The Wilmington morning star., 1945-03-12
Isle Pounded
By Navy Guns
Before Drive
Opposition Light; U. S,
Pushes Toward
Capital City

MANILA. Monday, March 49,
P-Veteran 41st Division infan.
trymen under Maj. Gen. Jens A
Doe invaded Mindanao island ir
the southern Philippines Friday,
landing against light opposition al
Zamboaonga after a thorough ma.
val and air bombardment.
They quickly captured four
coastal villages and drove toward
the Zamboanga municipal center
and the Wolfe airdrome, whose
seizure would put American planes
only 200 miles northeast of Japa-
nese held northern Borneo.
The amphibious operation by
units of 1t. Gen. Robert L. Eichel-
berger's Eighth Army was at the
southeasternmost point on Min
danao, second largest island of the
Philippines. The invasion craft hit
the beaches after mines had been
swept from the 12-rnile wide Bisa.
Ian strait.
General Does infantrymen, vet
Grams OF the Palawan invasion on
February %, secured the villages
of San Mateo, San Jose, Calarian
and San Rogue and stabbed east
ward along the coast toward the
civic center of Zamboanga, only
two miles away. 1t undoubtedly al
ready is in American hands.
The Yanks actually were in
zamboaonga city the moment they
set foot ashore, for the city covers
900 square miles, the entire end
Of the peninsula. In area it is one
Of the largest cities in the world.
Tokyo radio said the japanese
garrison on Mindanao had enter
cepted the enemy forces, and
fierce fighting continues at this
time The japanese said also that
Yanks landed on Thursday on Ba-
silan island, across the narrow
strait from Zanlboanga. Basilan is
land is about 80 miles long and q
wide.
Macarthur said most of the en-
envy garrison on this second larg.
est island of the Philippines was
caught off guard and has fled to
the hills in disorder"
He declared that I'VE now con-
troll the entire length of the wes-
tern shores of the Philippine is
lands, from the northwestern tip
Of Luzon to the southwestern tip
OF Mlndanao-a distance of ap-
proxlmately 800 miles.
The blockade Of the South Chi
ma Sea and the consequent cutting
OH Of the Japanese conquest to
me south is intensifying."
American reconnaissance planes
already were operating in the
area, Macarthur said.
Mlndanao was the 21st Philip
pine island invaded. The Japanese
radio SAID earlier that the Ameri-
vans landed on Saturday and
nerce fighting' was in progress.
me enemy spoke for two days of
neaYy naval Smelling.
Mindanao is 1900 miles east of
s.hgapore and 1000 miles north
0l the Netherlands East Inlies.
VI Luzon the First Cavalry and
oi%ln Infantry Divisions were con-
Na1lhs the systematic reduction
81 japanese pillbox and cave posi-.
uonS along the stubborn Shimbu
line east of Manila.
The 18th Airborne Division and
,ne lo6th Regimental Combat team
.ep' up their drive along the south.
GIN shore Of Luzon, clearing the
nol'h end Of the Verde Island pas.
s'se between Luzon and Ameri.
VsAheld Mindoro.
o'ner Yank units on Luzon put
d lighter squeeze on Baguio, sum
'''et capital of the Philippines.
~ neavy bombers dropped 80 ton.
VI explosives on waterfront facii
; at Formosa, encountering nj
NV .,1cepuon. A patrol bomber at
o oacAlhs shipping off the northwes
! G noS OF Borneo sank or damaged
-'oOo,Son freighter transport, 4:
tuge. ~ ~
IT, Aamooanga was hit with 30'
dav ,s u bombs Thursday and Fri
i asy as Llberators Joined warship
rso uie pre-invasion pounding. Bar
atre. pp-' "ie"s we"
~ Aanmooanga is a city of 1920
T tbo . .a extreme southwest tip Q
kan peak which appends to Tur
snapped Mindanao.