Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Feb 5 – 11, 1942

Feb 5, 1942: RMS Empress of Asia, an ocean liner converted into a troop transport, is sunk by Japanese dive bombers while carrying men and materiel to the beleaguered garrison … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Jan 29 – Feb 4, 1942

Jan 29, 1942: US troops arrive on Fiji, preparing to replace New Zealand forces on the islands Jan 30, 1942: British-led troops evacuate from Malaya into Singapore Japanese military admits … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Jan 22 – 28, 1942

Jan 22, 1942: On Malay peninsula, battle of Muar River ends in Japanese victory Jan 23, 1942: US Lieutenant General Joseph Stilwell, seen above with Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek and … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Jan 15 – 21, 1942

Jan 15, 1942: Japanese forces occupy Labuan island off British Borneo Jan 16, 1942: Japanese troops advance in British colony of Burma and are greeted as liberators in several locations … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Jan 8 – 14, 1942

Jan 8, 1942: While Japanese forces are victorious everywhere else in Asia, the Chinese army force them into retreat at city of Changsha British General Archibald Wavell, supreme commander of … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Jan 1 – 7, 1942

Jan 1, 1942: Japanese and Indian troops engaged in fierce battle for control of city of Kampar on Malay peninsula Jan 2, 1942: Japanese forces occupy Philippine capital of Manila … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Dec 25 – 31, 1941

Dec 25, 1941: British-led forces in Hong Kong surrender to the Japanese Army Dec 26, 1941: Philippine capital of Manila is declared an open city, indicating it will not be … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Dec 18 – 24, 1941

Dec 18, 1941: Japanese forces land on Hong Kong island, crossing narrow straits from mainland Dec 19, 1941: Japanese landing force southeast of Manila reach municipality of Sipocot Dec 20, … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Dec 11 – 17, 1941

Dec 11, 1941: Britain’s Royal Air Force gives up day-time bombing of targets on Malayan peninsula after seeing heavy losses during first days of fighting back Japanese invasion Japanese destroyer … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Dec 4 – 10, 1941

Dec 4, 1941: Japanese navy fans out across the Pacific, with submarine I-10 reconnoitering off Samoa Japanese invasion force set to hit Malayan beaches three days in the future departs … Continue Reading →