SHARP INCREASE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 23083, 23 December 1944, Page 5

SHARP INCREASE

Air Activity In The Philippines Enemy Loses Ships And Planes By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 21. “There has been no ground activity on Mindoro but air activity has increased sharply,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “Our fighters intercepted 20 enemy planes attempting to attack ground installations. Eleven of the radiers were destroyed and three probably destroyed. We lost one fighter. “The Far East air forces are already operating from local bases. One heavy reconnaisance unit damaged and set fire to a 6000 ton freighter-transport off the north-west coast. “The pincers along the Ormoc corridor on Leyte from north and south are now closed. The 10th and 24th Corps have joined up. The destruction of enemy pockets continues. Enemy remants are desperately but futilely trying to cut their way out to the west. An additional 2032 enemy dead were counted during the day. Our fighters effectively supported the ground operations.”

The communique added that medium bombers and patrol planes attacked enemy shipping at Davao and off the north coast of Mindanao. Four coastal vessels and five barges were destroyed and a 1000 ton freighter and other small craft were damaged. Two enemy planes at Cagayan were destroyed by strafing and a building was set on fire at Tawitawi. Air patrols bombed and strafed bivouacs and supply dumps at Sidate, in the Celebes, and damaged a small vessel south of Kendari.

Enemy Trapped The Leyte correspondent of the "New York Times” says that the junction of the American forces on Leyte trapped thousands of Japanese east of the highway. Our lines are now tight. Small parties of the enemy are undoubtedly sifting through to Palompon on the west coast, but a big mass is dying in the pockets under the pounding of artillery and small arms. It is believed that the Japanese commander, General Suzuki, escaped following the usual enemy custom of evacuating higher commanders and leaving the rest to cause what nuisance they can and then die in the hills.

A national broadcasting company broadcaster said that the Mindoro airfields pose a greater menance to the enemy than those at Leyte. 'Hie heavy rains which hampered American fliers on Leyte are not so prevalent on the west side of the Philippines. The dryness also enabled the engineers to complete the Mindoro air bases ahead of schedule.