GOOD PROGRESS ON MINDANAO

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23188, 30 April 1945, Page 6

GOOD PROGRESS ON MINDANAO

' In Sight Of Deigos

(6.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON. April 28. Advancing 10 miles through the rugged Apo mountain range on Mindanao. the 24th Division is now within sight of Deigos, on Davao Gulf, reports General MacArthur’s communique. •The 25th Division on Luzon, in a surprise night attack advanced over rugged mountain ridges through intricate enemy defences, and seized commanding positions overlooking the Balete Pass. Medium and attack bombers struck industrial plants on Formosa. Air patrols sank five freighters. Escorted heavy bombers attacked the Saigon waterfront destroying a freighter in the 'dry dock and setting fire to a 3000 ton transport. Near misses were observed on a submarine.

Heavy bombers bombed Miri and Tobanio (Borneo) and Makassar (in the Celebes). They severely cratered runways, destroyed barracks and hit the power plant. Other planes destroyed four freighters, five coastal vessels and a number of small craft. Baguio Captured “American troops have captured Baguio. Casualties were amazingly light,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “The enemy considered Baguio impregnable. Members of the Filipino Collaborationist Government who took refuge here, surrendered or fled.

“The 24th Division completed the crossing of the Mindanao from the west coast, and reached the Davao Gulf near Deigos. The speed of this advance following the surprise landing, prevented the enemy offering serious resistance.

“Heavy bombers attacked aerodromes on Formosa. Our long-range searchplanes fanned out over the China Sea and destroyed shipping. "Australian ground forces secured Bogum harbour and advanced east to capture Welbui."