JAPANESE ON LEYTE

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24401, 30 October 1944, Page 5

JAPANESE ON LEYTE

Less Resistance U.S. ADVANCES CONTINUE (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 10.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Oct. 28. “Our ground patrols are ranging freely in all sectors ,of Leyte and enemy resistance is limited to localised delaying actions in the Leyte Valley, said General Mac Arthur in his communique. “In the sth Corps sector the Ist Cavalry Division has advanced three miles along the north coast and entered Caricara Town. . “Twenty-fourth Division units advancing four miles further in the Leyte Valley are attacking enemy delaying positions at Alangalang. An enemy counter-attack at Santaffe was repulsed. . x , “In the 24th Corps sector elements of the 7th Division have driven within a mile of Dagami on the corps’ left flank. Patrols have entered Santaana, Sanandre, and Pangdan on the Marabang river. Minor contacts, have been made inland from Abuag where we have captured six high calibre enemy coastal defence guns and a motor pool of 40 vehicles. “Schools in the liberated areas are being reopened. “An enemy air raid was light and ineffectual. We shot down 20 enemy aeroplanes, 18 in air combat, and two by anti-aircraft fire. “On October 26 carrier-based aeroplanes sank ah enemy destroyer and severely damaged a light cruiser in the Camotes sea. Carrier fighters and ships’ anti-aircraft guns destroyed seven attacking enemy aeroplanes. One of our carriers sustained some damage and casualties.” Signs of Disorganisation The enemy forces in all areas of Leyte are showing signs of complete disorganisation and disintegration, said an. earlier communique. “The division, commanded by Lieu-tenant-General Shiro Makino, which took part in the operations in the Philippines in 1942. has been thoroughly defeated and the remnants are retreating either toward the west coast or into the mountain ranges parallel to Leyte Valley in the south-west. “At the end of the first week’s fighting, Japanese ground casualties are estimated at 14,045—virtually half his forces at Leyte. American ground casualties 'are 518 killed. 139 missing, and 1503 wounded—a total of 2160. ‘(Additional Philippines towns- and villages liberated include Mryorga, Lanajon, Alegri, Tolosa, Castilla, San Francisco, St. Esperanza, Maliron, and Lucay. “Light enemy air attacks against the beachhead installations and shipping have continued. Ten enemy aeroplanes have been shot down. “Advance elements of the 6th Air Force have been brought forward and are operating from Leyte air bases. The Far East Air Force has relieved the naval air carrier force in the area. “P.T. boats last night sank 10 enemy barges loaded with troops and two coastal freighters at Yormoc Bay, on the west coast of Leyte. "Our ground forces are making good progress on all fronts in Leyte,” the communique continues, “Elements of the Ist Cavalry Division have advanced 10 miles on the north coast, occupying Balud Barugo, on Caricara Bay. “Other elements of the same division, advancing rapidly up the west coast of Samar, occupied Catbelongan, the capital of Samar Province; and pushed nine miles further north with the aid of organised local guerrillas. “Practically the entire island of Samar is now under our domination and a civil government will shortly be organised for the province, "The 24th Division has crushed enemy resistance west of Palo and has pushed spearheads six miles into the Leyte Valley at Santa Bay and Pastrana. “In the 24th Corps sector, elements of the 7th and 96th Divisions converging on Dagami ar,e within two miles of this former main enemy supply and troop concentration centre. Other'7th Division forces moving southward along the coast have entered Azuyog, 14 miles below Dulag, and are pursuing enemy forces inland from Lake Bito,” 1 Dealing with the ground fighting, the Tokyo radio said: “The Americans on Leyte Island have given up all hope of extending their beachhead as Japanese reinforcements moVe up in great strength.” Serious Situation “The situation in the Philippines has taken a serious turn for the Japanese. The Americans are throwing in all their strength to determine the fate of the Pacific. The enemy’s design cannot be disregarded, and consequently the war situation cannot be viewed with optimism." This statement was -made by the Tokyo radio, which said that the Americans were pouring in reinforcements at a rapid rate. Twenty or 30 American transports arrived yesterday in Leyte Gulf. The Americans had restored all the airfields lying within the Tacloban and Dulag areas, and were trying desperately to construct more airfields. The broadcast inferred that the Japanese Were outclassed in the air. It said that an average of 300 American aeroplanes raided undisclosed targets in the Philippines on Thursday and Friday. V “Japanese aircraft attacked American ships and landing positions with relentless vigour, but it is obvious that in spite of the great enemy loss of Formosa, the Philippines, and Leyte Gulf an enemy {ask force of substantial strength is infesting the nearby waters of the Philippines," added the radio. “Moreover, when considering the enemy carrier strength, together with the number of land-based aeroplanes along the coast of New Guinea, future conditions of aerial war require great caution.”