LUZON CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 27 February 1945, Page 5

LUZON CAMPAIGN

AMERICAN GAINS In All Sectors (Rec. 9.50). WASHINGTON, Feb. 25. Good progress in all sectors on Luzon Island was reported in General MacArthur’s communique on Monday. The 6th Division captured San Isidro and Mount Alban. The Ist Cavalry Division is now operating near Antipolo. The 11th Airborne Division crossed the San Juan River 15 miles south of Muntinlupa, on Lagunade Bay. The 25th Division advanced three miles towards Conversion. The 32nd Division captured additional high ground covering the Villaderde trail. The 33rd Division patrols operated extensively in hills north of Rosario. Attack bombers made a low-level strike against enemy coastal installations north of Vigan, setting on fire fuel dumps, and destroying installations. Fighters and light bombers effectively supported all the ground operations. Light naval units sank three troop-laden barges off Guintacan Island, north-west of Cebu, and destroyed another ashore. Reconnaissance planes sank two landing craft carrying 300 troops to Nansei Islands, and bombed Rasa Islands. Medium bombers hit shipping in Fhanrang Harbour, Indo-China, and set on fire and- left sinking a 5000-ton tanker and a small freighter. They also hit two destroyer escorts and destroyed’ a lugger. The crew of another tanker were seen abandoning the ship. Patol planes damaged a 7000-ton freighter at Swatow. Bombers attacked the Sepinggan and Mangga'r aerodromes at Balikpapan and Sandakan, in Borneo, and also the Miri, Lagundatu and Jesselton airfields. STILL HOLD OUT. 1000 J'AFS IN SOUTH MANILA. (Rec. 9.0). NEW YORK, Feb. 26. There are 1000 Japanese still holding out in Manila. They ar e in three highly defensible earthquake-proof Government buildings south-eastward of the Intramuros. (Rec. 12.40.) NEW YORK, Feb. 26. The Japanese holding out in the three Government buildings were given until daybreak on Monday to surrender. Japs. Slay 129 Priests IN MANILA WALLED CITY. (Rec. 9.5). NEW YORK, Feb. 26. A Blue Network broadcaster al Manila stated: Before the capture of the Intramuros, the Japanese ordered 130 priests into church air raid shelters. Then the Japanese tossed hand grenades through a single . opening, killing and wounding many of them. The Japanese ordered priests who were still standing to open their mouths. They then stuck pistols into the mouths of the priests and shot them, after which they blocked the shelter, leaving the /wounded to die. This tragedy was related by the sole survivor, Father Palomino, who was wounded, but clawed his way out. Lieutenant-Colonel John Frederick said: “We have learned much about street fighting. We know how to do it now, but I hope that when fighting the Japanese cities we will not have additional worries in sparing civilians.” CORREGIDOR JAPS. BLOW THEMSELVES UP. (Rec. 11.50.) NEW YORK, Feb. 26. Five heavy underground explosions on Friday night last rocked Corregidor Island, indicating that further self-destruction by the sealed-off Japanese had taken place. THE AMERICAN PUSH. (Rec. 9.5). NEW YORK, Feb. 26. American forces, in a new push, are striking from Manila, through the Sierra Madres foothills, .on a 25-mile front. The push is aimed at the east coast of Luzon Island.

It is now apparent the Japanese did not intend to leave a large force i n Manila, but swift American moves prevented a planned withdrawal.