Battle for Manila’s Walled City

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 45, 22 February 1945, Page 5

Battle for Manila’s Walled City

Received Wednesday, 10.5 p.m. MANILA, Feb. 21. The Americans moved heavy Howitzers over the pontoon bridges across the Pasig River and begun shelling the wall

ol Intrunuroa (tbe ancient city or Manila) at 600 yards range, says the Associated Press’s correspondent. The Americans’ air power conld puli veriee everything and everybody inside ! Intramuros hut they are trying to save | the estimated 7000 civilians held by the Japanese who ignored the offer of an honourabla surrender in exchange for the liberation of the civilians. Meanwhile explosives have blocked both entrances to Corrogldor’s main tunnel. Liquid lire and bombs art wiping out the few Banzai-cbarging Japanese escaping through the crevioes. Tho Americans are looking amidst the rubble for ventilation vents in order to burs or bomb the remaining Japanese. “Our troops continuad the destruction of the remaining enemy strong, points around the fringes of Corr.gldor,” says General Mac Arthur' a communique. “Very bitter fighting continued sonth of Manila as we slowly compress the enemy lines to an ares of approximately 1200 by »00 yards. ‘' The enemy is acting with the greatest savagery in tbe treatment of noncombatants and private property in Manila, A survey shows that practically all private possessions of any value have been thorongbly looted during enemy occupation and apparently shipped to Japan. . “Enemy casualties in the alx weeks’ campaign exceed 22,000. Our casualties were 267 G killed, 245 missing and 1008 wounded.’’