ENEMY REPELLED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 86, 22 January 1942, Page 6

ENEMY REPELLED

<>•- - SAVAGE FIGHT IN PHILIPPINES. SURPRISE ATTACK SUCCEEDSAMERICAN GUERILLAS ACT.ITR. (United Press Association—Copyright.) (Rec. 1.10 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 21. The'United States War Department reports from Washington: “In particularly savage fighting on Balan Peninsula., American and Philippine troops drove back the enemy and re-estab-lished the lines which previously had been penetrated. The Japanese by infiltrations and frontal attacks near the centre of the line, had gained .some initial successes. Our troops then counter-attacked and all the positions were retaken. The enemy losses wore very heavy. Our casualties were relatively moderate. One of General MacArthur’s guerilla bands, operating m Cagayan Valley, Northern Luzon, scored a. brilliant success in a surprise raid on. a hostile aerodrome. The Japanese were taken completely by surprise and fled in confusion, leaving 110 dead on the field and about 300 others were put to flight. Our losses were very light.”—British Official Wii •dess.