STEADY ADVANCE IN PHILIPPINES

Southland Times, Issue 25502, 24 October 1944, Page 5

STEADY ADVANCE IN PHILIPPINES

SAN PABLO AND BURAUEN THREATENED LEVELLING OF AIRSTRIP ON LEYTE (United Press Association—Telegraph Copyright) ' '(Rec. 8.10 p.m.) NEW YORK, October 23. American infantry, advancing steadily behind flamethrowers, tanks, artillery and dive bombers, threaten San Pablo, also the important road junction , of Burauen above Leyte’s narrow waist, says the correspondent of the United Press, William Dickson. Front line dispatches indicate that both towns will soon fall to Major-General Arnold’s 70th Infantry Division.

The 70th Infantry Division which led the advance of the Americans north, is believed to be heading for San Tafe, five miles west of Palo on 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 positions leaving flame-throwers to incinerate the enemy choosing to remain.

Field dispatches report that bulldozers and graders are already levelling the 6000-feet Tacloban airstrip and Piper Cubs are assembling for reconnaissance flights. The 7th Cavalry Regiment took Ricardo, north of Tacloban, after bombs and naval shells had almost levelled the town. The correspondent of The New York Daily News at Leyte, Jack Turcott, says that small bands of Rangers landed on neighbouring islands three days before the invasion of Leyte. Specially trained soldiers and sailors grabbed vantage points on Dinagat, Hommohnon and Suluan islands on Tuesday morning, throttled Japanese resistance and captured radio stations and official documents. The coup cleared the way for the fleet into Surigao Strait, which is the entrance to Leyte Gulf. The same night mine-sweepers cleared the gulf, while underwater demolition squads and expert swimmers covered miles of water spotting mines and other hidden perils, then went ashore and destroyed beach obstacles. Advance scouts from Lieutenant-General Walter Kreuger’s 6th Army also made preliminary landings on the Leyte coast, reporting by radio the Japanese strength, defence positions and the weather.