FRESH LANDING

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23115, 1 February 1945, Page 5

FRESH LANDING

Invasion Of Luzon

By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (7.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan. 30. In an amphibious operation, the

38th Division and elements of the 24th Division of the 11 th Corps of the Eighth Army landed on the Zambales coast west of Luzon in the sector from San Narcisco to San Antonio, says General MacArthur’s communique.

“The surprise was complete both strategically and tactically," says the communique. "The landing' was accomplished without loss of a man, snip or plane. The troops drove inland through San Marcelino and its airueld to Castiliejos, 11 miles beyond the beachhead, and within 10 miles of Olongapo on aubic Bay. The operation is calculated to give us a great Subic bay base to threaten tne western flank of the enemy lorces in the central plain, and to seal off Bataan.

"In the first Corps sector we inflicted heavy losses in mopplng-up operations around Rosario. After capturing San Quentin we advanced seven nines to the line of Sanisdro and Buenavista. The 14th Corps continued clearing out enemy pockets west of Fort Swtsenburg. We have so far captured 23 airfields on Luzon. "Patrol planes probably sank a 2000ton freighter in the Formosa area. Australian troops, with air support, advancing north along the west coast of Bougainville, encountered organised resistance is the vicinity of Puto, 14 miles south of Buka airfield. After sharp clashes, enemy forces withdrew, abandoning artillery, other material and dead.’’

Cheering Filipinos When the Eighth Army, commanded by Lieutenant-General Eichelberger, landed at 8.30 a.m. on Monday, the beaches were lined with flag-waving, cheering Filipinos clad in their Sunday best. The flags were so clearly visible as the convoy of more than 100 vessels approached that Rear-Admiral Struble cancelled the customary pre-landing bombardment.

Filipino guerrillas said the Japanese evacuated San Antonio four days ago. The American flag had flown over San Narcisco for a week. Guerrillas captured San Mercelino aerodrome three days before the invasion.

With the Sixth Army already firmly controlling the Central Luzon plain, including the single road leading to Bataan, it is believed to be too late for the Japanese to try to imitate General MacArthur’s withdrawal into Bataan Peninsula. A broadcaster of the National Broadcasting Corporation reported from the front to-day that it was only a matter of hours before the troops sealed off Bataan.

The “New York Times,’’ in a leading article, said that the landing should mark the beginning of the end of the battle for Luzon. It eliminates the last possibilitv that the enemy can muster a force strong enough to fight a major battle or launch a strong counter-attack.