Episode 192: General Douglas MacArthur

At this point in time, General Douglas MacArthur was still leading U.S. forces against the Japanese empire. He was successful in his advances and was able to establish territory several miles long on a beachhead.

Episode Transcript

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Welcome to World War Two Chronicles,a weekly tribute to Americas fighting men and
women in commemoration of the Second WorldWar. These programs are narrated by Ed
Hurlahy and are based on the newsbroadcasts of the war period from the recorded
sound collection of the National Archives inWashington, d C. Borner light cruiser

(00:27):
steaming across the coast of Borneol theweek of July thirty first, nineteen forty
five, General Douglas MacArthur watches anotherstaggering blow to the Japanese Empire as an
Allied fleet bombards Bollock, Papan withheavy guns and waves of rockets. The
richest oil installations on the island goup in smoke. As General Macarthurs supervises

(00:50):
operations. A major portion of thejap stolen oil supply is being cut off.
Rocket firing lcies take up the bombardmentto soften beach resistance. Prior to

(01:11):
the landings by New Guinea veterans theSeventh Australian Division. They're taken the shore
of by United States Navy men themselvesveterans of many a Pacific invasion. In
three hours, a mile long beachhead is established. It takes days to
extinguish the oil fires started by thenaval attack. Most Jap guns had been
knocked out by air bombardment, andthe Sons of Heaven paid a high price

(01:34):
for their futile defense. A livingexample of Jap brutality against the helpless Balak
Papan has fallen. The Allies havea new sauce of oil with which to
carry the water Tokyo MacArthur has fulfilledhis promise tenfold. Back in the States,

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after recent calls to conserve coal forwinter heating, a similar plea from
the Agriculture Department. Food shortages today are the most serious of the war.
The problem of putting it into theseshortages is mostly a task for farmers
and government, but every home inAmerica can help to avoid a shortage of
canned foods. There won't be enoughfor civilians from the commercial pack of canned

(02:22):
fruits and vegetables. After meeting increasedmilitary requirements. Last year, home canner
supplied half of the canned vegetables andtwo thirds of the canned fruit consumed by
civilians. This year, home canningis needed more than ever, and we'll
all have to help if we're goingto have enough, so do your part

(02:44):
by preserving for next winter's use fromyour gardens and from fresh market supplies.
This is a top priority home frontjob for every American family. I met
Hurli, he join me next timefor World War Two Chronicles. World War
Two Chronicles was produced by the AmericanVeterans Center and Radio America in cooperation with

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the National Archives. To listen tomore episodes, subscribe on iTunes, or
visit American Veterans Center dot org.We need your help to keep the legacy
of our World War Two generation alive. Visit American Veterans Center dot org to
make a donation to support World WarTwo Chronicles and the ongoing work of the

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American Veterans Center.