ADMIRAL KOGA KILLED

Evening Star, Issue 25168, 6 May 1944, Page 5

ADMIRAL KOGA KILLED

COMMANDER JAPANESE HIGH FLEET SUGGESSOR TO ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO NEW YORK, May 5. Tokio official radio announced that Admiral Mineichi Koga, commander-in-chief of the Japanese fleet, was killed in action while directing naval operations on board a plane. Admiral Koga succeeded Admiral Yamamoto, who was killed in an air action in April, 1943. The German Overseas News Agency says Admiral Koga was killed at the front last March in the execution of his duty. Admiral Toyodia succeeded him, and is already in command of the fleet. Admiral Zengo Yoshida will take over Admiral Toyoda's former post.

PEACE IN PACIFIC EXTENSION OF CANBERRA PACT FAVOURED LONDON, May 4. The spokesman for the French National Committee and the Governments of China and Holland said that they favoured an extension of the AustraliaNew Zealand agreement to consolidate Pacific security. They declared that they were prepared to back any move made at the Empire Conference to extend the pact. These statements, synchronised with the Empire Conference, are welcome diplomatic support for Australia and New Zealand. Some quarters, in Britain have objected to the initiative taken by Australia and New Zealand in mutually affirming their interests in the Pacific without consulting Britain and America.

China's spokesman," Dr Yeh, said: " We' welcome such proposals for security in the Pacific as are envisaged in the Australia-New Zealand Pact."

The French and Dutch spokesmen said the French National Committee and the Dutch Government were already in close co-operation with Canberra regarding the Pacific, and they were prepared to consider action along the lines of the Pact. NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER LONDON, May 5. Government and church leaders are conferring about the possibility of calling a national day of prayer when the .invasion starts. The - Daily Telegraph’s’ political correspondent.points out that as no announcement can be made in ' advance it is probable that a Sunday soon after the operation opens will be chosen .