OKINAWA WIND-UP

Grey River Argus, 27 June 1945, Page 5

OKINAWA WIND-UP

Thousands of Prisoners TAKEN BY AMERICANS WASHINGTON, June 25. Admiral Nimitz’s communique says: Our 10th. Army on Monday continued mopping-uo operations in Okinawa. A total of 8696 of the enemy were captured, of whom 2854 were enemy labour troops. Two fleet wing search planes shot down an enemy fighter and damaged two others in a battle off the south coast of Korea. The planes of this wing have sunk 122,645 tnnE “ o enemy shipping and damaged 128.890 tons, destroyed 38 planes and damaged 24, since operations began in enemy waters. Marine Mitchell bombers damaged a cargo ship and a fast transport yesterday near Shikoku. Japanese bombs caused minor damage to United States air installations ’on Okinawa on Sunday, when the enemy raided the area four times with small forces. • Two enemy aircraft were shot down. Army and Marine planes yesterday and to-day bombed', strafed and rocketed enemy installations in the Sakishimas, damaging a small ship and a number of smaller craft. JAP LEADERS ON OKINAWA NEW YORK, June 26. An Imperial communique ' broadcast by the Tokio radio identified the commanding general of the Okinawa forces as Lieutenant-General Mitsuru Ushijima. He apologised to Emperor Hirohito and to the people at large on June 19, because the battle “has' turned contrary to our expectations.” The radio paid a tribute to him in obituary terms, and paid a similar tribute to Naval Commander Rear Admiral Minoru Ota, who, with his aides, committed suicide in an Okinawa cave. AMERICAN PRISONERS OKINAWA MYSTERY (Rec. 5.5)i NEW YORK, June 26 An Associated Press of America correspondent states that the rate of Americans who were taken prisoners on Okinawa Island remains a mystery. A search has been made in caves which showed signs of having been used as prisons. Scores of bodies have been examined, but no clues have been found. Authorities say that, although no accurate figures are available, the Americans taken prisoner by the Japanese totalled several hundreds.

U.S. LEND LEASE SUPPLIES GOING TO SIBERIA FOR RUSSIA WASHINGTON, June 2b Lend Lease supplies which were cut off to western Russia when Germany surrendered, at present, are being shipped to Siberia according to the testimony of the Foreign Economic Administrator, Mr. Leo Crowley, released by the House Appropriations Committee. Mr. Crowley said it previously nad been announced that a review of Russian Lend Lease had actually stopped all commitments which were not then en route to Russia or toeing loaded on ships. The Russians were then given the choice of paying cash if they wanted the previously promised Lend Lease supplies to finish uncompleted plants, etc., or to go without the goods. Mr. Crowley said tnat although Russia had not yet declared war against Japan, Lend Lease was being continued to Russia as long as, and to the extent that, in the opinion of the President and tne highest military and strategic advisers, it is to the military advantage of the United States. The possibility of Russia’s entry into the war pins down large numbers of Japanese troops in northern Manchuria, which otherwise might be diverted against ,the British, American, Chinese and other Allied forces in the Asiatic theatre. The Russians entry into the war would undoubtedly help to shorten the war and save thousands of lives. He added that European Lend Lease was cut back drastically with the Germans’ defeat. It may end completelv for such countries as Belgium, Holland and France by December 31. The entire Lend Lease programme could be closed down within 30 days of Japan’s defeat. Defence of Japan EMPEROR’S ORDER NEW YORK, June 2b The Tokio radio, announcing tne loss of Okinawa, said: Japan now stands at the cross roads of life and death. No messages have, been received from the island since June 20, the day before organised resistance ceased. The commanding otiicer. General Ushijima, employed all oi his remaining forces that day for a final assault. . Marines mopping up on the island have not yet found the body of General Ushijima who is reported to have been killed. The Tokio radio states that Emperor Hirohito in a new manual tor home front forces, told members they must not be taken alive or surrender in the event of an Allied invasion of the Japanese mainland. . ■ Conceding the fall of Okinawa, 10kio radio says the defence of uapan has been rendered more difficult than otherwise, but the Okinawa campaign exacted -.a heavy toll from the United States, and gained time for Japan to strengthen her defences American air raids demolished most cities in Formosa, said lokig radio. Most city dwellers were dispersed and organised themseive.s into various combat formations to meet any possible emergency. ATTITUDE OF JAPAN'S INDUSTRIALISTS (Rec. 10.45) NEW YORK, June 2b Aiichiro Fujiyama, a leading sugar

manufacturer and one of Japan’s most powerful industrialists, said that Japan’s big business was not m any way interested in anything snort of a total Japanese victory. Fijiyama referred to “the wishful enemy comment regarding consultation between the Nippon big business interests and the military,” indicating that his statement was designed as a.. reply to statements on a possible lack of harmony between Japan’s industrial military leaders. CHINESE OFFENSIVE CHUNGKING. June -25 The Chinese High Command has announced that Chinese troops, in a renewed drive to recapture Kweilin, clashed with strong Japanese forces 15 miles north-west of the city, rne Chinese now are within 11 miles of the escape railway to Hengyang for the Japanese garrisons in both Kweilin and Liuchow, where the Japanese rearguards are still fighting stubbornly. 132 JAPANESE CAPTURED IN GERMANY (Rec. 5.5) WASHINGTON, June 25 The State Department announced that 132 members of the Japanese Diplomatic Corps and their dependants, who have been captured in Germany, will be detained in Pennsylvania, U.S.A, until arrangements for their exchange could be made. “Naturally our Allies in the _ war against Japan have a common interest in any Japanese officials captured in Germany,” the statement added.