ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 July 1942, Page 3

ALEUTIAN ISLANDS

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS

WASHINGTON. July 18. A United States Navy Department communique states that the Army Air Corps on July 7 bombed the Jap-anese-occupied island of Kiska and on July 11 bombed a Japanese cruiser in the Aleutians. Fifty-six bombs were dropped in Kiska. Summarising operations in the Aleutians to the present, the Navy department adds that, there was a second Japanese raid on Dutch Harbour on June 4 with 18 carrier-based bombers and 16 fighters. The raid met with little success. Casualties totalled 44 military personnel killed and 49 wounded, with one civilian killed. The station ship Northwestern was bombed and damaged in this attack.

The Japanese have occupied the island of Agatttu. Thus, they now occupy three remote islands in the most westerly part of the Aleutians. Three United States destroyers and smaller vessels were at Dutch Harbour during the initial attack on June 3. United States aeroplanes on June 4 located and attacked with undetermined results the Japanese carriers which launched the aeroplanes making these attacks. At least seven Japanese aircraft were destroyed, while a number of American aircraft were lost.

The Japanese force making the initial attack on the Aleutians consisted of approximately two small carriers, two seaplane tenders, several cruisers and destroyers, and from four to six ‘transports. So far, 16 Japanese vessels have been sunk or damaged in the Aleutians. These include one cruiser, one transport, and three destroyers sunk and nine

other warships damaged.. The latter include at least one carrier. The vessel Northwestern has been beached and is now used as a barracks for construction workers. On June 4, the Japanese also attacked the armed post of Fort Glonn, 70 miles west of Dutch Harbour., Two Japanese aeroplanes were shot down. The attack had been anticipated and a strong anti-aircraft barrage greeted the Japanese.