IN THE PHILIPPINES

Grey River Argus, 20 December 1941, Page 5

IN THE PHILIPPINES

INVADERS PUSHED BACK

In One Area

[Aus. & N-Z. Cable assn. J MANILA, December IS. 1 The United States Far East Command announced that the Japanese invaders had been pushed back toi many miles in the Vigan area. There, was no apparent enemv activity in tne & north-west coast, and Legaspi in th-, south-east, three places whichi the Japanese also mention On Monday the Japanese suffered heavy casual ties south of Vigan, when they wci< pushed back some miles before darkness stopped the fighting. At least 12 Japanese planes were shot down when Japanese squadrons raided the Nicholas and Zablan fields this afternoon. It was the first anraid for three days. The damage to the airfields was slight. General MacArthur announced that the entire Filipino army was being inducted into the United States Army in order to amalgamate all defence forces, and obtain tne maximum cohesion and co-ordination. General MacArthur handed President Quezon a cheque for .10,000 ouo dollars for public relief and civilian defence. > , , . President Quezon, broadcasting in an appeal for an all-out effort against the Japanese, said: “We are resisting effectively on all fronts, and the situation is under control. Filipinos and Americans are fighting together with signal valour.

LATEST REPORTS. (RPc. 1.20). LONDON, December 19. The J’apanese bombed the Cavite naval base in the Philippines and ialso the capital of the central Philippin e Island. Since yesterday morning no reports, of enemy activity have been received. JAP. SUBMARINE SUNK. (Rec. 7.30). WASHINGTON, Dec. 18. The Navy has reported that an American submarine sank a Japanese transport, and probably sank a destroyer in the Far East. U.S. AIR CHIEF MISSING. WASHINGTON, December 18. Mr Stimson announced that Major General Dargue, Commander of the First Army Air Force, and a group of high ranking army officers, have been missing since December 12, on a trans-continental flight. An Army communique announced that the plane was last reported near Palmdale (California) and is believed to have crashed, or is down in the mountains. 1

AMERICAN PUSH

IN MIDDLE EAST. GREAT MECHANICAL ; ACTIVITY. (Rec. 1.40). LONDON, Dec. 18. The “Telegraph’s” Cairo correspondent says:— < An American mission is operating in Eritrea. It will concentrate on assembling American planes, which then will fly to the battlefield. It also will create naval repair depots and repair shops for British armies in North Africa and Palestine, where American technicians already are assisting in the repair and maintenance of American tanks, planes, and motor vehicles. There is another American mission in Iraq. It first dealt with improvement of port facilities and transport for supplies to Russia, but already has entered activities on similar lines to the Eritrean mission. British efforts have enormously developed the harbours of Suez and Port Said. Port Tewfik, at Suez, is now capable of handling ocean cargoes, and to supplement it at Port Suez, which nreviouslv was deserted, is now a miniature port, and is growing daily. Three thousand dockers are now employed each at Port Suez and Port Tewfik. Wharves; jetties, roads and rail sidings have been built at Port Suez, and are still extending. Specially built sheds at Port Suez assemble more vehicles than any one plant in Aimerica. Port Tewfik and Fort Suez handle 4500 tons of cargo daily. Another port along the Canal has been similarly expanded. American vessels hitherto have not passed the Suez, but now that America is in the war they come right through the Canal. Port Said has introduceu wharves consisting of pontons, also locally-made concrete lighters, supplementing steel lighters.