MacARTHUR’S SUCCESS

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 October 1944, Page 5

MacARTHUR’S SUCCESS

PROGRESS IN PHILIPPINES

LEYTE’S CAPITAL TAKEN

AMERICAN LOSSES LIGHT

WASHINGTON, October 23. “Our ground forces on Leyte (Philippines) are steadily expanding their positions on all fronts,” says General MacArthur’s latest communique. “Work has started on the captured airfields at Tacloban and Dulag. We are now commencing preparations for a great base for all arms for future operations. The enemy’s forces, after the preliminary defeat; are apparently withdrawing westward. Their supply problem is already becoming difficult, and should they be forced into the hills it would become acute.

“There were minor ineffectual air raids against our shipping in Leyte Gulf. Our medium bombers sank three freighters, possibly four, at Visayas. Heavy units, with 94 tons of bombs, wrecked buildings and started fires at Cagayan, the principal port and transportation centre of Northern Mindanao. No opposition was encountered. Medium bombers destroyed barracks areas in the interior. Our fighters knocked out 23 trucks on Sayre highway. Patrol aeroplanes sank two small vessels off Sagangani Island.” Referring to widespread air operations in the Pacific, General Macrthur’s communique says:— “Heavy units attacked the enemy base at Parepare, north of Makassar (Celebes), and dropped 21 tons of bombs on waterfront installations and warehouses. Patrol aeroplanes set on fire supply dumps in Kaoe Bay, in the Halmaheras, and attacked small shipping. Medium units, attack aeroplanes, and fighter-bombers, carrying 53 tons of explosives, at-, tacked Ambon township, an aerodrome on Boela, and oil installations. We cratered runways and started many large fires. We lost one bomber.

“At Timor medium units and patrol aeroplanes bombed enemy installations near Dilli, starting large fires. Others attacked Lauten and Larat, in the Tenimber group. Attack bombers and fighters bombed aerodromes in Geelvink Bay and MacClure Gulf (New Guinea), cratering runways and starting fires.” NEXT OBJECTIVE. (Rec. 10.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 23. In capturing Tacloban, the Americans overran the small towns of Sans Ricardo and Palo, on the flanks of the northern beachhead. The next objective on the southern front is San Pablo, seven miles inland from the Dulag landing beach. Palo was the last Japanese stronghold on the east coast of the Leyte highway. American soldiers pushing westward on Leyte’s southern front overran strong Japanese defence positions and are now trying to trap enemy troops retreating up the wide Leyte Valley, says the Associated Press correspondent at Philippine Headquarters.

CORRESPONDENTS’ REPORTS

INCIDENTS OF LANDINGS

NEW YORK, October 23. The correspondent of the New York “Daily News” at Leyte (Jack Turcott) says: “Small bands of rangers landed on neighbouring islands three days before the invasion of Leyte. Specially trained soldiers and sailors grabbed vantage points on Dinagat, Homonhon, and Suluan Islands, on Tuesday morning, throttled Japanese resistance, and captured radio stations and official documents. The coup cleared the way for the fleet into Surigao Strait, which is the entrance to Leyte Gulf. The same night minesweepers cleared the gulf, while underwater demolition squads of expert swimmers covered miles of water spotting mines and other hidden perils, and then went ashore and destroyed beach obstacles. Advance scouts from Lieutenant-General Krueger’s 6th Army also made preliminary landings on the Leyte coast, reporting by radio the Japanese strength of defence positions and weather conditions.”

“American infantry, advancing steadily behind flame-throwers, tanks, artillery, and dive-bombers, threaten San Pablo, and also the important road junction of Burauen above Leyte’s harrow waist,” says the United Press correspondent (William Dickson). “Front line dispatches indicate that both towns will soon fall to Major-General Arnold's 7th Infantry Division, which led the advance of the Americans northward and is believed to be heading for Santafe, five miles west of Palo, the northern terminus of the Leyte Valley road. Artillery and dive-bombers are knocking out pillboxes and gun emplacements, and infantry and tanks are infiltrating between positions, leaving the flame-throwers to incinerate the enemy choosing to remain. Field dispatches report that bulldozers and graders are already levelling the 6000 feet Tacloban airstrip, and Piper Cubs are assembling for reconnaissance flights. The 7th Cavalry Regiment took Ricardo, north of Tacloban, after bombs and naval shells had almost levelled the town. DEMONSTRATIVE WELCOME The Columbia Broadcasting System’s correspondent (William Dunn) says: “I never, in my wildest dreams, expected to witness such scenes as those greeting the Americans returning to the Philippines. The first Americans entering Tacloban were welcomed with mingled laughs and cheers. The people were almost inarticulate, due to emotion. , Filipino women, dressed in colourful costumes, waved from every window and doorway, and several hundred Filipinos staged a parade in the business section of the city. It was a brilliant affair marked by much flag-waving and jubilant shouting, and contrasted to a marked degree

