Words at War: They Call It Pacific

Words at war. Out in the South Pacific Ocean. There was great faith and a lot to be learned in the last two months of 1941. And in the first four months of 1942. There was great faith.

The United States will never let the Philippines call. We'll show those jets when it means to plan a big league. We'll have reinforcements any day now. Relaxing to this off the coast, we're getting planes to normal planes.

It must be ours. And a lot to be learned. Dispers your battleships. Never anchor in a straight line. Freddy, straight lines. Excellent targets. Dispers your airplanes to a number of small scattered landing fields. No line formation to an underground.

Straight lines. Like the clay pipes in a shooting gallery. One. Two. Three. Four. Five clay pipes in a shooting gallery. With a Japanese eye behind the gun. Two, four, six, eight, ten planes in a straight line down there, and a Japanese eye behind the gun above them.

The Jabs can't fight why they can't even shoot. Uh-oh! Wait, can't even shoot. They call it Pacific Words at War. The National Broadcasting Company, in cooperation with the Council on Books in War Time, brings you another in its series of radio adaptations of great books of this war.

Each week at this time, we bring you selected dramatic episodes from some of the most stirring of our war-inspired literature. Tonight's story, they call it Pacific, by Clark Lee, distinguished foreign correspondent. They call it Pacific.

Japanese-occupied Shanghai, China, late in November of 1941. I was sitting at a table in an nearly deserted tea room. Opposite me was American-born Sergeant Ajimimimatsui of the Imperial Japanese Army. Jimmy, we call him. And now Jimmy is glancing cautiously around the room.

He leans closer to me across the table. I have a message for you from the Colonel, Mr. Lee. What is it, Jimmy? It was at the Colonel's suggestion that I asked you to meet me here.

The Colonel says he believes that you appreciate Japan's national problems. He has grown to like you personally, even though your newspaper stories paper stories have been highly critical of Japan's conduct in China. It could hardly be otherwise.

The colonel has been informed that you have recently made inquiries as to whether the Japanese barracks near Shanghai would be used as an internment camp for Americans in the unfortunate event of war between Japan and America.

I certainly made no such inquiries. Then perhaps you should have. I see what you mean. When you have some more tea. No thanks. It has also been called to the Colonel's attention that you plan to go to the United States and home leave in about two months.

Well that one's true enough, alright. Why not? It's been five and a half years since I left San Francisco. Lord, two years in Hawaii, the rest of the time in China in Japan. The Colonel takes the liberty of reminding you that there have been no regular trans-specific ship schedules from Shanghai for some months.

It is a possibility that after the next ten days there may not be any way to get out. The Palakigas just about... It's almost certain to explode shortly and blow up the Orient with it.

Mr. Kurushu, who is now on his way to Washington, will tell Mr. Hull that Japan is anxious for peace and Japan's terms. Terms that cannot involve surrender of any of the territory which Japan has taken in the past four years at the cost of so much blood and treasure.

And Mr. Kurosou will be told that Japan's terms are impossible and then we'll go to war. Hm. What about yourself, Jimmy? I'm here for the duration or until I get killed and there is a fat officer watching us from the other side of this room.

I think you had better go. Goodbye, Jimmy. I won't see you until after the war. as we happen to come face to face in a trench. But I won't forget what you've told me. And thank the Colonel for me.

When I walk across the room, bring the door open. Here is the sparkling afternoon sunshine and crisp, full air of Shanghai. Rickshaw! Rickshaw! One dollar for go chop chop, corner Sichuan Road, Fuchow Road. On our way now to the Dutch Lane ticket offices with the streets of Shanghai.

The Shanghai of Japan's new order. Shanghai, China, with Japanese soldiers on the sidewalks, justling Japanese girls and kimonos. We're approaching the Garden Bridge, and there are Japanese soldiers on Sentry to him. I'm not allowed to ride past these sentries, so I get out of the rickshaw remembering to douse my cigarette.

They stare at me with what we call the China face. Corners of the mouth turn down, chin thrust forward. Get out, they seem to be saying. Get out of the rickshaw. Get out of Shanghai.

Out of China. Get out of the Orient. The Pacific. Well, this is Japan's new order. Man, I'm getting out. If I'm lucky, I'll get space of some kind on a Manila. Then, tranship for the President Coolidge.

