From: Manila (Nihro)
To: Tokyo
November 24, 1941
Purple
#789
1. Putting together
various reports, it appears that a large amount of military stores was removed
from the "port area" during the "blackout" on the night of
the 21st. Forty or fifty civilian buses (carrying the "mark" of the
Manila Electric Company) were seen in the Rizal Province district.
Investigations are being made to find out if these were loaded with troops.
2. At about two o'clock in
the afternoon of the 22nd, 60 light tanks (carrying one gun, two -----) and 20
ammunition trucks were seen leaving (Quezon Bridge ?). These light tanks and
ammunition trucks were seen on the 21st grouped near the headquarters of the
"port area" military police. It is conjectured that (troops ?)
arrived on military boats recently entering the harbor. An English language
"bulletin" of the 24th stated that a large number of light tanks and
ammunition trucks had left at four and six o'clock on the afternoon of the 22nd
in transit for Meycuayan in Bulacan Province and San Fernando in Pampanga
Province. I believe that these had been landed sometime around the 21st. The
final destination of these tanks and trucks is now being investigated.
3. At present it is seen
that there are two or three hundred American army trucks near the "port
area" which have been imported at short intervals, creating a hurried
atmosphere. Also, troops have newly arrived at (certain places in ?) the hills
within the city. They are evidently American reinforcements. Feeling among the
people in general has become tense.
ARMY 25530 Trans. 12/1/41 (6)
(EXHIBITS OF JOINT COMMITTEE , EXHIBIT NO. 2 JAPANESE MESSAGES CONCERNING MILITARY INSTALLATIONS, SHIP MOVEMENTS, ETC.)