AMERICANS ON LEYTE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25674, 24 October 1944, Page 5

AMERICANS ON LEYTE

ENEMY WITHDRAWS WESTWARD SUPPLY DIFFICULTIES , (Rec. 10.45 p.m.) NEW YORK, Oct. 22. American infantry advancing steadily behind flamethrowers, tanks, artillery, and dive-bombers, threaten San Pablo and also the important road junction of Burauen above Leyte’g narrow waist, says the United Press correspondent, Mr William Dickson. Front line despatches indicated that both towns would soon fall to Major-general Arnold’s Seventh Infantry Division, which led the advance.

The Americans to the north are believed to be heading for Santafe, five miles west of Palo, the northern terminus of the Leyte Valley road. Artillery and dive-bombers are knocking out pillboxes and gun emplacements, and infantry and tanks are infiltrating between the positions, leaving flame-throwers to incinerate the enemy choosing to remain. Field despatches report that bulldozers and* graders are already levelling the 6000-feet Tacloban airstrip and Piper Cubs are assembling for reconnaissance flights. The Seventh Cavalry Regiment took Ricardo, north’ of Taoloban, after bombs and naval shells had almost levelled the town.

“ Ground forces on Leyte are steadily expanding their positions on all fronts,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “ Work has been started on the captured airfields at Tacloban and Dulag. We are now commencing preparations for a great base for all arms for future operations.

“ The enemy’s forces, after their preliminary defeat, are ’ apparently withdrawing westwards. Their supply problem is already becoming difficult and should they be forced into the hills it would become acute. There were minor ineffectual air raids against our shipping in Leyte Gulf.” '