I'm getting out of Togion. But I'll be back. Mr. Lee, Mr. Clark Lee. Mr. Clark Lee. Mr. Lee. Over here, please. Mr. Lee is dancing in the pavilion. Plug it in right here at this table, will you boy? I'll take it for him.

Yes, sir. Here you are, sir. Hello? Oh, MacK Radio, yes. Now, this is Melville Jacobi of Time Magazine. Mr. Lee is with my party. Yes, all right, I'll take the message for him. Go ahead.

Yes. Yes. All right, shall I read it back to you? Here it is. Clark Lee, AP Manoa. Desire you remain in Manoa. Kent Cooper, AP New York, right? Thank you. Well, did you hear that, Senor Lanes?

It is unfortunate. Clark is looking forward to getting home for a little while. I know. And I am sorry for myself too. Oh, here they come now. I thought he would be my traveling companion on the Coolidge.

Oh, hello, Clark. Glad you could come, Roberto. So you've already met Melucovia. Yes, we have been chatting. May I introduce Mrs. Jacoby? Annaly? This is Senior Roberto Lanes of the Argentine Embassy in Tokyo. How do you do?

Mrs. Jacoby. After the first round we drop last names. Shall I order it now? Boy! I'll have a Tom Collins. No, same for me please. And I will have the same. Tom Collins all round.

Aren't you enjoying your dance? It was wonderful. But everybody on the pavilion is talking war. Yes, it seems most of them are leaving on the Coolidge tomorrow. I'm glad to get out. Maybe you ought to stay here in Manila, Clark.

If you do go home, you might not be able to get back in turn. Clark isn't going. Oh darling, don't be depressing. Of course he's going. Who are you talking about Mel? Radiogram from Ken Cooper.

Huh? I just took it over the phone. You wanted word for word Clark? No, don't bother. I can imagine. I'm sorry. Forget it, Analim. I'll hang around with you two honeymooners until the shooting starts, if you don't mind.

Well Roberto, give my regards to the Golden Gate, William. Too bad we cannot do that together. Well, we can toast it. Here are the drinks. I'll change that toast, but I'll bet on. I say, here's to the first Japanese attack. Let him come to Manila.

Show the japs what it means to play in the big league. The mill you've been here for some time. We're in good shape here in the Philippines, aren't we? It seems so. I'd say there are some two divisions, about 30,000 Americans, besides the Filipino scouts.

How about our Air Force? I should say there must be around 100 planes, 35 fortresses and the rest pursuits. Maybe it has a handful of PBY patrol bombers, that's not much. But if anything breaks, America can fly bombers out in three days now.

And Manila Bay is mine, and no enemy ships can ever get in there under the guns of Gregador. Gregador itself, of course, is impregnable. Sounds good. Do you mind if I ask, what do you think General MacArthur and Admiral Hart will do if war is declared?

declare. You know, hit them and hit them hard, not waste any time about us. What do you think, Mel? You bet. Now, heavy bombers will probably attack for Moser and Heinen on Island. Mess up the enemy transports before they reach Luzon. Admiral Hart's patrol planes will spot the enemy ships and the subs and destroyers and cruisers will tear into them. Then a jap survived to reach the islands,

American forces will mop them up on the beaches and chase them back into the sea. Well, it looks pretty good. How about another drink, boys and girls? Well, it's getting pretty late. None of me, the clock. It's two o'clock and I think we ought to get upstairs and get some sleep.

Roberta, shall we see you before you sail tomorrow? I certainly hope so. Coming upstairs, clock? No, I think I'll stay and have a nightcap as Roberta. I'll see you in the morning. Right. This morning.

Good night. Good night. Good night. Well, Roberta, and we say goodbye tomorrow, it'll be for the duration. Any idea where you'll be sent next? I have no idea, no. I think I would like to go to Washington.

You like the United States, eh? the United States of North America. Yes, I think Argentina should know more about your people. You are such delightful hypocrites. You may be right at that, Roberto. Of course I am.

But you have a sense of humor and that is the great saving grace. Not always. You can't refuse me. I'm an American. Tomorrow, how dare you tell me what to do? You're just a policeman or a fellow policeman.

Well, go ahead arrest me. Not a very good... Just see you try as we Americans with a ruling race here, you're nothing but do you understand me, Dad? I'll show you, you can take that from me!

