Evening star., 1943-06-25
Macarthur Defends
Brerefon S Handling
OF Philippine Planes
Says Tiny Air Force
Simply Wos Crushed
By Superior Numbers
~ the Associated Press.

by tne hSSOClhttu FfcSk
ALLIED HEADQUARTERS IN
AUSTRALIA, June 25.-Gen. Doug
las Macarthur today expressed sup
port of the action of Mai. Gen.
Lewis H. Brereton in handling air
forces in the Philippines at the be-
ginning of the war. Gen. Mac
Arthur thus took cognizance of
statements which he said implied
criticism of Gen. Brereton,
"Air forces in the Philippines were
planned carefully and executed
valiantly," the general said in a
special statement.
ANY attempt to decry their record
can spring only from complete lack
OF knowledge of facts involved"
The statement was believed to
refer to articles published in the
United States which the general
said left the implication that
through neglect or faulty Judgment
he Gen. Brereton) failed to take
proper security measures, resulting
in destruction of his air force on
the ground"
Crushed by Superior Numbers.
"Such statements do grave in
Justice to this officer and his gallant
subordinates," Gen. Macarthur con-
tinued.
His tiny force was crushed by
sheer weight Of numbers. Its COM
bat crews fought valiantly, but were
hopelessly outnumbered."
Gen. Macarthur pointed out that
at the start of the war Gen.
Brereton had "only token force"
of 35 heavy bombers and 72 fighters.
Additionally, he was handicapped
by lack of airdromes, with only
Clark Field usable by heavy bombers
and only five fields usable by
fighters.
Other fields were being construct
ed, but they were not available be-
fore December 7, 194I.
Gen. Macarthur said the entire
command was placed on a full war
basis two weeks before December z
and security and reconnaissance
patrols had been flown regularly.
Two of four squadrons of heavy
bombers were sent to Mindanao in
the Philippines out of reach of the
enemy.
Informed in Advance.
Gen. Brereton informed subordi-
nate commanders on December 7
that war was imminent and ordered
all officers and combat crews to be
ready at all times.
"The dispatch reporting the at
tack on Pearl Harbor was received
at Manila at 4 am. December 8 and
was transmitted Immediately to the
air force and Brereton's headquar-
tiers had it in the hands of his or
ganization commanders at Clark
Field at 4:45 am.," Gen. Macarthur
said.
THE first flight of enemy bombers
to reach Luzon (Manila is on the
island of Luzon) was signaled by
an air warning at $50 am. and
fighters were dispatched for inter-
ception.
"At 11:30, another formation of
bombers was reported. -Four squad
ronS Of our fighters were in the air
while fifth and last squadron COM
pleted casing. The enemy bomber
formation, which was Joined by dive
bombers, attacked Clark Field in
overwhelming force, striking just as
the light fighter squadron TAXED to
a take-off
Planes Destroyed While Getting Gas.
"At this time and during the sue
ceeding days, a number of airplanes
were destroyed on the ground while
landing for gas or while down for
essential maintenance, but it never
was the result of negligence on the
part Of Brereton or of his subordi-
mates.
Due to a shortage of fighters and
TO a lack of dispersal fields, bomb
ers, the famous 18th Group, were
withdrawn to Mindanao and later
to Australia and Java where they
were soon engroSsed in the struggle
for the Dutch East Indies and Aus
tralia.
Back in the Philippines, our fight
erS under the brilliant leadership of