LANDING AT LUTONG

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24600, 23 June 1945, Page 7

LANDING AT LUTONG

SERIA MIRI OIL REFINERY

AMPHIBIOUS OPERATION UNOPPOSED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 7 p irn.) WASHINGTON. June 21. “Preceded by intensive preparation on the beach approaches, units of the 9th Australian Division, in a shore to shore amphibious operation, landed unopposed at Lntong, a refinery centre in the Seria Miri oilfields, 80 miles down the coast from Brunei Bay,” says Gene- ' ral MacArthur’s communique. ./‘The American 37th Division, securing the area surrounding llagon, on Luzon, routed an enemy force four miles to the south-east, and destroyed eight flame-throwing tanks. Thirtyfive miles farther north down the’Cagayan valley, our guerrillas crossed the Cagayan river and captured Tuguega&o against scattered resistance. Large, quantities' of food, ammunition, and ordnance supplies were taken. The 33rd Division, driving north of Bokpd, secured the Daklan airstrip. On Min-

danao our forces carried out extensive patrols and mopping up operations. “Our aircraft dropped 254 tons of bombs on enemy installations. Two of our aeroplanes were lost. Fighters from Labuan Island damaged a number of grounded enemy aeroplanes at Keningau, and attacked nearby personnel areas. Other aircraft struck the Kudat area to the north and heavies dropped 130 tons in the Balik Papan area and started fires in the Kuching-shipyards. “Our aircraft continued the neutralisation of Formosa and dropped 240 tons. A night fighter shot down an enemy transport over the Kuputsua airfield, and also severely damaged two coastal fighters. Long-range search aeroplanes patrolled the South China Sea. and penetrated inland.. They attacked -enemy lines of communication and started large fires at Canton. “Light naval units harassed coastal targets in the Halmaheras.”