DIRECTED BY HALSEY

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21550, 1 November 1944, Page 3

DIRECTED BY HALSEY

PHILIPPINES BATTLE ENEMY CLAIMS SUCCESS (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 31. Although Admiral W. F. Halsey directed the batile against the Japanese off the Philippines he did not see much, says the Associated Press’ correspondent aboard the Third Fleet tlagship. The flagship was under periodic bombing for 48 hours off Formosa last week, but was far distant when the Philippines battle commenced. Admiral Halsey’s fastest ships travelled at full speed towards San Bernardino Straits in an attempt to intercept the Japanese, but located only one damaged cruiser, which the American destroyers and cruisers sank while the flagship was still 15 miles distant. The Tokio official radio, quoting the Japanese High Command, says that naval planes have sunk or damaged 19 American warships, including nine carriers, eastwards of the Philippines since October 25. Five of the ships, including three carriers, were sunk. Japanese planes are still attacking ships in Leyte Gulf and also an American task force which was previously reported in Lamon Bay, eastward of Luzon.