pages 12&13


page 12 (clipping 1)


COAST ARTILLERY CORPS
The idea of coast defense is not a new one nor is it specifically an American idea. The idea of fortifying ports with artillery against Naval invaders goes back to the earliest of times when man first took to sea in ships to conquer other lands. The United States sought its own security against attack through its own fortification of its maritime ports. Fortifications were viewed as a way to avoid war and gave the American people a sense of security. This thinking had a strong influence on national defense policy making and construction of these fortifications was nearly a substitute for any other form of military policy. Fortifications were built throughout the coastline of America's shores and were defended by local militias. By the end of World War I many of the coast defense forts maintained by a small number of soldiers, and used as summer training camps for Army Reserve, National Guard, Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), as well as the Civilian Military Training Corps (CMTC) units. New long-range 12-inch and 16-inch army ordnance for sea-coast armament was built during this period and supplemented by 16-inch naval guns made available as the result of naval reductions due to the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922. A number of new harbor defense construction plans were drawn up, but few new batteries were actually built during the this period due to fiscal constraints. The growing importance of aircraft as an offensive weapon resulted in the formation and training of specialized Coast Artillery Corps antiaircraft artillery units during this period. A number of antiaircraft guns were installed at all harbor defense reservations during WWI and years thereafter. When the Threat of another war loomed on the horizon the United States started rearming the American coastline with the long range 16-inch weapons.. A new construction program was authorized by Congress in September of 1940. The program planned for new defense at some 19 harbors along both coasts of North America. When America entered the war in December of 1941, a large number of mobile weapons were rushed to both coasts. A number of other "temporary" seacoast defenses were built using old naval weapons and relocated Army seacoast weapons. The seacoast defense construction program went into high gear in 1942, with priority for the sites along the Pacific coast. However, after the Battle of Midway in June of 1942, the possibility of a Japanese attack on the American mainland diminished. As a result the construction program was curtailed in 1944.Atthe end of World War II the Coast Artillery program was cancelled due to the improvement in amphibious landing tactics and the use of the air power had made fixed coastal defenses obsolete. During the 1950's the United States experimented with missile defense of its port facilities in key areas but even these were discontinued by the 1960's Today there is much talk about the Star Wars missile defense program, but it is in experimental development stage. But, who knows maybe someday the descendant of the Coast Artillery may still yet be defending the country against attack.


page 12 (clipping 2)



What effect did the Blackout have on people's lives ? Thousands of people died in road accidents. The number of road accidents increased because of the lack of street lighting and the dimmed traffic lights. To help prevent accidents white stripes were painted on the roads and on lamp-posts. People were encouraged to walk facing the traffic and men were advised to leave their shirt-tails hanging out so that they could be seen by cars with dimmed headlights.
Other people were injured during the Blackout because they could not see in the darkness. Many people were injured tripping up, falling down steps, or bumping into things.

page 12 (clipping 3)



During WWII, dogs were used by the military, as scouts, watch dogs, mascots, and to sniff out the hiding places of the enemy. There is no way to know how many human lives were saved by dogs, during WWII, but it is sure to number in the thousands.
Along with there ability to perform guard duty, sniff out the enemy, and other tasks, they provided countless soldiers much needed companionship, unconditional love, and a much needed diversion from the harsh realities of war. On this page are images of dogs taken during WWII.
Dogs have long been used during wars, and are still used today, by the U.S. military.

page 13


Manda as an open city/'
Ever since the declaration Man- ila has been under almost con- stant air-raid alarms. Bombs yere dropped in the port area.
Clark Lee, American Associated Press correspondent In Manila, says that the masses of Japanese troops are poorly equipped with .25 calibre guns, and many of the troops are only 15 or 18 years old. Some of them wore poor quality khaki, others were dressed half in .uniform and half in civilian clothes.
Lee adds that they did not show hysterical exultation. They didn't even charge, but lifted their knees high in a sort of imitation goose
j step.
"They kept coming forward in pairs, one directly behind the other. They were coming on to die, and many of them did. When they were hit they threw up their hands and fell backwards as if accepting an inevitable fate."
Communique issued in Washing- ton says that the American de- fences in the Philippines have reorganised and strengthened.
Positions have been held in the I vicinity of Lingaken : Gulf. Re-
peated enemy assaults in this sec- |
tor have been successfully resis- ted. There has been brisk fight- ing on other fronts in Luzon Island.
In his proclamation declaring Manila an open city. General MacArthur says: "In order to spare the metropolitan area from possible ravages from either air or ground attack, Manila is here- by declared an open city without the characteristics of a military objective.
"In order that no excuse may be given for a possible mistake the American High Commissioner to the Commonwealth Government and all combatant military instal- lations will be withdrawn from the environs as rapidly as possible.
"The municipal government will continue to function with the po- lice powers reinforced by con- stabulary troops, so that the nor- mal protection of life and property may be preserved. Citizens are
TORPEDOED AMERICAN FREIGHTER Lehigh as she sank after being attacked by an unseen submarine 75 miles from Freetown, Sierra Leone, Africa, on October 19. The series of photographs was taken by the Lehigh's radio opsrator, frorr one of the lifeboats in whic!~ the
crew escaped.
requested to maintain obedience to the constituted authorities and to continue their normal process
of business."
Tokio radio, replying: to this declaration, says: "It Is almost unthinkable to consider Manila as an open city, as it is well known American authorities considered Manila as a typical base in the event of an American attack against Japan. If Manila is des- ignated an open city, then Sin- gapore, Chungking, and Hong Kong could be considered opec
cities."
Many fires from the vicinity ol ! the reddened Manila sky illu- minated Cnristmas night, while repeated explosions from the soutfc shook the city following a Japan est air bombardment of a rail- way station. 35 miles south ol
Manila.
The Japanese are exerting ver j heavy pressure, and both sidei have suffered heavy casualties.
Before Manila was declared ar open city many people fired ai Japanese planes with .rifles anc pistols, but ineffectively.
United States army spokesmar declares: "The general situatior In the Philippines is better thai previously, as United States troops are now becoming harden-
ed to combat.
A Tokio communique claims thai the unit of Japanese troops, whict landed in Minlanao Island in thi south of the Philippines has nov occupied Davao, and are "cleanini up the remaining enemy troops."
A Washington Navy commun! que states that the United State forces have complied with th stipulations of the Hague Con vention regarding the declaratioi of Manila as an open city.
Refugees reaching Manila stat that the Japanese invaders ar spreading terror amongst th civilian population. In some town the Japanese have lined, up civi Hans against the walls and she them in order to intimidate th rest of the population.
Special propaganda agents an Japanese gestapo detachment accompany the invading column and Japanese aircraft are drop ping leaflets claiming that Japa is aiming only to set the Philip pines free from American "selfis
exploitation."