LANDINGS HELD UP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24147, 13 December 1941, Page 11

LANDINGS HELD UP

WAR IN PHILIPPINES sREPULSE OF ATTACKS f ANOTHER DAY'S BOMBING (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 11 The most desperate enemy attacks in the Philippines seem to be directed against Luzon. A Manila communique states that the situation is materially unchanged. An enemy force has pushed through at Negaspi, on the south-east tip of Luzon, but the force is known to be a small one There are no details of the operations. A Washington communique says there is reason to believe that the American and Filipino advance north and north-west continues successfully. Detachments of Japanese troops who landed 100 miles north-west of Manila are being disposed of.

"Situation in Hand"

A War Department communique states that Japanese aircraft bombed military and naval installations in the Philippines throughout the day. There is reason to believe that the

defence of Luzon, main island of the Philippines, against landing operations in the north and south-west is continuing successfully. No change in the military situation has occurred in other areas.

A message from Manila states that one Filipino division has repulsed light Japanese attacks at a point 150 miles north of Manila, and the Philippines situation is stated to be completely in hand. American interceptors drove off three waves of Japanese bombers. Report of Parachutists

After bombs were dropped on the harbour at Nichols Field, Cavite, some civilian casualties and damage to property were reported. An Associated Press correspondent at Manila says that Japanese parachutists are reported to have been seized at an airport six miles from Iligan, Eastern Luzon. An American Army spokesman declared that Japanese forces which landed on Luzon are now being mopped up. Tho Tribune reports that 15 Japanese aeroplanes were shot down in yesterday's raid on Manila, in which 30 civilians were killed and 250 wounded

Air Attacks Continue It is reliably reported from Manila that the Philippine Army recaptured the region around Aparri. driving the Japanese to the coast Mr. H. L. Stimson, Secretary for War, . earlier stated that determined resistance by the American forces had confined Japanese landings on Luzon to Aparri. He said that Japanese air attacks in the vicinity of Manila were continuing, particularly at Cavite and Nichols Field.

The German radio, quoting Imperial Headquarters, Tokio, reported that the Japanese Air Force heavily attacked the Philippines from the air on December 10, and shot down 45 American aeroplanes over Manila and destroyed at least 81 aircraft on the ground.

RAID ON TRIPOLI EXPLOSIONS AND FIRES FLAMES VISIBLE FOR MILES (Reed. 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 12 A Royal Air Force Middle East communique states that the Royal Air Force raided objectives in Tripoli, and landing-grounds at Derna and Gazala on the night of December 9-10. At Tripoli considerable damage was caused to admiralty buildings. Many explosions occurred and a number of fires which broke out developed into a blaze which could be seen for many miles from the target. Our aircraft also machine - gunned motor transport vehicles and bombed storage buildings.

At Derna and Gazala the results of the raids could not be observed owing to unfavourable weather and poor visibility. Bad weather yesterday seriously hampered operations in Libya, but in the course of fighter patrols a number of enemy aircraft were damaged. From these and other operations three of our aircraft are missing.

SUPPLYING TOBRUK NAVY'S ACHIEVEMENT HUGE TRANSPORT TASK LONDON, Dec. 12 The way Tobruk was kept supplied from the sea during the long period of siege has been described by RearAdmiral I. G. Glen me in an i nterview in Alexandra. Between April 12 and December 10, be said, the Navy bad carried 29,000 men to Tobruk and bad evacuated 33,000. In the same period 44,000 tons of food and other supplies had been, taken in. During the early days of the siege mixdd convoys had been used, but later destroyers were the only vessels with sufficient speed to escape German air attacks. Rear-Admiral Glennie paid a special tribute to the Australian destroyers, "which carried the heat and burden of the day wbeu Tobruk was first invested."

THREAT TO AMSTERDAM LONDON. Dec. 12 Amsterdam has been threatened with the same fate as Warsaw and Rotterdam. The German Governor, SeyssInquart, has warned the people that if machine-guns and the shooting of hostages will not curb the Dutch, then their city will be razed to the ground.