U.S. War Department (February 12, 1942)
Communiqué No. 102
Philippine Theater.
Several of the specially-built barges which the Japanese used in attempting landings on the west coast of Bataan have been captured. In them were life-saving and other equipment marked “USAT MERRITT.” This equipment was part of the relief supplies given to Japan by the United States after the disastrous earthquake and fire which devastated much of Japan in 1923.
In this connection, it is interesting to note that these supplies were loaded on the Army transport MERRITT in Manila for shipment to Japan under the direction of Brig. Gen. Douglas MacArthur, then commander of the Philippine Scouts brigade.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
Communiqué No. 103
Philippine Theater.
There was very little ground or air fighting in Bataan during the past 24 hours, the enemy evidently reorganizing his forces and awaiting additional supplies and reinforcements before resuming the offensive.
The island of Masbate, near the center of the Philippine archipelago, has been occupied by Japanese troops.
Reports reaching Gen. MacArthur’s HQ from the occupied areas of Luzon indicate that Filipino farmers who were evicted from their homes by Japanese invaders have crowded into Manila or have hidden in the mountains to escape harsh treatment at the hands of the Japanese soldiers. As a result, there is a great scarcity of laborers to tend the crops, and food supplies are becoming scarce.
This condition has so alarmed the Japanese military authorities that Lt. Gen. Masaharu Homma, commanding the Japanese Army in Luzon, has issued the following proclamation:
Return promptly to your farms. Our dear brethren who are swarming in the seat of hostilities, return promptly to your farms and harvest your crops and sugar cane.
Now you cannot get supplies to commodities from the overseas countries. You must get your food with your own hands. While you are hiding in the mountains to escape the tumults of war, the crops will rot up and the seedlings of sugar cane for the next year will be lost. If you leave them as they are, you must die of starvation on the roads.
The Japanese forces never harm any Filipino who is diligent in his occupation. Don’t flee into the mountains being misled by the absurd propaganda of the United States of America. The tumults of war have already gone far away. Peace will be brought about solely by the consciousness and determination of the Filipinos. Secure food supplies promptly by sweat of your brow.
Dear brethren, return to your farms and begin at once your harvest. Starvation or prosperity will be determined by your efforts today or tomorrow.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
U.S. Navy Department (February 12, 1942)
Communiqué No. 39
Central Pacific.
On February 1, 1942, the Navy Department announced that units of the U.S. Pacific Fleet had made surprise attacks on Japanese naval and air bases in the Marshall and Gilbert Islands. The results of these attacks are now available.
On January 31, 1942, Vice Adm. William F. Halsey Jr., in command of a well-balanced force of aircraft carriers, cruisers and destroyers raided the Japanese strongholds on Roi, Kwajalein, Wotje, Taroa, and Jaluit Islands of the Marshall group and Makin Island in the Gilbert group.
The results of these separate actions follow:
Roi Island.
On this island of the Kwajalein Atoll a well-equipped air base was located with 12 fighter planes and several bombers. Two hangars, an ammunition dump, all fuel storage, all other storage and warehouses, a radio building, and 3 fighter planes and 6 scout bombers in the air, in addition to 1 bomber on the ground, were destroyed.
Kwajalein Island.
At this anchorage 10 surface ships, 5 submarines and a seaplane base were located. Our attacking forces destroyed 1 converted 17,000-ton aircraft carrier of the Yawata class, 11 fight cruiser, 1 destroyer, 3 large fleet tankers, 1 cargo vessel, 2 submarines and 2 large seaplanes. Other enemy vessels were badly damaged.
Our losses in the two above attacks were four scout bombers.
Wotje Atoll.
No planes were found on the Wotje Atoll. There were present, however, 9 vessels of various categories in the harbor. Four cargo vessels of about 5,000 tons each were destroyed in addition to three smaller ships. The entire shore installation consisting of two hangars, oil and gasoline stowage, shops and storehouses two anti-aircraft batteries and 5 coastal guns, was completely destroyed.
There was no damage or loss to our attacking forces.
Taroa Island.
On this island a new, well-equipped airfield was attacked. Two hangars, all fuel tanks, and industrial buildings were destroyed. Seven fighter planes and five scout bombers in the air, plus five fighters and six bombers on the ground were also destroyed.
Our only loss in this attack was one scout bomber. In addition, a U.S. cruiser sustained a hit from one small bomb.
Enemy losses from Adm. Halsey’s combined attacks included 1 converted 17,000-ton aircraft carrier of the Yawata class, 1 light cruiser, 1 destroyer, 3 large fleet tankers, 2 submarines, 5 cargo vessels, and 3 smaller ships while several other ships were badly damaged. Two large seaplanes, 15 fighter planes, 11 scout bombers, and 10 additional bombers seaplanes were also destroyed.
In addition, destruction to enemy shore establishments was as follows:
At Roi:
Two hangars, ammunition dumps, fuel stowage, all store and warehouses, and the radio building.
At Wotje:
Entire shore installation-two hangars, oil and gas stowage, shops and storehouses, two antiaircraft batteries, and five intermediate coastal guns.
At Taroa:
Two hangars, all fuel tanks, and industrial buildings.
The raid of our forces on the island of Jaluit was conducted in a heavy rainstorm. Our aircraft attacked two enemy auxiliary vessels, badly damaging one of them.
At Makin Island, these forces destroyed two enemy patrol planes and badly damaged one auxiliary vessel. In addition, one enemy patrol plane was destroyed at sea.
There is nothing to report from other areas.
