SAIPAN CAMPAIGN

Grey River Argus, 3 July 1944, Page 5

SAIPAN CAMPAIGN

U.S.A. CASUALTIES

Exceed Three Thousand

[Aus. & N.Z. Press Assn.l (Rec 6.30) NEW YORK, July 1. Japanese planes on Friday hight made nine separate raids against the American positions and American shipping off Saipan Island, reports the representative of the Combined American Press aboard the U.S. flagship. A few bombs were dropped. There was nothing valuable hit. At least one plane was shot down. The Pearl Harbour correspondent of the “New York Times” says:— American casualty figures for the Saipan campaign so far number 3076. This total is triple the number of those at Tarawa. They demonstrate that the cost of Saipan Island is in accordance with its worth as one of the bastions guarding the heart of Japan. While this price is a high one it is not considered to be exorbitant. It was anticipated that the battle in the Marianas would be <i test of American sturdiness, and one exceeding anything previously in the Pacific war. However, the casualty rate henceforth is expected to decline, since the original enemy garrison of Saipan of between twenty and thirty thousand, has been greatly reduced. The capture of valuable heights in the centre of the island will enable the Americans to inflict mounting punishment, thereby thinning the enemy ranks. It is to 'be presumed that a majority of the American casualties have resulted from enemy mortar and artillery fire since the initial landings were relatively lightly opposed. WASHINGTON, July 2.

The Pacific Fleet, in a communique, says: The principal components of expeditionary troops now fighting on Saipan consist of the Second Marine Division, the Fourth Marine Division, and the Twentyseventh Infantry Division. The American Associated Press reports- The Second Marine Division.. previously relieved the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal and later launched the attack on Tarawa. The Fourth Marine Division participated in the Marshalls campaign. (Rec. 7.40) WASHINGTON, July 2. The pacific Fleet in a communique says: American forces, in consolidating positions on Saipan on Thursday, wiped out several pockets of resistance which they had previously by-passed. We made small gains in the central sector of our lines. Enemy planes bombed the area occupied bv our forces. One enemy plane was shot down. We are continuing the bombing and naval shelling of enemy gun positions of Tinian Island. A carrier aircraft bombed buildings and runways on Rota Island Navy Venturas bombed Paramushiro, Smumushu in the Kurile Isles, north of Japan, without interception. All the aircraft returned. JAPS CLAIM SUCCESS. (Rec. 12.10 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 2. The Tokio official radio claims that three enemy cruisers, or large destroyers, which attempted to shell Gaum airfield on Saturday were repulsed, and eight enemy planes were driven off.