U.S. AIR SWEEPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21603, 4 January 1945, Page 6

U.S. AIR SWEEPS

FORMOSAN WATERS FIVE SHIPITSET AFIRE DESTRUCTION - ON LUZON (10 a.m.i WASHINGTON. Jan. Northern air patrols, reaching fai into enemy waters, have shot down four enemy planes and set lire to fine coastal vessels eastward of Formosa, says General MacArthur's communique. Fighters sweeping over the southern provinces of Luzon Island did widespread damage to warehouses, railway installations, power plants, and wharves.

Medium units operating further north caused fires and explosions at Laoag and sank a 2000-ton merchantman. Air patrols sank a gunboat off Ihe west coast. Medium bombers hit Silav aerodrome on Negros Island, starting fires in the supply area. On Leyte Island 778 of the enemy were killed during the day. bringing the total enemy casualties to 119.702. Light naval units sank four enemy barges and set fire to supply dumps on Poro Island in the Camoles Sen. Patrol planes ofi' the east coast of Borneo damaged a coastal vessel and sank a lugger. Fighter-bombers cratered an airfield in tho nort’eastern sector of Ihe Celebes and destroyed bridges.