January 1942 (1)

Japanese light tanks and armored vehicles attack British Positions, Jan. ’42

The “Oriental Blitzkrieg” did not end with the New Year’s arrival.  As the Allies attempted to reorganize, the Japanese tactics would continue for six more months.

2 January, some units of the Japanese 14th Army occupied Manila while the 48th Division pushed against the Porac Line of US defenders that were spread across the entrance of the Bataan Peninsula.  Much to Gen. Homma’s dismay, his well-trained men were being sent to Java and would replaced by the 65th “Summer Brigade” from Formosa.  Cavite naval base was taken and Brunei Bay at Borneo was occupied.

enemy tank knocked out by the 13th Battery/ Australian 4th Anti-Tank Regiment. Jan. ’42

3 January, Allied forces in southeast Asia were put under a joint command named ABDACOM (American-British-Dutch-Australian Command).  British General Sir Archibald Wavell acted as Supreme Commander with the headquarters on Java.  This attempt at a joint structure proved to be difficult due to international rivalries, code differences and teams trying to work together with no prior experience.  In China, Chiang Kai-shek was made the Commander-in-Chief of the Allied Forces of that nation.

the “Malahang Wreck” with Australian troops approaching.

4-19 January, the Indian 11th Division, British and Commonwealth forces were continually pushed back on Malaya.  The capital, Kuala Lumpur, was occupied on the 12th by the Japanese 25th Army.  On the 17th, 15 tanks burst through the lines as the enemy dropped paratroopers along the coast.   The 5th and 8th divisions’ positions pushed to within 100 miles (160 km) from Singapore on the 19th.

original crew of the USS Pollack

5-9 January, the submarine, the USS Pollack, commanded by Stanley Moseley, damaged the cargo ship, Heijo Maru; 2 days later, she sank the cargo ship, Unkai Maru No. 1 and on the 9th, she sank the freighter Telan Maru in Japanese waters.  /  Off Papua, New Guinea, the 49th Fighter Group damaged a Japanese 4,103 ton cargo ship that was then steered to the beach near Malahang.  On the 8th, she was destroyed.

9 January, Japanese Gen. Nara caused high casualties to is own troops when he ordered his over-aged Summer Brigade against the Abucay Line on Luzon.  MacArthur called on D.C. again for a “sea thrust” to be sent from Australia.  The US Chief of Naval Operations told FDR that they did not have enough ships for such an operation.  The president sent a New Year’s message to the Filipinos: “I can assure you that every possible vessel is bearing down…the strength that will eventually crush the enemy…”  Approximately 80,000 US and Filipino troops gallantly defended their positions until 23 January when I & II Corps were pushed 30 miles (48 km) south.

BATAAN

The moral of the American troops was waning quickly due to round-the-clock fighting, taunts from the enemy loud speakers, hunger, low supplies of medicine and lack of sleep.  Resentment was expressed for the refusal of Allied support, the Filipinos and MacArthur, who remained on Corregidor Island, in the endless verses of one of the most corrosive military dirges of WWII:

We’re the Battling Bastards of Bataan

No mama, no papa, no Uncle Sam,

No aunts, no uncles, no nephews, no nieces

No rifles, no plans or artillery pieces,

and nobody gives a damn!

But – despite disease and lack of support, the American and Filipino troops continued to fight on.

Click on images to enlarge.

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Military Humor – 

Bill Mauldin

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Farewell Salutes – 

“Wounded Warrior” painting by U.S. Marine Michael Fay

John Aziz – Toronto, CAN; RC Army; WWII

Wes Banks – St. Petersburg, FL; US Air Force, Vietnam

James Hurt – Pittsburg, KS; US Army, Capt. (Ret.), Vietnam, 189th Helicopter Comp., Bronze Star

Frank Knowlton – Kerhonkson, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII

Henry Irwin – Wichland, WA; US Army, Korea, Purple Heart

John Moss – Whangarei, NZ; RNZ Air Force # Y78337, Warrant Officer

Jordon Spears (21) – Memphis, IN; USMC. Corporal, ISIS Campaign

Robert Walton Jr. – Lake Worth, FL; US Navy, WWII, 1st Beach Battalion, ETO

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