ACTION FLARES UP

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 98, 25 March 1942, Page 5

ACTION FLARES UP

ENEMY IN PHILIPPINES NEW BOMBERS USED. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (9.40) WASHINGTON, Mar. 24. A communique states that the fortified island of Corregidor and our positions on the Batan Peninsula were heavily bombed this morning by 53 Japanese heavy bombers of a new type.

The damage inflicted on our military installations was ot slight consequence. At least three enemy planes were shot down by our anti-aircraft artillery. Several sharp encounters occurred on the Batan Peninsula between the hostile ground forces. Our artillery laid down concentrated fire on the enemy positions. The Japanese losses are believed to have been considerable, while our casualties were slight. The United States War Department states that the troops nghting in the Philippines sent a message to General AlacArthur congratulating him on his safe arrival i.n Australia and his assumption of supreme command in the south Pacific. They sent their commander affectionate greetings and pledged themselves to continue their loyalty and devotion.

They declared that they 'would continue to defend the Philippines with the same zeal and courage manifested so magnificently under General MacArthur’s direction. They expressed confidence that under his leadership the troops of the United Nations in Australia and the Philippines would triumph over aggression.