Work is progressing rapidly in the clearing of underbrush for wards and building desks, benchs, mess halls, etc., out of bamboo, The natives can build practically anything out of bamboo. Bombers and observation planes of the enemy fly over nearly every day, but so far the hospital has been untouched.
There was heavy fighting at Abucay, where we finally withdrew to the Pilac-Bagac line.
We went on half rations Jan. 5th, but even that gives a maintenance diet. We eat but two meals a day. Rumors of every conceivable nature are rife, but, of course, unfounded and only intended for morale purposes.