By Clark Lee
Editor’s note:
How the Japanese Air Force crippled the United States air strength in the Philippines is told in the following dispatch by Clark Lee, Associated Press war correspondent, who lived through the battle of Luzon and most of the siege of Bataan before going to Australia. He saw much of the action in the fight waged by the outnumbered United States and Filipino forces.
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’Pro-Nazi attitude in the past’ assailed in resolution
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U.S. Army Department (April 11, 1942)
Philippine theater.
Despite fierce resistance by the small American and Philippine force, the enemy was able to effect a landing on the island of Cebu on April 10. The Japanese force now debarking on that island is estimated at 12,000. The landing is being supported by dive bombers and a heavy fire from hostile naval vessels. Tank units have been landed by the Japanese.
The defenders continue to resist stubbornly and the invaders have been unable to advance inland more than a few miles at any point. Enemy casualties have been heavy.
Corregidor and Fort Hughes in Manila Bay were subjected to intensive air attacks during the past 24 hours. However, our casualties were few and the damage inflicted as slight.
Our fortified islands were under intermittent fire from enemy artillery in Bataan and on the south shore of the bay.
There is no communication between our troops in Bataan and those in Corregidor.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
U.S. Navy Department (April 11, 1942)
Southwest Pacific.
The U.S. submarine Perch has been overdue for more than a month and must be presumed to be lost.
The Perch was one of the U.S. submarines operating in the vicinity of Java and her last position report placed her in the Java Sea.
The next of kin have been notified.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
Southwest Pacific and Indian Ocean.
Recent detailed reports reveal that the damage inflicted on enemy ships by U.S. submarines as announced in Navy Department Communiqué No. 66, paragraph 1 (a) to (e), inclusive, should be corrected to read as follows:
a) One light cruiser was sunk in the vicinity of Christmas Island, south of Java.
b) One light cruiser was damaged and is believed to have sunk and a third cruiser was damaged in the vicinity of Christmas Island.
c) One large transport was damaged near Bali.
d) One supply ship was damaged in waters near Lombok Island.
e) One destroyer and one large transport were sunk in the vicinity of Bali and an unidentified vessel was damaged.
Further, it is now known that all the results except that noted in item (d) above were achieved by one submarine on a single patrol.
Far East.
A U.S. submarine returning from an extended patrol in enemy waters has just reported the sinking of one 7,000-ton merchant vessel and one small naval vessel of the submarine chaser class.
This same submarine further reports that on the same patrol, it damaged and possibly sank a 4,000-ton freighter.
Except as noted in paragraph 1, the above sinkings and damage have not been reported in any previous Navy Department communiqué.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
The Pittsburgh Press (April 11, 1942)
Eyewitness tells how 15-day Jap attack broke U.S. stand
By Frank Hewlett
This delayed dispatch, from the only American newsman who remained with Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright’s army in Luzon, gives the first eyewitness account of the last days of the Battle of Bataan and reveals for the first time that the exhausted U.S.-Filipino forces surrendered.
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Crew of 50 may have gone down with submersible
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Blasting of three ships announced by U.S. Navy; survivors of other craft reach Canadian port
By the United Press
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Claims victory impossible without destruction of Hitler
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Numerically superior foe loses 12 of 20 fighters over Burma
By Karl Eskelund, United Press staff writer
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Sizable flotillas of torpedo boats ready to make more hit-run attacks on Japs, Navy says
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U.S. War Department (April 12, 1942)
Philippine theater.
Fighting is continuing on the island of Cebu, where the Japanese have landed troops at several different points. Among the places on the island where the enemy has established beachheads are Cebu City, Toledo, Argao, Pinamungajan, Naga and Talisay. Thus far, little progress inland has been made. Japanese losses are reported to be mounting.
Our harbor defenses in Manila Bay were repeatedly bombed today by enemy aircraft. Our guns engaged in an artillery duel with enemy batteries on the south shore of the bay.
There is nothing to report from other areas.