Evening star., 1942-02-02
MacArthurRepe|sC Crack JapForce
Using New Tactics in Batan Push;
Island Drive May Aid Singapore
2 Enemy Divisions
Are Shattered on
Philippine Lines
By the Associated Press.

BY ire Associated Press.
Another japanese smash -
which Toxic heralded as possibly
the climactic drive in the battle
of the Philippines-has ended in
costly failure, although the
enemy used his best troops and
new tactics against Gen. Douglas
Macarthur men, a War Depart
ment communique announced
today.
This was the third triumph
recorded by American forces in the
Pacific in the last two days.
The Japanese had reported heavy
gunfire along the east coast OF
Batan Peninsula, apparently signal
ing a general offensive; hence this
American success may rank with
the destruction of an invasion flotil-
la aimed at Corregidor and the
slashing sea and air attack on six
japanese air and naval bases in
the Pacific, announced yesterday.
Two Jap Divisions Used.
Two Japanese divisions were
hurled simultaneously against the
Filipino lines on the east
and west sides of the peninsula
the communique said.
On the west, the South China Sea
shore, the japanese were driven back
and detroyed, captured or drowned
On the east, facing Manila Bay, ar
tillery fire broke up mass frontal
attack before it got fully under way.
The communique made clear
however, that the japanese had
fought their way in the last three
weeks about hallway down the
peninsula.
The fighting on the east coast
took place in the area of Pillar, the
War Department said, and this
point near an important road juno
ton is only II miles from the end
of the peninsula opposite the Cor
regidor fortress.
Picked Groups Make Attack.
Gen. Macarthur said the Batan
west coast attack was made by
picked groups known as Tatorl, who
made simultaneous attacks at sew
eral points. He paid tribute to their
courage, but at the end, he said, they
were glad to surrender.
Gen. MacArthur's, report of the
repulse said:
All enemy thrusts on the west
coast have now been completely
mastered. The enemy troops en-
ployed in this desperate venture
were his best. They were shock
units especially trained and selected.
They have now been entirely
destroyed. They resisted with the
courage which is characteristic OF
japanese troops, but at the end
were glad to surrender. They are
being treated with the respect and
consideration which their gal
lantry so we'll merits
Two japanese divisions, the 10th
and 65th were specifically identi-
fed by the War Department and
constituted what appeared to be
the largest force yet hurled at one
time against the American and
Filipino defenders. The attack was
directed by 1t. Gen. Nara, who was
not otherwise identified.
On the east coast, the War De-
partment said the 142d japanese In
fantry Regiment, a component OF
the 65th Division, led the frontal
attack, while the 141st and 122d
Regiments vainly attempted an en-
velopment.
Corregifor Attack Smashed.
The War Department announced
yesterday that Gen. MacArthur's
embattled Army had discovered and
smashed extensive japanese prep
arationS to capture Corregldor
fortress, in Manila Bay, by a great
assault.
In an apparent effort to wipe out
the Central Philippine stronghold
in one terrible blow, the enemy had
concentrated invasion vessels, barges
and launches, and presumably
troops, at the village of Ternate,
about 25 miles south of Manila, but
within range of Corregidor's guns.
Suddenly the guns of the Amer
lean Notifications system began to
pour tons of shells into the enemy
concentration. The surprise was
complete and the force and its
equipment were destroyed" the War
Department reported.
Great Strategic Victory.
Crushing CT this force before it
could even get in motion was
great strategic victory for Gen. Mac
Arthur. Corregidor and its satellite
Notifications guard the rear of Ba-
tan Peninsula, where Gen. Mac
Arthur'S main army is drawn up
and where several stong enemy
thrusts were repelled over Saturday
afternoon and night and yesterday
morning.
The Japanese plan, as understood
here, was predicated on the theory
that by reducing Corregidor, resist
ance in the Philippines could be
brought quickly to an end. To at
tain such an objective would have
required large troop concentrations
as well as the huge gathering of in
(See PHTIIppTNES PAGE ALL