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| Back to The Beginning |
| Back to January 1942 |
JOURNAL of DONALD ANDERSON, USN
FEBRUARY, 1942
| Below is the journal my father kept during the years of 1941/42. I found it in his effects after his death in April of 1998, along with a series of photos that he took during that time period. I am publishing this account on the Web because it is a wonderful way to get to know the man who was my father, and the hundreds of men like him who manned the ships known as Four Stackers. Words in black type are transcribed directly from the journal. Where I deem it useful and appropriate I will include background data in other colors, and photos from his collection. |  |
February 1, 1942 Sunday
In Balboa at Pier 15. Had duty today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Two carrier task forces under Vice Admiral W. F. Halsey and Rear Admiral F. J. Fletcher and a bombardment group under Rear Admiral R. A. Spruance, totaling 2 aircraft carriers, 5 cruisers, and 10 destroyers, attacked Kwajalein, Wotje, Maloelap, Jaluit, and Mili in the Marshall Islands and Makin, Gilbert Islands.
The Japanese today made a landing attempt on southwest Bataan, Phillipine Islands, but were repulsed by motor torpedo boats and Army aircraft.
Today the United States Naval Base, Sydney, Australia, was established.
The United States Naval Air Stations, St. Lucia, British West Indies, and British Guiana, and United States Naval Auxiliary Air Facility, Antigua, British West Indies, were established today.
Today the Seventh Naval District, with headquarters at Key West, Fla., was reactivated.
United States naval vessels damaged:
- Carrier ENTERPRISE (CV-6), by suicide bomber, Marshall-Gilberts raid, 10 d. 33' N., 171 d. 53' E.
- Heavy cruiser CHESTER (CA-27), by dive bomber, Marshall-Gilberts raid, 08 d. 45' N., 171 d. 33' E.
February 2, 1942 Monday
In Balboa. Went ashore this afternoon. Sent Doris $5.00 for her birthday. Saw "SKYLARK" at clubhouse today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:
Japanese naval vessel sunk : Minesweeper No. 9, by mine, Netherlands East Indies area, 03 d. 42' S., 128 d. 10' E.
February 3, 1942 Tuesday
At pier 15 for upkeep. Duty today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today the US Submarine TROUT (SS-202) delivered ammunition to Corregidor, Phillipine Islands, and removed gold, silver, securities, and mail.
The Japanese today bombed Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies.
February 4, 1942 Wednesday
At pier 15. Stayed aboard tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today Japanese aircraft bombed an allied force under Rear Admiral K. W. F. M. Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy of 4 cruisers and accompanying destroyers that were attempting transit of Madoera Strait to attack Japanese Borneo invasion fleet;
2 United States cruisers and 1 Netherlands cruiser are damaged.The US Submarine SEADRAGON (SS-194) today successfully evacuated certain military personnel and material from Corregidor.
ThePhillipine Islands Asiatic Fleet under Admiral T. C. Hart ceased to exist organizationally, although it has not been formally abolished.
Units of the US Asiatic Fleet have now been organized into Southwest Pacific Force under Vice Admiral W. A. Glassford.
Also established today was the Australian-New Zealand naval command, under Vice Admiral H. F. Leary, USN.
United States naval vessels damaged:
- Heavy Cruiser HOUSTON (CA-30) and light cruiser MARBLEHEAD (CL-12), by horizontal bombers, Madoera Strait, Borneo, 07 d. 23' S., 115 d. 47' E.
February 5, 1942 Thursday
In Balboa. Had duty today. 08-12 watch.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today the Navy established the United States Naval Operating Base, Londonderry, Northern Ireland.
The National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Md., was established today, also.
February 6, 1942 Friday
Moved from pier 15 to pier 8 this morning. Went to movies at clubhouse.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The Naval Coastal Frontiers were redesignated Sea Frontiers: Eastern Gulf, Caribbean, Panama, Hawaiian, Northwest, Western, Philippine.
United States and Britain today established Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS).
Today the Japanese landed reinforcements at Lingayen Gulf, Phillipine Islands
February 7, 1942 Saturday
In Balboa at pier 8. Duty today. Holiday routine this P.M.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Naval Forces Southwest Pacific Area under Vice Admiral W. A. Glassford, USN established its headquarters at Tjilatjap, Java.
The US War Shipping Administration was established today.
February 8, 1942 Sunday
Doris's birthday. In Balboa at pier 8 for repairs. Holiday routine. Had shore patrol tonight.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A Japanese submarine shelled Midway Island today.
Japanese troops landed at Gasmata, New Britain. UL>Japanese naval vessel sunk :
Destroyer NATSUSHIO, by submarine S-37, Makassar Strait, Netherlands East Indies area, 05 d. 10' S., 119 d. 24' E.
February 9, 1942 Monday
At pier 8 in Balboa. Have duty today, 4-8 watch.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today the transport LAFAYETTE (AP-53), former French liner NORMANDIE, burned at a New York pier.
Japanese aircraft bombed Batavia, Surabaya, and Malang, Java.
Japanese landed at Singapore Island.
February 10, 1942 Tuesday
Got underway this AM at 0600 to look for 2 subs reported seen. Reveile was held at 0300. Came back in tonight.
February 11, 1942 Wednesday
In Balboa at Pier 14.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:United States troops arrive at Curacao and Aruba, Netherlands West Indies.
February 12, 1942 Thursday
In Balboa. Wento to play at Baboa Clubhouse given by High School - "Little Patsy". Went to dentists this afternoon.
February 13, 1942 Friday
In Balboa - Duty today.
February 14, 1942 Saturday
In Balboa at pier 14. Went ashore this afternoon and evening.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The US Submarine SAGO (SS-188) today delivered ammunition to Polloc Harbor, Mindanao, Phillipine Islands, and evacuated military personnel.
