LEYTE ISLAND LANDING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25030, 21 October 1944, Page 7

LEYTE ISLAND LANDING

major amphibious operation (ROUND TROOPS EXTEND HOLD GREAT DAY FOR GENERAL MacARTHUR By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright

(Received October 20, 9.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, October 20 The invasion of the Philippines is announced by General jflacArthur's Headquarters. A special South-west Pacific communique states: "In a major jjnphibious operation, we seized the east coast of Leyte Island, 600 miles northward from Morotai (Halmahera Group) and 2SOO pjles from Milne Bay (New Guinea), where our offensive started nearly 16 months ago. The landing splits the Japanese forces in the PhilipP' nes in tw °- The enemy expected an attack on Mindanao. "Tacloban (chief town of Leyte Island) was secured with gpall casualties. The landing was preceded by a heavy air and gaVfil bombardment which was devastating in its effect. Our ground troops are already extending their hold." President Roosevelt, in a statement from White House, said: "We promised to return. We have returned." The President said that the invasion forces under the command of General Mac Arthur are supported by the greatest concentration of naval and air power massed in the Pacific Ocean. An eye-witness says he watched tens of thousands of Americans go ashore. Invasion craft unloaded masses of heavy equipment including bulldozers and tanks. This correspondent says the Allied casualties have been slight and that no concerted effort Jias 50 far been made by the Japanese Navy to interfere. Leyte Island, in the Central Philippines, is a mountainous island about 120 miles long and up to 45 miles wide. The chief town of Tacloban has a population of 30,000. The landings were made against positions held by strong Japanese forces. Supplies and heavy equipment have also been landed. Australian units are taking part in the landings. Australian naval squadrons and squadrons of the R.A.A.F. are mentioned. The Philippines have been in Japanese hands since May, 1942, after outnumbered American and Filipino troops—heroes of the epic stands of Bataan and Corregidor—had been overwhelmed. (