SURPRISE ATTACK

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20861, 13 August 1942, Page 3

SURPRISE ATTACK

ALEUTIANS SHELLED JAP. BASES POUNDED AMERICAN AIR ASSAULTS (9.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 12. A Navy Department communique says: Information has been received regarding the following incidents in the Aleutians. On July 22 army bombers raided the area of Kiska harbour. Through fog the results could not be observed. On July 29 navy patrol planes attacked Kiska at night-time. Army bombers attacked shore installations and ships in the same vicinity. On August 3 Japanese aircraft attacked the United States destroyer Kane off Atka Island 305 miles east of Kiska. No damage was inflicted. Army bombers again attacked the Kiska harbour area. The results were not observed. On August 4 army pursuit planes shot down two seaplane bombers of the Kawanishi 97 type. : On August 8 a Pacific Fleet task force, protected by navy patrol planes, heavily bombarded a group of enemy ships, camp facilities and shore installations at Kiska. The attack was a complete Surprise. The enemy, mistaking the first salvos of shells for bombs, opened anti-aircraft fire against the imagined planes. An intensive bombardment from cruiser and destroyer guns soon silenced the shore batteries, started fires and inflicted severe damage in the camp area. The only enemy resistance was from aircraft. Our loss consisted of one observation plane. , On August 9 naval patrol planes followed up the bombardment by attacking two cargo“ Ships in the Kiska harbour, scoring two hits with bombs on each ship, causing severe damage. Observers also sighted a sunken cargo vessel which is believed to have been sunk during the previous bombardment by surface forces.