Air Operations, Far East

In the face of overwhelming Japanese air superiority, almost all British aircraft on Singapore are flown to Sumatra. Although nearly 500 aircraft were committed to the defense of Malaya, most were obsolete types and were useless against Japanese air units, which enjoyed and aircraft numerical superiority of roughly three to one.

Battle of the Atlantic

The British destroyer Westcott sinks U-581 southwest of the Azores with the loss of 4 crewmen. 41 survivors are rescued by the destroyer.

Britain, Politics

Sir Archibald Clerk Kerr is appointed to replace Sir Stafford Cripps as British Ambassador in Moscow.

Burma

Japanese troops from Thailand enter Burma. Units of the 15th Army meet no resistance until they near Myitta, about 30 miles inside lower Burma. The Japanese begin their attack surrounding the British forces at Myitta and threatening Tavoy.

Eastern Front

Field Marshal von Leeb is removed from command of Army Group North and replaced to Gen von Küchler. All 3 German Army Group commanders have, therefore, been removed since the start of December; 2 of the Pzr Group commanders, Guderian and Hoeppner, have also gone, as well as 33 other officers commanding divisions or higher formations. All have been removed because of Hitler's annoyance over their requests to make withdrawals. Hitler now completely dominates German military planning and decision making.

The Russian High Command announces the discovery of an order to German troops signed by Field Marshal von Reichenau, commander of the 6th Army. The order tells German troops to be 'merciless' in dealing with Russians and that food supplies for local civilians and war prisoners are 'unnecessary humanitarianism'.

Von Reichenau is killed in a plane crash on his way to a hospital after suffering a heart attack on Jan 12.

The remnants of the Andreapol garrison succumb to the attacks of the 4th Shock Army after a bitter struggle, while the main elements of the X Corps retreat to Toropets.

The German 16th Army is forced to retreat from north of Lake Seligar, thus exposing the rear of Army Group Center. The Soviet 11th Army is pushing into the German rear at Pskov.

The Soviets drop a force of 400 paratroopers at Myatlevo, capturing the airfield near the town. Fierce German resistance disrupts further Soviet attacks.

Ferocious battles rage around Feodosia as the XXX Corps smashes the 44th Army, inflicting heavy casualties. The Germans close up to the port while pushing the attack east toward Kerch.

The 3rd Panzer Army is redeployed from the Rzhev salient to take up position between the 16th and 9th Armies in an effort to shore up the front.

The German 11th Army captures Feodosia, together with 10,000 prisoners. This prompts Hitler to order the arrest of Gen von Sponek, commander of the XLII Corps, who had retreated in December.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill at the Controls

Prime Minister Winston Churchill, smoking a cigar whilst at the controls of a Boeing 314 Flying Boat 'Berwick' (piloted by Commander Kelly Rogers, OBE) during his return flight from the USA to Bermuda in January 1942. This flight occurred at the conclusion of the Prime Minister's visit to the USA, and prior to his Trans-Atlantic flight to Great Britain. Winston Churchill had completed his visit to the White House and was now returning to the United Kingdom. The battleship HMS Duke of York, with an escort of fast destroyers, was sent to Bermuda to collect him. After flying to Bermuda by flying boat he decided that it might be preferable to return to England all the way by air, accompanied by only the most important members of his staff, including Sir Dudley Pound, Chief of the Naval Staff and Sir Charles Portal, Chief of the Air Staff.

Malaya

Singapore – January 1942 – Endless Bombings and Looming Invasion

Pacific

The Dutch steamer Senang (1207t) sinks on a mine in a Dutch minefield in the Singapore Strait with the loss of 4 crewmen. 39 survivors are rescued.

Philippines

In the western sector of the Bataan peninsula the Filipino 51st Division counterattacks but is repelled and followed up by the Japanese. The Japanese column advancing in the center overruns enemy positions in the area of Mount Natib and proceeds south along the Aboabo River valley. In the east the Filipino 41st Div succeeds in halting the enemy advance while near Abucay the US 31st Inf Regt prepares a counter-attack. To the west the Japanese cross the Batalan River and attack Moron, but are driven back to the river by the Americans.

United States, Home Front

Movie star Carole Lombard is killed in an air crash on Table Mountain near Las Vegas. She was returning from a 'War Bond' fund-raising rally in Indianapolis. She was 41.

United States, Politics

(1/13?)Donald Nelson is appointed head of the newly created War Production Board.