In October 1937, the young American sailor Earl Jackson Clanton arrived in Shanghai on board the troops transport USS Henderson. He was part of a group reinforcing the crew on board USS Augusta, which was keeping a vigil in the port while Chinese and Japanese troops were engulfed in vicious fighting over the fate…
Jan 14, 1943: US carrier Independence is commissioned Jan 15, 1943: The Pentagon opens in Washington Jan 16, 1943: Iraq declares war on Japan Jan 17, 1943: American and Australian troops kick off final assault on Japanese positions at Sanananda, New Guinea Jan 18, 1943: Australian freighter SS Kalingo is sunk by Japanese submarine east…
Jan 7, 1943: A total of 50,000 American land, navy and air troops are now present on Guadalcanal Jan 8, 1943: In letter to US President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek rules out offensive against Japan in spring 1943 Jan 9, 1943: Australian 17th Brigade is airlifted to Wau, New Guinea Jan 10,…
Dec 31, 1942: At Imperial Conference held in Tokyo, Japanese commanders decide on the withdrawal from Guadalcanal Jan 1, 1943: Commissioning of aircraft carrier USS Essex, the lead ship of the 24-ship Essex class, the most numerous class of capital ship of the 20th century Jan 2, 1943: US and Australian troops take Buna Mission,…
Dec 24, 1942: In New Guinea’s jungle and elsewhere around the world, soldiers mark Christmas Dec 25, 1942: “White Christmas”, sung by Bing Crosby for the movie Holiday Inn, is becoming a huge hit among American troops stationed across the world Dec 26, 1942: Advance elements of 2nd Marine Air Wing arrive on Guadalcanal to…
Christmas eighty years ago was a time when the cultural differences between China and its wartime western allies were highlighted to an even greater extent than during their day-to-day cooperation. This is described in Peter Harmsen’s new book Darkest Christmas: December 1942 and a World at War, available here and here. Below an excerpt: On Christmas…
Dec 17, 1942: US Army’s 132nd Regiment is ordered to take Mount Austen, Guadalcanal Dec 18, 1942: In New Guinea, Australian forces commence concerted attack on Japanese stronghold at Sanananda Dec 19, 1942: US troops take over operation of Oro Bay port, a main logistical hub on New Guinea front Dec 20, 1942: Soldiers of…
Dec 10, 1942: At Gona, New Guinea, Australian troops keep up pressure on Japanese forces, already decimated by incessant air raids Dec 11, 1942: US forces begin arriving in Iraq and Iran Dec 12, 1942: Japanese Navy recommends end to Guadalcanal campaign due to heavy cost of operations. Dec 13, 1942: Japanese Major General Oda…
Dec 3, 1942: Australian government says women aged 18 to 30 may be called up for war service Dec 4, 1942: Marine Raiders under command of Evans Carlson complete month-long patrol on Guadalcanal Dec 5, 1942: US Army Air Force in South Pacific are to be designated Thirteenth Air Force Dec 6, 1942: At Sanananda,…
Eighty years ago, thousands of US servicemen had ended up in the interior of China as a result of the Sino-American alliance formed to defeat Japan, and by December 1942, the young Americans were getting ready to mark Christmas. For many, it was the first time to pass the holiday abroad, away from their families….
