The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-01-15
or even make a strong defense of
 Manila itself Tn neRend Manila

or even make a strong defense or Manila itself.
 To Defend Manila
 The Japanese were known to be attempting to brir~ up troops, armor and supplies fro. southern Luzon for defense of Manila, but the crushing weight of the American air offensive has slowed their move ment to virtually snail's pace and cut deeply into their strength.
 More than 400 motor vehicles, 300 freight cars, 26 locomotives end II tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed by American planes in the first five days of the invasion. Most of the destruction was wrought just north and south of Manila and MacArthur said the raids had Imposed severe limita- ton on the enemy's ability to shift troops and supplies"
 The increasing toll Of the enemy's mechanized strength was expected to play large part in speeding the liberation of Manila. The central plains above Manila lend them- selves ideally to mechanical war fare, and MacArthur's armored strength was increasing daily.
 MacArthur visited front-line divi- sionS yesterday. He said he was satisfied with progress to date, but urged his commanders to lose nc time in pressing forward before the Japanese can consolidate theil | forces.
 One guerrilla leader said only . minor portion of the Japanese gar rison has been able to take up posi- tions so far between the advancing Americans and Manila.
 The Americans plunged 30 miles inland to within 30 miles or less of Manila after forcing the Agno river at Bayambang, 25 miles by road north of Tarlac. The advance car ried' eight to 10 miles south oi Bayambang.
 A dozen miles to the west, another column captured Mangatarem ir the shadow of the Zambales Noun tains after an eight-mile advance from Aguilar. A third force struck due west from the center of the beachhead and approached Cata- blan, IF miles inland and the same distance southeast of Dagupan.
 The beachhead was broadened tt at least 45 miles with simultaneous thrusts northeast and northwes around the U-shaped rim Of thu L!ngayen Gulf.
 2-MiIe Advance
 On the northeastern shore, thu Americans advanced two miles be- yond Rabon and reached Damortig IT miles southwest of Baguio, sum mer capital of the Philippines, anC five miles west and slightly north O. the enemy airfield at Rosario.
 The northwest column advanced 20 miles through Port Sual, 10 milel northwest of Lingayen, to the ap breaches to the strategic road june ton of Aliminos. nine and a hal miles farther northwest.
 Virtually no resistance was me In the advance through Port Sual but heavy enemy guns and mino troop formations opposed the pusl to Damortis The Japanese werl believed to have strong forces con centrated in the mountains arount Baguio.
 American Liberator bombers at tackled enemy supply installation and Bivouac areas near Manila am dropped 90 tons of bombs on tn Legaspt and Batangas airdrome south of Manila, starting large fire and cratering runways.
 Fighters swept over Bamban, Lu bang and Bulan airdromes. also Ii southern Luzon, and destroyed fiv enemy planes on the ground. EleveI other enemy aircraft were shot dow by American air patrols over tn Cagayan Valley,
 Naval patrols intercepted anI