MANILA, May 9 (ANS).–Japanese troops. in their first show of strength since the 24th Div. landing on Mindanao April 27, penetrated the American lines near captured Davao City and virtually isolated one U.S. Battalion, field dispatches reported today
This was the first indication of stiff resistance on Mindanao, the second largest island in the Philippines, since Maj. gen. Roscoe B. Woodruff’s troops landed on Moro Gulf and raced 120 miles overland to Davao City in 17 days.
The cut-off battalion, which had seized the village of Mintal, was being reached by a few reinforcements sent over a little-used trail.
About one mile south of Mintal, the japs poured shells into Yank positions at Libby Airfield and the American hold on the base was described as tenuous.
On Tarakan Island, off Borneo Australian and Dutch troops expanded their holdings north and east of Tarakan City and captured a hurriedly-evacuated Japanese headquarters.
On northern Luzon, Gen. MacArthur announced, Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler’s 37th Inf. Div. now is fighting alongside the 32nd and 25th Divs. at Balete Pass, which leads into Cagayan Valley.
MacArthur also announced a 300-ton raid on Formosa by 170 heavy, medium and fighter-bombers.
American soldiers fighting on Northern Luzon
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