February 18, 1945:

THIS WAS REPORTED TODAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1945:

MADISON, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1945

Air, Sea Landing

Losses Light

MacArthur Says

Invasion Saturday

Surprised Japs;

Victory 'Sure'

By WILLIAM B. DICKINSON

{United Press War correspondents

GEN. MacARTHUR'S HEADQUARTERS,

Luzon —

V e t e r a n  American paratroops and amphibious infantry have landed on rocky Corregidor island guarding Manila bay, and its capture is assured, Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced today.

"We have landed on Corregidor and seized it’s decisive points." he said. "It's complete capture is now assured with light casualties. . . the recapture of Bataan and Corregidor clears the entrance to Manila bay and open* this great harbor to our fleets."

The combined air and sea operation took the Japanese by surprise. It was made Saturday two years, nine months, and 11 days after Lieut. Gen. JonathanW a i n w r i g h t surrendered the island to the Japanese invaders.

MacArthur announced the recapture of nearby Bataan peninsula Saturday. Thus, 40 days after American troops landed on Luzon. MacArthur was near accomplishment of his three principal objectives in the Philippines—the reconquest of Bataan, Corregidor, and Manila.

It took the Japanese a little over five months to accomplish the same objectives.

Air, Sea Landing

Losses Light

MacArthur Says

Invasion Saturday

Surprised Japs;

Victory 'Sure'

By WILLIAM B. DICKINSON

{United Press War correspondents

GEN. MacARTHUR'S HEADQUARTERS,

Luzon —

V e t e r a n  American paratroops and amphibious infantry have landed on rocky Corregidor island guarding Manila bay, and its capture is assured, Gen. Douglas MacArthur announced today.

"We have landed on Corregidor and seized it’s decisive points." he said. "It's complete capture is now assured with light casualties. . . the recapture of Bataan and Corregidor clears the entrance to Manila bay and open* this great harbor to our fleets."

Red Drive Smashes

Queis River Line

LONDON — (U.P) —

Russian troops, smashing across the enemy's Queis river defense line, Saturday

drove to within 60 miles of Dresden, capital of Saxony, while Berlin reported that the medieval fortress town of Sagan, southeast of Berlin, had fallen.

While Moscow reported that fleets of Russian planes, flying 10,000 sorties a day, were lashing the outskirts of Berlin ahead of Soviet spearheads, the Red army

chalked up important new gains all along the front.

Soviet assault forces broke into the encircled lower Silesian capital of Breslau, encircled and wiped out a huge enemy group in Pomerania. and all but cut the last

escape route for enemy troops in the Vistula fortress of Grudziadz. Russian columns drove to within 50 miles southwest of the port of anzig, and in East. Prussia toppled the German strongholds---

(Continued on Page 4. Column 4)