1:18:01
On October 20, at 10:00 in the morning...
1:18:04
the soldiers of the American Army
will land in force, right here on Leyte.
1:18:07
The Navy will prepare the way.
1:18:09
Two hours before the actual landings...
1:18:11
there'll be heavy navy bombardment
on all the landing areas.
1:18:14
Part of my job is to get word
to all Filipino civilians in those areas...
1:18:17
to evacuate nine days before D-day.
1:18:19
That'll give the Japs a good idea
where to expect the landings.
1:18:23
There's nothing else we can do.
We can't risk civilian lives.
1:18:25
There haven't been any civilians here
since the fall of Bataan.
1:18:28
If it'll save American lives
and help make the landing safe...
1:18:32
- our people will not evacuate.
- That's right.
1:18:36
I'm sure glad you guys are on our side.
1:18:38
That won't be necessary.
Headquarters has sent me here...
1:18:40
to help you do a job
that's more important, if we can do it.
1:18:44
The moment naval bombardment begins...
1:18:46
the Japs will know
the exact locations of our landings.
1:18:49
They'll immediately try
to rush reinforcements to those spots.
1:18:52
The only road capable
of handling heavy transport...
1:18:56
runs through the village of Bolog.
1:18:58
If we can block that road and hold it...
1:19:00
- the Japs can't get through in time.
- How long do we hold them?
1:19:04
From 8:00 in the morning,
when the bombardment begins until 11:00.
1:19:07
By that time,
MacArthur's beachhead should be secure.
1:19:10
Okay.
1:19:11
But the army doesn't expect to have
forces at Bolog until 2:30...
1:19:16
which means six hours and a half
before we can figure on any help.
1:19:20
Okay.
1:19:23
- Is that all, sir?
- I think so.
1:19:25
You don't seem to have much equipment.
1:19:27
We'll get more at Bolog.
There's a Jap supply depot there.
1:19:29
That's open country,
nothing but rice paddies all around.
1:19:32
We know.
1:19:33
What this amounts to
is a surprise attack in broad daylight...
1:19:37
in open country where the Japs
would probably expect something.
1:19:40
That's right, sir. It won't be easy.
1:19:42
I think you can report to headquarters
that the mission will be accomplished.
1:19:46
Yes, sir.
1:19:48
- Do you have any idea how it'll be done?
- Sure.
1:19:51
Just so I can tell my grandchildren,
how do you plan to do it?
1:19:54
Trickery, Commander, sheer trickery.
1:19:56
As a matter of fact, an old Filipino trick
that I learned the hard way...