The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-01-07
Japan Opens Savage
 Attack On Macarthur
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rom Page D
 air bombardment yesterday, tn e War department revealed.
 The extent of damage and cas- ualties inflicted by the attack in which at least 45 Japanese bomb CTS participated was not yet known but American anti aircraft guns still were blasting back against the Rising Sun attackers and were re- ported to have damaged additional Japanese planes.
 The known toll of Japanese war planes inflicted by Corregidor's guns already stands at l5 destroyed and probably as many more downed or damaged.
 Against Key Points
 The War department communique No. 49 issued since the start of hostilities just a month ago with Japan's treacherous Pearl Harbor assault - indicated that heaviest Japanc5e air pressure is being dir ected against the key points of MacArthurs positions in Bataan and Corregidor.
 Corregidor itself has been under constant Japanese air lombard ment each day since Saturday.
 Today with the resumption Of what the War department called "heavy fighting" and increasing pressure" on the Bataan land front it seemed probable that the Jap aneee are attempting to soften up the strong points of MacArthur's $ positions in preparation for all-out assault, possibly led by parachute | troops.
 Corregidor holds the focus of at | tention. For four days Japanese planes have concentrated their bonLs on its rocky sides anG con- crete reinforced top. They have blasted unceasingly with forces of 50 and 60 bombers despite the blaz- ing fire of anti-aircraft guns which are known to have knocked down 15 Japanese planes and possibly a dozen others.
 In this incessant air attack there appeared to be clue to Japan's strategic intentions.
 May Soften Fortress
 The attacks appeared to be aimed at softening up Corregidor's rock protected batteries and inflicting sufficient casualties among it's gar rison to enable the Japanese to launch a direct assault, possibly by parachute troops.
 As long as Corregidor stands, Japan's gains in the Philippines, won at heavy cost of men and material, are of little value. There has been no belief in U. s. military circles that Macarthur can prolong his hero's stand indefinitely.
 But each days battle is estimated as worth the equivalent of dozen or more divisions to the British, hard pressed in the battle for Sing apore.
 As long as MacArthur holds out the 10000 to 250,O00 Japanese troops in the Philippines can not be shifted to the attack on Singa- pore. And as long as MacArthur holds Bataan Province and Correg- idor the Japanese are denied use of the second best base in the south west Pacific-Manila-to reinforce their encirclement of Singapore.
 MacArthur was far too busy matching blows and wits with the Japanese to transmit detailed re- ports of his stand to the American public. But from the spare words of the U. s. war communiques and the admissions of the Toyko pro- paganda broadcasts some facets of the Saga emerged.
 The American forces have been concentrated in a kidney-shaped position. roughly northwest of Manila, where the utmost value can be gained from difficult terrain to support their scanty numbers and dwindling stocks of arms and muni- tions.
 What Americans Hold
 The Americans, Tokyo reports made plain, hold most of Bataan Province and at least a thin wedge of adjacent Zambales Province, n- cluding the ports of Subic and Olan- gapoo, secondary American naval base, on Subic Bay, three or four miles north of the Bataan line.
 Macarthur also seems to have scouting and rear guard positions to the east in Pampangna Province protecting the approaches to his Bataan stronghold.
 And, most important of all, he has Corregidor.
 The importance of the attack by heavy U. s. bombers upon con- centration of Japanese naval craft off Davao, 800 miles south of Manila in Mindanao Province, was emphas- ized by additional revelations by the war department.
 A communique revealed that the concentration included a battleship, five cruisers, six destroyers, l2 sub marines and 12 transports. This constitute major force and sug- gested that-still denied use of Manila-the Japanese are establish ing a strong secondary base at Davao, presumably in preparation of strong assaults upon the Nether- lands East Indies.
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