ALEUTIAN ISLES

Grey River Argus, 15 June 1942, Page 5

ALEUTIAN ISLES

JAP OCCUPATION What is Object ? [Aust. & N.Z. Cable LONDON, June 12. The Japanese have made smallscale landings in the Aleutian Islands. A United States Navy Department communique states that landings were made at Attu, a small island at the extreme tip of the archipelago. Japanese landing operations are still in nrogress.

American Army and Navv a : r forces have gone into the attack, but these operations were held up for a start because of bad weather. It is only during the last twenty-four hours that' offensive operations have been undertaken.

Attu is 800 miles west of Dutch Harbour, and Kitka. where another attempted landing has been reported is 240 miles east of Attu.

The United States Navy Department, in a dispatch from Washington, states that American naval forces have driven Japanese shins from the harbour of Kiska and from the populated areas at the extreme tip of the Aleutian Archipelago.

WHAT IS OBJECTIVE?

(Rec. 10.10) WASHINGTON, June .13

The Aleutian Island of Attu is a small rocky island, having little apparent strategic value. Leading naval authorities believe the J’apanese are seeking to make prestige from their attack against this remote territory in order to offset the reverses in the Midway battle. Kiska Island has a good harbour.

WASHINGTON, J'une 12.

The U.S. Navy in a communique stated the Japanese made smallscale landings on Attu Island at tae extreme tip of the Aleutians. Japanese ships are reported in the harbour of Kiska in the Rat Group. Japanese operations in the Aleutian area are still progressing, althought continuing U.S. Army and Navy aircraft attacks forced them to retire from populated areas of the islands. Army and Navy attacks against these operations are continuing The weather conditions in these outlying islands has precluded air search operations until the last 24 hours. , , , xu President Roosevelt to-day authorised the establishment of an Alaska War Council, and specified that the Governor of Alaska shall be chairman.