PALAU BATTLES

Grey River Argus, 22 September 1944, Page 5

PALAU BATTLES

AMERICANS MASTER ANGAUR.,

ISLAND. FURTHER GAINS ON PELELIU. (Rec. 10.40) WASHINGTON, Sept. 21. Marines continue to apply- heavy pressure against strong Japanese defensive positions in rough terrain on the western shore of Peleliu Island, states a ‘Pacific Fleet communique. Slow progress is being made. There is bitter enemy resistance. In one sector Marines captured eleven fieldguns, 70 machine-guns, and 23 mortars. Additional gains have been scored along the eastern shore of the island, where virtually all enemy resistance has been mopped up. Mopping up continues on Angaur Island. It .is estimated that American forces have killed over 7,000 enemy troops on Peleliu and 600 on Angaur. A Pearl Harbour correspondent of the United Press of America says:— Troops of Major-General Muller’s “Wildcat” division in four days crushed all organised J’apanese resistance on Angaur Island. The Marines still are waging a savage battle of annihilation against the remaining Japanese in Peleliu Island’s coral hills. These Japanese are estimated at five thousand. The Japanese made a final attempt to evacuate Angaur. It ended disastrously when a Navy; gunboat sank seven sampans, and killed 200 Japanese troops. The Japanese lost a crack battalion on Angaur, besides an airfield within fighter range of the Philippines, and rich phosphates deposits. American casualties . are less than half those of the J'apanese.

Carrier Raid in Sumatra LITTLE OR NO OPPOSITION. (Rec. 10.50) KANDY, Sept. 21. A British Associated Press correspondent at sea off Sumatra says:— A small but fast and powerful carrier force has just delivered another blow in northern Sumatra, and is now speeding back to its base. It was part of an offensive policy steadily being directed against the Japaneseheld Indies. Barracuda torpedobombers, escorted by Corsair Fleet fighters, thoroughly pasted a railway repair depot at Slgli, neai - Sumatra’s northern tip, and left three-quarters of it in ruins. Raids aimed at softening up Sumatra in preparation for more vital operations are becoming more frequent. Each has disclosed inability! on the part of the Japanese effectively to hit back. For the latest enterprise the force steamed within sight of the Sumatra coast before launching its aircraft, although the force turned and hauled off rapidly, leaving the pilots pursue it to sea when their mission was finished. Our momentary nearness to the coast provided the Japanese with an opportunity which they significantly failed to accept. Our planes faced little ground opposition, and it was not until late in the afternoon, when they were all snugly, aboard, that the air umbrella found only a Zero flying high towards us. At the first sight of fighters, he turned and bolted. The only breathless moment in the whole enterprise was when planes were landing on carriers after the operation. A black rain squall almost blotted out the carriers. Dozens of planes, having broken formation, were flying round like excited teal upset by shooters’ guns, but all landed safely. The outstanding conclusion which can be drawn is that the raid strengthened the suspicion that Sumatra can be had for the taking. U.S. SUPPLY COM'MAND. NEW YORK, Sept. 12. "The European strategic picture has changed so radically that the role of the Persian Gulf Command, which is handling supplies to Russia, may be altered, said Major-General. Donald Connolly, the Persian Gulf Commander. General Connolly told a press conference that he has returned to Washington to discuss the future role of his organisation of thirty thousand troops, whMh might be i transferred to some other critical supply area, probably to the Pacific, since the European war was nearing an end. General Connolly disclosed thit his command increased the capacity; of the Iranian ports sevenfold. He added: The United States materially contributed to Russia, but our contributions have only been a. small part of their needs and of their own contributions. The United States in no way want’s to take credit for Russian victories. BRITISHH FORCES FOR THE PACIFIC. EXTRA PAY EXPECTED. (Rec. 9.45). LONDON, Sept. 21. The Daily Express say®:—British servicemen who are transferred from the European theatre to the Pacific, after Germany’s defeat, will receive increased, pay. Increases are expected to be" substantial. A Tommy’s basic oay is now 3s or 3s 6d per day, compared with basic rates (sterling) of 8s 3d per day for Americans, and 5s 2d per day for Australians. Increased pay for fighting Japan will be some compensation to those men who remain in the Services after the defeat of Germany. On the assumption that war against Japan will largely be carried on in the air and at sea, nearly every man in the R.A.F. and Navy' will also receive a big increase. \