war (air, naval & ground assault): British & Norwegian commandos raid Vaagsö Island, Norway, destroying facilities and taking prisoners.

First two SOE (British Special Operations Executive) agents are parachuted into Denmark, but one is killed when his parachute fails to open.

US announces rationing of tires and all rubber goods, to go into effect January 5, 1942 (Read more: “Make It Do—Tire Rationing in World War II”).

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