Mrs. Word, I must ask you to go upstairs to your room. And who are you? I'm the manager of the jury member. Oh sure, sure, you're all right, but he's trying to arrest me. I'll fix that dirty!

No, no, no, no. Where are you going, Clad? I want to talk to the constable. But she was the wrong one. Never mind her. I want to congratulate that constable. Come on. And you have been telling me, me amigo, that the Chinese in Hong Kong and the natives in Malay and Burma will not fight for the British when war comes,

because the British have mistreated them and offered them nothing. Now, perhaps you are aware why Argentina says, no, when the United States asks for naval bases. Sergeant, I'd like to shake hands with you. I'm Clark Lee of the Associated Press.

Certainly, Mr. Lee. This is Senor Roberto Lonese of the Argentine Embassy in Tokyo. I am Elario Francisco of the Philippine Constabulary. They both want to congratulate you, Sergeant Francis Gowne, for the manner in which you behaved in the face of that woman's insults.

And the lady was not herself, Mr. Lee. We of the Constabulary are expected to understand those things. Yes, well that's very tolerant of you, Sergeant. But it's time she learned how to conduct herself properly in these islands.

She's an American. She ought to act like an American. I too am an American, Mr. Lee. Target. Neat rows of battleships. And neat rows of planes. Japanese bombers and machine gunners sweeping in from the sea find them without difficulty.

Place Pearl Harbor. Time. Morning of December 7th, 1941. From alarm, through fear, the hatred requires no great mental effort for us. But angry men shaking their fists at the sky cannot pour the splattered blood back into torn bodies.

Right overturned battleships or straightened twisted steel. We cannot dam the torrent of little men with big machines. Swipping southward through Indochina to Thailand, Malaya and Java, eastward to Pearl Harbor and Hawaii, then westward to the Philippines.

We wait in the Philippines for our turn and wonder what has happened to that precious plan we talked about so bravely. Our heavy bombers will attack for Moser and Hainan Island and mess up the enemy transports before they reach Luzon.

General Hart's patrol planes will spot enemy ships in our subs, destroyers and cruisers will tear into them. Many japs survive to reach the islands, American forces will mop them up on the beaches. But it doesn't happen that way.

We can't do that, you see. There has been a Pearl Harbor, yes, but the United States has not yet officially declared war. Perhaps? No, you're sending our bombers up from Clark Field and Nichols Field in the Philippines.

can't go anywhere. We haven't yet declared war. The pursuit planes are up all right but they'll be down for lunch all of them and they'll all line up in pretty even rows just in time as the Japanese zeros hold themselves out of the Sun. I'm afraid I'm really and truly afraid. Forget it darling we're doing all right. Doing all right. Don't you

think so? No he doesn't and you know it Mel. Our airfields have been bombed and our planes wrecked. Manila's been bombed twice. Japanese transports have landed soldiers on Luzon. Clark saw some of them and action himself. And the naval base at Cavite has been bombed and badly damaged. If they smash Cavite, they can smash Corregidor too.

No Cavite'll hold out all right. I has nothing much to worry about, Annerley. Except keeping your pretty head. It's just a matter of time. By the minute that first bomb fell on Pearl Harbor, the United States got moving. From all over the country, those big bombers are flying to San Francisco, up to Hawaii and then on down to Australia and up here. Now be here

within a week. The aircraft carriers will ferry pursuit planes out from Hawaii. You're carrying out the window, Adcock. The veto over there. I thought I saw smoke. Maybe bombers overhead again. Probably not, though. I didn't hear any sirens.

We ought to go. You ought to be working. That's nothing to do now. Oh, you could be riding up that adventure of yours last week up in Bagayo. I never will understand how you got out of that one.

No, I... That's it. Let's use the writing it. Well, write it anyway. Ah, it's no good, Mel. Not even Hollywood would go for it. All that stuff about being surrounded by the Japanese fires and falling off cliffs and nearly stepping on land mines and just not getting killed at Talaq and the rest of it.

It's too melodramatic. That's irony for you. Here we are. Good Lord Heaven! What is it, Clark? What happened? Capita just blew up right in front of my face. And on the morning of December 24, 1941, The Nala newspapers carried the headline, Manila de Clarada Ciudada Vyarta, Manila de Clarada Ciudada Vyarta, And in the streets and in restaurants and in offices,

I heard the people of Manila discussing this new turn of events. What is this, Ciridada Vyarta, this open city? It means that we are removing all our forces from the city and asking the enemy not to bomb it.

