PhilippinesLUZONLt-Gen Masaharu Homma orders a general withdrawal northward to more favorable positions where troops can be rested and reorganized while awaiting reinforcments for the final assault on Bataan. The I Corps continues the battle to destroy the Little and Big Pockets and completely encircles the latter. The Japanese escape from the Little Pocket through a small gap on the east during the night. In the South Sector, resistance on Point Quinauan ends after small naval craft from Marivales neutralize the beaches, then land a party of the 21st Pursuit Squadron, which works inland and meets Scouts pushing toward the beaches. A company of the 57th Infantry and a platoon of 37-mm guns are released at Quinauan for action against the enemy in the Anyasan-Silaiim sector. The Japanese make a final attempt to withdraw forces from the southwest coast by water and succeed in rescuing 34. |