Heavy Repulse Near Manila

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 28, 3 February 1942, Page 5

Heavy Repulse Near Manila

ATTACKiNG'UNITS DESTROYED

LONDON, February % In the Philippines another powerful Japanese; attack has been beaten off by General Mac Arthur's troops. This attack followed an announcement from Tokio that a general offensive had beeii launched against the American and Philippines forces across Manila Bay. - » The Washington communique says that during the past 24 hours the enemy attacked right and left of the defending troops on Batan Peninsula, and that these attacks were repulsed with heavy Japanese losses. This action was a continuation of the fighting which has been in progress for the past two days. Tanks were used on the east and west sectors by the 16th and 65th Japanese divisions. These assaults were co-ordinated and timed to take place simultaneously. * Headlong thrusts were made on the west coast at what the enemy mistakenly thought tq be the flank and rear.

Picked troops executed simultaneous attacks at several points along the west coast, like fingers of a clawing hand. Captured maps showed the Japanese plan and the urgent character of the Japanese mission.

In savage fighting in the underbrush the defenders, supported byartillery and mortar fire, pushed the invaders hack into the water. Those who attempted flight by sea were drowned; the others were destroyed or captured.

AH the enemy thrusts on the west coast have now been completely mastered. The enemy's troops employed in this desperate venture were his best; v they were shock troops, specially trained and collected. They have now been entirely destroyed.

Other reports say that one enemy thrust was made half-way down Batan Peninsula, and another thrust was really an attempted enveloping movement. A tribute to the courage of the Japanese troops was paid by General Mac Arthur, who added, however: "But they were glad to surrender." ..'•.■