They purpose it to safeguard lives and prevent destruction, of that which we do not have the forces to defend. Does it mean that the enemy is coming here? What has happened to our army? Why did the Navy men blow up Cavite?

That is a mystery, but our army is fighting well. Have you not tried to communicate? Maybe it would be better if we would fight the Japanese in the streets and former houses, as they did no tesion.

Maybe we should fight them with our knives and bolus and clubs. Maybe it would be better to die fighting than to let them kill us later at their leisure. After all, if we hold them for a few days, help will be here from our big brother.

They believed. Oh, how they believed. They knew that the big brothers would come. They knew that the United States fleet would come plunging proudly up through the islands, throwing airplanes inland from the decks of its carriers, blasting the Japanese transport units to kindling wooden bits of torn flesh.

And out on Batan. They believed they're fighting here on Batan, side by side, the American Army and the Philippine Army. The aviators, without planes, now man rifles and machine guns, and the sailors from Cavite, without ships or an able base, now man rifles and machine guns.

They're fighting out here, side by side, an industrial little peninsula called Batan, and they believe. See, you hear the latest story about what actually happened at Pearl Harbor? What in four hours after the attack, American planes located in fact the Japanese carriers that lost the bomb and fighting planes against Hawaii.

That sounds like us all right, I'll fight that report. Yeah, and I hear the Army's got transports jammed with troops and a way to wake on them. Ah, they'll knock the stuff on under those japs and sink on it as ships quick.

They say a convoy left Pearl Harbor yesterday with reinforcements for us. But keep that under your hat, will ya? Ah, they're gonna have plenty trouble getting through. Oh, what? The United States has never ducked up the fight yet, hasn't it? Don't get it okay.

I came over to Bataan from Kuregador, where I left Melananely Jacobi to report from the front lines. I wanted to see those navy guys, especially. I wanted to see how the navy fought a land battle.

Well, they're fighting it all right. Losing more men than they should. Because they don't know how to take cover. Because they don't know Japanese trickery. At that driving them back. Back toward the sea. It's about mathematics with a mortar.

Come up on the other side of the ridge now, and there's Playa and the Frank Bridges game. Surrounded by five Army Field telephones. Good again. And using them all at one time. There it is.

Paris, you've got to learn to shoot them there. Last time I saw a Commander. That was Jack's. Yes, right. He sent us on a heavy machine gun fire. He can't hold out long. Captain Gwyneth is here with me now.

Just got here. Some other guy just came up. Oh, it's Lee. Hello, Clark. You sighting. Hello, Commander. What would you give to be in an airplane right now? So he's turned out to be a comedian.

There it is. You have nine rounds, right? Hello, Jack. Jack. Hold down, kid. a minute. Paris, you got nine. Now look, you've got to make everyone count. You can't miss. Load your howitzer. Hey Clark, this is Captain Wormers. Art, meat, Clark Lee. Get out of here you two guys, will you? Like get Lieutenant Jackson out of that crap down there. Paris, all set now. I know you

reporters came all the way up to the shoot line. Sometimes you got to open your rescue. And we've got some of our dead along this path. Gonna marry them soon. They don't bother you. No, I've seen money. I won't be much more of this. Count Boy came in yesterday. Give us those men in the ammunition.

We'll run these jabs off the tan and no time flat. And with just one little freighter out of three of the three of the tried to get through Captain Whemeth, it's not a convoy. What's that?

Just one little freighter. I'm living on Kuregga though, I saw it. You're a dirty liar! Sorry Captain, I know how you feel. Alright Lee. I'm sorry, forget it. How long are you going to stick around?

We're leaving tomorrow on a freighter. We're going to try to get through to Australia. We'd like to stay, but the senses won't let our stories go out anyway. Watch your step along here. Some more bodies. Who's we?

I'm going out with Mel Jacobian as well. I know him. Time magazine? Yes, that's right. It's got Mary, didn't he? Some girl with an odd name? Yes, Annalene. She's great too. Must be. Say look here.

Look at this one. Oh, that's too damn bad. I knew this soldier. Look at that royal machine gun hose. They almost caught him in half. I've seen him somewhere, but I can't... Sure you have.

