Yanks rout Japs from Corregidor
Both sides of island in Manila Bay seized
MANILA, Philippines (UP) – U.S. paratroopers and infantrymen joined today in the arduous job of cleaning out hundreds of diehard Japs from the tunnels and crevices of Corregidor Fortress.
Both sides of the rocky fortress, guarding the entrance to Manila Bay, were secured by the two American contingents which invaded Corregidor from the air and sea. Their sole task was to dig out the Japs – probably man by man – from the recesses where the enemy was expected to make a last-ditch stand.
A Jap Domei News Agency dispatch said the Japs had launched a “large-scale counteroffensive” north of Manila and “trapped” the Americans fighting inside the capital. There was no confirmation of the enemy report.
Gen. Douglas MacArthur hailed the invasion of Corregidor with a tribute to those men of his command who staged the historic defense of Bataan three years ago.
The long struggle on Bataan in 1942 enabled the United Nations to gather strength to resist the Japs in the Pacific and “prevented the fall of Australia,” Gen. MacArthur said.
No garrison in history has surpassed that on Bataan in more thoroughly accomplishing its mission, the General asserted. adding: “Let no man henceforth speak of it as other than a magnificent victory.”
While units of the 503rd Parachute Regiment and the 34th Infantry Regiment joined in securing the upper and lower parts of Corregidor, observers said the battle for the fortress was just beginning.
Lodged in tunnels
The Japs were lodged strongly in the American-dug tunnels and were harassing the American troops continuously with cannon and machine-gun fire.
A front dispatch disclosed that the Japs, who weathered the terrific pre-invasion bombardment, were climbing out of their secret tunnels to renew the contest on open terrain.
More than 250 Japs were killed by the paratroopers and infantrymen in the first two days of fighting. which brought the capture of Malinta Hill together with the barracks hospital and other buildings atop Corregidor.
Blocked by landslides
The east entrance to the famed Malinta tunnel was blocked by a landslide caused by the naval bombardment. But there were still three other entrances open to Americans for an assault on the Japs in the inner recesses.
A front dispatch disclosed that units of the American fleet entered Manila Harbor for the first time in three years. The mission was carried out by four PT boats two nights before the invasion of Corregidor. They swept within three miles of the breakwater off Manila’s pliers to knock out three small enemy craft.
The mopping up of Manila continued slowly, with the 37th Division steadily closing a steel ring on the Jap garrison in the Walled City and Ermita Districts.
Shell gates
The drive against the trapped enemy remnants was augmented by big American guns which relentlessly shelled the gates of the thick walls and Jap strongpoints inside the area.
In pushing to edge of the Walled City, the 37th Division captured the Philippines General Hospital and liberated 7,000 persons, including 100 Americans.
East of Manila, U.S. forces destroyed a Jap convoy of 21 troop-laden trucks Saturday. The encounter indicated the Japs were attempting to send small demolition patrols through the American lines leading to Manila.
U.S. bombers and naval patrols carried out widespread attacks from the Dutch East Indies and New Guinea to the China coast. Nineteen Jap vessels were destroyed in the raids.