Driving inland near Subic Bay, one arm of MacArthur's three-pronged attack captures
Olongapoanville Station on the way to Manila. This same thrust, which later joined with
the forces pouring south from Lingayant Bay, also takes an airfield, which, prior to the
approach of the ground forces, had been heavily strafed by our bombers. Many Jap planes have
been caught on the ground and will never fly again. The fleeing enemy used bombs to mine
the field, but the Dragon's teeth are pulled, and entrenched Japs ahead are pounded by our
heavy howitzers. The enemy puts up little resistance until our troops reach the outskirts
of the capital, where their rear guard elements put up a strong delaying action. The third
spearhead closing the trap on the Manila Japs is led by Lieutenant General Robert Eichelberger.
The American forces, whose strength has been increased by bands of patriotic Filipino guerrillas,
moves on Manila with all the irresistible force of a tidal wave. Luzon's native tribesmen,
the Negritos, add their forces to the liberation of their homeland. The main attack rolls down
from the north, and as our victorious forces reach the suburbs of Manila, the net closes
on Japanese collaborators. These are official Signal Corps pictures. There's a little extra
welcome in this particular town. Seems our guns and bombs clean missed the local brewery.
Nearing the city, swollen to a million wartime population, stark proof of the Jap occupation
is encountered. And as Manila station is reached, evidence of Jap demolition is met. Knowing
they couldn't hold the capital, they destroyed all they could with gasoline and dynamite.
Loyal guerrillas point out Jap snipers. A Yank sharpshooter gives them a dose of their
own medicine. Three years of relentless effort is rewarded. Five-star general Douglas MacArthur
sets his people free. Here in Bilibid Prison, 1,100 people suffered all the vicious brutality
of a remorseless enemy. Faced with a diet of potato peelings and the flesh of dogs and
cats when they could get it, deliberately starved and ravaged by disease, the released
captives find strength and courage to greet their liberator. Toughest of the barriers
encountered by our forces was the Pasig River. An armored Jap boat is sunk. Our troops crossed
to the south bank under fire. The wounded are rushed to hospitals. The Japs, entrenched
in south side Manila, fought stubbornly for many days. Using every trick they knew, burning
and wrecking as they withdrew and sheltering behind the civilian population, they staved
off defeat as long as possible. Manila is a shambles, and the natives are driven from
their homes by the savage battle. For years, they had to bow to their hated invaders, salute
them, obey their curfew, and display their flag. But now, with a little more effort,
they will be free of the yoke. Nearing Intramuros, the old walled city built by the Spanish,
the fighting grows in intensity. Some of the natives are caught in the murderous crossfire.
The Japs blew up water mains and pumping stations, and Manila's fire equipment was completely
useless. In North Manila alone, one whole section of 20 blocks was fire swept. Our forces
fought fire with dynamite, blasting fire breaks to halt consuming flames. Through the gutted
city, the battle continues. There's only one way to stop the destruction, drive the Jap
out completely. While in control, the Japs methodically stripped the Filipinos of their
positions, but they saved some things. As the Yanks advanced, the citizens returned
to their former neighborhoods. Thousands died because the Japs would not release them and
because collaborationists betrayed them. Agents of the enemy who helped open the doors to
the Jap invaders. Many Filipinos gave their lives as part of the price of victory. But
Manila's dead are revenged. The six weeks campaign cost the Japs 100,000 men and opened
Manila Bay to our ships. The enemy's lifeline through the China Sea is at the mercy of our
planes and battle wagons. The recapture of Manila sets the stage for the big show, the
drive on the Japanese homeland, and Manila itself will arise again from its ashes.