GUIMARAS ISLAND SEIZED

Greymouth Evening Star, 24 March 1945, Page 5

GUIMARAS ISLAND SEIZED

PROGRESS IN PHILIPPINES WIDESPREAD AIR PATROLS WASHINGTON, March 22. “In the Ist Corps sector forward elements of the 33rd Division have reached the Naguilian River near Naguilian town and airfield,' says General MacArthur’s communique. “In the 11th Corps sector the 43rd Division is pushing into the Bosoboso River valley near Mount Quitago and Mount Tanauan. “The 6th Division is reducing the remaining enemy positions on the crest of Mount Baytangan. In the 14th Corps sector the 158th Regimental Combat Team drove into the outskirts of Cuenca, south-east of Lake Taal, and cut the main road east of the town. “In a shoreward operation we seized Guimaras Island south-east of Panay “Heavy bombers in attacks on three successive days dropped 214 tons of bombs against bivouac and supply areas in the vicinity of Cebu CityFighters swept the Nerros aerodromes. A small enemy submarine anchored off Cebu City was destroyed by Navy rocket planes. _ - “Air patrols in. the China Sea destroyed or damaged 16 ships and. a transport plane. Heavy reconnaissance aeroplanes bombed enemy, installations on Moena Island, south, oi the Celebes. An air patrol bombed and strafed encampments and supply areas in the Halmaheras, destroyed a lugger off Ternate Island, and sank a schooner in the Sangihe Islands. “Australian ground forces have made another over the water advance along the north-western coast of Bougainville, landing on the Spraken Peninsula. Fighters continued their neutralisation of enemy bases at Kabaui in New Ireland and on Bougainville. Tokio radio says: Prime Minister Koiso told the Diet-that his Government was determined to launch an offensive to recapture Iwo Jima, oaipan and Guadalcanal. PROGRESS INNEW GUINEA MELBOURNE, March 23 After the capture of But airfield Australian troops in the Aitapearea of New Guinea have cleared enemy positions for more than half a nnle east of the But River. The river maiks the western extremity oi a sinal settlement which includes a jetty, plantation, and mission areas. Pati ols have located enemy equipment, including a minefield. The enemy has suffered many casualties m the last tW The a japanese are operating against two Australian positions north-west oi Maprikwith mortars. The Austra bans attacked enemy Positions in the Screw River area north of Mapnk. patrols engaged south of Balif The enemy lias withdrawn hastily from positions in the Waitavolo nlantation area on the south coast of New Britain, but on Wednesday he launched two surprise attacks within the Australian lines. RAID ON RANGOON. RUGBY, March 22 The United States War Department has announced that Superiort losses from India to-day bombed targeA corespondent at 20th Bomber Command Headquarters m India that the principal targets were supply dumps on Lake Victoria and the Mingaladon cantonment. The results were reported as good to excellent, with fires and explosions in the dump areas Both anti-aircraft file and fighter opposition were meagre and all the aircraft returned safely. JAP. DRIvFIN CHINA CHUNGKING. March 23. A Chinese Army spokesman announced that 60,000 Japanese mechanised units have launched a new drive north-westward of Hankow aiming to seize vital Southern Honan and Northern Hupeh wheat crops, also to nullify the advanced airfields thereabouts arm to removt a Chinese threat to the PekmHankow railway.

DISRUPTION in japan. AFTER U.S. RAIDS.

NEW YORK, March 22. “Japan under American bombings has become a nightmare of Fomentation, shortages, tolaicß markets., desolation, and general disruption, says the Guam correspondent of the “New York Times.” “The Japanese radio spot broadcasts of the air raids are a good show, full of action and drama and always with a happy ending in which the villainous Amencans are forced to flee. “Such broadcasts usually end thus. ‘There are no more enemy aeroplanes. Please exert your fullest strength and prevent the spread of fires. Much of the broadcast time after the raid is occupied with advice to fire-fight-ers and civilians under Army direction. Citizens are cautioned to watch vacant homes and warehouses in addition to their own. Water for dousing the fires is the primary concern of citizens, who are continually warned to conserve and replenish the supply. \ “The Japanese radio significantly has announced that there are numerous re-employment offices for persons whose factories have been burned down. Evacuees have become so numerous that the Government temporarily has called off all former regulations for the issue, of air raid victim certificates. Relief stations are now ordered in effect to assist anyone looking like a refugee. The Nagoya authorities have broadcast that it was impossible to issue certificates to all the victims in that city. The radio regrets that black markets are rampant. “With the general disruption of communications the postal system has been dislocated, as is revealed by radio promises to get the mail moving soon. Newspapers have been so affected that central publications are barred from areas where local papers are published and big newspapers are required to lend mechanical facilities to the country Press. “MORALE STRENGTHENED.” “However, the general trend of broadcasts indicates that home front morale has been strengthened by the bombing.. The Prime Minister (General Koiso) has announced that the Government is organising area by area defence against the expected American invasion in order to permit efficient resistance if some parts of the country become isolated. The Vice-Minister of War (Lieuten-ant-General Shinayama) told a Parliamentary committee that • the recently formed civilian special attack corps would' be constituted so that every citizen could be assigned to duty in the event of an emergency. Special arms were being produced for civilian use.”

The Domei News Agency quoted the Minister of Home Affairs (Odachi) as saying that Tokio’s Population } vas now less than 4.000,000, and -a mass evacuation was continuing. The Minister of Agriculture (Shimeda) told the Diet Committee that wheat and potatoes had been distributed and stored in great quantities. < He added that there B was nothing to worry about even if by chance the homeland was split up. SPAIN AND JAPAN. ■ u MADRID, March 23. Spam has sent Japan a strong note of protest against Japanese atrocities on Soanish subjects and pronertv in the Philippines, and demanding indemnity.