ATTU INVASION

Grey River Argus, 19 May 1943, Page 5

ATTU INVASION

SWIFT SUCCESS LIKELY Weather Hinders Action U.S. NAVAL AND AIR BOMBARDMENT. [Aust. & N.Z. Cable Assn.l (Rec. 10.40.) WASHINGTON, May 18. A swift conclusion to drive out the Japanese from Attu in the Aleutians apoears to be probable, according to the Associated Press correspondent. However, aside from a brief communioue. which says, “operations against the Japanese on Attu are continuing,” the onlv information is that heavy weather has been delaying action One authority asserted to-day: “Good clear weather is all we need.” According to the Tokio radio this has now arrived. The announcer said. “Air and naval bombardment was supporting the arrival of streams of American reinforcements.” Thick fog had prevented earlier sea. air. and even major ground movements Japs Allege Use of Gas tokio reports of fighting.

LONDON, May 17. That the Americans attacking Attu Island used poison gas is a claim made in a report from Attu Island, sayjs the Berlin radio. * Tokio newspapers point out in mg headlines their horror of the American use of gas and say that the Japanese have not used poison gas m any way at all. The British United Press suggests that the- accusation may be merely an excuse for the use of gas against the Americans, but American observers regard the claim as another step in the apparent Axis campaign to prepare listeners for the loss oi the- island. The Official Tokio Radio says that the Japanese Army spokesman said the United States were landing a steady stream of reinforcements at Attu ‘ under cover of air and naval bombardment. The Japanese, however, were holding the positions and had made a number of damaging counter-attacks against tremendous numerical odds.

The radio added that Major-Gen-eral Yahagi says the main American attacking force at Attu island on Wednesday landed on the south coast, moved * inland. and attacked Japanese positions. They were driven back to the beach the same night. A pitched battle occurred between the Japanese and another American force which landed simultaneously/ on the north coast, and that a third American force which attempted to land on the east coast was annihilated. USE OF GAS DENIED. (Rec. 10.45.) WASHINGTON, Ma v 18. An American Naval spokesman de clared to-day: Japanese claims that the United States forces were using poison gas here are “absolutely untrue.” Observers regard the accusation as a further step towards preparing the Japanese for the loss of Attu. Tokio has broadcast an accouhf of the development of fighting on Attu, but the reports lack confirmation here. American commanders are believed to be too busy to send detailed reports of the progress