Evening star., 1942-03-22
Enemy Hammers
At Manila Boy
Fortificutions
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The long -Smoldering Philip
pine fighting front burst into
flame yesterday, and the Ameri-
can-Filipino defenders braced
for a new full-scale japanese
offensive.
While patrols skirmished sharply
on the Bataan Peninsula, enemy bat
teries hammered at the Manila Bay
Notifications, the War Department
reported.
japanese warships, including
cruisers and destroyers, secuted
around the islands, seeking to block
ade those thus far unoccupied and
to disrupt sea traffic.
1t. Gen. Jonathan M. Wainwright,
Gen. Douglas MacArthurs success
sor, reported to the War Department
that renewed assault on the pen
insula appeared probable. A late
day communique added that the re-
sumption of activity. after a lull CT
weeks, indicated that 1t. Gen.
Tomoyuki Yamashita, the new Jap
anese commander, might be re-
grouping his forces for a long de-
layed offensive.
Quiet for Some Time.
The new outbreak of fighting fol-
lowed by four days Gen. Mac
Arthur'S arrival in Australia to take
supreme command of southwest
Pacific defenses. 1t represented the
first major activity by the invaders
since Gen. Yamashita arrived from
his Singapore conquest to take COM
mand of the japanese following the
reported suicide of 1t. Gen. Masa-
haru H0mma.
Except for an easily repulsed
minor raid made by the foe on
Tuesday. Bataan has enjoyed al
most unbroken quiet since Gen.
MacArthur's surprise thrust of Feb
ruary Is which gained from l to 5
miles all along the line.
Not since Gen. Macarthur
smashed series of attacks in early
February have the Japanese es-
sayed a full-scale drive. Offlcial
observers believed their change of
command and the enforced transfer
Of japanese bombers to the Neither
lands Indies explained the lull.
Hammer Fortifications.
Before revival of activity on the
Bataan line, japanese siege guns
hammered with increased intensity
at the Manila Bay Notifications.
Described by the War Department
as extremely heavy shelling," the
fire came from the largest enemy
guns yet reported in action, 24O
millimeter, about 8inch, weapons
which hurl high explosive missiles
Of $50 pounds or more.
Very little damage of military
consequence was inflicted. morn
ing communique said. adding that
American guns and mortars on Cor
regidor and nearby islands delivered
effective blows.
Surprise Raid by Defenders.
The defenders meanwhile scored
some 500 miles south of the main
Luzon fighting front, with surprise
raid on enemy forces near recently
occupied Zamboango on the island
of Mindanao. Heavy casualties were
inflicted on the japanese, the COM
munique said, while only negibible
losses were suffered by the American
and Philippine troops.
1t was not clear whether the de-
partment's reference to American
troops meant men from the con-
tinental United States. The terms
American is sometimes applied to
the Philippine scouts who are an
integral part of the United States
Army although limited to service in
the island.
The War Department included an
announcement that Prime Minister
John Curtin had formally given
command of AuStralia's S air forces to
1t. Gen. George H. Brett, who al
ready commands the American air
forces operating on the southern
continent.