JOLO ISLAND SEIZED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 86, 12 April 1945, Page 5

JOLO ISLAND SEIZED

MACARTHUR NOW CONTROLS SULU ARCHIPELAGO

SOUTH LUZON ALMOST LIBERATED. Recd. 7.15 p.m. Washington, April 10. “Americans seized Jolo Island, a Japanese stronghold in ihe Sulu archipelago, after a fortnight’s serial saturation, which completely disrupted the defences. The Bth. Army’s 41st. Division landed on the waterfront and captured the city and its airfields,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “Troops immediately drove inland eight miles, scattering all resistance. We now completely control the Sulu Archipelago. “The 11th. Airborne Division, driving quickly 20 miles from Lucena, reached Atimonan, on the east coast of Luzon. “All organised resistance in South Luzon has collapsed and its liberation is at hand. “Continuous pressure is being maintained against the enemy in other sectors in order t< rescue the lepers colony. We occupied Coron Bay, Busuanga Island, north of Palaweh, which the enemy used as an anchorage for sorties against the Leyte beachhead. “We delivered the first medical and food supplies received for three years. “Pleavies continued attacking Formosa aerodromes and fighters strafed the railway net and shipping, and mediums swept the Pescadores. Our blockade has almost cleared the shipping lanes southward of the China Sea. Patrols struck at arterial railways running notthward from the Indo China coast and also bombed the aerodrome at Hainan. Two of nine interceptors were shot down near Saigon. One of our bombers was lost.”