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.