22 SHIPS SUNK

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22467, 30 September 1944, Page 6

22 SHIPS SUNK

IN PHILIPPINES AREA DESTRUCTION OF PLANES BIG BLOW TO JAPANESE (United Press Assn.—Eire. Tel. Copyright. WASHINGTON, Sept. 28 United States carrier aircraft, says a Pacific Fleet communique, struck hard against enemy shipping and defence installations in the Visayas group, Philippine Islands, last Saturday, attacking airfields on Cebu, Leyte, Negros, Luzon and Mactan Islands, and all shipping found in adjacent waters. Twenty-two vessels were sunk. A particularly heavy blow was delivered at shipping in Coron Bay, between Busuanga Island and Culion Island, West Philippines. Seven enemy aircraft were shot down and 29 aircraft destroyed on the ground at various fields, which were thoroughly bombed and strafed. The following damage was inflicted on enemy shipping:— Sunk: One destroyer, one troop transport, three large cargo vessels, three large oil tankers, six medium cargo vessels, five small cargo vessels, three destroyer-escort type vessels. Damaged: Two large oil tankers, one large cargo vessel, one medium oil tanker, 15 medium cargo vessels, one small transport, 21 small cargo vessels, two destroyer-escort type vessels.

In addition, between 20 and 30 small craft were sunk or damaged. Official figures show that American naval planes, beginning with the blow struck at the Bonim Islands a month ago, have sunk 144 ships and 61 small craft and damaged 130 vessels and 1130 to 140 small craft. They have , also damaged or destroyed 380 planes in the air and over 1000 on the ground. ___________