THE PHILIPPINES

Waikato Times, Volume 129, Issue 21601, 11 December 1941, Page 5

THE PHILIPPINES

ATTEMPTED LANDINGS

MANY TOWNS RAIDED

TRANSPORTS ATTACKED

(Received Dec. 11, IH3O a.m.)

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10

The defeat of the Japanese attempt to land on the west coast of Luzon is announced in a communique issued by the War Department. United States bombers attacked six Japanese transports which were engaged in landing operations and scored direct hits on three, one of which capsized. The three others were damaged. Determined Japanese attempts to conquer the Philippine Islands is reported from Washington. A war communique states that flights of Japanese planes dive-bombed the naval harbour at Manila and that many towns on the islands were raided.

Following the unsuccessful sea landing some parachute troops have been landed at the north of the main island and it is reported that they have captured a coastal town.

President Roosevelt announced that Japanese bombers had attacked Clark Field and other objectives in the Philippines for the second time today, causing casualties to American officers and soldiers.

Japanese bombing of Manila, according to an agency correspondent, has been aided by light signals from the ground. The United States Army spokesman said officials were taking the utmost precautions, and would arrest and punish those responsible for the setting-off of flares, fireworks and other signals. An American aviator who took part in air battles said the Japanese ground-strafing tactics indicated German instruction, if not actual German participation in the fighting. Information has been received from the commanding general in the Philippines, from Australia and from the Netherlands East Indies, that prearranged reinforcements of reconnaissance aeroplanes have been fully implemented.