SECOND ATOMIC BOMB ATTACK

Dominion, Volume 38, Issue 268, 10 August 1945, Page 7

SECOND ATOMIC BOMB ATTACK

Soviet Troops Crossing Into Manchuria

(By ' Telegraph.—Press ,Assn._ Copyright.)

(Received August 9, 1.L25 p.m.) LONDON, August 9, Moscow radio yesterday announced that Russia had declared war against Japan. The declaration had effect from 9 a.m. on August 9 (New Zealand time). “The Allies asked Russia to join in the war against Japan, and, true to the Allies, Russia has accepted the offer, said M. Molotov m a statement broadcast by Moscow radio. “Russia has informed Britain and America of her step, and these Governments have declared themselves to be satisfied, nhe added communique gtates that small nU mbers of Soviet bombers attacked targets in north Manchuria (Manchukuo) and north Korea; then Soviet troops crossed.the border on two fronts. Fighting is taking place at several points m Manchuria near the long salient of Soviet territory which runs south to Vladivostok, including a point south-west of thorns after the Soviet declaration General Carl Spaatz, in a communique from Guam, announced an atomic bomb attack on the great Japanese port and supply centre of Nagasaki (population about 300,000). Good results are reported. The raid was made at midday today (Japanese time). It is not stated whether more than one bomb was dropped. Just after midday today 1 1 00 planes from the Anglo-American fleet began an assault on targets in the area o£ a town which possesses Japan’s biggest steel mill, 270 miles north of o io. Tokio radio says a surface bombardment has also begun. Some planes from land-based raiding forces flew over Hiroshima, which received the first atomic bomb. . . The first Japanese radio reaction to the Russian declaration was a brief factual announcement by Domei in the English transmission to Europe. . , . Military sources in Washington predict that Russia s entry into the war will protect the northern flank for the coming American invasion of Japan, increase the dispersal of the Japanese homeland forces, and bring from 1,000,000 to 1 500,000 seasoned troops with modern armour into action along a border of more than 3UUU miles against 500,000 to 1,000,000 Japanese A substantial part of Japan s forces is the Kwan tun g Army, which is described as Japan’s best trained and best-equipped milll- - unit. Manchuria has been heavily reinforced in the last tew months by Japanese troops from China.

Washington officials considered that Russia’s greatest danger appeared to lie in the Trans-Siberian railway, which links the Far Eastern provinces ■with the equipment centres in European Russia. This barely skirts the border between Siberia, Outer Mongolia and Manchuria, though a more northern route which has been under construction may have been completed. The intensified Allied aerial campaign is expected in order to smash communications and impede the passage of Japanese reinforcements. The Japanese Air Fprce is expected to make a supreme effort to snap the Soviet railway lifeline to Siberia. The New York "Herald-Tribune’s” correspondent says that the announcement of the Russian declaration of war produced scarcely more jubilation in Washington than did a re.lion by M. Molotov tliat Japan recently asked the Russians to mediate Tor. peace. This confirmed the reports which were current for many weeks that the Japanese had made an authentic feeler, and it was viewed as conclusive evidence that Japan's leaders even before the atomic bombing recognized that their cause was futile.

..Washington is optimistic that Japan will be brought to her knees within weeks, or possibly days. “Today a new historic task faces us. gamely, to complete together with our allies the defeat of imperialistic Japan/' says the Moscow “Pravda" in an .editorial which was broadcast by Moscow radio. “The Soviet people entirely agree with the Government’s wise decision. The Japanese aggressor will be smashed.” Enemy Miscalculation. “The Japanese imperialists miscalculated, as their German allies miscalculated," it continues. “The lesson of Germany did not seem enough for the Japanese aggressors. They underestimated the bonds of the Allies. The same fate awa'its them as Hitlerite Germany.” Russia's powerfully reinforced eastern army threatening Japan's northern strongholds in Manchuria includes formations which beat the best of Japan’s continental armies in the border fighting of 1938-39, says Reuters’ Moscow correspondent The Russisan bombers are able to strike anywhere in Japan and Manchuria and are able to reach many of the Japanese bases in -China, but the Russian commander and his immediate objectives are alike unknown. The correspondent points out that it is interesting to recall that Marshal Zhukov commanded the Russian forces which defeated the Japanese on the border in 1939 and first employed the Red Army's tactics of co-operation between tanks and planes. The Japanese Kwantung army was badly battered in the border engagements, and the Japanese thereafter had deep respect for the Russian eastern army. They openly declared that in the event of war against Russia they hoped to be able to strike quickly against Vladivostok and objectives along the Amur River. The Russian Pacific Fleet was recently reported to have been strengthened and developed. It is based on Vladivostok and a chain of mure recently developed ports. It is stated in Washington that Russia has at least two battleships and three cruisers, but her strongest force in the Pacific is the submarine and anti-sub-marine fleet, which can be thrown almost immediately into operations near Vladivostock. Washington officials pointed out that the American submarine and mine blockade round the Sea of Japan hns already cut Japanese shipping to a trickle, and they predicted that the enemy shipping will now be completely paralysed.

Military Liaison. The Manila correspondent, of the Associated Press says it is expected that steps will promptly be taken to establish liai«on between the Russian army and General MacArthur's headquarters. The declaration of war caused little surprise in Manila, where it was regarded as inevitable following upon Japan's refusal to accept the Potsdam ultimatum. The Secretary of the United States Navy. Mr. Forrestnl. said: “The United Slates Navy welcomes the entry by the Red Navy in the war against Japan and looks forward to meeting its officers and men in Japan’s home waters." Admiral Nirnitz said: “We welcome Russia as a powerful partner. Her brave armies, in the advantageously geographical position they hold in relation to Japan, arrayed with the already overwhelming forces of the other United Nations. will help to hasten the defeat, of »he Japanese."

President Truman will broadcast a •’lDminute speech at 2 p.m. New Zealand time on Friday, when he will speak on the Potsdam conference and the atomic bomb.