HEAVY FIGHTING

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 December 1941, Page 4

HEAVY FIGHTING

IN THE PHILIPPINES AMERICAN OFFICIAL REPORT. MORE JAPANESE LANDINGS. (British Official Wireless.) (Received This Day, Noon.) RUGBY, December 23. A Washington communique reports that operations are continuing with increasing intensity on the eastern shore, of the Lingayen Gulf, north of Damortis. A major engagement is being fought in the vicinity of San Thomas, in which American and Filipino troops have attained some initial successes. Japanese troops are continuing to land between Agno and San Feran ando. The landing operations are being supported by an increasing number of bombing and attack planes. Fighting is continuing in the vicinity of Davao (on Mindanao).

SITUATION IN HAND AMERICAN ARMY REPORT. JAPANESE TROOPS ARRIVE BY AIR. (Received This Day, 12.40 p.m.) MANILA, December 23. • It is announced in an Army Headquarters report that a heavy force of Japanese airborne troops, supported by aircraft, landed yesterday in the Lingazen Gulf, but that the situation is well in hand. American tanks and artillery engaged other enemy forces Iqe tween San Tomas and Damortis, in the Launian Province. The latest reports indicate that American troops hold positions north of Damortis. The enemy air forces are very active.