JAPS SEND BALLOONS OVER PACIFIC

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 202, 24 May 1945, Page 7

JAPS SEND BALLOONS OVER PACIFIC

LONDON, May 22.

The United States Army and Navy Departments revealed today that the Japanese have been making sporadic attacks in the last few months on the western pare of North America with small long-range balloons loaded with explosives. The statement said that some of the balloons, which carried a few small bombs, were known to have landed or to have dropped explosives in isolated localities. It was emphasized that there was no need for alarm, but that there was always a possibility that unexploded bombs might be found under melting snow and elsewhere.

The official statement points out that the balloon attacks are so scattered and aimless that they do not constitute a military threat and should not be viewed with alarm. The chances that any given place will be hit is one in many millions. The enemy would like to know' the exact time that the balloons have arrived in a locality and their effect, thus allowing him to evaluate the results of his fantastic effort and possibly correct his methods. Such iuforjnatiou will be kept from the enemy if possible. The balloons carry a few small bombs, the main purpose of which is believed to be to start forest fires. The balloons are not manned and cannot be controlled. The Canadian Press says that Japanese paper balloons, 33 feet in diameter have been landing in various parts of western Canada during the past few months. It is believed that the balloons, which were not manned, travelled at extreme heights eastward at approximately SO miles an hour with the revolution of the earth. The balloons are cheaply manufactured and it is estimated that it would be possible to produce 500 for the cost of one light aeroplane.