Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Nov 27 – Dec 3, 1941

Nov 27, 1941: George C. Marshall, left, chief of staff of the US Army, warns in War Department Message: ‘Japanese future action unpredictable but hostile action possible at any moment’ … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Nov 20 – 26, 1941

Nov 20, 1941: As Japan completes preparations for attack on western possessions in the Asia Pacific, its diplomats send a final ultimatum to Washington calling for an end of assistance … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Nov 13 – 19, 1941

Nov 13, 1941: Top brass of Japan’s Combined Fleet meet to hear ‘Operational Order No. 1’ on upcoming offensive in the Pacific, including attack on Pearl Harbor Nov 14, 1941: … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Nov 6 – 12, 1941

Nov 6, 1941: General Yamashita Tomoyuki is put in command of the Twenty-Fifth Army, which is assigned the task of invading the Malayan peninsula in the planned offensive against Southeast … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Oct 30 – Nov 5, 1941

Oct 30, 1941: As fears of war in East Asia mount, Britain urges its citizens in Japanese-occupied parts of China to evacuate Oct 31, 1941: Japanese troop concentrations are reported … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Oct 23 – 29, 1941

Oct 23, 1941: US Senate passes supplemental Lend Lease Bill, adding nearly 6 billion dollars that can be spent on material aid, everything from weapons to food, to the struggling … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Oct 16 – 22, 1941

Oct 16, 1941: Steep drop at Shanghai Stock Exchange amid fears of imminent war in Asia Oct 17, 1941: New hardline government headed by General Tojo Hideki takes over in … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Oct 9 – 15, 1941

Oct 9, 1941: In great secrecy, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt calls for estimate of cost of developing an atomic bomb Oct 10, 1941: Japan’s ambassador to Washington, Nomura Kichisaburo … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Oct 2 – 8, 1941

Oct 2, 1941: The US government calls on Japan to make a “clear-cut manifestation” regarding its intention to withdraw from China and Indochina Oct 3, 1941: Indian independence leader Mahatma … Continue Reading →

Eighty Years Ago: Asia Pacific, Sep 25 – Oct 1, 1941

Sep 25, 1941: John F. Kennedy joins the US Naval Reserve Sep 26, 1941: Japanese Army’s 6th Division clashes with Chinese 74th Army during battle of Changsha in central China … Continue Reading →