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 of Sydney Jan 19, 1943: Wang Jingwei, pictured above, head of a pro-Japanese puppet regime in eastern China, calls on armed forces to ‘strive bravely’ against the British and American enemy Jan 20, 1943: Australian forces clear area west of Sanananda, New Guine ..read more

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, 1943: US submarine Argonaut is sunk by Japanese destroyers off Rabaul Jan 11, 1943: Chinese Ambassador to Washington Wei Daoming and US Secretary of State Cordell Hull (see photo above) sign treaty formally abolishing American extraterritorial rights in China, marking a huge step to ..read more

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, New Guinea Jan 3, 1943: US troops mop up area around Buna Mission, New Guinea Jan 4, 1943: Admiral Thomas Kinkaid is named Commander of the North Pacific Force Jan 5, 1943: Chinese military delegation to the US led by General Xiong Shihui (see photo above) returns to ..read more

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 take over from 1st Marine Air Wing Dec 27, 1942: At Buna, New Guinea, Allied troops near Old Strip notice a weakening of Japanese resistance Dec 28, 1942: Chinese leader Chiang Kai-shek informs US ally his army in Yunnan province will be ready for offensive operations in Bur ..read more

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 Day, all ranks of the foreign forces in China’s wartime capital of Chongqing were invited to a tea party in the auditorium of the National Military Council. For the occasion, life-sized images had been painted on the walls, offering a curiou ..read more

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 the US Army’s 132nd Regiment are harassed by Japanese rifle fire as they move up the slopes of Mount Austen, Guadalcanal Dec 21, 1942: As US and Australian troops push north on New Guinea, the unusual sight of Japanese surrendering rather than fighting to the death becomes mor ..read more

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 Kensaku arrives in New Guinea as commander of South Sea Department Dec 14, 1942: Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers attack Munda, where Japanese are building an airfield Dec 15, 1942: More Australian tanks are moved toward front in northeastern New Guinea Dec 16, 1942: B ..read more

Nov 26, 1942: ‘Battle of Brisbane’ pitting US military personnel, including military police, against Australian soldiers and civilians. One person is killed, and hundreds injured Nov 27, 1942: Japanese Army’s 6th Air Division is activated under the command of Lieutenant General Itahana Giichi Nov 28, 1942: US cargo ship Alchiba is torpedoed by Japanese submarine off Guadalcanal, leaving the South Pacific Force with only four undamaged cargo ship Nov 29, 1942: United States introduces coffee rationing Nov 30, 1942: US and Japanese navies meet in Battle of Tassafaronga off Guadalcanal Dec 1, 19 ..read more

Nov 12, 1942: US General Joe Stilwell calls for removal of incompetent officers in southwest China Nov 13, 1942: US and Japanese forces clash in Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Nov 14, 1942: Heavy losses on second day of Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Nov 15, 1942: Two Japanese transports Hirokawa Maru and Kinugawa Maru beached and burning after Naval Battle of Guadalcanal Nov 16, 1942: Japanese Lieutenant General Imamura Hitoshi is made commander of 8th Army Area at Rabau Nov 17, 1942: Australian and US troops continue advance on Buna Gona, New Guinea Nov 18, 1942: Australian 16th Brigade reaches P ..read more

Nov 5, 1942: Heavy fighting continues at Oivi, New Guinea Nov 6, 1942: Marine Raiders begin long-range patrol on Guadalcanal Nov 7, 1942: US General Joe Stilwell, above center, calls for review of supply situation in China Burma India area in preparation for planned offensive against Japanese in spring of 1943 Nov 8, 1942: With the help of native boats, Australian troops unload supplies at Wanigela, New Guinea Nov 9, 1942: Australian Army succeeds in cutting off Japanese forces at village of Oivi, New Guinea, but at considerable cost Nov 10, 1942: Marine replacements arrive in Guadalcanal Nov ..read more