TWENTY-FIVE SHIPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25735, 5 January 1945, Page 3

TWENTY-FIVE SHIPS

ATTACKED OFF LUZON SMALL-SCALE LANDINGS ON MINDORO WASHINGTON. (Rec. 11.45 p.m.) uau. 3. “Attack bombers and heavy patrols swept enemy shipping along West Luzon from north to south and sank or set fire to 25 ships, comprismg a 7000-ton transport, a 6000-ton freighter, 21 smaller freighters, and two large trawlers,” said General MacArthur’s communique. “ Medium and light bombers ranged south of Luzon from Legaspi to Batangas, hitting railway installations, reservoirs, barracks, and barges along the coast. Escorted heavy units again struck Clark Field and shot down 11 of 20 planes attempting interception for the loss of one' " Our troops in shore-to-shore operations landed on both the eastern and western coasts of Mindoro. Our flak and fighters shot down eight enemy planes. “ Medium bombers and fighters bombed and strafed Negros aerodromes, starting fires in supply and personnel areas. The enemy killed on Leyte during the day numbered 1287. Gur light naval units patrolling adjacent waters sank five coastal vessels and a launch.

“ Enemy planes before dawn attacked airfield installations. Flak shot down one. We suffered some damage. Air patrols bombed shipyards and warehouses at Sandakan and destroyed buildings and started fires. Flak shot down one of our planes. Medium and fighter bombers hit runways. barracks, gun positions, oil storage tanks, and started fires in the Manada area in the Celebes. We*sank a coastal vessel off the east coast' of the Celebes and harassed installations to the east of Makassar.

Heavy and medium fighter bombers carrying 90 tons struck aerodromes, encampments, and supply dumps at Miti, Galelawasile, and Djaililo, and hit ammunition dumps. Other planes bombed Namlea, Haroekoe, and Kairote effectively. We lost three bombers.”