PHILIPPINES GAINS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25211, 25 May 1945, Page 7

PHILIPPINES GAINS

STEADY AMERICAN ADVANCE (Reed. 6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May -'3 "On the high plateau in the interior of Mindanao, Philippines, only eight miles now separates oi.r forces converging from the north and south," sa.vs General Mac Arthur's communique. "Our southern column, brushing aside enemv resistance at Kalaysungay, drove ten miles north of Ma lay ha lay (the capture of which was announced earlier) and seized Dalwangan. Our northern spearhead advanced several miles beyond Mnluko. "The 24th Division in the Davao sector, pushed one mile north of Bunawan, secured Tanbungon and is closing on the Licanan aerodrome. "hi the Santafe area, Luzon, units of the First Corps continue the reduction of isolated enemy strongpoints." BOUGAINVILLE SECTOR! AUSTRALIAN SUCCESSES MELBOURNE, May 24, In six months of gruelling fighting on Bougainville. Solomons, troops of the Australian 3rd and lltli Divisions have killed more than 5000 Japanese. An Army Department announcement yesterday releases details of the Australian units engaged in these operations. High tribute is paid to the splendid air support of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. By dropping bombs and depth charges along the route of the Australians' advance. New Zealandmanned planes have forced the Japanese to abandon strong defensive positions. AIR APPOINTMENTS LONDON, May 23 Air Chief-Marshal Sir ShoUo Douglas ha.s been appointed Air Officer Commanding in Chief, British Air Forces in Germany. Air Vice-Marshal Sir Leonard Slatter succeeds Sir Sholto Douglas as Air Officer Commanding in Chief, Coastal Command, and assumes I the acting rank of air-marshal.