BITTER FIGHTING IN LUZON

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23536, 14 January 1942, Page 5

BITTER FIGHTING IN LUZON

Heavy Artillery Battles GROUND ACTIVITY INCREASING (U.P.A.) LONDON, January 12. The Japanese continue to attack the right flank of General MacArthur’s forces north-west of Manila, and bitter fighting is proceeding. A United States war communique issued tb-day states: "In the Philippine theatre, heavy artillery battles are in progress along the entire front. Ground activity is increasing as fresh Japanese troops move up into the front line positions, The enemy’s air attack is being renewed on defensive installations and fortifications. "General Mac Arthur reports that the Japanese occupying Manila are attempting to suppress the use of radio receiving sets by civilians. This is apparently designed to prevent the reception of broadcasts from the United Stales and England, but it also prevents the reception of propaganda broadcasts from Tokyo. "There is nothing to report from other areas.” Allied aeroplanes yesterday shot down four Japanese aircraft and scored two direct hits on a Japanese cruiser. Japanese transports were also attacked. The Tokyo official radio stated that Imperial Headquarters had announced that Japan had completely occupied the Olongapo naval base, north-west of Manila.

JAPAN’S WAR PLANS

SECRET DOCUMENTS SEIZED WASHINGTON, January 12. A file of secret Japanese documents revealing Japan’s war plans is in the United States, states the North American Newspaper Alliance. Kilsoo Haan, an anti-Japanese Korean patriot, clandestinely got the documents from the possession of a high officer of the Japanese Black Dragon Society in a Los Angeles hotel last year. The documents forecast in detail Japan’s feigned peace negotiations while she prepared to attack Hawaii. The documents predict three stages in the Pacific war: (1) The occupation of the Philippines, Guam, Wake, and Midway Islands, Hong Kong, Borneo, and Malaya in four months. (2) The occupation, for Japan’s protection, of the Netherlands East Indies. Australia, New Zealand, Burma, and India, and the seizure of all Pacific islands as strategic positions for assaulting the United States. (3) The simultaneous invasion of the Panama Canal zone, Alaska, California. Oregon, and Washington State, but the documents expect that America will ask for peace after the fall of Hawaii and all other Pacific territories.

of bombs dropped by Free French squadrons had hit ammunition dumps, while machine-gun fire by a Royal Ait Force pilot silenced two anti-aircraft batteries. A senior officer of the Royal An Force states: “The task in hand should not be under-estimated. We know that the enemy has many guns. His strongholds are carefully hidden and well protected, and they present difficult targets, but our squadrons are meeting with a good measure of success. It must be made clear, however, that the enemy is strongly built in and is difficult to get at.” Certain supplies, probably food, have been dropped, to the garrison by Junkers 52’s, but In spite of this, deserters from the enemy state that the troops are suffering from a shortage of both food and water. Sea water is probably being distilled in some quantity. Raids In Tripolitdhia Air operations during the week-end are described in a Royal Air Force communique issued to-day, which says;—“ln spite of persistent rainstorms which hampered operations in Libya, concentrations of enemy motor transports west of El Agheila were effectively bombed yesterday. Our aircraft also attacked a petrol store, in the same area and started a large fuel fire. Fighter aircraft encountered a single Messerschmitt 109 near Agedabia and shot it down. "Royal Air Force and Free French bombers continued their raids on enemy positions at Halfaya yesterday and on Saturday, Bombs were seen to burst near gun emplacements, dugouts, and other objectives, "During Friday night bomber aircraft of the Royal Air Force raided objectives at Tripoli, Buerat el Hsun, and Sirte. At Tripoli bombs burst along the Spanish mole, while at Buerat el Hsun and at Sirte direct hits were obtained on stores apd dumps, causing fires and a series of explosions. "Enemy aircraft flew over Malta on numerous occasions on Sunday, as well as on Saturday and Saturday .night. Some damage was done to civilian property. “From these and other operations four of our aircraft are missing.” Pilots whose squadrons form the fighter wing in Libya have shot down 200 enemy aircraft since the beginning

of the present campaign. This total was reached on Saturday when a Hurricane shot down a Messerschmitt 110 south of Agedabia. . _ Squadrons of the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and South African Air Force have contributed to the total,' which has been reached in less than two months. It is disclosed that 40 pilots walked back to their bases over the desert after being shot down or forced to land.