Thursday, January 8, 1942
January 8, 1942
Still trying to get Navy to run the blockade (by submarine) into MacArthur with some antiaircraft ammunition. Admiral King has issued orders, but I’m still
Dwight D. Eisenhower
(October 14, 1890 – March 28, 1969). At the time of these entries, serving in the American Military Mission to the Commonwealth of the Philippines (1935-1939) or the war Plans Division (1941-1942).
Friday, January 9, 1942
January 9, 1942
Still working on China problem. Looks like Drum runs out of it. He wants none of it because he doesn’t like the looks of the
Saturday, January 10, 1942
January 10, 1942
Every day the same – 7:45 A.M. to 11:45 P.M. Attended conference this afternoon with Combined Chiefs of Staff. Subject: China – Burma. British, as
Sunday, Jenuary 11, 1942
January 11, 1942
Everybody has suddenly decided Far East is critical. Now we’ve all got to find some way to rush troops there, but political situation won’t let
Monday, January 12, 1942
January 12, 1942
Told Spaatz about trigger motors for A-24’s in Australia on basis of MacArthur’s radio. Said he hadn’t heard of this before! Somervell (G-4) did a
Tuesday, January 13, 1942
January 13, 1942
Another day. Yesterday finished and got off long telegrams breaking off command connection between Philippine Islands and Australia so Brereton, in latter place, could operate
Thursday, January 15, 1942
January 15, 1942
Looks like Stilwell may be selected for China. That leaves GYMNAST command open. Recommend three major generals and three brigadiers. Gerow at top of Brigadiers.
Saturday, January 17, 1942
January 17, 1942
Colonel Hurley, former Secretary of War, is on his way to “KX”. He was inducted at noon today, and at 1:00 tonight starts by plane
Monday, January 19, 1942
January 19, 1942
Told Magruder yesterday to get busy on inducting AVG in China and Burma. The AVG needs planes badly – and we’re trying to land fifty
Wednesday, January 21, 1942
January 21, 1942
Catching a cold! Hope I can ward it off. Sent a long cable to Wavell asking advice on Hutch’s request for 600 pursuit planes.
Thursday, January 22, 1942
January 22, 1942
Hurry up call to go to State Dept. Saw Secretary Hull, in conference with Navy files – Ridgeway. Wanted a bribe to give Chile in
Friday, January 23, 1942
January 23, 1942
Chief says to “get behind communication system*. Looks like W.P.D. has to kick everybody in the pants. Today, in a most flamboyant radio, MacArthur recommends
Saturday, January 24, 1942
January 24, 1942
ABDA and boundaries changed some for the better. Wavell now responsible for Darwin area. But what a job to work with Allies! There’s a lot
Sunday, January 25, 1942
January 25, 1942
Spent the morning arguing with A.C. and G-4, showing them how B-26’s can get to “X” a lot faster than planned. Sold them the idea,
Monday, January 26, 1942
January 26, 1942
Australia-New Caledonia shipments supposedly leaving Charleston today. Part leaves West Coast in couple days. Have never had mich faith in New Caledonia garrison arriving there
Tuesday, January 27, 1942
January 27, 1942
A Navy officer (McDowell) is trying to act as “U.S. Secretary on Collaboration”. His duties are to clear to British all messages that require Combined
Thursday, January 29, 1942
January 29, 1942
Macarthur has started a flood of communications that seem to indicate a refusal on his part to look facts in the face – an old
Friday, January 30, 1942
January 30, 1942
The news from Wavell is all bad! Troops in Malay giving up and going back to Singapore Island tonight! The British still don’t want Chinese.
Sunday, February 1, 1942
February 1, 1942
Events move too fast and keep me too busy to permit the writing of notes! Day by day the case looks worse in ABDA; it
Monday, February 2, 1942
February 2, 1942
Yesterday, listened to a talk by Bullitt, just back from Near East and Africa. I liked his presentation. He knows, or he doesn’t; no quibbling.
Tuesday, February 3, 1942
February 3, 1942
Looks like MacArthur is losing his nerve. I’m hoping that his yelps are just his way of spurring us on, but he is always an
Wednesday, February 4, 1942
February 4, 1942
We’ve decided to shift a group of pursuits from ABDA to Australia, for use in N.E. against Jap attack. Hope it does some good. Allotted
Thursday, February 5, 1942
February 5, 1942
Had to change our priorities in sending planes to Australia! ABDA is desperate! Fields getting bombed! Lost 4 B-17’s on ground; also 7 pursuits. We
Friday, February 6, 1942
February 6, 1942
Information that Chinese and British are finally getting together. We may save Burma yet! The Joint and Combined Staff work is terrible! Takes an inconceivable
Sunday, February 8, 1942
February 8, 1942
Another long message on “strategy” to MacArthur. He sent in one extolling the virtues of the flank offensive. Wonder what he thinks we’ve been studying
Monday, February 9, 1942
February 9, 1942
Spent the entire day preparing drafts of President’s messages to MacArthur and Quezon. Long, difficult, and irritating. Both are babies. But now we’ll see what
Tuesday, February 10, 1942
February 10, 1942
Attended “Liaison Meeting”, State Dept., Under Secretary of State – Brazilian, Chile, Argentine questions – 10:00 A.M. Six weeks ago Gerow and I predicted to
Monday, February 16, 1942
February 16, 1942
Took charge today of W.P.D. after having been here since December 14 on special work in the Section. As “Gee” walked out, he said, “Well,