HEAVY DAMAGE AT KISKA

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 270, 13 August 1942, Page 5

HEAVY DAMAGE AT KISKA

Recent U.S. Shelling In Aleutians CONSTANT WARFARE (Received August 12, 9.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, August 11. A communique by the Navy Department says: “Information has been received regarding the following incidents in the Aleutian Islands: “On July 22 army bombers raided the area of Kiska harbour through fog. The results were not observed. On July 29 navy patrol planes attacked Kiska at night time, and army bombers attacked shore installations and ships in the same vicinity.' On August 3 Japanese aircraft attacked the United States destroyer Kane off Atka Island, 305 miles east of Kiska. No damage was inflicted. Army bombers again attacked the Kiska harbour area, but the results were not observed. On August 4 army pursuit planes shot down two seaplane bombers of the Kwanishi 97 type. • “On August 8 a Pacific Fleet task force, protected by navy patrol planes, heavily bombarded a group of enemy ships and camp facilities and shore Installations at Kiska. “The attack was a complete surprise. The enemy, mistaking the first salvos of shells for bombs, opened anti-aircraft fire against the imagined planes. An intensive bombardment from cruiser and destroyer guns soon silenced the shore batteries and started fires and inflicted severe damage in the camp area. “The only enemy resistance was from aircraft. Our loss consisted of one observation plane. “On Aqgust 9 naval patrol planes followed up the bombardment, attacking two cargo ships in Kiska harbour and scoring two hits with bombs on each ship, causing severe damage. Observers also sighted a sunken cargo vessel which is believed to have been sunk during the previous bombardment by surface forces.”