Sarah Sundin's Blog, page 275
January 16, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 16, 1942
US War Production Board seal
75 Years Ago—Jan. 16, 1942: US attacks Japanese at Morong, on Bataan Peninsula in Philippines in last US horse-led cavalry charge in history.
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator bomber first flies in combat—from Java.
US War Production Board (WPB) formed under Donald M. Nelson.
Actress Carole Lombard killed in plane crash near Las Vegas while on war bond tour, age 33.
January 15, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 15, 1942
ABDA command meeting, 10 Jan 1942 (public domain via WW2 Database)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 15, 1942: ABDA Command headquarters (American, British, Dutch, Australian) opens under Gen. Sir Archibald Wavell at Batavia, Java.
Jawaharlal Nehru succeeds Gandhi as head of India’s Congress Party.
President Franklin Roosevelt asks the baseball commissioner to continue the sport during the war.
January 14, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 14, 1942
Royal Canadian Navy officer questioning Japanese-Canadian fishermen while confiscating their boat, 9 Dec 1941 (Library & Archives Canada)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 14, 1942: Off Long Island, German U-boat U-123 sinks Panamanian tanker Norness, the first sinking in US waters.
Ports of Boston, Portsmouth, and Portland, ME closed temporarily due to U-boat warning.
In US “enemy aliens” are required to register with Department of Justice.
Canada designates 100-mile security zone in British Columbia, all males of Japanese ancestry 18-45 ordered to vacate; 23,000 men will be sent to labor camps, women and children deported to six inner BC towns.
January 13, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 13, 1942
75 Years Ago—Jan. 13, 1942: First use of an ejection seat—by German test pilot Helmut Schenk in He 280 jet.
The Arnold-Portal agreement specifies the number of aircraft the US will provide to Britain, while building the US Army Air Forces to a goal of 115 groups.
January 12, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 12, 1942
U-123 preparing to fire on surface vessel off East Coast, Jan-Feb 1942 (German Federal Archive, Bild 101II-MW-4008-20)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 12, 1942: Off Nova Scotia, German U-boat U-123 sinks British freighter Cyclops, the first loss in Germany’s “Operation Paukenschlag.”
Col. Charles Lindbergh is refused a military command due to his vocal pre-war isolationist work.
US forms National War Labor Board to deal with union wage demands.
In US, Victory Book Campaign begins to collect reading material for servicemen.
January 11, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 11, 1942
Japanese troops in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, 11 Jan 1942 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 11, 1942: Japanese land at Tarakan, Borneo and in Celebes in Netherlands East Indies.
Japanese take Kuala Lumpur, Malaya.
Operation Paukenschlag (“roll of the kettledrums”) is set to begin: first group of 5 German U-boats (U-66, U-109, U-123, U-125, U-130) takes up station off US East Coast; will sink 26 ships in a month.
January 10, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 10, 1942
Japanese flamethrower on the Orion-Bagac Line, Bataan Peninsula, 1942 (Japanese government photo)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 10, 1942: Japanese make first surrender demand to US forces on Bataan Peninsula in the Philippines.
Ford Motor Company signs contract to manufacture jeeps for the US Army.
January 9, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 9, 1942
British Royal Engineers preparing to blow up a bridge in Malaya during the retreat to Singapore, Dec 1941 (Imperial War Museum)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 9, 1942: Soviets begin offensive at Moscow and Smolensk (Battle of the Valdai Hills).
In Malaya, British begin withdrawal into Johore to protect Singapore.
January 8, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 8, 1942
75 Years Ago—Jan. 8, 1942: US Army Forces in British Isles (USAFBI) established under Maj. Gen. James Chaney.
Japanese take Jesselton, capital of British North Borneo.
James Landis named to succeed Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia as head of US Office of Civil Defense.
January 7, 2017
Today in World War II History—Jan. 7, 1942
Japanese tankette during Battle of Muar, Malaya, mid-Jan 1942 (public domain via WW2 Database)
75 Years Ago—Jan. 7, 1942: In the Philippines, Japanese begin siege of the Bataan Peninsula.
In Malaya, Japanese break through Indian defenses at the Slim River.
Off Honshu, sub USS Pollack sinks Japanese collier Unkai Maru No.1, the first confirmed sinking by a US sub in the Pacific.
US Navy issues warning that 16 U-boats are suspected to be near the East Coast.
