ATTU INVASION

Grey River Argus, 20 May 1943, Page 5

ATTU INVASION

AMERICAN GAINS Japs. Driven From Ridge PINCERS MOVE NOW POSSIBLE. 8.0.W. RUGBY, May 18. The United States Secretary of the Navy, Colonel Knox, announced today that American troops smashed one of the main centres of Japanese resistance at Attu Island, in the Aleutians. Colonel Knox said that despite stubborn resistance, the casualties so far, were “much lighter” than expected. He said: “We now have word that our troops captured the ridge where the Japanese were entrenched, and have driven the enemy out. We are now in possession of that ridge.” The ridge referred to, runs from east to west, south of Holtz Bay. Colonel Knox said the capture makes it possible for a pincers operation against the main enemy positions. He had received no definite word whether the juncture of the two United States forces had yet been effected. .At present, they were approaching each other. Colonel Knox added that naval units continued to aid the ground elements with bombardments, when opportunity arose. The Japanese were apparently unaware of the United States plans, but offered very serious resistance. The need for secrecy will continue until the operations are absolutely successful.

A United States Navy communique, describing the initial operations, states: — North Pacific: The Military situation now permits the announcement of some details of the landing of the United States forces at Attu on May 11. The occupation began when a scouting party landed at Blind Cove, Holtz Bay, at the north-east, and the Attu main landings were effected at two points, the Holtz Bay area and Massacre Bay at the south-east end of the island. The landings were made under cover of the naval forces, which bombarded the enemy installations in both areas, ana United States Army ’planes, which attacked enemy positions in the vicinity of Chicaguf Harbour. Both groups advanced inland. They encountered stubborn resistance from numerous machine-gun nests. The Japanese forces have entrenched themselves along a rocky ridge. Despite unfavourable weather, United States Army ’planes had carried out several bombing and strafing attacks since the initial landings. Our troops have established their positions, and the operations are continuing.

ATTACK ON WAKE ISLAND. B O.W. RUGBY, May 18. The United States Navy announces an air attack on Wake Island. A force of Liberator heavy bombers attacked Japanese installations on the island. Bad weather prevented observation of results. The attacking ’planes were engaged by twenty-two Japanese fighters of which two were definitely and one probably destroyed.

24,000 POUNDS OF EXPLOSIVES.

(Rec. 9.30) NEW YORK. May 19. The Liberators which bombed Wake Island dropped twenty-four thousand pounds of explosives, including a special type of block-bust-er, says the “New York Times” Hawaii correspondent. The raid was the fifth since the Japanese captured the atoll. It is significant because it is typical of the kind of war the United' States is waging on this long battlefront from the Aleutians to the Solomons, while the Attu operations are designed to pinch off tne Japanese northern salient. The New Guinea campaign hacks against the southern tentacle. The recent raids against. Nauru. Tarawa; and now Wake Island, are hitting the midcile of the Japanese line. Colonel Clarence Hegy. leader or the raid, reported that old and new model Zeros, the latter armed with twenty millimetre cannon, took on. but the Japanese were diffident about attacking. Thev broke off after nring a few rounds of tracer bullets. Colonel Hegy added that he believed that the bomb damage was considerable. All the raiders returned.

Siberian Base for U-S. ?*

JAP. WARNING TO RUSSIA.

LONDON. May 18

Russian-Jhpanese relations are governed by the Neutrality Pact, but if Russia ever gives the United States the use of its base in Siberia, then Japan’s Kwantung Army will deliver blitzkreig blows that Russia will not forget for some time, said the Tokio radio. It added that Japan is ready to meet every emergency. Her history teaches her that nothing is certain in international relations, and Japan is ready to take the next step.