Evening star., 1945-07-01
Allies Continue
Big Air Attacks
On BaIikpapan
Tokyo Reports Of
Imminent Lending
Still Unconfirmed
By the Associated Press.

ID tne hssoclated frcSS.
MANILA, July 1 Sunday -
The Japanese defenders OF Balik-
papan have strung balloons with
explosiye-garnished cables over
that flaming Southwest Borneo
oil port but failed to prevent
heavy bombing by more than 125
Allied planes, Gen. MacArthur's
headquarters disclosed today.
The Tokyo RADIO contended that
Allied minesweepers covered by
naval gunfire cleared the Balikpapan
approaches yesterday in prepara-
ton for imminent" invasion, but
Gen. MacArthur's communicate still
did not confirm such a development.
More than 230 tons of bombs were
dropped on the towns oil storage
facilities and defenses and on nearby
airfields in the 10th consecutive
day of all-out aerial preparation,
however, and returning flyers re-
ported a steady decline in the anti
aircraft defenses which until recent
ly were SO heavy you could walk on
the fax" as one airman put 1t.
Underground Tanks Exploded.
The Japanese barrage balloons,
with silvery explosive balls attached
to their cables, were suspended at
500 to 1900 feet, the flyers said. But
they We're useless in preventing the
explosion of several underground
petroleum tanks and covering the
whole area by smoke and fire from
American and Australian bombs.
The Manggar airdrome, II miles
northwest of Balikpapan, was
bombed heavily as were the Oelin
and Tabanio airStrips near Band
jermasin on the south coast, Gen.
Macarthur communique related.
In their insistent and unconfirmed
reports of Allied sea operations
against Balikpapan, the Japanese
said fleet of SO enemy" warships
and transports was in the vicinity.
American headquarters have an
nounced continued air attacks on
Balikpapan and its nearby air.
dromes, with more than $500 tons
OF bombs dropped in the area In
the past two weeks.
Heavy Gunfire Reported.
Gen. Macarthur has told only of
Allied fleet activities in Makassar
Strait, but has made no mention Of
warship attacks on Balikpapan.
Yesterday he said light naval units
bombarded shore targets south Of
Tarakan Island of East Borneo,
recently captured by the Australi-
ans.
Tokyo satd Japanese artillery de-
tending Balikpapan answered the
Allied borlbardment with sheayy"
gunf1re. The broadcast said ships
offshore included five heavy cruis-
ers. three light cruisers, 10 destroy
ers, 20 or more rlinesweepers and
subchasers, and number Of trans
ports.
Balikpapan, principal source of
Japan's war oil supplies before the
enemy's sea lanes were cut, was
described by Tokyo as in ruins un-
der the Allied pounding.
The time for a showdown battle
Is ripening," said the Tokyo broad
cast forecasting the invasion.
Aussies Extend Hold.
Australian invasion forces In
Northwest Borneo have extended
their hold in the Brunei Bay area
with the occupation of Beaufort,
about so miles northeast of Brunei.
Beaufort is on narrow-gauge rail-
road running northeast to Jesselton.
Port City also the target of Allied
bombers.
The Australians pushing SOUTH
west down the North Borneo coast
beyond the captured Miri oil fields
made their first contact thus far
with the japanese who have been
Withdrawing without a fight from
some of the worlds richest petrol
cum and rubber areas.
There still was no indication that
the enemy would make stand, a
headquarters spokesman said.
In the Philippines, Filipino guer-
rillas on Luzon fought of the
fourth Japanese banzai charge in
two days and advanced mile and
a half west Of Mankayan in the
northern mountains while another
guerrilla column seized Desao, just
short of vital pass Z miles from
the enemy center Of Bontoc.
Gains East Of Baguio.
United States 33d Division infan-
trymen east of the summer capital
of Baguio captured $50 to 200 Japa-
nese motor vehicles in valley near
Bokod. Most were serviceable but
out of fuel. This was believed to be
the enemy's last big motor pool on
the island.
Pushing west of the important
Japanese stronghold of Kiangan
and Luzon's Cordillera Peaks, the
United States 9Th Infantry Division
observed its second anniversary of
almost continuous combat by taking
the village of Bolog.
In the northeast of Cagayan
(See SOIJTHWEST PAfyTTTC As