CLARK FIELD TAKEN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23111, 27 January 1945, Page 5

CLARK FIELD TAKEN

ADVANCE ON LUZON

Heavy Pressure Being

Maintained

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 25.

“In the 14th Corps sector of Luzon we have secured the line of the Bamban River, and have taken Clark Field and Fort Stotsenburg,” says General MacArthur’s communique.

“Our forces are engaged in clearing the enemy from nearby hills, and our reconnaissance screen is operating extensively north of Papanga Province, with scout patrols reaching Angeles, below Fort Stotsenburg, also Magalang, west of Mount Arayat,” says the communique. “Our patrols on the west coast are in Santa Cruz below Dasol Bay. In the First Corps sector we are maintaining heavy pressure against the enemy at Rosario. Resistance in the Amlang- area east of Damortis has been crushed. Our steady bombardment neutralised enemy artillery, which has been silent for three days. Farther south our forces have driven well into San Manuel and Pangasinan against strong opposition. “In the air our heavies, with 95 tons of bombs, struck at enemy installations at Cavite naval base, causing large explosions and fires. In low-level sweeps, medium attack bombers destroyed a 10,000-ton tanker near Aparri. Many barges and small craft were sunk along the shore. Other planes bombed Corregidor, scoring hits on the wharf. They also destroyed installations and defence positions at Subasic Bay. “Fighters supporting ground operations dive-bombed enemy positions north of Pozorubbio. They set fire to supply dumps at Naguilion north of Baguio. One of two enemy bombers ineffectively attacking our shipping at Lingayen was shot down. Light harmless enemy night raids were reported over our Mindoro positions. “Ground patrols on Leyte, in mopping-up operations, killed 542 Japanese. Heavy bombers at night attacked fuel storage facilities at Takao, Formosa, causing several fires and explosions.” Most Valued Prize Clark Field's 13 airstrips are one of the richest prizes in the Pacific war. They will give us a base covering landing craft on the China coast, says the correspondent of the Associated Press on Luzon. Motorised patrols have shot well beyond Clark Field, and the drive to Manila is now on in earnest. Columns have already flanked Mount Arayat on the west, the only good defence barrier along the shortest route to Manila. The Americans found numerous land mines and booby traps at Clark Field. The defenders fell back to the hills to the east, where they are being pounded by artillery. The heaviest fighting is still occurring north and east of Lingayen, where the enemy is contesting every inch of ground.