BRITISH AND U.S. PLIES HIT JAPAN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 191, 14 August 1945, Page 5

BRITISH AND U.S. PLIES HIT JAPAN

CARRIER AIRCRAFT Preparations For Further Mighty Blows N.Z. Press Association —Copyright Rec. 1, WASHINGTON, Aug. 13. British planes have attacked the Tokyo area. Early reports stated that three Japanese seaplanes wera set on fire. A large chemical plant was bombed and luggers, on which the enemy depends for coastal supplies, were strafed. The Associated Press correspondent on board the British flagship says the British Pacific Fleet moved within four hours' steaming of Tokyo to-day awaiting Japan's final word. The Fleet plans to keep fluid for quick action either for participation in any manoeuvres ordered by Admiral Nimitz if capitulation comes or to carry on heavy pounding such as helped to force Japan make her surrender offer. Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, commander of the British Pacific Fleet, disclosed that more than 400 ships and 200,000 men comprise the British Pacific Fleet and its supply train. Admiral Fraser considered that Sydney was too remote to .replace Singapore as a fleet base. A correspondent with the United States Third Fleet said that carrier planes, turned back by fog and bad weather from Tokyo, attacked targets as the opportunity offered in the Yokohama area, including the docks, submarine pens and numerous freighters and luggers. Pilots reported no interceptors over the targets but the carrier planes shot down six aircraft attempting sneak attacks on the fleet. , , .... . Tokyo radio reported that Allied carrier planes to-day attacked the Yokohama area ceaselessly for 12 hours, causing some damage to airfields, transport and industrial targets. The radio warned the Japanese to prepare for renewed assaults for a considerable time, .vithout let-up. Okinawa Crammed With Planes

The Associated Press correspondent on Okinawa says that there is little evidence of slackening in the war effort. This sprawling island is crammed with bombers and fighters of every description. The harbour is packed with shipping, giving the appearance that the war is in full swing. A Japanese aerial torpedo plane inflicted minor damage on a major unit of the fleet at Buckner Bay, Okinawa. One correspondent said it was a battleship. Early yesterday evening, said the communique, a major American warship anchored in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, was struck by an aerial torpedo from an enemy aircraft. The extent of the damage has not yet been determined. Tokyo radio states that renewed Allied naval activity off Japan with other developments indicate the possibility of an enemy invasion of the homeland in the near future. Many American troops have been moved recently from the Philippines to Okinawa and approximately 400 surface craft have been assembled in Okinawa waters.

The Twentieth Air Force is prepared to equal in five weeks the damage already done to Japan in five months, reports the Associated Press correspondent on Guam. Among the tactics not yet used was the spraying of fuel oil over ricefields to starve out the enemy. Tokyo radio announced that the Mayor of Hiroshima and two high Government officials are among the thousands killed in the first atomic bomb attack. . Tokyo radio announced that Japanese planes this afternoon were attacking the United States Fleet off the Honshu coast, east of Tokyo. The radio claimed that Japanese marine forces during an attack to-day sank a'large aircraft carrier off Okinawa. . _ . "The Far East Air Forces have continued their daily devastating strikes on Kyushu, Western Shikoku, and the Northern Ryukyus," .says General Mac Arthur's communique. "Our bombers and fighters, hit aerodromes, railway lines and industrial centres. Three enemy planes were shot down and many others destroyed on the ground. The seaport cities of Miyazaki and Kushikino were in flames.

COTTON INDUSTRY

Sir Stafford Cripps' Statement On Government Policy NO NATIONALISATION PLAN Rec. 10 a.m. LONDON, Aug. 13. It was not part of the Government's policy to nationalise the cotton industry, said Sir Stafford Cripps, President of the Board of Trade at a Press conference in Manchester Cctton employers and unions had agreed to establish ; a commission for framing of definite Proposals for the early revision of wage agreements and the modernising of machinery. Sir Stafford added that cotton would be the first major industry to be dealt with, and might give.seme indication of how the other mdusSfeswouldbe treated. The' Government was prepared .to> assist thei cotton industry provided it was cieai that the national interest of producing as great a volume of goods as possible at reasonable, prices and with good working conditions for he operatives.took precedence over all other considerations. The Government appreciated that the industry should yield a reasonable return on the 1 capital employed, if .it continued under private enterprise. The immediate needs were to create confidence with regard to wages and security of occupation fcr me workers.