Japanese paratroopers dropped on Palembang, Sumatra today.
February 15, 1942 Sunday
In Balboa at pier 14. Had 8-12 watch this morning.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today Singapore surrenderred to the Japanese.
Japanese forces landed on Sumatra, Netherlands East Indies.
February 16, 1942 Monday
In Balboa. Stood by for Levique and stayed aboard.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A German submarine shelled the oil refinery on Aruba, Netherlands West Indies.
February 17, 1942 Tuesday
In Balboa until 1300. Got underway to transit Canal. Entered first locks at 1500, arrived in Gatun Lake and anchored. Thru Gatun locks at midnight. Tied up at Christobal 0400.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:US Navy Seabees of the 1st Naval Construction Battalion arrived at Bora Bora, Society Islands today.
February 18, 1942 Wednesday
Alongside of pier 6A in Christobal all day today. Had duty today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:
United States naval vessels sunk:
- Destroyer TRUXTUN (DD-229) and stores ship POLLUX( AKS-2), by a storm in Placentia Bay, Newfoundland.
February 19, 1942 Thursday
Thomas Lykes rammed sub this AM. Underway at 0700. Headed out thru breakwater on patrol. Weather not bad, but rough enough to get a few seasick.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The Surcouf, the world's largest submarine (2,880 tons) and flagship of the Free French Navy, sank with all 130 crewmen after a collision with a freighter near the entrance to the Panama Canal.
Today Bali, Netherlands East Indies, was invaded by the Japanese.
The Battle of Badoeng Strait started tonight. An Allied naval force under Rear Admiral Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, of three cruisers and accompanying destroyers attacked the retreating Japanese Bali occupation force in Badoeng Strait. One Netherlands destroyer was sunk, 2 Netherlands cruisers and 1 United States destroyer were damaged. One Japanese destroyer was damaged.
Today Japanese bombers raided harbor, airfields, and shore installations at Darwin, Australia.
United States naval vessel sunk:
- Destroyer PEARY (DD-226), by dive bomber, Darwin, Australia, 12 d. 30' S., 130 d. 50' E.
February 20, 1942 Friday
On patrol searching for subs operating in this area. Several ships reported sunk near here last night.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Submarine SWORDFISH (SS-193) successfully evacuated President Quezon and other Philippine officials from Luzon, Phillipine Islands Today the Atlantic and Pacific Fleets were directed by Commander in Chief United States Fleet to establish Amphibious Forces. Darwin, Australia, is abandoned as an Allied naval base. The Japanese invaded Timor Island in the Netherlands East Indies.
United States naval vessel damaged:
- Destroyer STEWART (DD-224), by naval gunfire, Battle of Badoeng Strait, Netherlands East Indies, 07 d. 18' S., 112 d. 46' E.
February 21, 1942 Saturday
On patrol, enroute back to Panama. Went into Darien Gulf. Thought we saw sub but Captain would not investigate it.
February 22, 1942 Sunday
Arrived in Christobal at 1000 and tied up to Goff at 6A. Saw "Thomas Lykes", ship which rammed sub. No one saw the sub until it was all over. Believed to have been a Free French sub - the largest in the world.
February 23, 1942 Monday
In Christobal alongside of Goff. Replaced leaky stanchion on Forecastle. Had duty today. Wento to S.M. Base Dispensary this evening - believed to be appendicitis.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A Japanese submarine today shelled an oil refinery at Ellwood, Calif.
February 24, 1942 Tuesday
In Dispensary - Surgical ward - Coco Solo S.M. Base. Getting tired of laying in bed.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:A Carrier task force under Vice Admiral 'Bull' Halsey bombarded Wake Island today. The US Submarine SWORDFISH (SS-193) evacuated the United States High Commissioner F. B. Sayre from Philippine Islands.
February 25, 1942 Wednesday
In dispensary at Coco Solo. Have "colonitis" and think I am to be operated on tomorrow.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The Coast Guard today assumed responsibility for all United States port security.
February 26, 1942 Thursday
Was operated on this AM by Dr. Jamieson and had appendix removed. Not feeling so well now. Note: The handwriting at this point in the journal is definitely shaky and hard to read
February 27, 1942 Friday
In bed at Coco Solo dispensary. Feeling rather bad today.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:The Battle of Java Sea was fought today as an Allied naval force under Rear Admiral Doorman, Royal Netherlands Navy, of 5 cruisers and 11 destroyers in the Java Sea near Surabaya, attacked an enemy force covering their Java invasion convoy. Two Netherlands cruisers, 2 British destroyers, 1 Netherlands destroyer were sunk; 1 United States cruiser and 1 British cruiser were damaged.
United States naval vessel sunk:
- Seaplane tender LANGLEY (AV-3), by horizontal bombers, 75 miles south of Tjilatjap, Java, 08 d. 58' S., 109 d. 02' E.
United States naval vessel damaged:
- Heavy Cruiser HOUSTON (CA-30), by naval gunfire, battle of Java Sea.
February 28, 1942 Saturday
Still in bed, but feeling much better. French is in same ward with me for a broken foot - came in last night.
WAR NEWS BULLETIN:Today the US Submarine PERMIT (SS-178) successfully delivered ammunition to Corregidor, Phillipine Islands, and evacuated some key military personnel.
The Japanese landed on the North coast of Java, Netherlands East Indies.
United States naval vessel sunk:
- Destroyer JACOB JONES (DD-130), by submarine torpedo, off Delaware Capes, 38 d. 42' N., 74 d. 39' W.
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This page, and all contents, are Copyright (C) 2000 by Kenn Anderson,Sr., Scranton, PA. (USA)