BLOWS FROM AIR

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

BLOWS FROM AIR

MANILA AEEA SUFFEES ENEMY LOSES HEAVILY 99 PLANES; SIX SHIPS (Reed. 0.1 H p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. '2O In .further heavy attacks on the Manila area, Philippines, American carrier aircraft in three days destroyed 99 planes, sank six ships and damaged 23. A Pacific Fleet communique states: "Carrier aircraft on October 16, 17 and 18 continued to attack whatever enemy aircraft and shipping could still be found in the Manila area. Aggressive Planes Met "On Monday, aircraft from one group of carriers encountered up to 40 aggressive enemy planes over Clark Field, destroying 20 of them in the air. Thirty other planes on the ground were destroyed, while 40 more were probably destroyed or damaged. "Incomplete reports show that on Tuesday over Manila our fighters shot down 17 enemy planes, which, although airborne, did not prove aggressive. An additional 13 planes were also shot down. Fifteen more were destroyed on the ground at Clark Field and Nichols Field, where barracks, fuel dumps, hangars and ground installations were heavily bombed. "At South Harbour, Manila Bay, an oil tanker, four medium cargo ships, and a floating drv dock were destroyed. Six large or medium cargo ships were damaged in Manila Bay and a large tanker was damaged in Mariveles Harbour.

Shipping in South Harbour "Preliminary reports show that our losses in action on Tuesday were four planes, two pilots and two air crew. "On Wednesday, carrier-based planes in a blow against shipping in South Harbour. Manila Bay, sank an oil tanker and damaged two large cargo ships, two large transports, six medium cargo ships, four small cargo ships and two medium oil tankers. Four enemy aircraft were destroyed over the target area. One was probably shot down and one was damaged on the ground." The Pearl Harbour correspondent of the United Press says the communique does not mention the landings in the Philippines, but it is assumed that the carrier raids in the Manila area are supporting the amphibious operations in the Leyte Gulf, 42 miles to the south. Bombs on Davao Area

A Sydney message say 6 that a Southwest Pacific communique reports that aircraft co-operated with Admiral Nimitz's forces by a record bombardment of the southern part of the Philippines. The port area of Davao (Mindanao), was hit with over 100 tons of bombs, causing explosions and fires at the docks and among oil stores. Thunderbolt and Lightning fighters .sank or severely damaged two 1000-ton freighters, set fire to several small ships and destroyed a road convoy of ten trucks. Bombing raids were also made on oil installations at Balik Papan (Borneo) and airfields at Manado (Celebes). Both these targets are of considerable strategic importance in the battle for the Philippines. RELEASES OF INDIANS LONDON, Oct. 19 The Secretary of State for India, Mr L. C. Amery, informed the House of Commons that about 15,000 members of the All-India Congress Party who are in detention have been released. As far as he was aware, the releases as a rule were made unconditionally. AMERICAN CASUALTIES (Reed. 6.10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. <2O War casualties suffered by the United States armed forces and merchant marine have reached a total of 459,230. This includes more than 103,000 killed. 235,000 wounded, 62.000 missing, and 57.000 prisoners of war.