All week long Americans had been thinking about the fall of Berlin. The headlines and the radio shouted: "IT'S CLOSER AND CLOSER." Then, suddenly, with unexpected speed and unexpected ease, came the recapture of Manila (see WORLD BATTLEFRONTS).
General Douglas MacArthur, the great soldier, had returned. The first major capital of the Jap-conquered Pacific had been retaken; a prime symbol of Japanese dominance had fallen. Wrote President Roosevelt to Philippine President Sergio Osmena: "Our hearts have quickened. . . ."
A quickening of the heart and spirit was the chief reaction of Americans everywhere. But no hats were thrown in...
To continue reading:
or
Log-In
