PANAY LANDING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 5

PANAY LANDING

JAPANESE CONFUSION OUTSKIRTS OF CAPITAL REACHED (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 20. “The Fortieth Division, taking full advantage of the enemy’s confusion on Fanay, drove rapidly east seven miles into the outskirts of Iloilo, and captured an aerodrome and a bridge over the Iloilo River,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “ Fortieth Division columns simultaneously drove north 25 miles, over-ran the coastal plain inland from Iloilo, and captured Janiuay, Pototan,,Barotac, and Neuevo. They also made contact with strong guerrilla forces. The enemy is apparently burning Iloilo. “ Our aircraft bombed bivouacs and supply installations at Pangdan, in Eastern Cebu, as well as positions to the north. They cratered runways at Negros aerodromes, destroying two parked planes.. “ Guerrillas captured San Fernando, in Northern Luzon, destroying the garrison. San Fernando is the principal harbour on the east shore of the Lingayen Gulf, and is linked by highway and railway with the Central Plain. Simultaneously Thirty-third Division elements drove to the north on the Lingayen coast 10 miles from Aringay and seized Bauang, six miles to the south of San Fernando. They captured and saved two large bridges, which had been prepared for demolition. Other units pushing to the north bn a Kennon mountain road captured Camp Three, eight miles over Rosario. “The Sixth and Forty-third Divisions continued their rapid drive into secondary defences and captured Pantay. Elements to the north are approaching Mount Baytangan, three miles northwest of Bosoboso. The Eleventh Airborne Division captured San Jose Hill, on the western slopes of Mount Macqlod, near Cuenca. Our aircraft swept North Luzon. “The Forty-first Division repulsed a night attack to the north of San Roque, Zamboanga, and . next day expanded their positions into the hills to the north against lessening resistance. We occupied Isabela Basilan Island by a combined overland amphibious movement. and now control Basilan Island. Our aircraft struck air bases in northwestern Formosa and destroyed or damaged five small craft in the China Sea, and made a night attack on a convoy to the east of Swatow, damaging a 10,000-ton tanker. They also hit targets in the Celebes and the Moluccas. “Our heavies hit artillery positions and supply areas to the north-west of Dagua and an airfield 'in the Wewak sector. Mediums and fighters attacked installations near Rabaul and Kavieng, on Bougainville.’”