PHILIPPINES FIGHT
HANDLING OF U.S. PLANES Recd. 6 p.m. Sydney, June 26. General MacArthur warmly defended the commander of the American Air Force in the Philippines, MajorGeneral Lewis H. Brereton, against charges of inefficiency during the campaign to-day. The defence is believed to have been provoked by criticisms which have been published in the United States. General MacArthur said: ‘‘Criticisms implying faulty judgment or neglect in failing to take proper security measures resulting in tiie destruction of the American Air Force on the ground did a grave injustice to Major-General Brereton and his gallant subordinates. ‘The force under Major-Generai Brereton’s command comprised only 35 heavy bombers and 72 fighters. This force was greatly handicapped by having only one airfield, Clark Field, usable by heavy bombers, and only five for fighters. “Major General Brereton’s tiny air force was crushed by sheer weight of numbers. Its combat crews fought valiantly, but were hopelessly outnumbered.”
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Bibliographic details
Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 3
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152PHILIPPINES FIGHT Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 150, 28 June 1943, Page 3
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