with the one the Japanese staged a few days previously. “It seems that several days before the landing the people of Tacloban received word that the Americans were returning. The effect was so immediate that the Japanese sensed what was happening. The enemy commander formally announced that an American invasion was impossible, and also that a convoy was destroyed off Formosa, 800 aeroplanes, seven carriers, and 13,000 marines being lost. The commander ordered a fulldress parade, followed by a grand ball lasting three nights as a victory celebrations. The entire Japanese garrison paraded. Only a handful of civilians fell in behind. The remainder in Tacloban stayed indoors. “On the first night of the ball the United States Navy provided music with a softening up of shelling along the beaches. The first landings were made on three islands at the mouth of Leyte Gulf. The worst typhoon for years then swept the city. Between the shelling and the elements wrath, the Japanese lost all interest in the festivities and soon lost all interest in Tacloban.” NAVAL TACTICS WITHDRAWAL TO FORMOSA. NEW YORK, Oct. 21. The Washington correspondent of the “New York Herald-Tribune says military experts say there is a possibility of the Japanese making a withdrawal from the Philippines to Formosa rather than risking heavy ship losses by establishing another “Tokio Express” similar to that used to supply the forces on Guadalcanal. The Japanese no longer have enough shipping to send down in the face of a strong concentration of American sea and air power. Officers in Washington are confident that the Japanese fleet is still largely unbalanced and that the enemy is fearful of sending his eight or nine battleships to the Philippines area to clear the sea lanes. Meanwhile experts emphasise the magnitude of the American supply problem in the Philippines. They say that 250,000 troops require 1,500,000 tons of equipment for landing, including 235,000 tons of combat vehicles, 200,000 tons of ammunition and 200,000 tons ot medical supplies. In addition 332,000 tons must arrive every 30 days. The Pearl Harbour' correspondent of the “New York Times” says the destruction wrought on the enemy by the Pacific Fleet in the last few weeks unquestionably has badly impaired the Japanese ability to oppose a double pronged American • trans-I acific advance. It may have eliminated enemy air-power almost 100 per cent, in the immediate Philippines area. “The unrelenting slashing ot enemy shipping throughout the entire western Pacific undoubtedly has crippled Japanese ability to reinforce and supply the beleagured garrisons in the Philippines, which must light now without sea or air power, adds the correspondent. “In spite of the bright aspects there is no disposition here to indulge in exultation. The fiohting in the Philippines is expected to be as long and bitter as it was on Saipan, Guam, and Peleliu, where the enemy also lacked naval and air support. ESTIMATES OF FORCES WASHINGTON, October 23. Philippine sources in Washington say. that the reconquest of the Philippines may require a year or more if the Japanese choose to make a determined defence of the archipelago. It was expected under General MacArthur’s plan of solitting the defenders that the clearing of the large Palawan Island might involve heavy lighting, because the Japanese were reported some months ago to have concentrated considerable forces there. The former Filipino Scouts, who have been reorganised by the Japanese, may number from 25,000 to 30,000. Their commander, General Paulino Santos, is described as being notoriously pro-Japanese and thoroughly dangerous. Philippine sources described the reports that General MacArthur had already landed more than 250,000 troops as probably over-optimistic. It was considered that the number was probably not more than 150,000, but the forces are believed to be enough to complete the conquest of the central. islands, where the Japanese probably do not have more than 75,000. Japan’s total forces in the Philippines, excluding labour and police units, are estimated at not more than 75,000. Japan’s total forces in the Philippines, excluding labour and police units, are estimated at not more than 150,000, but it is emphasised that the Japanese are able to send in reinforcements from Formosa if they desire, in spite of American domination of the sea and air around the islands. RACE WITH”WEATHER. (Rec. 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 23. Kreuger’s army is now headed inland in a drive to seize the two ends of the Leyte Valley highway, depriving the Japanese of all effective road communications in the entire invasion zone, says the United Press correspondent on Leyte. Civilian officials accompanying the army carry lists of Quislings who will be arrested and held for trial. General MacArthur’s drive might develop into a dramatic race against the typhoons which reach their peak in November. Already the rain and mud are slowing the American advance in all sectors, bogging down tanks in the swamps and soft dirt roads. General MacArthur told the cheer-

