ATTACK RESUMED

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 138, 8 March 1945, Page 7

ATTACK RESUMED

Heavy Bombardment Of Iwojima AIRFIELD IN USE (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Received March 7, 8.40 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 6. “After tlie most intense artillery bombardment of enemy positions since operations on Iwojima began, elements of the Third, Fourth and Fifth Marine Divisions resumed tlie attack this morning,” says a communique from Admiral Niniitz. “Fighting was heavy all day, the enemy offering very stiff ’ resistance and subjecting our forces to a heavy' volume of small arms and mortar lire.” “By 5.30 p.m. the marines had made small local gains on the left flank aud in tlie centre. Carrier aircraft, and naval guns were in action all day. The marines counted 14.456 enemy dead. . “Army fighters are using the airfield on southern Iwojima. Evacuation ot wounded by transport planes continued and unloading conditions continue favourable. “Liberators yesterday bombed the airfield at Chinchijima. Marine aircraft bombed targets in the Palaus and Yap aud Rota.” Tokio radio stated that American marines had launched a violent attack on Iwopima, wheer the fighting had reached a decisive stage. Tokio radio also reported that seven Super-Fortresses appeared over Honshiu Island last night and made widespread bombing attacks from Tokio to Shiniouoscki.

CHANGE IN JAPANESE TACTICS

Less Vigour Than Before

(Received March 7, 9 p.m.) NEW YORK, March 6.

Aboard his flagship in the western Pacific, Vice-Admiral Mitschcr told tlie Associated Press of America correspondent that there had definitely been n change in the pace of the war against Japan. The carrier attacks against Tokio were evidence of this and “anything can happen in the next six months because the enemy has not attacked us with the vigour he displayed previously. "This does not mean that the Japanese Navy and Air Force is defeated. lie still possesses strong naval and , air forces, but has not used them this time. That alone is evidence of a change in tactics.”

Vice-Admiral Mitsclier told the United Press of America correspondent that American carrier planes could bomb Japan successfully for days and weeks nt a time. He jjdded that carrier attacks against Tokio, Yokohama and Nagoya could be put on a "milk-run” basis.

REGROUPING ON LUZON

Preparing For Final Phase

(Received March 7, 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, March 0.

“Throughout all the Luzon sectors our troops are regrouping for the final phases of the campaign,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “Combat activity was limited. Patrols captured 20 enemy boats south-west of Ternate. Air patrols sweeping Cagayan Valley wrecked five enemy planes an Eehague. “Light, naval units off (he Zambales coast sank one enemy coastal craft laden with escaping troops. Fighters wrecked defence positions and a fuel depot at Ban Jose. Motor torpedo-boats harassed shore targets in the Calamian Islands. Targets hit by our aircraft included the >Sasi*i and Lieana aerodromes, bivouacs at Davao, Butuan, Cotabato, north of Davao and Zambonaga, west of Davao, supply dumps, personnel areas and installations at an aerodrome at the town of Sau Roque, where guns were silenced, Zetlel airfield, on Dolo Island, a 6000ton freighter, another freighter and a destroyer escort north-east of Keelung, Formosa. Seven small craft in the China Sea, harbour craft at Camrahn Bay, a medium freighter on the Borneo coast, warehouses at Gorontalo, Celebes, supplies and bivouacs in the Halmaheras, fuel dumps at Ceram, four barges and two small vessels off Soembawa, in the Lesser Sundas, and bridges on Flores Island were also attacked. Our lighters attacked waterfront anti-aircraft , batteries at Manokwari, in eastern Vogelkop, where they probably destroyed a barge. Aircraft struck emplacements on the Wewak sector and scattered enemy groups near Kavieng and on Bougainville.”