. Finally, to ensure success, the intensity of the attack was continued up to the very moment of the parachute attack; and even while the jumpers were dropping in mid air, A-20's carried on continuous strafing runs over the Malinta Hill section of the island. It can certainly be said that when Kenney offered "to take the island by air", he made good his word. Our Air Force had not only warded off the possibility of any Jap air interference during the parachute attack, they had also eliminated the possibility of serious ground defense.