LUZON SWEPT

Grey River Argus, 23 September 1944, Page 5

LUZON SWEPT

BY U.S. BOMBERS

VERY HEAVY JAP LOSSES

In Ships and Planes

(Rec. 11.30) WASHINGTON, Sept. 22. American carrier-borne aircraft on Wednesday made a devastating raid on the Manila area in the Philippines. Eleven Japanese ships were sunk. Twenty-six more, and a floating dock, were probably either sunk or damaged. There were .205 aircraft destroyed. Fifteen American aircraft were lost. Several of the flying personnel were saved. American surface ships suffered no damage. It was the first attack by American forces on the Manila area, and was made in the face of a big umbrella of Japanese interceptors. A Pacific Fleet communique says: “Carrier aircraft swept Luzon, striking in great force at Shaw Fing, Manila Bay, and Subic Bay installations; also Clark Field, Nichols Field, and Cavite naval base. The enemy lost 110 aircraft shot down, and 95 destroyed on the ground. A large destroyed leader, four large oil tankers, a small oil tanker, two large cargo ships, a medium cargo ship, and two small cargo vessels were sunk. Moreover, one destroyler, two large oil tankers, a large transport, ten large cargo ships, twelve medium cargo ships, and a floating dock were probably sunk or damaged. In addition to the enemy’s heavy shipping and aircraft losses, much damage was done to military objectives on and adjacent to Clark Field and Nichols Field. This superlatively successful attack apparently caught the enemy completely by surprise. NEW YORK. Sept. 22.

The Tokio official radio says all Manila is raging to-day with hatred against Americans for the brutality and viciousness displayed in attacking Manila. American pilots brutally strafed a Chinese general hospital roof, on which was carried, clearly visible, a red cross. Over 100 innocent civilians were killed or injured. JAP NAVY NOT THERE (Rec. 11.55) PEARL HARBOUR, Sept. 22. The latest powerful strike in the Philippines was carried out by Admiral Halsey’s Thirq Fleet, including General Mitscher's carrier group, reports the Associated Press. It is an indication that the Palau operations are proceeding so well that Admiral Halsay is able to leave large forces there lightly protected in order to renew the bold thrusts against the Philippines which began on August 30, and have now .accounted for a grand total of 258 ships sunk or damaged, and 908 aircraft destroyed or damaged, against American losses of only 20 planes. It is almost unbelievable that not a single American ship was lost or damaged, since all the raids occurred within striking distance of land-based Japanese aircraft. Significantly, the Japanese offered no naval opposition whatever. The Japanese obviously do not have naval forces based in the Philippines capable of resisting the Americans, and presumably are’ still nursing wounds inflicted in the battle of the Philippines Sea at the end of June.

Tokio radio announced that the puppet president, Paurel, declared martial law in the Philippines.

RAID ON JAPAN? LONDON’, Sent. 22. American Super Fortresses raided northern Kyushu on Wednesday morning, says the German radio. It claims 23 were shot down. There is no Allied confirmation of the raid.