February 25, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

WEDNESDAY, 25 FEBRUARY 1942

USA: U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assumes responsibility for U.S. port security.

Burma: Japanese are infiltrating into Pegu Yomas through gap of some 30-40 miles that exists between Burma 1st Div at Nyaunglebin and Ind 17th Div at Pegu, threatening Rangoon-Mandalay road.

India: General Stilwell who receives rank of Lt General, AUS and confers with GHQ India in New Delhi.

NEI: American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA COMMAND) is dissolved and defense of Java is left to the Dutch, who are to be assisted by British Army, Australia Army and U.S. Army detachments.

SOUTHWEST PACIFIC AREA (SWPA, 5th Air Force): Arriving in Brisbane from the US are: 3d Bombardment Group, Headquarters Squadron plus the 8th Bombardment Squadron, 13th Bombardment Squadron, 89th Bombardment Squadron and 90th Bombardment Squadron equipped with A-20s. Their first combat mission are during April 1942. Headquarters (HQ), 22nd Bombardment Group (Medium), 2nd Bombardment Squadron, 19th Bombardment Squadron and 33d Bombardment Squadron (Medium) and 18th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) with B-26s; first combat missions are during April 1942. Headquarters (HQ), 38th Bombardment Group (Medium) and 15th Reconnaissance Squadron (Medium) and 69th Bombardment Squadron, 70th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) and 71st Bombardment Squadron (Medium) with B-26s; first mission is during June 1942. The air echelon of 69th Bombardment Squadron and 70th Bombardment Squadron remain in the US until May 1942 and June 1942. 39th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), 35th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), with P-39's; first mission is June 2, 1942. Force landed is B-26 40-1398 (survived).

USN: PBY Catalina 28-5MNE Y-73 pilot Lt(jg) William S. Robinson (MIA) is lost over Bali.

ABDA: American-British-Dutch-Australian (ABDA) "Eastern Striking Force" including HMS Encounter (H10) departs Batavia (Jakarta) bound for Surabaja to conduct a sweep along the coast of Madoera to intercept Japanese transports reported near Bawean Island, but no contact was made.

Japanese force land on Bawean Island, 85 miles north of Surabaya on Java, and establish a radio station.

USS Perch (SS-176) attacks what she identifies as a Japanese merchantman but is damaged by gunfire and is forced to break off action.

Japanese cargo ship Fukushima Maru runs aground on a reef and is wrecked, Katsura Bay, 35°09'N, 140°18'E.