Evening star., 1945-01-08
.Luzon SheI|ed,
Landing Near,
Tokyo Reports
$50 U. S. Transports
Streaming Toward
Island, Jops Soy
MAP on Page A-5.)
By the Associated Press

The Tokyo radio today re-
ported more than $50 American
transports "are streaming north
toward Luzon" Island in the
Philippines. where, japanese
broadcasts said, more than 10
warships and swarms of carrier
planes bombarded Lingayen Gulf,
l20 miles north of Manila, con-
tinuously for two days.
The Tokyo broadcast, recorded by
the Federal Communications Com
mission, said that whether the
transports would be poured into
Lingayen or in the vicinity of Ma
Mia remains a question, but in
either case it is surety that the
enemy will play right into the watt
ing Japanese hands
In the two-day duel between war
ships and shore batteries at Linga-
yen Gulf, Japanese broadcasts said
defending batteries gave the Ameri-
can flotilla 'the hottest reception
ever recorded in the annals of war;
Forecast Early Landing.
Propaganda broadcasts described
the air and naval bombardment as
"the enemy's usual tactics preceding
landing" and forecast that Ameri-
can assault troops might storm "the
shore at any time"
American Army and Navy COM
muniques offered no support to the
Japanese reports.
Gen. MacArthur's communique
today said his forces had moved Is
miles up the west coast of Mindoro
Island TO capture the town of Pa
luan. Paluan is 80 miles from Luzon:
Manila Is less than so miles farther
north. ...
Blasts Of Gunfire.
"The whole gulf roared with the
blasts of gunfire from both sides"
throughout Saturday and yesterday
said a frontline dispatch of Domei,
Japanese news agency.
Other broadcasts reported thrse
powerful American conveys speeding
northward to join the assault-one
of undisclosed size west of Mindoro
$50 transports south Of Mindorc
and Is warships farther south, all
headed in the general direction ol
Manila.
An imperial communique claimed
that since last Wednesday the jap
aneSe have sunk seven first line
warships and 16 transports, ano
damaged nine other vessels in the
various conveys.
Japanese troops guarding Lin
gayen Gulf who could see the lone
line of American warships were
described as awaiting the enemy
with resolute determination. There.
fore, it is anticipated that a grea1
enemy annihilation battle will bt
unrolled" as soon as amphibious
troops strike.
Heavy Toll Forecast.
The Tokyo newspaper Ashai, re.
calling the thousands of Japanes.
killed three years ago invading tn.
Philippines at Lingayen, reported!
said the enemy will have to sac.
rifice a heavy toll of men if h,
attempts to land on Luzon," a tasl
that would require at least 10 di
visions"
Front-line Japanese correspond
ents reported more than 10 enemy
warships are lined up single file
After one concentration o.
warships of the enemy task force
departs another concentration ap'
pears and continues unceasing shell
ing"
Carrier planes were reported div,
bombing and straf1ng shore guns
This was the only part Of the Jap
anese reports which had American
confirmation. Admiral Chester w
Nimitz reported that Vice Admira
John S. McCain's fast carrier force,
struck Luzon Saturday (Manils
time) after cutting the Japanes,
supply line at Formosa
| The "super-heavy' japanese shor.
guns at San Fernando, Bauang
Damortis and other forts lining thu
gulf were described by one japanese
correspondent as sending up a ter.
rible barrage The whole ares
(See PHILIPPINES, page A-5.)