Annihilation of All Jap Cities

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 93, 20 April 1945, Page 5

Annihilation of All Jap Cities

“ Japan Has Proved Even Dumber Than Germany”

(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) Received Thursday, 10.50 p.m. NEW YORK, April 19. The leading air war planners believe that a complete block-by-block destruction of all the major Japanese cities by SuperFortresses is now a proven possibility, says the New York Times’ Washington correspondent. They are elated and amazed by two developments of the aerial war against Japan: Firstly, the devastating effectiveness of firebomb attacks which far exceeded expectations; secondly, the relative weakness of Japanese opposition. The Japanese do not have the planes or flak capable of stopping the American bombers and fighters. One authority stated: “Although we did not believe it possible Japan has proved even dranoer than Germany in the air.” The Tokio radio reports that at least 100 Super-Fortresses bombed the homeland of Kyushu on Thursday for the third successive day. PROGRESS ON OKINAWA U.S. troops on leshima to-day made substantial gains in the northeastern area of the island, says Admiral Nimitz’s communique. “The enemy in the legusugu-Leak area resisted stiffly from dug-in positions and pillboxes. Preliminary reports show that in three days 388 of the enemy were killed and one taken prisoner. Our forces lost 15 killed, 73 wounded and five missing. “Marines reached the northern end of Okinawa Island. Marines on Motobu Peninsula continued operations against isolated enemy groups. Our lines have not changed in the southern sector. Naval guns and carrier aircraft continued to attack enemy strongpoints. “A total of 989 American naval personnel has been killed in the Okinawa operation and associated attacks against Japan with 2220 injured and 491 missing. Tenth Army soldiers and marines lost 478 killed, 2457 wounded and 260 missing. ’ ’ AMERICAN LANDING ON MINDANAO The Americans have landed on Mindanao, the last Philippines island not under their control. General MacArthur’s communique says: “The Tenth Corps with naval and air support swept ashore at Malabang and Parang and secured a coastal stretch of 35 miles. The enemy’s defence was previously dislocated by a guerrilla division operating along the shores of Moro Gulf. This force has joined the Tenth Corps. The enemy’s forces on Mindanao are estimated at three divisions comprising the Thirteenth and Hundredth Infantry Divisions and a mixed division of naval, marine and garrison i troops. Their strength is probably 50,000.

‘ ‘ Our ground forces on Luzon are mopping up the cave positions on the outskirts of Baguio. “A strong force of escorted heavies and mediums without interception struck at Taikohu town and air bases on Formosa with 360 tons. Heavies and fighters sank a 10,000-ton tanker and destroyed or damaged two small freighters off the Canton-Foochow coast.”