1941
On 8 December 1941 the Japanese launched surprise attacks on the United States fleet at Pearl Harbour in Hawaii (where local time was 7 December), the United States base in Manila in the Philippines, and on the British Army in Malaya.
Tuesday 9 December - Japan invades Malaya and Thailand
The invasion of Malaya begins shortly after midnight on 8 December 1941. On 9 December, No 8 Squadron, which also had gone into action, is evacuated from Kuantan airfield. On 10 December, the destroyer HMAS Vampire becomes the first Australian ship in action against the Japanese when HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales are sunk off the east coast of Malaya by enemy aircraft.
Wednesday 10 December - Australia declares war on Japan