IN THE PHILIPPINES, AS AT PEARL HARBOR AND WAKE, (10, Dec. 1941)

In the Philippines, as at Pearl Harbor and Wake, the enemy's strategy was to destroy United States air power first.  To this end, the enemy ignored Cavite Navy Yard upon the opening of hostilities and concentrated instead on General MacArthur's Far Eastern Air Force, while at the same time marshalling his troops for a multi-pronged amphibious invasion whose objective was the capture of Manila.  On the first day, a strong force of Japanese fighter planes and medium bombers attacked Clark and the neighboring Army air fields.  Forty seven American bombers and fighters were lost as against seven enemy planes.  At noon on 10, December the Japanese attacked again in the Manila area, and although a few P-35's and P-40's roared off to engage them, the remnants of MacArthur's Air Force were promptly overwhelmed.  The airfields north of Cavite--Iba, Nielson, and Nichols--were reduced to rubble, and almost immediately afterwards, Cavite Navy Yard received the full attention of the Japanese squadrons.
     The story of this costly attack (some 1500 Philippine lives were lost in the Navy Yard alone) is recounted by the distinguished author, W. L. White.  Uniquely, it is told through the eyes of PT men who fought in the initial Philippine battle.  The first to speak is Lieutenant Robert B. Kelly; then Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

--S. E. Smith
From: The United States Navy in World War II
Preface to Part I: Chapter 5, The Philippine Expendables

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Philippines Campaign

Cavite Navy Yard bombed aerial photo 10 Dec 1941