Evening star., 1942-04-06
bataan Defense
RepuIses Japs
On Land and Sea
Second Twin Attack
Made in Greet Force;
Foes Losses Heavy
By NELSON SHEPARD.

BaCadn OeIenQerS SCOppeQ
the second heavy land-sea as
sault in two days on their right
flank yesterday when the Japa-
nese used tanks, artillery and
dive bombers in a futile attempt
to smash their way through, the
War Department reported today.
japanese losses were heavy in the
land attack which was launched in
great force" while artillery based
on the beach defenses fronting
Manila Bay smashed the new night
sea-borne attack. One enemy dive
bomber was shot down by anti
aircraft artillery.
During Saturdays savage fighting,
Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashitas assault
troops succeeded in making several
slight penetrations in the right CEN
ter of the American-Filipino lines.
Despite desperate attempts through
out yesterday, the enemy was I'M
able to extend the slight gains, all
their attacks being repulsed with
heavy losses.
While details were lacking in the
report on the new sea-borne raid
to close the jaws of pincer on
the right flank, 1t was repulSed by
the accurate fire Of well-placed light
artillery along the beaches. It was
believed that some of the troop
carrying barges may have been sunk.
Saturdays landing attempt was ef-
fectively smashed in this way.
No Raids on Corregidor.
Corregidor fortress again was free
of enemy air raids for the second
consecutive day since March "a, but
two japanese dive bombers at
tackled Forts Frank and Drum with
light bombs. These two forts are
nearest the Cavite shore across the
bay. No damage or casualties re-
suited from these attacks, the COM
munique reported.
Although the land attacks in Ba-
taan were made with large forces,
there was every indication that the
weary, but alert defenders were CIV
ing the Japanese more than they re-
ceived. 1t was apparent that they
command the beach fronts so Sue
cessfully that any attempt to invade
the peninsula from the Manila shore
at this time is bound to be fatal.
The report of the assault being
made with great force indicates
the enemy in approaching the all
out attack stage to reduce the Ba-
taan lines before the start of the
rainy season
Cannon Carrying Barges Used.
The first landing attempt was
new type of attack. employing can
non n-carrying barges. 1t was beaten
of with heavy enemy losses, the
War Department announced over
the week end. Part of the fifth ma
jor assault in less than two weeks.
this landing attempt was turned
back when the defenders sank sew
eral of the barges and forced the
others to retire under heavy FIRE.
The barges carried 75-millimeter
guns.
Savage fighting ragged all through
Saturday as the assault by sea was
accompanied by land attack to the
east on Gen. Jonathan M. VAIN
wright's right flank.
mo landing was Effected" the
communique said Enemy losses
were probably heavy"
This sea attack, like yesterdays,
was made on the eastern shore of
the peninsula, from Manila Bay,
which enemy warships may not en-
Ter because of the island fortifica-
tions at the entrance. The barges
were believed by officials to have
been improvised.
Indicating that heavy Jap
anese artillery had been brought
into the battle during the twin at
tack, the communique said:
Furious fighting ragged along the
right center of our line in Bataan
all through April T."
The enemy launched a heavy
infantry assault supported by an in
tense artillery concentration. Large
numbers of shock troops we're massed
opposite our positions and succeeded
in making some small gains. Heavy
casualties are believed to have been
inflicted on the enemy"