The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-10-31
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ter patrols yesterday discovered a
Japanese column two miles long
at Carigara, some four miles west
ward along the bay.
First cavalry patrols entered
Carigara several days ago without
resistance, then drew back. Guer-
rillas warned yesterday tn al a
large enemy concentration was
present.
Another patrol then returned to
the towns outskirts. and sighted
the long japanese column, stretch
ing along the road heading into
Carigara, Associated Press war
Correspondent Spencer Davis re-
ported.
This indicated the japanese were
assembling for a last stand, hop
ing possibly for reinforcements
from the forces landed at Ormoc.
At headquarters of the Sixth ar
my it was considered doubtful that
the Japanese in Leyte valley could
escape from the multi-pronged
squeeze against them, maintained
by 1t. Gen. Walter Krueger's ar
my forces and patrolling PIT boats
in the bay. /
The situation along Carigara bay
was considered favorable for
American forces, who have beGn
accelerating their drive to wipe out
the Japanese defenders. Their con-
troll was tight over Leyte valley
itself, and organized Japanese re-
sistance in this broad flat sector
appeared broken.
An American breakthrough to the
coast would cut the island in half.
Final liquidation of the Japanese
in the Jaro sector would permit
the Americans to move swiftly to
the coast, General Irving said.
In central Leyte valley, two
main groups of the enemy are now
separated between Dagam and
Pastrana, Davis reported. The
northern forces, estimated between
1900 and 5000, were retiring to-
ward Carigara bay.
In field dispatch, Associated
Press war Correspondent James
Hutchinson reported the Japanese
were fighting a delaying action to
protect t hat withdrawal. They
launched local counterattacks and
made increased use of land mines
and BOBBY traps.
The typhoon assisted them, in
slowing American progress. Heavy
winds battered the front lines,
swept up buildings and smashed
tents in camp areas.
Small japanese groups were
struggling westward across the
mountains toward Ormoc, fr o m
which a highway winds northward
through the mountains to the
southwest edge of Carigara bay.
In the Binahaan river bend area,
around Dagami, an estimated 1900
Of the enemy are trapped, report
ed Associated Press war Cores
pondent Fred Hampson. Units of
the 21st division and the Oath corps
strengthened their pressure to cut
Of Escape routes to the hills.
Some reinforcements from these
American forces were sent over
land to join the battle for Jaro,
hurrying across an interior trail.
Dagami was firmly in American
hands, but one of the fiercest bat
ties Of the ,Leyte campaign was
fought there. The 7th division, be-
hind tanks n 4 flame throwers,
battled for "a hours to break a
series Of Japanese bunkers a halt
mile south OF tn e town. Flame
throwefs and. grenadisrs alone ac-
counted for ~ bunkers.
American ground forces operated
freely without fear OF a japanese
seaborne attack as result Of last
weeks smashing defeat Of the Jap
anese Navy in which "a Nipponese
warships were sunk and "a dam.
aged.
Success Of the Philippines inva-
sion, observers point out, was Sc
cured by the naval victory.
-V-
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