JAPAN’S BIG LOSS

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22461, 23 September 1944, Page 6

JAPAN’S BIG LOSS

11 SHIPS, 205 PLANES BLOW AT PHILIPPINES

(United Prese Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, Sept. 22 The first Allied blow of the war has been struck by American aircraft at Manila, capital of the Philippines. Eleven Japanese ships were sunk, 26 probably sunk, and 205 aircraft destroyed. The whole attack cost 15 American planes, but several flying personnel were saved. The American surface

ships suffered no damage. The raid was carried out by aircraft of the Third United States Fleet under Admirals W. F. Halsey and M. A. W. Mitscher, and took the Japanese completely by surprise. The whole operation is officially described as superlatively successful. A Pacific Fleet communique says: “Carrier aircraft swept Luzon, striking in great force at shipping in Manila Bay and Subic Bay, and installations at Clark Field, Nichols Field and Cavite naval base. The enemy lost 110 aircraft shot down and 95 destroyed on the ground. A large destroyer leader, four large oil tankers, a small oil tanker, two large cargo ships, a medium cargo ship and two small cargo vessels were sunk. One destroyer, two large oil tankers, a large transport, ten large cargo ships, 12 medium cargo ships and a floating dock were probably sunk or damaged. “In addition to the enemy’s heavy shipping and aircraft losses much damage was done to military objectives on and adjacent to Clark Field and Nichols Field.” Powerful Blow Struck

The Pearl Harbour correspondent of the Associated Press states that the powerful blow against the Philippines is an indication that the Pelew operations are proceeding so well that Admiral Halsey is able to leave the large forces there lightly protected in order to renew the bold thrusts against the Philippines, which began on August 30 and have now accounted for a grand total of 258 ships sunk or damaged and 908 aircraft destroyed or damaged, against the American losses of only 20 planes. It is almost unbelievable that not a single American ship has been lost or damaged, since all the raids occurred within striking distance of land-based Japanese aircraft. It is significant that the Japanese offered no naval opposition whatever. They obviously do not have any naval forces based on the Philippines capable of resisting the Americans. Admirals Die In Action The Manila radio says that several waves of carrier-based fighters and bombers again attacked Manila. Four more Japanese Admirals, according to the Tokio official radio, have died in action—Vice-Admiral Tei Seki, Rear-Admiral Kan More, Rear-Admiral Tsuneo Orita and Rear-Admiral Shin Okubo. The circumstances of the deaths are not disclosed.