IN THE ALEUTIANS

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 250, 20 July 1942, Page 6

IN THE ALEUTIANS

Summary Of Operations To Date JAPANESE HOLD THREE REMOTE ISLANDS (British Official Wireless.) (Received July 19, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, July IS. A United States Navy Department communique states: “The army air corps on July 0 bombed the Japaneseoccupied island of Kiska, and on July Il bombed a Japanese cruiser in the Aleutians. Fifty-six bombs were dropped on Kiska.” Summarizing operations in the Aleutians to the present, the Navy Department adds that the second Japanese raid on Dutch Harbour on June 4 with IS carrier-based bombers and Id fighters met with little success. Casualties totalled 44 military personnel killed and 49 wounded and one civilian killed. The Japanese have occupied the island of Agattu and thus now occupy three remote islands in the most westerlypart of the Aleutians. Three United States destroyers and smaller vessels were at Dutch Harbour during the initial attack on June 3. United States planes on June 4 located and attacked with undetermined results the Japanese carriers which launched the planes making lhese attacks. At least seven Japanese aircraft were destroyed, while a number of American aircraft were lost.

The Japanese force making rhe initial attack on the Aleutians consisted approximately of two small carriers, two seaplane tenders, several cruisers and destroyers and from four to six transports. So far 16 Japanese vessels have been sunk or damaged in the Aleutians. These include one cruiser, one transport and three destroyers sunk and nine other warships damaged. The latter Include at least one carrier. The vessel Northwestern, which was bombed in the second raid on Dutch Harbour, has been beached and is now used as barracks for construction workers. On June 4 the Japanese also attacked, the armed post of Fort Gleuu, 70 miles west of Dutch Harbour. Two Japanese planes were shot down. The attack had been anticipated and a strong antiaircraft barrage greeted the Japanese. Since June 4 there have been no further attacks on United States military installations in' Alaska or the Aleutians, the military effectiveness of which has not been seriously impaired.