THIRD U.S. LANDING

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21260, 24 November 1943, Page 3

THIRD U.S. LANDING

GILBERT ISLANDS BEACH-HEADS WIDENED STRONG SEA Y AIR COVER (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (10 a.m.) PEARL HARBOUR, Nov. 23. American Marines have made another landing in the Gilbert Islands at Abemama, and Admiral C. Nimitz, commander-in-chief of the United States Pacific Fleet, reports that the United States forces have improved their positions on Makin and Tarawa Islands. Considerable enemy ground resistance is being encountered. The Americans are making an allout effort to extend their beach-heads before the Japanese can assemble forces for a counter-attack. . The American landings, which were made on, several beaches, continue to be supported by naval bombardment of the Japanese positions and powerful aerial cover. Little further information is expected from Admiral Nimitz until the offensive crystallises. While the enemy apparently put up some aerial opposition to the American landings, there are no reports of any attempted naval interference Abemama, where the latest landing has been made, lies south-east of Tarawa, which is the main port and air base of the Gilberts. Naval commentators say that the American offensive will have the effect of splitting the Japanese air and sea power. While formerly the Japanese were able to concentrate warships and planes at Rabaul,. they must now spread their strength between the south and central Pacific. The present operations are regarded as the opening of the major Allied offensive to cut sea communications between Japan and her conquests north and north-west of Australia. Some American observers predict the early invasion of New Britain by General MacArthur’s forces to synchronise with the Gilberts campaign. The New York Times says: “The campaign aims’ to pierce the shield around Truk, in the Carolines, and clear the seas which guard this powerful base. If we can seize Rabaul and establish ourselves in the Gilbert and Marshall Groups, we will cut off the whole southern corner of the Japanese defences and advance our fighting line 1000 miles towards Tokio. The timing of the assault against the Gilberts suggests that the campaign against Rabaul is nearing a climax.” The official spokesman at Admiral Nimitz’s headquarters revealed that the operations in the central Pacific are under the personal direction of Vice-Admiral Raymond Spruance. President Roosevelt’s eldest son, | Lieut.-Colonel James Roosevelt, was among the troops who landed oh Makin Island.