Evening star., 1942-01-09
.Lu|| Develops
In Philippines;
Japs MovingUp
Enemy Apparently Is
Preparing for New
Heavy Assault

The War Department said today
combat operations have dwindled to
minor skirmishes in the Philippine
battle front, with the Japanese con-
tinuing to move troops up In appar-
ent preparation for heavy attack.
The departments morning COM
munique, based on reports received
here up to $50 am. said air activity
by the Japanese yesterday was linz
tied to reconnaissance.
The comparative lull along the
front indicated 70 observers here
that the Japanese were still un-
willing to risk a direct frontal as
sault on Gen. Douglas Macarthur S
lines until sufiicient reinforcements
could be brought to bear. No other
activities were reported from other
areas in Luzon and the Manila Bay
fortifications.
Correxidor Escapes Bombing.
Today was the second day on
which Corregidor fortress across
Manila Bay, escaped air bombing
The Japanese have found raids on
the fortress were costly. at least Is
bombers having been brought down
within the last week and many more
Heported damaged.
Likewise. the first frontal assault
on Gen. MacArthur's fortified lines
resulted in heavy losses to japanese
assault troops. Ofiicials believed the
lull in todays activity was an
encouraging sign as indicating the
ability of the combined American
Filipino forces to hold out for an
Indefinite period.
Sub Attack Near Toxic.
Meanwhile. Japan got preview
taste of the thing she breads most
a possible blockade of her densely-
populated island empire-as imperial
headquarters acknowledged an Allied
submarine raid within 100 miles Of
Toxic in which the 2.225-ton
ffeighter Unkai Maru No. l was
toypedoed and damaged.
The nationality OF the attacking,
craft was not given.
Previously. a United States Navy
bulletin reported that submarines
Of the American Asiatic fleet had
sunk japanese transport and three
10.000-ton Japanese supply ships.
The Nays communique was the
firs> report in many days from the
sizable underseas force operating in
Far Eastern waters at the start of
the war 9 north ago. but snaval
ofncials emphasized that the danger
GUS missions of the submarines made
prompt reports foolhardy while
operations are proceeding.
Imperial Toxic headquarters said
the attack in japanese waters oc-
CURED early yeSterday of the Izu
Shicbito Islands. 100 miles south Of
Toklb and Yokohama. All OF the
crew were declared saved.
Somber as the Philippine situation
was. Washington found few rays of
comfort. Aside from the Navy's re-
port OF the sinking of four japanese
Army ships, advices from Burma
credited American volunteer flyers
with new successes in attacks on
enemy bases in Thailand. And be-
lated details Of Wakes defense
added fresh glory to the marines
laurels rs well as two more enemy
ships to the toll they took before
the island fell.
While the results of the Thailand
raid were gratifying, the Capital at
tached more Importance to the fact
that in one theater at least. Japan's
hitherto one-sided command of the
air was being disputed.
In a stirring postscript to the
already memorable defense of Wake,
the Navy last night disclosed that
the Marines had sunk a japanese
destroyer and q gunboat in addition
to the cruiser. submarine and three
destroyers previously claimed.