March 9
Politics, United States
Admiral Harold Stark replaces Vice Admiral Robert Ghormley as US naval commander in European waters. Admiral Ernest King assumes Stark's position as Chief of Naval Operations on the 26th.

Far East, Dutch East Indies
Japan gains possession of its 'Southern Resources Area' with the surrender of Allied combatants in the Dutch East Indies. The capture of this resource-rich area and Malaya allows Japan to consider offensives against India and Australia.

March 11
Pacific, Philippines
General Douglas MacArthur leaves his Far East command to become commander-in-chief of US forces in Australia. On leaving, he famously declares: 'I shall return!'

Far East, Burma
US General Joseph Stilwell assumes command of the Chinese Fifth and Sixth Armies around the Eastern Shan States and city of Mandalay. Their aim is to protect the Burma Road into China. The Allied ground forces are supported by one RAF squadron and up to 30 'Flying Tiger' aircraft flown by an all-volunteer force of US pilots. They face over 200 enemy aircraft.

March 12
Pacific, New Caledonia
US Forces, including the first operational deployment of 'Seabee' engineers, begin establishing a base in Noumea on New Caledonia in the southwest Pacific.

March 13-30
Far East, Burma
Lieutenant General Sir Harold Alexander forms an Allied line below the central towns of Prome, Toungoo, and Loikaw near the Salween River and then eastward. Major General William Slim assumes command of the Burma Corps,the main elements of the British forces there on March 19. Japanese attacks begin on the 21st, directed at Chinese forces at Toungoo and the British at Prome.

March 14
Politics, Australia
Large numbers of US troops begin arriving in Australia.

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