14 – 20 December 1941

Clarkfield, P.I., aftermath depicted in a Japanese print

Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox reported to the white House after his visit to Hawaii.  He did not accuse Admiral Kimmell or General Short of dereliction of duty and did point out that neither of the commanders were privy to the Magic intelligence intercepts.   Secretary of War, Henry Stimson was unaware of this interaction.  He had already sent a replacement to Pearl for General Short.  Pres. Roosevelt, displeased with Knox’s exoneration, called a meeting of high officials (including Knox).  A paper was given to each with the information they were permitted to mention at their press conferences.  It was to be admitted that the Army and Navy were unprepared and Kimmell and Short were to blame.  Knox’s own press release was verbatim of that paper. (Future posts will deal with the Kimmell and Short hearings as they fit into this history.).

Sec. of the Navy, Frank Knox

Henry Stimson

 

15 December, to replace Admiral Kimmell, the White House discussions quickly agreed on RAdmiral Chester W. Nimitz, who was actually startled by the promotion.  He remarked to his wife, “… the fleet’s at the bottom of the sea.  Nobody must know that here, but I’ve got to tell you.”

16 December, the Japanese 19th Division landed on the northern coast of Borneo and pushed the British and Dutch troops into retreat.  A conquest of the Dutch East Indies would enable the enemy to dominate the southwestern sector of the Pacific and make an invasion of Australia possible.  Also on this date, the Allied airbase at Victoria Point in Burma fell into enemy hands.  This cut off aerial supplies to the local British forces.

Clarkfield days before attack

19 December, a Japanese regiment from Palau took over Davao, a major port on Mindanao in the Philippine Islands.  It would serve as a staging point for the continued Dutch East Indies invasions and for further Philippine islands.  The British forces on Penang (off the coast of Malaya) were forced off that island.

The Japanese 38th Infantry Division of 40,000 men landed at Hong Kong.  They outnumbered the British garrison of 12,000 men.  The British were forced to withdraw behind the Perak River in central Malaya while the 11th Indian Division fought to delay the Japanese push.

Flying Tigers

20 December, over China, 10 Japanese bombers were shot down by US pilots of the Flying Tiger “volunteer” force.  This was the first engagement for the First American Volunteer Group based in Kunming.  The three fighter squadrons had been composed from the US Army Air Corps, Navy and Marines and commanded by Claire Lee Chennault.  Acting as a private military contractor group, they received 3-times the pay of the American military – plus bonus.  They would be replaced in July 1942 by the US Army 23rd Fighter Group.

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Humor – 

Despite today’s cutbacks – the military will continue to grow….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What would your captions be?

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Farewell Salutes – 

Farewell…

Rocco Barone – Point Pleasant, NJ; US Army, WWII

Micharl “MJ” Duersten – Racine, WI & Tequesta, FL; US Army, Korea

Graham Greenwood – Christchurch, NZ; RNZ Air Force # 452668, WWII, Squadron Leader, SSgt. 2NZEF & AK179 Z Special Force

Earl Johnson – Ottawa, CAN; RC Navy, WWII

Howard Lord – Monticello, IN; US Army

Fred MacGregor JR. – Chatsworth Greene, VT; USMC, WWII, PTO / US Army, Korea, Captain

Obert Ouimette – WPalm Beach, FL; USMC, WWII

Donald Raybuck – Cabot, PA; US Army, MP, Vietnam

Roger Stanley – Saraland, AL; USMC, Vietnam

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