The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1942-02-03
Jap Shock Troops
/ Are Given Knockout
Continued from Page II

1.-THE erroneous impression that final
defeat of the enemy is impending
War Communique
Washington, Feb. 3.-CUP)-Text
of the war department communicate
No. 80, as of $3.50 a. m, EST, to-
day:
-. Philippine theater:
Two japanese attempts TO land
troops on the west coast of Bataan
were broken up during the night
of Feb. 2, 1912.
The first raid by the Tatori group
of special shocks troops was made
early in the eve 'ir" This was frus-
trated by our artillery fire.
"a second and more serious at
tempt was mace at midnight. A
large number of barges under naval
escort approached the coast. The
raid was discovered by few of our
night il ing pursuit planes which
Immediately attacked the convoy
with light bombs and machine gun
fire.
"As the enemy troops approached
the shore, our beach defense force
attacked with artillery and machine
guns. The japanese force suf-
fered heavy casualties in men and
boats. On the following morning
number of disabled barges were
found along the beaches. Some of
these were burning and others were
adrift. None Of the invading group
| reached shore.
Ground operations on our left
flank we're Of minor character.
The frontal pressure of the Japan
ese 10th (Kimura) division in this
sector relaxed. Some enemy pockets
were found where isolated groups
of Japanese soldiers are being
mopped up.
"On our right where Gen. Nara S
65th division mad previously at
tempted, by q frontal attack, to
drive wedge between our forces,
we made successful counter at
tack. Our troops overran three
lines of enemy trenches, capturing
considerable equipment.
During the past "a hours there
has been moderate enemy air ac-
tivity in support of ground action.
I'm the recent fighting in the
Philippines, Brig. Gen. Clinton A
Pierce, United States army, was
slightly wounded in action.
q. There is nothing to report
from other areas
Naval Fleet In Action
Honolulu, Feb. 3.-(UP)-Admiral
Chester w. Nimitz, commander in
chief of the Pacific fleet, said to-
day in a message to America that
every ship, every plane and every
man in the fleet was in action over
the vast Pacific war zone to safe
guard the country and take the
war to Japan's front door.
Following up the communique in
which he announced that the fleet
had done extensive damage in
bold raid on the Marshall and Gill
beret islands with little loss to it
self, Nimitz said:
your fleet is busy every mo-
ment of every Gay and night across
the vast reaches of the Pacific; es-
pecially in those areas where we can
most effectively harass the enemy
and contribute to our own secur-
ity."
He recalled that he had said when
he assumed his command Decem-
Der 81 in a brief war time cere-
mony at Pearl Harbor: II have just
assumed great responsibility and
obligation which I shall do my ut
most to discharge"
People Know Now
Pointing out the vastness of the
war zone entrusted to him, stretch
ing nearly half way around the
world and extending from Arctic
to Antarctic, Nimitz said he knew
the people wanted to know where's
the fleet?"
"This question was answered in
part Sunday by the splendid
achievements Of our ships and
planes in attacks on enemy concen-
trations in the Marshall and Gill
bert islands," ne said.
II can attest that every ship, every
plane, every officer and man of the
Pacific fleet afloat ,aloft and ashore
is being utilized to the fullest extent
both to :afeguard America and
bring the war to the enemys' door.
STEP"
Nimitz, a submarine expert whose
naval career Las extended over 40
of his Sc years, was called Decem-
Der II from his post as chief Of
navy's bureau of navigation to take
charge in the Pacific after the Jap
anese sneak attack.
He had said little while he pre-
pared his plans to carry out the
navys tradition of offensive war
fare.
In his communique yesterday he
had been able to announce the sue
cessful attack on the MarshallS and
Gilberts.