The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-04-09
LAST FooTHoLDs


 Washington, April o.-(UP)-Thc collapse of Lieut.. Gen. Jonathan N. Wainwrlghts defenses on Bataan Peninsula means that the last major American footholds in the Philip pines are four EnalI Fock-bound Islands in Manila Bay,
 The largest of these Is Correeidor, on almost solid piece Of rock about five miles long and three miles wide. The Spanlards first fortified it, and American forces have turned it into a bristling arsenal with i2.lneh guns which command the entrance to Manila Bay.
 Fort Mills is tho main fortlAea- ton on Corregidor, and It's anti- aircraft gun crews have establlshs cd c reputation for accuracy by shooting down moro than 90 on the hordeS of Jap boinbers which have attacked t. Big galleries and tun- nelg have been cut out of the rock for storeroomS and shelters for tho CoTegidor garrison. How many supplies there are on CoFTegldoF 10 hbb hhtWfA
 The other Manila Bay forts, ali smaller than Fort Mills gro Drum, Hughes and Frank. Fort Drum was built Rbout % years ago ir the form Of . battleship, whose revolving turs fetS Of i2slneh guns can fire iti any direction. It is Of steel and eorls gretO construction, and Ike tiIo other bay foFtrcsees has. Withstood the hanimering Of Jap shore bAt- tcrios and dive bombers with only minor damage.
 The guns from ail four fortresses have protected the rear lines of Bataan, breaking up . half dozen enemy attempts 10 concentrate baTges and ships for c seasboFne attack. Tn addition, they control a system of electric mines lFi the har. Dor entrance.
 The problem of holding the island will probably be ono of supply and defense against seq assaults, because tho rock shelter tunnels and the heavy concentration Of antisaircFaft batteries have already demonEtrats Od their ability to withstand aIr at- tacke. The Britiif Island of Malta ln the Mediterranean, aleo rock. bound, has taken the heaviest bomb pounding Of tho war without being gubdued,
 His Hopeless Task
 Washington, April Q --(Up).-. Lieut., Gen, Jonathan M. Waln. wright, called skinny" in the army, took over the hopeless task Of standing of the Japancse when Gen. Douglas MacArthur was naiis ed commander Of the United Nas lions Southwest Pacific forces and left tho Philippines for Australia ifi f1id.MaFch.
 The first phase Of the major Jap. afleSe offensive began soon afteF MacAfthur arrived in Australia,
 After graduation from West Point in 1906, WalnwrIght served in the first cavalry in the Philip. pines, fightirg over the same ground where American and TiIls plflo troops battled the Japareee,
 Wainwright was born at WalIa Walla, Wash, Aug. %, 1883. ula father ct one time commanded fgSe first cavalry, with which WainwrIght served many years.
 During the World war Wain. wright won the distinguished a0Fy- ice medal for superior stan work in the sand division in France,
 When the JapS landed on LlzoB island Wainwright was placed iii command of the northern unit oi American and Filipino forces ard by brilliant f1arucvering held or an enemy force cs from e0,O0O to 100000 ip . rear guard action which enabled the defending forces to con- golidate on Bataan. For this feat he was awarded the distinguished service cross by MacArthir, who said he showed Extraordinary tego- ism in action"
 Mrs Wainwright lives ct Mon. terey, Cal, where Wainwright form erly was stationed. Their sor.. Jonathan, Jr. %, is an oficer i3 the .. g. merchant marine.