ENEMY SHIPPING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25736, 6 January 1945, Page 5

ENEMY SHIPPING

ATTACKED OFF PHILIPPINES HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED WASHINGTON, (Rec. 11 p.m.) Jan. 4. “The air force again struck heavily at enemy shipping in Subic Bay and Ungayn Gulf, in Luzon,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “ Twentyfive freighters and transports aggregating 57,000 tons, plus a seaplane carrier, three naval escorts, a coastal vessel, and five luggers were sunk or severely damaged. We lost two planes. Escorted heavy bombers continued the reduction of the Clark air centre, destroying 20 enemy fighters in dispersal areas. There was no interception. “ Enemy planes at night attacked an airfield and shipping installations on Mindoro, inflicting damage. Aircraft defences shot down three enemy planes. Medium bombers and fighters bombed and strafed Negros and Cebu aerodromes, destroying 12 planes. Gun positions were silenced and hits were scored on supply dumps, starting fires. One of our bombers was lost to flak. Light naval units attacked enemy small shipping to the west, sinking one small freighter, two coastal vessels, a lugger, and 12 barges. Reconnaissance planes bombed shipyards at Sandakan (Borneo), starting fires. “ Heavy bombers struck at Manado, a township in the Celebes, hitting warehouses. Heavy, medium, and fighter bombers struck aerodromes, supplies and defences in the Halmaheras. Runways were cratered, gun emplacements were hit, and large fires and explosions were started in storage areas. Patrol planes harassed outposts at Boeroe. Air patrol planes bombed an airfield and defence installations at Luiloro and Atapoepoe. on Timor, and damaged buildings at Saumlaki. in Tanimbara. Medium and attack bombers hit enemv-occupied villages in the Wewak and Sepik areas. Medium and fighter bombers destroyed motor vehicles at Rabaul, and bombed and strafed troop and sunoly concentrations in New Ireland, Bougainville and Choiseul.”