January 4, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SUNDAY, 4 JANUARY 1942

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (Far East Air Force): Fighters from Bataan Peninsula, attempt the interception of a bombing raid on Corregidor. The fighters, failing to intercept until the enemy airplanes are over the target, have little effect on the raid. Several fighters depart for Mindanao following the mission. The 21st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 35th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), transfers from Lubao to Bataan with P-40's. During the night, B-17s stage through Samarinda Airfield where they refuel and bomb Japanese shipping in Davao Bay off Mindanao and damage heavy cruisers Myoko and Nachi.

USN: At Mariveles Seaplane Base, five U.S. Navy (USN) seaplanes from Patrol Wing 10 (Pat Wing 10) were parked a semi-circle near the beach. Spotted and strafed by Zeros that sink two SOC Seagulls, two OS2U Kingfishers and one J2F Duck.

IJA: Japanese forces occupy Manila and civilian prisoners are detained at Santo Thomas University (STU). The 3,787 civilian prisoners include: 3,792 Americans, 733 British, 200 Australians, 61 Canadians, 51 Dutch, 8 French, 1 Swiss, 2 Egyptians, 2, Spanish, 1 German and 1 Slovak.

IJN: Japanese flying boats bomb Rabaul for the first time and results in t the death of two civilians and 15 New Guinea laborers killed at the Rapindik Labour Compound.

USAAF: 9th Pursuit Squadron departs overseas bound for Australia.