ACTION IN THE ALEUTIANS

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23715, 13 August 1942, Page 5

ACTION IN THE ALEUTIANS

Japanese Taken By Surprise

OFFICIAL U.S, NAVY REVIEW (Received August 12, 11 p.m.)

(N.Z.P.A.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 11. A United States Navy communique says: ‘‘lnformation has been received regarding the following incidents in the Aleutian Islands:— ‘‘On July 22 Amy bombers raided the area of Kiska harbour, but because of fog the results were not observed. On July 29 Navy patrol aeroplanes attacked Kiska, and at night Army bombers attacked shore installa. tions and ships in the same area. ‘‘On August 3 Japanese aircraft attacked the United States destroyer Kane off Atka Island, 305 miles east of Kiska, but inflicted no damage. Army bombers again attacked the Kiska harbour area, but the results were not observed. On August 4 Army pursuit aeroplanes shot down two seaplane bombers of the Kawanisi 97 type. “On August 8 a Pacific Fleet task force, protected by Navy patrol aircraft, heavily bombarded a group of enemy ships, camp facilities, and shore installations at Kiska. The attack was a complete surprise to the Japanese. The enemy, mistaking the first salvos of shells for bombs, opened anti-air-craft fire against imagined aeroplanes. ‘‘An intensive bombardment from the guns of cruisers and destroyers soon silenced the shore batteries, started fires, and inflicted severe damage in a camp area. The only enemy resistance was from aircraft. Our loss consisted of one observation aeroplane. ‘‘On August 9 naval patrol aeroplanes followed up the bombardment by attacking two cargo ships in Kiska harbour, scoring two hits with bombs on each ship, and causing severe damage. Observers also sighted a sunken cargo vessel which is believed to have been sunk during the previous bombardment by naval forces.”