Japs Lose 21,000 Men Off Leyte

Northern Advocate, 1 December 1944, Page 5

Japs Lose 21,000 Men Off Leyte

(2 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30 General MacArthur announced that an Ormoc-bound convoy of four Japanese ships, presumably leaded with reinforcements and supplies, was destroyed with 5000 troops off Cebu Island on Wednesday and today.

The enemy continues his desperate efforts to reinforce and supply his troops at Ormoc, says General MacArthur’s communique. In a day and night battle over two days cur fighters destroyed three large cargo transports, seven troop transports and three escorting destroyers. Enemy planes unsuccessfully attempted to cover and seven were shot down.

Seven troop transports and one cargo transport were sunk well out at sea. Their troops, estimated at 4000 were lost. Two cargo vessels made port and partially unloaded before being destroyed. It is probable that another re-

inforcing division is being brought in as prisoners stated that they had been told that a second Japanese infantry division was expected. This Is the sixth convoy destroyed. Enemy losses at sea in reinforcement attempts total 21,000 men, 26 transports, aggregating 92,750 torn, and 17 escort vessels Rains continue. There has been no ground action of importance. Twentythree and a half inches of rain have fallen on Leyte since November 1. a record for November. We are partially supplying the front line eschelons from the air. Our torpedo bombers and fighters bombed and strafed aerodromes and bivouacs on Legaspi and Luzon. Widespread Air Attacks General MacArthur’s communique added that patrol planes damaged small shipping in the Visayas, Carrioles and Sibuyan Seas, and attacked aerodromes and shipping in the Celebes. Heavy units cratered the runway on Davao aerodrome. Medium units harassed installations at Halmahera and bombed I-laroekoe. Kairatoc, and I-lalong, in Amboina and Ceram, and destroyed small shipping off the Flore;: and Alor Islands and the Lesser Sundas. Patrol planes struck at Timor and the Kai and Banda Islands. Attack bombers hit Sagan aerodrome, southern Vogelkop, and bombed offshore islands at Wewak and occupied- villages in the Torricelli Mountains. Heavy and medium units based in New Guinea dropped 52 tons of bombs on aerodromes and supply facilities at Vunakanau and Tobera. Eabaul.