ing people of Pacloban: “We are no conquering army. We are bringing you civil liberty. We are determined unto death that democratic forces shall not die. That is the American way.” ~ , The Associated Press says, that a re-study of despatches from the Philippines indicates that the striking force General MacArthur put ashore on the. first hay of the invasion of the Philippines was probably between 100,000 and 150,000, as compared with the original estimate of 250,000. INVASION PREPARATIONS SYDNEY, October 23. “The embarkation of troops and equipment at New Guinea ports for the Philippines invasion was on an amazing scale,” reports an Australian war correspondent who accompanied the invasion forces. “In one bay which a few months ago was a Japanese base more than 100 ships were assembled while others were dispersed to the horizon and beyond. The naval bombardment which preceded the Leyte landing was the most intense ever put down in the Pacific war. • The Australian cruisers, Australia and Shropshire, which were units of the fleet escort, together fired more than 500 tons of shells in direct support of the landings. “Preparations for invasion included the printing of special currency by the United States Treasury for the exiled Philippines Government. This new money was issued to troops who landed' on Leyte and will replace Japanese inflation currency which has sky-rocketed prices. Rice, which cost six pesos in pre-war days, costs 1300 pesos under the Japanese regime. “A book of ‘do’s’ and ‘don’t’s was also issued to every soldier taking port in the invasion. The troops were warned not to ‘talk down’ to the Filipinos and that a ‘Hi, babe approach to women would not be welcome. The booklet gave a concise outline of Philippine history and customs as well as health hints and also a language guide to enable the troops to greet and answer the Filipinos. . „ . “Eighty-three American officers and men who were prisoners- in the Philippines for 30 months were recently rescued and are now safe in New Guinea,” says the Associated Press correspondent at General MacArthur’s Headquarters. “All are m good condition except five who are recovering from bullet and grenade wounds. The men were among American prisoners being shipped north when an 1 American submarine sank a Japanese transport. Others who escaped from the transport weie hunted down and killed as they swam. Some who reached the beach were picked up and executed by the Japanese. The Americans trapped in the holds seeking to escape were deliberately fired on by the Japanese. Filipino guerrillas cared for the 83 survivors until they were picked up and taken south by submarines and aeroplanes. A large number of Arnericans wont down with the snip. Ildemy losses were also heavy. LIBERTIES RESTORED WASHINGTON, October 22. General MacArthur has broadcast to Filipinos a proclamation in which he promises to restore to them the sacred rights of government by constitutional process, , as rapidly as occupied areas are liberated, and the military situation permits. The United Press correspondent at General MacArthur’s Headquarters says: “General MacArthur has brought liberation in the most literal sense to the Philippines. It is unlike any liberation in history, including the most liberal attempts in the European theatre. By the force of the American and Filipino armies, General MacArthur is establishing nearly all the liberties promised orginally for 1945. There is no Military Government. As fast as the Japanese arc cleared out, Filipino leaders are given control. The President of the Philippines (Don Sergo Osmena) will establish courts immediately. The Filipinos themselves will deal with their own Quislings. Currency is likely to be a major headache. It will be studied and evaluated by a Filipino committee.”

U.S.A. SUBMARINES LOST.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 23

The Navy has announced the loss of two submarines in the Pacific — Herring and Golet. Each carried a crew of 65.

CENTRAL PACIFIC

(Rec. 12.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 23

A Pacific Fleet communique reports that mopping-up operations on Angaur ana Peleliu Islands continued on October 20 and 21. Corsairs, supporting the ground operations, dropped incendiary bombs on the enemy and also bombed a lighthouse and gun emplacements on Babelthaup. Liberators bombed Yap Island on the two days and also dropped 49 tons of bombs on the airfield and installations at Iwojima. Neutralisation raids on the Marshalls continued.