December 30, 1941
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

Tuesday, 30 December 1941

Admiral Ernest J. King assumes duties as Commander in Chief U.S. Fleet. To avoid use of what he considers the pejorative acronym CINCUS ("Sink Us"), he instead introduces COMINCH ("Comm Inch").

Borneo: Fifteen days of fighting on Borneo ends with the Japanese in control of the island and heavy Allied losses.

Alaska: The 11th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), Western Theater of Operations, US Army, arrives at Elmendorf Field with 25 P-40's.

FEAF: Headquarters 19th Bombardment Group (19th BG) and the air echelon of it's 28th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) transfer from Batchelor Field to Singosari with B-17's. The ground echelon of the 28th is on Luzon and Mindanao. The air echelon of the 14th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy), 7th Bombardment Group (Heavy), transfers from Batchelor Field to Singosari with B-17's. The ground echelon is on Luzon.

IJN: H6K Emilys bomb Babo Airfield and Babo leaving three dead and 14 wounded.

Philippines: North Luzon Force is unable to hold enemy on line Cabanatuan-Tarlac and begins withdrawal southward toward final defense positions before the Bataan Peninsula. From Force, 91st Div (PA) withdraws along Route 5 through Gapan toward Baliuag, northeast of Calumpit. Tank bns are ordered to Plaridel-Baliuag area to defend vital Calumpit Bridges over Pampanga River, across which South Luzon Force must withdraw to reach San Fernando and the road leading towards the Bataan Penensula, and 71st Div (PA) is dispatched to Baliuag. In center, 11th Div (PA) succeeds in delaying enemy column heading for Tarlac from Cabanatuan, 21st Div (PA) falls back from Tarlac along Route 3 toward line Bamban-Arayat. South Luzon Force, ordered to delay enemy, halts at Santiago, where ambush is arranged, but because of reverses of North Luzon Force is directed in evening to continue withdrawal and cross Calumpit Bridges. 51st Inf (-) and battery of 51st FA are dispatched to assist in defense of Calumpit Bridges. 2d Philippine Constabulary (PC) covers withdrawal while main body moves toward Bataan. President Manuel Quezon is inaugurated on Corregidor.

Malaya: Japanese maintain pressure against Kampar position in west Malaya; on east coast threaten Kuantan from N in greater strength. Kuantan defense force is in process of concentrating W of Kuantan R, which is crossed by a single ferry.

U.S. Forces of Naval Coastal Frontiers are placed under U.S. Fleet.

PBY Catalina 2303 pilot Ensign Frank M Fisler on a search mission spots a life raft in rough seas and lands to rescue nine survivors of B-17E Flying Fortress 41-2402 off Hawaii.

USMC: 5" and 3" gun batteries and 16 more machine guns with Marine reinforcements arrive on Johnson Island.

IJN: Japanese submarine I-1 shells Hilo and damage a pier. Moored seaplane tender (destroyer) USS Hulbert (AVD-6), moored to an adjacent pier is undamaged.

Navy-commandeered tug Ranger lands volunteer raiding party on Sangley Point. The sailors bring out diesel generators and diesel oil needed on Corregidor to provide auxiliary power.

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?