The daily monitor. (Mount Clemens, Mich.) 1940-1942, 1942-03-24
Macarthur
(C0nfinued fr0m PAGE IL

Continued from Page ~
his work, in the Philippines-the
sinking of a 5,000-ton Japanese
ship-was at the wheel of the
leading craft as the little con-
voy started the hazardous trip
which some advisers had warn
ed was fantastic venture"
IDES OF MARCH
But the general said, 1--WE go
with the fall OF the moon. We
60 during the Ides of March"
1t seemed strange after liv-
ing in blackouts for three months
to see automatic light houses op-
Grating. Along the shore (Jap-
anese) signal lights were seen,
flashing the warning of the APP
proach of (what were presumed
to be), enemy aircraft.
The roar of the PIT boats
was confusing even to the jap
anese.
Just before the departure of
the Macarthur convoy we re-
ceived word of the presence of
enemy warships in these waters
but we roared out into the night.
The boats pounded terrifically
through heavy seas. The general
was unable to stand on his feet.
Everyone was soaked. Many of
the party we're violently sea-
sick
REACH RENDEZVOUS
The boats kept well together
until early in the morning when.
still before dawn, they separated
one by one in the darkness.
When the rendezvous was reach
ed at an early hour of March II,
only one boat was there at the
designated hour.
The other boats pressed on in
dividually in dangerous day
light, open prey for enemy sur
face ships and planes.
AS the Generals boat APP
preached one of the islands in
the rendezvous group, another
which had arrived earlier was
so convinced the approaching
craft was the enemys that it
cleared it's deck for action and
"only the merest chance identi-
fled the Generals boat in time
to avoid opening fire with So
caliber guns"
One of the boats had to be
abandoned to continue the voy-
age later.
At the first rendezvous, where
a submarine had arrived, many
urged transfer but Macarthur
and Buckley pinned their faith
on the speed boats.
The party members, therefore,
were distributed among three
boats, two of which pressed on
in the night of the second day
while the third, late arrival,
left later.
SIGHT JAP CRAFT
During the second night all
three boats sighted japanese de-
stroyers but all slippeu through
| by altering their courses and in
creasing their speed, thanks to
the courage and skill of the navi-
gators.
The two leading boats reach
ed the second rendezvous at day
break but the third did not ar
rive until noon.
The party assembled inland,
awaiting planes from Australia,
but the planes did not come that
night or the next. Every moment
party members feared some in
formation of the desperate voy-
age would reach the enemy,
whose planes were based only a
half hours flight away.
Three nights and days were
spent on the island rendezvous
without enemy attacks material
izing or rescue planes arriving.
Finally, word came that the
planes were cnroute. Three were
expected but only Two came 80
i: was decided to place the en-
tire party in two planes, leaving
behind baggage, arms and equip
ment.
TAKE TO AIR
With little more than the
clothes they wore, the party
slowed away in the two BIZ $
and took off about midnight of
March Is
They flew through the night
but daylight still found the
planes over Japanese-infested
areas. Gunners and observers
manned their stations, searching
the skies for enemy fighters
which, however. did not appear.