FRESH GAINS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 154, 1 July 1944, Page 5

FRESH GAINS

ON SAIPAN ISLAND

U.S. Casualties Nearly 10,000

N.Z. Press Association —Copyright

Rec. 2 p.m. WASHINGTON, June 30

"American troops on Saipan Island in the Marianas -have made new gains both on the centre and the right flank, and our lines are pushing ahead through difficult terrain and intensified enemy resistance," says a Pacific Fleet communique. "High ground occupied near Charan and Danshii places our forces in a commanding position over an area held by enemy strongpoints. The Tanapag area is being subjected to air bombing and naval shelling. Air attacks and naval gunfire continue against Tinian.

"Our casualties in the ground fighting on Saipan to June 28 total 9752, of whom 1474 were killed, 7400 were wounded and 878 are missing. No accurate estimate of enemy casualties is possible. A great many Japanese dead and wounded are being carried back by retreating enemy troops. However our troops have buried 4951 enemy dead.

"Carrier aircraft attacked Rota Island on Wednesday, and other planes attacked the Marshalls and Carolines."

All organised resistance behind the northward-moving American line on Saipan Island, in the Marianas, has been wiped out, and the Marines are holding securely the entire southern area, says the Pearl Harbour correspondent of the New York Times. The enemy's line is shaped like a rough arrow, with one edge of the point in Garapan and the other two miles north of Kagman Peninsula above Magician Bay. The point itself lies in the area of Tapotchau Mountain and is exposed to assault by land troops, artillery and aeroplanes. However, reports from the front say that the terrain is difficult, with the enemys secured in caves and a network of tunnels.