At Sergeant Harrell Francisco, the Philippines is tabular. He used to be on duty at Manila Hotel. United States Army Forces in the Far East Office of the Commanding General to whom it may concern. This will identify Mr. Clark Lee.

Mr. Lee is a representative of the Associated Press and has been accredited by this headquarters. He is now traveling on a special mission with military approval. All military organizations are directed to render every assistance to aid him to his destination.

It was MacArthur, commanding general. Think that'll do it, Clark? Yes, sir. I'll give you the same thing from Elje Coby. When you board a ship to leave the islands, if you're lucky enough to make connections, throw away your uniforms, your guns, passports, and all diaries and identification papers.

When you get to say boo, look up the names of some businessmen and learn enough about them to enable you to assume their identity if you're captured. We'll follow those orders strictly, sir. Well, goodbye, Clark.

I hope you'll make it. Say goodbye to Anna Lee for me. Goodbye, sir. Good luck, and Clark. Yes, sir. We will fight as long as we can hurt the jap. But unless we get reinforcements, the end here will be brutal and bloody.

The Princessa headed straight out into the China Sea for about 10 miles, then turned south along the coast of Luzon. Eastwood, in the darkness, was the Japanese city of Manila. Those were nervous days and nights.

But we reached Australia at last for learn General MacArthur had got there before us. We saw him later in Melbourne, and the bitterness in his heart was reflected in his face. The bitterness in his heart was reflected in his face. A few days later in Melbourne, Annerley, Mel and I were saying goodbye as usual.

Well, Clark, here you go again. I'm not going to say so long to you, Mel. Nor do you, Annerley. When I get to Sydney, I'll phone you to let you know of these orders to visit New Zealand still stick. If not, I'll wait for you there.

Well, if you do go on to New Zealand, Clark, remember to look around for a line of retreat. From here, we can always get to Tasmania and then to the south pole of the Japs come.

But it looks like the only way out of New Zealand is to east or island and then to Chile. And that's quite a long jump in a canoe. You two are always talking about ways out of places. I'm glad to see for a change you're both starting to go north in the direction of the Japs. Let's start a counter-offensive of

our own. What's this about north? Where do you bound for, Mel? Just a few short hops with General George to inspect the Australian airfield. Don't worry Clark, I'll be here waiting for your phone call from Sydney.

I'm waiting in my hotel room in Sydney. The trip to New Zealand is on after all. Now let it turn on telephone again. Maybe it's a Navy calling to confirm airplane transportation. Hello! Clark, News Clark.

Henley, what is it? It's now. A P-40 got out of control on the ground. It killed them both, Clark, now in General George. What about you, Ennley? Mel Jacobi was dead.

And I went on. I went on through many scenes of a bloody pageant in an ocean they called Pacific. This next scene is far removed. For they are before me now are the skyscrapers of San Francisco.

Francisco, the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my life. There are three other scenes which I hope to live long enough to witness. I want to be there when General Douglas MacArthur raises the American flag of a corregidor again, and then hauls it down and with his own hand, raises the flag of the Republic of the Philippines,

symbol of a nation which is one that's right to life by learning how to suffer and how to die. I want to be with General Isamo Shankai Shek when he marches once again into Nanking.

After the last jab has been killed or driven from China. And I want to see Jonathan Wainwright and Joe Smith and Arthur Wimeth and some Filipino scouts and Van der Griften as Marines ride down the main streets of Tokyo.

And with Admiral Halsey and his sailors, drive in tanks and armored cars across the moat and enter the Imperial Palace. While American airplanes fly overhead and cloud so thick that they've brought out the rising sun.

As the third program of Words at War, we have dramatized for you portions of the popular book they call it Pacific by Clark Lee.

It was adapted for Radio by Neil Hopkins, one of the NBC's script staff. Clark Lee was played by Les Damon. Melville Jacoby was Sam Wanamaker. Anna Lee Jacoby was Joan Alexander. Other members of the cast were Faye Baker, Ed Beggley, Bernard Lenro, Lewis Van Ruten and Lon Clark.

The original music was composed and conducted by Frank Black. The production was under the direction of Joseph Loce. Next week, Words at War presents episodes from the last days of Sevastopol by Boris Woyatikov. Give it a count of the fall of that Soviet Crimean port.

Words at War is brought to you in cooperation with the Council on Books in War Time, with the National Broadcasting Company and the independent radio stations associated with the NPC Network.