FIRM FOOTHOLD

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 254, 24 July 1944, Page 5

FIRM FOOTHOLD

Reconquest Of Guam By U.S. Forces TWO BEACH-HEADS (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Received July 23. 7-20 p.m.) NEW YORK, July 22. The Combined Aniercian press representative aboard the United States flagship oft’ Guam says the Third Amphibious Corps of Marines and army personnel made two separate beachhead assaults in the wake of a 17-day sea and air bombardment. The Americans by nightfall were dug in on perimeters between Adlup and .Asan, points northward of Orote peninsula, and from the shattered town of Agat to Bangi Point, southward of Orote.

The northern beach-head stretches over rugged terrain in an arc of several thousand yards. The southern force pushing inland established a substantial beachhead. Thanks to the preparatory barrages the troops flowed ashore in record time against negligible initial resistance across the remnants of strong fixed defence positions. Rear-Admiral Conolly. commanding the smoothest amphibious operation of the Pacific, explained: “We simply blasted the Japs up into the trees.” By the middle of the afternoon the Americans were'climbing hills endeavouring to seize a range of high ground, while tanks along the seaside road were blasting at the Japanese strongpoint at Adlup Point. The Pearl Harbour correspondent ot the Associated Press of America points out that the beach-heads are established on either side of the port of Apra. one of the finest harbours in the Pacific. Apparently the invaders intend to sweep behind and pinch off the harbour area. The Fleet spokesman said the landings were accomplished according to the original schedule. However, observers expect the battle for Guam to bo as difficult as Saipan. Guam’s terrain provides ideal fighting ground for the Japanese, who can take cover in caves and underbrush. Guam will give the Americans complete control of the Mariannes, since Guam and Saipan were the most important enemy bases.

Tokio official radio says the Japanese forces were solidly prepared for the Guam attack. The Americans landed one division and 150 tanks at Asan and half a division at Agat. Defences Knocked Ont.

Outstanding in the Guam operations were the warship and plane attacks for 17 successive days beginning on July 4. says the Associated Press. Lt was the longest and heaviest of anv of the preliminary Pacific island attacks, none of which, from Tarawa to Saipan, have been light. The Japanese anti-aircraft fire steadily dwindled ■ and finally ceased after the attack last Sunday. The fire from the shore ceased on Saturday. The last enemy plane interceptio’n occurred on July 7, when nine fighters which were fleeing to Yap were shot down. The steady daily bombardment which established a record for tonnage, apparently knocked out the Japanese shore defences and drove the enemy from the beaches.