OCCUPATION OF KURILES

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24237, 20 April 1944, Page 5

OCCUPATION OF KURILES

line in the north of Burma.

COLONEL KNOX STATES U.S. PLANS WASHINGTON, April 18. “The aerial offensive against the Kuriles is obviously the preliminary to the eventual seizure of these enemy bases,” said the Secretary of the United States Navy (Colonel Frank Knox) at a press conference. “The invasion is coming some time, but nobody knows when. Fog has hampered observation, and it is not known whether the islands are heavily fortified, but I know that the Japanese are there in strength.” . • A correspondent of the United Press with the 11th Air Force in Alaska says: “Flights by Liberators over the Kuriles in the last six days have revealed that the Japanese are busily fortifying the islands. New airstrips and land outposts are already in operation. The United States offensive is having the effect of a blockade. The Japanese are no longer able to send convoys boldly up the chain to the main strongholds round Paramusire, but they are forced to sneak in under cover of storms and fog, travelling only ,at night.” A Pacific Fleet communique reports that single Navy search aircraft strafed Pingelap Island and bbmbed Ulul and Pakin Islands, in the Carolines, on Sunday. Bombers and fighters dropped 45 tons of bombs on enemv positions in the Marshalls and strafed gun positions. barracks, and buildings. A Sydney message says that there was no fighter opposition or anti-air-craft fire when Liberators from the Solomons attacked Nomoi, in the Caroline Islands, with 34 tons of bombs. Rabaul's ground defences could nut up only moderate anti-aircraft fire against attacks by Liberators on Sunday. Aerodromes and gun positions were aeain the main target. On the north coast of New Guinea Allied air patrols have taken further toll of enemv supply traffic. The Japanese have been uslnc luggers, barges, and small freighters on the blockaded sea lanes from Hollandia to bases as far cast as Madam'. On Sundav and Monday Mitchells damaged a 2000-ton teeightee -and destroyed too luggers.