The Wilmington morning star., 1945-02-19

tn mop up Jdpd11OoC PoNhS'
disclosed a new dramatic
cbanter of liberation in the
freeing of 1000 enemy hos
tages, 100 Of them Americans
in Manila.
MANILA, Monday, Feb. 19.-P
American troops battled on thu
rocky slopes and tunnels of Cor
reajdor today to mop up JAPANESE
nockets as Gen. Douglas MacAr
thur disclosed a new dramatic
chapter of liberation in the free
imp of 1000 enemy hostages, 100 O.
mem Americans, in Manila.
FRIDAYS landings on Corregidol
opened the entrance of Manila bay
to American warships. (The Allieo
broadcasting station in Europe
quoting a late dispatch from Luzon
said u. S. Seventh Fleet units al
ready had steamed into Manila
Bav without incident ~
Americans fighting street by
street in war-wrecked Manila
battled into the huge Philippine
general hospital and wrested the
thousands of Filipinos, Americans
and other nationals from under
japanese gunfire.
The building for three days hac
been the scene of some of the bit
terest fighting of the battle fol
Manila. A prime Japanese strong
point, the enemy had big guns
mounted in the upper floors.
At least one British subject ane
several other Europeans subse
quently were found among the pa
tents. refugees, d tor ane
nurses who mad been huddled II
the building for three terrifying
days of fighting.
In the communique, which also
disclosed the capture of Malints
hill, an artillery position on Cor
regidor, Macarthur took occasion
to praise the Americana filipino de-
tense of the fortress and Bataar
in 1912 as ''one of the decisive
battles Of the world
Our triumphs of today belong
equally to that dead army" he
declared.
The hungry, exhausted and terri
fled men, women and children res
cued from the hospital building
were quickly taken by the troops
from the battle zone. 1t may be
several days before a check Of
names can be completed.
With the clean up of Corregido,
rapidly becoming dirty business
Of digging or blowing japanese
from the caves and tunnels, the
old walled city south of the Pasis
river in Manila again became
the center of interest.
As soon as mines can be cleared
Warships are expected to help bias
the japanese out of their last holds
IN the city.
Associated Press Correspondent
Fred Hampson reported from the
headquarters of Maj. Gen. Oscar
Grlswold's 14th Corps that fighting
IN downtown Manila eased off yes.
terday.
inns lull was occasioned by Girls
VOID demand on the Japanese fol-
surrender or release of thousands
Vi hostages in the Intramuros.
POSSIBLY several thousand Japa.
n nest still are inside the walls after
Is days of virtual siege.
hampson said most of the jap
aneSe guns behind the 2O-foot high
VANS had been silenced and gap
ns holes had been made in the
meoleVal masonry by American
Aeavy siege guns.
A pul 10 reach the preached walls,
mlerican troops must cross ar
m upen goh course, laid over an ole
n no ihis stretch of turf still is
sU releo by Japanese machine
guns. -
Cd N .S communique report
dor, a'e east entrance of Corregi
b Nv. extensive tunnel was blocked
in IN landslide, caused by the pre-
sa aslon American bombardment
ms et zen Fleet units were shell
Of core e CaVlte shore line south
r., C0rregidor to clear the Manils
M.e ehIfance of enemy guns.
dest suAf'hur said the 'systematit
nese lu @a Of the trapped Japa
in the sa ar, holed up primarily
section Ola thlck-walled Intramuro:
proceeding. "''eilroil'' "a'
tru nlst o.. Of Manila convoy of 2:
was sA N; hlied with Japanese troop
Were WIPE" np out. Sharp patrol classic
tootb1 reported in the Sierra Madr,
Bay a poats operating in the Manila
craft "l o*5 sank five small enem,
Sims y; o'ners destroyed two coasta
.ween NJ ao Dan Bernardino Strait, be
\ he nan southeast Luzon island an,
Il N northern tip of samar. '
p,d t9tAfthur said an enemy tor
'''' attack on American ship
'oea or Page Five: Col. 4