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SprueStack Zero Hour: WW2 day by day

4 January 1942

What happened on this day in the Second World War, from 1939 to 1945, with a source for every entry.

About this page

Each day we list events from the Second World War that happened on that date, from 1939 to 1945. Every entry names its source and links to it, so you can read further. Entries are sourced and machine-screened before they go up, a subset is human-reviewed, and we add more over time.

7 of 8 sourced entries for this date, chosen by the editor.

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Entries

  1. Luzon

    Continuing strong attacks against E flank of Porac-Guagua line, Japanese overrun Guagua and continue along Route 7 to Lubao, cutting planned line of retreat of 11th Div (PA). 21st Div zone (W part of line) is relatively quiet.

    Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)

  2. Malaya

    Ind 11th Div is under constant air attacks as it prepares defensive positions along Slim R in W Malaya. Japanese force moves S along W coast to Selangor R, then E along the river, threatening communications line at Rawang.

    Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)

  3. New Britain

    Japanese begin air offensive against Rabaul, strategic base in Bismarck Archipelago, garrisoned by 1,400 men (principally 2/22d Bn of 8th Div, AIF; RAAF detachment; 100 men of NGVR; and a few RAN officers).

    Source US Army CMH chronology (opens external site)

  4. Battle of Manila (1945)

    For 37 months since 4 January 1942, the university's main building had been used to incarcerate civilians, mainly Filipinos and Americans.

    Source Wikipedia (opens external site)

  5. East Africa Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 0 Allied sorties (1 recorded unit missions) in the East Africa Theater on 1942-01-04, flown by RAF. Targets included an unrecorded target country.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

  6. Mediterranean Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 7 Allied sorties (5 recorded unit missions) in the Mediterranean Theater on 1942-01-04, flown by RAF. Targets included LIBYA, GREECE, SICILY.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

  7. Pacific Theater

    THOR mission records show at least 8 Allied sorties (1 recorded unit missions) in the Pacific Theater on 1942-01-04, flown by USAAF 5th Air Force. Targets included PHILIPPINE ISLANDS.

    Source US Air Force THOR (opens external site)

    THOR is a secondary compilation with known gaps, not a complete record.

The full list for this date is being cleaned and will return soon.

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4 January in other years 19401941194319441945

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