JAPS ON TINIAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 181, 2 August 1944, Page 5

JAPS ON TINIAN

REMNANTS CUT OFF Little Means Of Resistance" And None Of Escape \ N.Z. Press Association—Copyright Rec. 12.30. WASHINGTON, Aug. 1. "American marines of the Second and Fourth Divisions moved ahead against moderate resistance through difficult terrain yesterday and occupied the cliffs overlooking beaches at the extreme southern tip of Tinian Island," says a Pacific Fleet communique. The Japanese on Saturday night attempted several small-scale counter-attacks,' which were beaten back at the cost of 300 enemy dead. "Our attack was launched yesterday morning and carried to the southern beaches by late afternoon. ■The enemy on Tinian now has little means of resistance and no means of escape. "On Friday night Liberators bombed Truk atoll and shore-based aircraft carried out neutralisation raids against enemy positions in the Marshalls and Carolines."

Tokyo official radio claimed that, after several days of fighting, accompanied by intense artillery fire, the Japanese have frustrated American attempts to land on Rota Island between Tinian and Guam. An official Wavy announcement says that the Americans have crossed Guam Island to Pago Point, on the east coast, thus splitting the defenders into two groups. Japanese dead so far counted number 6205.

Latest reports from Guam suggest a collapse of enemy resistance throughout the southern half of the island, says the Pearl Harbour correspondent of the New York Times. The enemy has apparently withdrawn most of his forces to the northern half, or else the enemy garrison is not as large as was at first believed. The communique does not mention Agana town, which presumably has faiien, since our lines are now beyond the town,