JAP. PRESSURE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20648, 26 December 1941, Page 3

JAP. PRESSURE

LUZON ISLAND PINCER DRIVE INVADERS HARASSED AMERICAN AIR FORCE (Elen. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (.Reed. Dec. 26, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 25. The War Department said on Wednesday that General Macarthur, Commander-in-Chief in the Philippines. reported that Japanese troops had landed in two additional areas on Luzon Island and consideration was being given to the withdrawal of the Commonwealth Government and the military forces from Manila. An army communique issued at headquarters on Tuesday stated that the authorities were considering declaring Manila an open city. The communique also staled: “Fierce fighting continues in northern Luzon, where the enemy is exerting great pressure.” “Fighting on the eastern shore of the Gulf of Lingayen is increasing in intensity. The Japanese invaders are using light tanks in heavy attacks south of Agno. Enemy aeroplanes have been particularly active in supporting the landings and shore operations. American army bombing planes attacked several enemy troopships off Davao with undetermined results. There is nothing to report from other areas “During the night the enemy landed a heavy force in the vicinity of Antirm.nen, 75 miles south of Manila. Japanese troops in this region are disembarking frOm approximately 40 transports. Several enemy troopships appeared off Batangas, 65 miles south of Manila, indicating the probability of an attempted landing in that region. Pincers Against Manila

The Manila correspondent of the United Press of America says that the landing of Japanese forces at Antimonan indicates an attempt to start from the north and south a pincer movement against Manila. Army headquarters stated that though greatly outnumbered American and Filipino troops are valiantly battling against the invasion force which landed at Antimonan from 40 transports. Before the landing at Antimonan the Japanese attempted to land near Batangas, but were beaten off. In the Lingayen Gulf sector, where heavy fighting is in progress, the enemy have not yet made contact with the main American forces under the command of General Wainwright. The army announced that the forward forces of. Manila headquarters are taking the field to oppose the troops threatening the capital from the north and south. Admiral Hart, Commander of the United States Asiatic Fleet, announced that cnc large Japanese transport and one mine-sweeper had been sunk. A large Japanese seaplane tender and another transport had probably been sunk. U.S. Pilots Hitting Hard

The Associated Press of America says that independent, reports indicate the Japanese are being hammered hard by the American air force. American pilots predict that the Japanese will find the going increasingly difficult.

The Tokio radio claimed the complete occupation of Davao and said the enemy casualties were 200 killed and 600 taken prisoner. The official radio reported that that Wake Island was occupied completely on Tuesday by Japanese naval forces.

A navy communique states that Palmyra Island and Johnston Island have been shelled by enemy submarines. There were no casualties or damage at Palmyra and negligible damage was done at Johnston Island.

The Tokio radio admitted on Tuesday that, the Japanese Navy lost , two destroyers in landing operations on Wake Island.

It is officially claimed from Tokio that Wake Island is entirely in Japanese hands.