February 1942 (2)

Lt. Edward “Butch” O’Hare, Feb. 1942

 

20 February – Lieutenant Edward H. “Butch” O’Hare, of the US Navy became America’s first flying ace while piloting his Grumman F4F “Wildcat” off the USS Lexington.  Fellow blogger Maryann Holloway has a terrific post for Butch___

Rangoon area map, showing Sittang River

21 February – Allied resistance in Burma evaporated at the Sittang River.  At one point, the British forces that were crossing the river on a single bridge, were forced to blow it up with a large number of men stranded on the other side.  Many of these soldiers drowned when they attempted to swim across.  The Japanese were then free to turn west toward Rangoon, but they would discover that the British had destroyed anything that might be of value to the enemy before they evacuated.

23 February – The Japanese submarine 1-17 made a rare attack on the west coast of the United States.  The oil refinery at Ellwood, California was fired on 17 times, but this only caused minor damage to a pier and an oil well derrick.

Japanese troops in Java

On the evening of 27 February, the Japanese Eastern Force of 4 cruisers, 14 destroyers and 41 transport vessels sailing for Java were intercepted by US, Dutch< Australian and British warships.  The Allied force consisted of 5 cruisers and 9 destroyers under Dutch Adm.Karel Doorman.  They suffered from inferior firepower, no reconnaissance aircraft, (Doorman felt they should remain ashore), no air cover and the admiral’s lack of experience.  Two Allied cruisers were sunk.  The HMS Exeter withdrew due to damage in her engine room and Ad. Doorman was killed.  Only one enemy destroyer was damaged.

USS Pope

The following night, the 2 remaining cruisers, USS Houston and the HMAS Perth, engaged the enemy west of Batavia, sinking 2 ships and damaging 4 other vessels.  The cruisers were later destroyed by 12 Japanese warships.  The HMS Exeter and 2 destroyers escorting her were sunk as they attempted to escape to Ceylon.  Three of the enemy warships involved in this battle were the Jintsu, Nachi and the Haguro.

Japanese aerial view of the Exeter

The only Allied survivors of the Battle of the Java Sea were 4 US destroyers.  This action showed the perils of a makeshift multinational task force and demonstrated the superiority of certain Japanese weapon types; especially their “Long Lance” torpedoes.  (The wreckage of the Houston was finally confirmed as being located.  This was mentioned in my post “News Day.” which can be located HERE!

Japanese Long Lance torpedo being fired

Churchill, upon hearing of the state of affairs of the ground troops on Java, sent a farewell message to the British that remained with the Dutch and Australian units: “I know you will do everything humanly possible to prolong the battle.”

Adm. Conrad Helfrich, Commander of the ABDA, was told the joint venture was dissolved.  Six days later, the last radio station in operation told the ground troops: “We are shutting down…Goodbye till better times.  Long live the Queen!”

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MILITARY HUMOR – 

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FAREWELL SALUTES – 

Florence Anderegg – Anchorage, ALaska; US Army WAC, WWII, nurse

Charles Cornwell – Harlington, TX; US Army, Vietnam

Arthur Cowan – Otorohanga, NZ; RNZ Army # 20161, WWII, Sgt.

Richard Fereshetian – Carlisle, MA; US Navy, WWII

Joseph Geoghan Jr. – No.Augusta, SC; US Army, Korea & Vietnam, Sgt. (Ret. 21 years)

Larry Michael – Vinton, IA; USMC, Vietnam, Major (Ret. 22 years)

Reginal Shikami – Chicago, IL; Manzanar Camp internee & US Army Intelligence Service

John Taylor – Vancouver, CAN; RC Air Force, WWII, Flying Beaufighters & the Buffalo 404 Sq.

Robert Whelpley – McPherson, KS; US Navy, WWII, PTO

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Click on images to enlarge.