Evening star., 1942-01-18
U.S.. Sub Sinks ; Ships Near Toxic;
RELAYS Of British Planes Batter
Jap Troops Driving on Singapore
Nipponese Smash
At MucArthur's
Right Flank
~ the Associated Press.

A United States submarine has
carried the war to the strong
hold of the enemy and, in the
fleets most audacious operation
of the war to date, has sunk
three japanese merchant ships
off Toxic Bay, the Navy Depart
ment announced last night, but
from the big land battle in the
Philippines came word that the
enemy was, smashing at the
right flank of the American
Army on Batan peninsula.
The fact that the Navy said the
submarines successful attacks took
place of" TOXIC Bay was taken as
an indication the vessel had been
operating within striking distance of
the Japanese capital itself. The
great seaport city Of Yokohama also
is on the bay.
The communique disclosed off,
cially that Admiral Thomas c. Hart
has assumed command of all Allied
naval forces in the Southwest
Pacific. Admiral Hart arrived in
the Netherlands Indies last week.
U-BOats Still Of East Coast.
The announcement of the three
new sinkings ran the total score of
Japanese vessels. combat and others,
accounted for by the Navy and
Marines since the start of the war
to at least ~. In addition, Army
planes have accounted for eight
others, including the battleship
Haruna.
Yesterdays was the third success
sive communique reporting Navy
successes Friday the Navy an
nounced its submarines had sunk
three Japanese transports and two
cargo vessels and on Thursday it
reported the sinking Of l7,000-ton
liner.
On the other side of the war
ledger, the Navy communique said
enemy submarine activities off the
Northeast coast of the United States
continues reference to Nazi u
boats which have torpedoed two ves-
sells in the distant approaches to
New York Harbor and sunk another
rof Nova Scotia.
Batan Resistance Stubborn.
The War Department told of the
Japanese onslaught against Gen.
Douglas MacArthurs forces in the
Philippines. an attack which was
encountering stubborn resistance.
Aircraft and artillery are sup
porting the assault which it was
believed here is aimed at turning
the flank of the outnumbered Amer
Filipino troops and preventing
any eventual retreat to Corregidor
Fortress.
Batan Peninsula is narrow, rug
ged strip of land lying between
Manila Bay on the east and the
South China Sea on the west. Just
of the tip of the peninsula lies the
heavily fortified American strong
hold, Corregidor Island.
Jap Claims Unconfirmed.
Forced to abandon defense OF
Manila, Gen Macarthur withdrew
his troops into this area for last
stand against the enemy invader.
The terrain offers natural defensive
advantages which the general was
quick to capitalize. Presumably his
line runs across the upper end of
Batan from sea to bay.
Thus the right flank is anchored
on Manila Bay, and guards road
way that follows the bay shore to
a point near Corregidor
Presumably. one reason Gen. Mac
Arthur chose Batan for final stand
was that the bay and sea protected
his f1anks. and barring a night
landing by the enemy, made it easier
to keep the japanese troops always
before him
Toxic radio broadcasts, subject of
course to discount, said Gen. Mac
Arthur's men were finally retreating
down the peninsula. There was,
however, no confirmation of this
here