Bombs and Shells Raining Upon Japan

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 189, 11 August 1945, Page 5

Bombs and Shells Raining Upon Japan

LONDON, August 9. Over Japan today, before the second use of the atomic bomb on Ngasaki, more than 1200 British and American planes cracked down on northern Honshu in attacks which began before dawn. They came from ships of the American 3rd Fleet and British ships with it, and they struck at military installations, shipping, and grounded aircraft, while the Allied ships bombarded land targets. A few Japanese suicide planes flew in against the Allied fleet, but they were shot down or driven off without doing any damage. Eighty Super-Fortresses concentrated their attack on the most important oil refinery and tank storage farm at Amagasaki, near Osaka, dropping 500 tons of demolition bombs. Nearly half this plant was destroyed in an attack last month. The Domei news agency said that 300 American bombers and fighters attacked Hiroshima and Yamaguchi prefectures before noon today. Tokio radio says that warships shelled Kamaishi today. Super-Fortresses based on Okinawa will carry a 15-ton bomb load compared to the 10 tons flown from the Marianas. DEMAND FOR SURRENDER. Three million pamphlets are being dropped daily on the Japanese home islands. The pamphlets feature the atomic bomb and Russia’s entry into the war. The pamphlet warned that a single atomic bomb was actually the equivalent of the load of 2000 SuperFortresses on a single mission. It added: “This awful fact should be pondered. We solemnly assure you that it is grimly accurate. “Before using this bomb to destroy every resource w r hereby the war is being prolonged, we ask you to petition the Emperor to end the war. “Our President has outlined for you the 13 consequences of honourable surrender. We urge you to accept them and begin v/ork on ‘ building a new, better peace-loving Japan.”