FIRST NIGHT ATTACK

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXV, Issue 3, 1 December 1944, Page 5

FIRST NIGHT ATTACK

MORE BOMBS FOR TOKIO THIRD EAiITIN WEEK (N.Z. Press Association.— Copyiight.) (11.15 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 30. Industrial targets in Tokio were bombed last night by Super-Fort-resses of Brigadier-General Hanscll's 21st Bomber Command in tho first night mission by B29's based on Saipan, reports a 20th Air Force communique.

The bombing was accomplished by precision instruments and results were not observed because of cloud. Crews reported that anti-aircraft fire was meagre and inaccurate. No aircraft were lost from enemy action. The Tokio radio stated that SuperFortresses raided Tokio from 11.65 p.m. yesterday to 2 a.m. today (Tokio time). A small formation made a second attack from 4.15 a.m. to 5 a.m. today. The quick spacing of the raids on Tokio has surprised observers, says the Pearl Harbour correspondent of the New York Times. The rate of three raids within a week gives striking evidence of tremendous initial strength, particularly jn view of the high officials' warning that the raids would start with relative slowness and take several months to build up to a full scale.

The Japanese propagandist, Sen. Jnbo, broadcasting to the United States, declared that indiscriminate bombing of Tokio had caused widespread indignation in Japan. 'He described the Super-Fortress raids as wanton attacks designed only to lower the civilian morale. "Tho ruthless American airmen have proved that they are enemies of civilisation and humanity," he said. ''Such a person must be classed as an outlaw from society. He is a violator of all human principles as well as international law, and should not be entitled to their protection. For the security of the civilised world nothing must be left undone to bring him to just penitence. The day of reckoning will surely come." The formation of a new Cabinet council to cope with war production snags is announced by the Tokio radio. The radio added that it was expected that various bottlenecks would appear in due course with many unexpected results. The Associated Press says it is significant that the new council is appointed simultaneously with the inaugiiration of the Super-Fortress raids on Tokio.

After Germany's defeat 3,000,000 United States troops will be used against Japan, states the Office of War Information, quoting AVar Department data. Japan has 4,000,000 serving and can equip and train 2,000,000 more without seriously damagaing her manpower reserves. The United States Army now numbers 8,000,000 of whom 4,000,000 are on service overseas. The Americans have killed a minimum of 277,000 Japanese compared with 21,000 American fatalities. Ir addition, 250,000 Japanese were cut off in island pockets. Japanese naval aviation has been practical] v eliminated, said Vice-Ad-miral Mitscber at a Press conference. He said that. United States _ naval fliers had shot down approximately 4000 Japanese naval planes in the past IS months, and added: "1 have an idea Japanese plane production is not as creat as they would have us believt.'"