AMERICANS LAND ON MINDANAO

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23181, 20 April 1945, Page 5

AMERICANS LAND ON MINDANAO

Coastal Stretch Occupied WASHINGTON, April 18. The Americans made a second landing on Mindanao, the last Philippines island not under their control. General MacArthur's communique says that the 10th Corps, with naval and air support swept ashore at Malabang and Parang and secured a coastal stretch of 35 miles. The enemy's defence was previously dislocated by a guerrilla division operating along the shores of Moro Gulf. This force joined the 10th Corps. The enemy forces at Mindanao are estimated at three divisions comprising the 30th and 100th Infantry Divisions and

n mixed division of naval marines and garrison forces. The strength probably is 50,000. Ground forces on Luzon are mopping up cave positions on the outskirts of Buguio. A strong force of escorted heavy and medium bombers without interception struck Taikohu town and air bases on Formosa with 360 tons of bombs. Heavy bombers and fighters sank a 10,000-ton tanker and destroyed or damaged two small freighters off the Canton-Foochow coast Australian ground forces in the Wewak sector advanced six miles east of Dagua in the face of light opposition. Bombers and fighters dropped 150 tons i.l bombs on the Wewak area, Rabatil, New Ireland and Bougainville. Test Cricketer Freed The Test cricketer. W E Bowes, has returned to England after his liberation in Western Europe.