Late War News STIFF DEFENCE AT ONE POINT

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 23, 21 October 1944, Page 8

Late War News STIFF DEFENCE AT ONE POINT

Leyte Invasion HEAVY GUNFIRE FROM HILLS Little Resistance Elsewhere (By Telegraph,—Press Assn.— Copyright.) (Received October 21. 1.40 a.m.) IXINDON, October 20. Correspondents writing from the Philippines invasion front say that the troops are pushing steadily inland from their four bench-heads while masgive quantities of supplies and equipment are being landed. All the beachheads are near ports and are some three miles wide and 11 to 18 miles apart. The absence, of Japanese resislance to the landings was almost fantastic, a reporter says. Later heavy tire opened up from Japanese gun positions in the hills at one pond, and stiff lighting is going on in this area. There is little resistance elsewhere. “Under a devastating bombardment American battleships, American and Australian cruisers, United States troops landed at 1 a,ni. along a 13-iuile beach-front on tlie eastern shore of Leyte Island,” says a correspondent with the invasion forces. “The landings were made at three points: First, San Ricardo, three miles south of Tacloban; secondly, between San Jose and Dulag; thirdly, at Poaiian, on the southern tip of the island. “Carrier planes filled the skies, and the great battleships worked slowly along the shore sending continuous salvoes of shells across San Pedro Bay. The great armada of hundreds of ships steadily landed troops and equipment. so far unmolested by the Japanese Navy. After eight hours only one enemy plane appeared. “President Osmena accompanied General MacArthur aboard a warship. The entire trip from New Guinea was made without interruption except for a single enemy plane, which was shot down.” , In further heavy attacks on the Manila area American carrier aircraft on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday destroyed 99 planes and sank six ships and damaged 23. a Pacific Fleet communique states.

A correspondent with the Royal Australian Navy in ihc Philippines says that the heavy cruisers Australia and Shropshire as well as destroyers and also three former interstate liners converted into landing ships have taken part in the operations. Squadrons of the Australian Air Force are also in action.