Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1945-03-03
Lubang Capture Gives
u. ). Control Of Short
Sea Route 10 Manila
BY the Associated Press.

MANILA, Mar. 3.-Gen. Mac
Arthur today disclosed the fourth
in a series of rapid-fire inva-
sions-a landing on Lubang
Island, IS miles southwest of
Manila Bay-giving his forces
complete control of the shortest
sea route through the heart of
the Philippines to Manila.
The western end of a 3O0-mile
passage, through which Manila can
be supplied and Luzon transformed
into a huge military base facing
Asia, was opened by veteran oath
Division troops which seized Lu-
bang Thursday.
Maj. Gen. Frederick A. Irving
Yanks overwhelmed negligible re-
slstance" on the 18x8-mile island at
the western exit of Verde passage
the 18th Philippines Island Gen
Macarthur has invaded.
This completes the capture of all
key positions through San Ber-
nardino Straits and Verde Island
passage designed to secure the main
navigational channel through the
islands for shipping from the
United States" today's communique
reported.
InvasionS Clear Route.
Within a little over a week that
route was cleared by invasions OF
Verde Island. east of Lubang, ano
Capul and Biri Islands, guarding
the eastern end of the sea route in
San Bernardino Strait between
Luzon and Samar
Lubang was the second island in
vasion in as many days. Yanks of
Mai. Gen. Jens A. Does 41st Divi-
sion sWarmed ashore on PalaWan
$50 miles southwest of Manila. We'd
nesday. Today Gen Macarthur
said the 41st has completed occupa-
ton of Puerto Princesa harbor, mid
way along Palawan's 275-mile long
east coast and occupied third air.
field.
This gives us practical control of
the island" he added.
The invasion of Palawan, extend
ing American control of the South
China Seas eastern shores and
cutting Japans sea connections
with the East Indies, was Gen.
MacArthur's fifth in nine days. The
first of the four clearing the sea
route to Manila occurred at Capaul
Wednesday, February 81.
There are other islands along the
San Bernardino-Verde route to
Manila but presumably they either
are not occupied by the Japanese
or the enemy on them lacks
strength to menace shipping.
Luzon Fighting Continues.
Hitherto, supplies sent through
the Philippines to the South China
Sea coast of Luzon have had to
follow a circuitous course past
enemy held islands of the Southern
Philippines, more than double the
distance of the new route.
In fighting on Luzan east of Ma
Mia, where japanese forces are in
slow retreat into mountains of the
Marakina watershed. Maj Gen.
Verne D. Mudge's 1st Cavalry Divi-
sion and Maj. Gen Edwin D. Pat
rick's 9Th Division are attacking
strong enemy defensive positions.
Supporting air units dropped 100
tons of explosives on one strong
point.
Far to the north in Nueva Ecija
Province, Yanks infiltrating into
the Caraballo Mountains are en-
veloping and Infringing enemy po-
sitions covering the Balete Pass area
Today's communique told of a
200-ton bombing by Liberators in
the avao-Zamboanga area Of Min
danao Island in the Southern Phil
ippines and effective attacks on
shipping by patrol planes off For
mosa, Okinawa and the China coast.
Ten small freighters were sunk or
set afre between Formosa and Oki-
naWa. Five more were sunk or fired
in the Hong Kong area,