To support these goals , during the first few months of 1942 , besides Malaya , Japanese forces attacked and successfully took control of the Philippines , Thailand , Singapore , the Netherlands East Indies , Wake Island , New Britain , the Gilbert Islands , and Guam while inflicting heavy losses on opposing Allied land , naval , and air forces .
In the first few months of 1942 , Japanese forces attacked and captured the Philippines , Thailand , Singapore , the Netherlands East Indies , Wake Island , New Britain , the Gilbert Islands , and Guam . They also destroyed a lot of Allied land , naval , and air forces .