PHILIPPINES TO NEW GUINEA

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24569, 18 May 1945, Page 5

PHILIPPINES TO NEW GUINEA

NEW LANDING MADE ON TARAKAN GENERAL MACARTHUR’S COMMUNIQUE (N.Z. Press Association— Copyright) (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 16. A new Allied landing on Tarakan Island (Borneo), more penetrations by United States forces in the Philippines, patrol actions in New Guinea and Bougainville, and extensive air operations are reported in to-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. The communique says:— . . . “The United States 31st Division, having rolled northward another five miles in the interior of Mindanao (Philippines), Is now within eight miles of the enemy’s former air base, Valencia,’’ says General Mac Arthurs communique. “In other sectors, the destruction of the enemy’s isolated garrisons continues. Our naval patrols bombarded an enemy naval base on the eastern coast of Davao Gulf, destroying several torpedo-boats and other small craft. “Leading elements of the Ist Cavalry Division on Luzon’s east coast have advanced northward five miles to within three miles of Port Lampon,. Our supporting light naval units bombed S shore concentrations. The 43rd m is pressing in from all sides against isolated forces in Ipo. Netherlands East Indies forces in a shore-to-shore operation, have landed on the southernmost tip of Tarakan Island. Activity in other sectors is limited. “Heavies, mediums, and fighters expended 125 tons of bombs in support of our ground forces and on enemy aerodromes in Bolikpapah, Jesselton, Kudat, and Bintulu. Air patrols sank four freighters and two coastal vessels and damaged several others “Our aircraft have resumed the destruction of enemy installations m Formosa. Long-range patrols bombed a Canton aerodrome, sank two coastal vessels near Hong Kong, and attacked Indo-China communications. Heavies attacked Celebes and the Lesser Bunds s, and patrols sank a 3000-ton freigh-ter-transport off Makassar. “Australian ground patrols have engaged' the enemy in minor skirmishes in New Guinea and Bougainville. Light naval units bombarded shore posicorrespondent on Tarakan says Australian troops advancing along the inland track on the west coast of Tarakan found a number of Japanese bunkers. barricaded with bags of nee, which the enemy had taken from Longkas a week before the Australian landing. In the absence of gravel the Japanese commandeered the: city s rice supply, leaving the inhabitants short of food. U.S. GAINS ON OKINAWA MARINES ENTER MAIN TOWN RAIDS BY CARRIER AIRCRAFT (Rec. 10.45.) WASHINGTON, Mqy 16. “Early last evening about 12 enemy aircraft approached our ships off Okinawa, but were intercepted by carrier and marine aircraft, which shot down nine and forced the, others to retire without causing damage," says Admiral Nimitz’s communique. “A single enemy aeroplane was shot down early this morning when a few enemy aircraft attacked the Yontan and Yatena airfields, causing minor damage. “Marine and army infantrymen, supported by tanks and anti-aircraft, field artillery, and naval gunfire, continued to carry the attack to the enemy on Okinawa to-day, but our lines re : mained substantially unchanged. Shun town was subjected to a heavy bombardment by artillery and naval guns Local gains were made on the west coast by the 6th Marine Division, and the 77th Division engaged in an uphill drive against stubbornly-defend-ed towns and caves. On the east coast the 96th Division attacked westward through rugged country. “Up to Tuesday the enemy had lost 46,505 killed and 1038 prisoners on Okinawa. Up to Monday our casualties on Okinawa were 3781 killed in action, 17:004 wounded, and 165 missing. “In operations against Ishigaki and Miyako, in the Saki Shimas, on Monday and Tuesday escort carrier aircraft shot down three enemy aeroplanes and destroyed two on the ground. Search privateers sank two medium freighters and damaged a freightertransport off the Korean coast. Other aircraft attacked shipping off Honshu, sinking an oil tanker, a cargo ship, and five fishing craft.” The United Press correspondent on Okinawa reports that marines shattered the Asalo river line, in spite of heavy mortar and machine-gun fire, and battled their way into the main section of Naha (the main town), less than two miles from the last Japanese airfield on the island. The Japanese defenders are now packed into an area of 40 square miles with their backs to the sea. VANDALISM IN RANGOON MONTHS REQUIRED TO CLEAN CITY (8.0. W.) RUGBY, May 17. “Rangoon, although coming back to life, still presents the most horrifying spectacle of sadistic vandalism. the mind can imagine,” reports an observer with the British forces in Burma. “There is not a house without broken windows, smashed rooms, and timbers stripped. All the damage was not done by warfare. T... damage that startles and horrifies is that done to dwellings and shops. The Japanese, apparently realising they could not hold the city indefinitely, proceeded to tear its heart out, and repaired nothing. “During the Japanese occupation, life was a reign of terror for the population, and food was always short. The very suspicion of espionage was enough to bring torture. To own an electric torch was a crime. “The most shocking sight is the cathedral, which the Japanese used as a factory to make sauces and saki. It is a most horrible accumulation of garbage and filth, and millions of flies rise in clouds, filling the air with a buzz heard 50 yards away. It will take months to clean Rangoon.” JAPANESE SHIPPING LOSSES (Rec. 5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 16. “Japanese shipping losses through United States submarine action since Pearl Harbour total 1128 sunk. 37 probably sunk, and 119 damaged,” says the United States Navy Department. “The vessels sunk include four air-craft-carriers, 17 cruisers, 54 destroyers while two aircraft-carriers, two cruisers, and five destroyers were probably sunk, and two aircraft-carriers, six cruisers, and six destroyers were damaged. , . .... “Altogether, 131 warships of all types were sunk, 11 probably sunk, and 16 damaged. The number of Japanese non-combatant ships sunk was 997, including 110 tankers, 165 transports, and 682 cargo and supply ships.” doms of all are endangered. I believe that the Charter should and will provide means for full consideration of the views and interests of all branches of organised labour, agriculture and business, without which effective performance of the organisation in economic and social matters will be impossible.”