March 21, 1942
Today in World War II Pacific History
Day by day chronology

SATURDAY, 21 MARCH 1942

Burma: Burma 1st Div, upon being relieved on Toungoo front by 200th Div, Ch 5th Army, begins movement to Irrawaddy front, leaving large area S of Toungoo undefended. Gen Stilwell, now in Burma, issues orders for Ch participation in defense of line Toungoo-Prome. Ch 5th Army is charged with defense of Toungoo. Its 200th Div is reinf by attachment of Temporary 55th Div (T- 55th) of Ch 6th Army, which is to move to Pyawbwe. In army reserve, Ch 22d Div is directed to Taungdwingyi, where it is to be prepared to assist British in Prome area while Ch 96th Div is to move to Mandalay. Crippling enemy air attack on Magwe airdrome reduces the already meager air force defending Burma.

CBI: Assam-Burma-China Ferry Command is activated. It consists of 25 Pan-American transports, which are soon diverted from mission of taking supplies to China in order to supply forces withdrawing from Burma.

U.S. Army: Gen Wainwright, as commander of U.S. Forces in the Philippines (USFIP), which supersedes USAFFE, establishes his headquarters on Corregidor and appoints Gen Beebe his chief of staff. Maj Gen Edward P. King, Jr., is to be commander of Luzon Force.

Lt General George H. Brett, becomes commander of combined air forces, retaining command of USAFIA.

USMC: The 3d Marine Brigade was organized at New River, North Carolina, from elements of the 1st Marine Division and assigned to garrison Western Samoa.

RAAF: The first four P-40E Kittyhawks from No. 75 Squadron are flown from Garbutt Field to 7 Mile Drome near Port Moresby as the first Allied fighters to defend the area. Two hours later, P-40E Kittyhawk piloted by F/O Wilbur L. Wackett and P-40E Kittyhawk pilot F/L Barry M. Cox took off on the first interception mission and shoot down G4M1 Betty pilot Kawai that crashed into the sea one mile west of Basilisk Light (Basilisk Beacon) on Nateara Reef to the south of Port Moresby.