Evening star., 1944-10-22
Tac|oban> Leyte Capital Taken>
Two Airfie|ds and Strait Seized
As Americans Press on Inland
Invaders Smash
In Four Miles on
l8-MiIe Front
MAP on Page A-3.)
By the Associated Press,


GEN. MacARTHUR'S HEAD.
QUARTERS, Philippines, Sunday
Oct. %. - American invasion
forces on Leyte in the Centra
Philippines, penetrating 4 miles
inland along an 18-mile front
have captured two airfields, the
capital city of Tacloban, the
town of Dulag and won control
of a strait leading to inland seas
of the archipelago, headquarters
announced today.
The airfields, first to fall into
American hands as potential bases
from which Army planes can ex-
pand the air coverage now provided
by carrier aircraft, were overrun
near Tacloban and Dulag.
Today's communique, issued on
the third day of invasion, suggested
that the constant air and naval fire
of the Americans plus the steady
flow of reinforcements, are turning
the estimated 10000 japanese on
Leyte into bewildered, disorganized
groups.
The enemy is already showing
signs of lack Of maneuverable CO.
hesion in the face of the skillful
attacks of our local commanders" "
Gen. Douglas Macarthur said.
Americans Control Strait.
The 1st Cavalry Division which
overran Tacloban airfeld the first
day of fighting surged into Taclo-
ban itself last night. The captur
of Tacloban gave the Americans
control of San Juanico Strait be-
tween Leyte and the Island of Sa-
mar.
Both the airfield and the capital
city were abandoned by the Japa-
nese. An inspection indicated con-
siderable work would be required
on it.
Elements of the Goth Division cap
tured Dulag, 20 miles south of Ia
cloban yesterday without difficulty,
then beat off japanese tanks before
beginning a drive up the Leyte
Valley.
Headquarters said the japanese
air force has made more scattered
attacks against some vessels of the
600-ship convoy, which brought the
massive force from Dutch New
Guinea to the invasion scene.
Because of effective attacks by
carrier planes of the 7th Fleet on
enemy airflelds in the Visayan and
Palawan Islands, the japanese air
efforts against shipping in Pedro
Bay were restricted to sporadic
sneak attacks.
Jap Attacks Beaten Off.
The captors of Dulag, part of the
oath Corps, were forced to beat off
spirited japanese tank and in
filtration counterattack before re-
suming their push beyond that
town. Six light enemy tanks spear
headed japanese artillery and in
fantry in blows aimed at the ad-
vancing columns. American armor
suffered some damage before the
foe was driven from gun positions
and entertainments they had re-
occupied.
The new successes announced
came after strong enemy positions
which included concrete pillboxes
and prepared artillery positions were
eliminated by inf1ltration to avoid
the more costly frontal assaults.
A short distance south of Taclo-
ban, at Palo, where Fred Hampson,
Associated Press war correspondent
earlier reported the japanese put
up heavy mortar fire resistance
against landings, the going still was
tough.
Yesterday artillery and dive
bombers supported the oath Di-
visions uphill struggle to deepen the
wedge in that sector. Dive bomb
ers attacked 20 truckloads of Japa-
nese.
c. Yates Mcdaniel, Associated
(See PHI TppTNTc 6oa.