CAMPAIGN IN RIUKIUS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24567, 16 May 1945, Page 7

CAMPAIGN IN RIUKIUS

Raids By British Aircraft ADVANCES ON OKINAWA (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.50 p.m.) WASHINGTON. May 14. Carrier-borne aircraft of tbe British Pacific Fleet bombed airfields on Mlyak,o Island (in the Biukin chain of islands south-west of Okinawa) on Saturday and Sunday. A large oil fire and a number of smaller fires were started, and two enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground. This is reported in a communique from Admiral Nimitz’s headquarters, which also records more advances on Okinawa Island and further enemy shipping losses, .“About 35 enemy aircraft, in three groups, attacked our ships off Okinawa last evening, damaging two light units,” says the communique, “Twentyfive enemy aeroplanes were shot down, one of our destroyers accounting for eight aircraft. “Early this morning a few aeroplanes dropped bombs ashore at Okinawa without causing damage. Two rifle companies of the 96th Division reached the summit of a conical hill 2500 yards east of Shuri and are holding the position in spite of Japanese counter-attacks. The 383 rd Infantry Regiment completed the capture of the hill to-day. The domination of this high ground permitted our left flank to advance 2400 yards southward along the east coast and capture the Yonabaru airfield. “In .the other sectors advances were limited generally to from 100 yards to 200 yards, as our troops met stiff opposition. - “Since April 1 our forces on Okinawa nave captured or destroyed 386 enemy guns of 70-millimetre calibre or larger. “Several groups of enemy. aircraft made a senes of attacks on our car-

rier task force this morning, causing some damage to one of our major units. A preliminary report shows that 21 enemy aeroplanes were shot down. “British carrier aircraft bombed airfields on Miyake Island, in the Sakl Shimas. on Saturday and Sunday. A large oil fire and a number of smaller fires were started. Two aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Our search privateers sank a small oil tanker, a medium freighter, and a small freight-er-transport around Korea on Sunday. Fleet aircraft damaged five small cargo-boats, a lugger, and fishing craft south of Honshu on Sunday. Our aircraft attacked the Marshalls, the Palaus, Yap, and Ponape. , “From the beginning of operations on Okinawa to Sunday, our search planes have sunk 70,900 tons of enemy shipping and damaged 70,150 persistence by the advancing infantry, who often drew fire from five different angles, has gained a few more precious yards,” says the correspondent of the “New York Times'* onOkinawa. "Patrols have reached the outskirts of Naha, but Shuri is apparently the centre of the; Japanese dgT. fensive system, and here a decisive battle for the Island must be fought. “The infantrymen’s progress Is difficult. and the Japanese are making us pay heavily for every yard taken. We are fighting for high ground which has been subjected to a systematic, continuous pounding from bombs, artillery, and naval guns, but when the Americans attempt to advance as a group they are immediately brought under a devastating fire. One hundred mortar bombs landed among one regiment in four minutes. A tank company which was sent in to clean up pillboxes on a ridge with 21 tanks finished the day with only seven still serviceable. "The enemy is deeply dug In pn the reverse slope of the hills, where he is invulnerable to direct fire and also well protected from bombs. Our air force, which is unchallenged, struck all day in support of the troops with bombs and rockets, and ships from both sides of the island bombarded enemy areas in addition to ground artillery. In spite of this the Japanese bombed and laid down artillery and mortar fire on our lines with such volume and accuracy that it was impossible to move up supplies by truck to some forward elements who had received ammunition, weapons, and food from aeroplanes. !‘The marines report a new Japanese trick. They have discovered newly-dug trenches, in which they sheltered, only to find that these were pinpointed by enemy mortars.” The correspondent of the United Press points out that one marine company lost 50 per cent, of its strength in the last two days in capturing high ground above Naha. It has taken three divisions 44 days to reach “Bloody Ridge,” which is now known as ‘Two Jlma," a distance of 16,000 yards from the landing beach. A Japanese landing attempt near the Machinato airfield on Monday was smashed, none of the enemy getting ashore. CHINESE FIGHT FOR FOOCHOW HEAVY FIGHTING IN HUNAN PROVINCE CHUNGKING, May 14. Fighting is continuing in the streets of Foochow. “The Chinese assault on Foochow is regarded in Washington as a dyect effort to clear the way for an American landing on the China coast,” says the Washington correspondent of the New York "Sun.” "Foochow, which has been in Japanese hands since October, is only 525 air miles from Okinawa, from where it is expected air cover for the landings will be based.” The main Japanese columh on the Chihkiang front has been rolled- back to within 18 miles of Paoching, from where the major Japanese drive was launched. An enemy unit about 50 miles to the westward has been chopped into five pockets, while other units northwards of Shanmeng have mostly been destroyed. Heavy fighting continues in southern Hunan Province. The commanding general of the Chinese Combat Command (MajorGeneral R. McClure) estimated that the Japanese had suffered 11,000 casualties in Central China in recent battles. .Major-General McClure revealed tnat American equipment was rushed to the Hunan front in anticipation of the Chihkiang battle, but the Japanese front collapsed before the American weapons could be distributed on a large scale. CANADIAN DIVISION FOR PACIFIC (Rec. 9 p.m.) OTTAWA, May 14. “Volunteers from Canadians overseas will more than be adequate to . provide one division, with ancillary troops, for the Pacific, which it is reported all Canada will be asked to supply,” said the Premier of Saskatchewan (Mr T. C. Douglas) on his return from a visit to Europe.