PACIFIC CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 May 1945, Page 5

PACIFIC CAMPAIGN

JAP. SHIPPING LOSSES

AUSSIE GAINS IN BORNEO WASHINGTON, May 10. “For the four months ended April 10 our Allied air forces blockading the southern China Sea lanes sank or severely damaged 1,892,082 tons of enemy shipping,” says General MacArthur’s communique. “Organised enemy commerce in these lanes has practically disappeared, and only sporadic traffic is now attempted. "The 24th Division is systematically reducing enemy strongpoints and penetrating his positions in the Talomo River area, making steady gains against stubborn resistance. The 31st Division is rapidly consolidating its advances in the interior of Mindanao. In the Angar watershed the 43rd Division is rapidly closing on Ipo from the north and south, following a land and air siege which is costing us remarkably few casualties, but has seriously depleted the enemy’s irreplaceable stocks of ammunition. food and medical supplies. He has also had heavy losses of personnel. Our bombers bombed and strafed in close support. “On Tarakan, leading elements of our Australian forces advancing north penetrated the southern edge of the Djoeta oilfields, and other units, with air support, are applying pressure from the south and west of the enemy’s defensive positions in the centre of the island. Medium bombers, fighters, and patrol aeroplanes strafed and bombed enemy base facilities at Jesselton, Brunei Bay, Kuching, and Tawao, on Borneo. Fires were started in warehouses and personnel areas, smoke rising 7000 feet. Shipyards were hit, barges destroyed, and freighters and bridges damaged. “Patrol aeroplanes attacked Formosa. Heavy bombers attacked shipping and other targets from Hainan to Shanghai. Heavy bombers attacked the naval base at Surabaya and scored direct hits on five vessels. Other heavy bombers attacked Celebes.

“Australian ground forces killed an additional 1993 enemy and captured 25 in operations in Bougainville, New Guinea, and New Britain. * Bombers and fighters of all categories provided close support.” okinawa’operations.

AV ASHINGTON, May 10.

Admiral Nimitz’s communique says that warships and aircraft bombarded Southern Okinawa yesterday, breaking up troop concentrations and destroying pillboxes and installations. The enemy attacked American shipping off Okinawa, damaging two auxiliaries. The enemy repeated the attack to-day, but did not inflict any damage. Six enemy aircraft were shot down. A Marine fighter, with its guns inoperative, destroyed a Japanese bomber by cutting off its tail with its propeller. The 6th Marines bridged and crossed the Asa River estuary today. The bridge construction was delayed by the enemy using two human bombs, causing some damage. Limited gains were made on the southern front.

The United States 10th Army commander on Okinawa (LieutenantGeneral S. B. Bruckner) told a Press conference: “We will begin to feel the effect of the European victory soon in service troops and munitions held in the United States as reserves, but we do not expect combat troops for some time. Our original estimate of 60,000 to 80,000 enemy troops on Okinawa is believed to be too low. We estimate that 36,000 have already been killed and that there are still 45,000 to 50,000 more to be killed. Don’t look for anything spectacular. We are progressing steadily and killing lots of Japanese.”

RAIDS ON JAPAN

LONDON, May 11.

The mounting air. offensive against Japan was continued to-day by United States Superfortresses, after the record attack by 400 of these giant bombers yesterday. To-day's force was about 150 strong. They bombed a large aircraft plant on Honshu. Other Superfortresses attacked airfields on Kyushu, from which enemy aircraft have taken off to bomb British and American warships and also American troops on Okinawa. The Tokio radio says the Japanese Prime Minister (Admiral Suzuki) called an emergency meeting of elder statesmen to discuss the fate of Germany and further defence measures. The conference was held shortly after Thursday’s Superfortress attack on Japan. It was decided to form a volunteer civilian defence corps to defend the homeland, and the conference pledged its wholehearted suppeyt.

TRANSFER OF TROOPS.

WASHINGTON, May 10. Lieutenant-General B. Somervell, chief of the United States Army Service Forces, told a Press conference that help is expected for the unloading of war cargoes in China. The Associated Press says this is official confirmation of the Army’s intention to land on the China coast.

General Somervell said the greater part of the American supply force would go direct from the European theatre to the Pacific. The whole giant supply system of American armies in Europe had already gone into reverse gear to begin redeployment. Many British troopships and 400 cargo vessels would be used to transport American troops from Europe to the Pacific theatre, he said. Among the ships to be used were the liners Queen Mary. Queen Elizabeth and Aquitania.

AERIAL WAR IN CHINA.

CHUNGKING, May 10. Speaking in Kunming, China, Major-General Chennault, commander of the Allied air forces in China, said that air warfare, with a determined and well-equipped Chinese army could defeat the Japanese in China.

The Associated Press says the Burma pipeline so far has not carried much fuel and the Stilwell road supplies are falling short of the estimates.

. The United Press Chungking correspondent says: The Chinese in the first major counter-offensive in months killed more than 20,000 Japanese on the Chihkiang front in.the first 10 days of May.