U.S. Makes Important Landing In Aleutians

Northern Advocate, 15 May 1943, Page 3

U.S. Makes Important Landing In Aleutians

WASHINGTON, iMay 14 United States forces landed on Ottu or May 11 and are now engaged wit.i the Japanese forces, reports a Navy communique, which added that details of operations would be released when the situation was clarified. The Navy spokesma ndeclined to go beyond the limits of the baie an nouncement, or to comment on tne course of fighting. , The Washington correspondent oi the Associated Press, says there aie indications that the United States has been building up a powerful striking force in the Aleutians while the strength of American attacks against Japanese bases in this area has been mounting steadily. Big U.S. Campaign Envisaged A determined American campaign :s believed now to be under way to drive the Japanese right out of the Aleutians. This would be preparatory to a possible thrust across the island stepping-tones against Japan itself. Occupation of Amchitka Island, 2m miles east of Attu, was announced last week. Attu is a Japanese supply and reinforcement base for_Kiska Island, 196 miles to the east, ft is the enemy’s only petrol supply base on a 2000-mile Tokio-Kiska air route. A Vital Area

The Japanese have been a constructing a large base at Attu. apparently for launching attacks against the American mainland. Its defences include strong anti-aircraft big coastal defence guns built into the cliffs. Authoritative feeling in the United States has always been that along all the sections of the Pacific front, the Aleutians and the South-west Pacific area afford the best opportunities for heavy blows against the Japanese. A U.S. Navy communique states: In the North Pacific on Thursday morning. Liberators attacked the Japanese main camp near Kiska. The results were not observed owing to poor visibility. On 'the same day, a formation of Warhawks bombed Japanese installations at Kiska.