CENTRAL PACIFIC AREA

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 1 May 1943, Page 5

CENTRAL PACIFIC AREA

JAP BASES ATTACKED HEAVY DAMAGE CAUSED Washington, April 30. Striking twice in 36 hours, American Liberator bombers have severely damaged important phosphate works and aerodrome areas in the outlying Japanese bases of Nauru and Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, writes the Associated Press of America correspondent with the American Army task force in the Central Pacific. This, he says, is a foretaste of the industrial destruction awaiting Japan proper. The latest phase of the growing Central Pacific bombing offensive involved one of the longest aerial task force missions of the war. Nauru, 750 miles north-east of Guadalcanar is reported to have suffered on 21st April from a daylight assault unprecedented in this theatre. Tarawa was raided just before dawn. Both missions were led personally by Major -General Willis Hale, commander of the United States Seventh A* Force. He described the operations as extremely successful.

The raid on Tarawa may be the prelude to an attempt to drive the Japanese out of the Gilberts, according to the Washington correspondent of the Associated Press of America. He says the raid is regarded by Washington authorities as particularly significant because of the relation to other recent events in this area. “Tarawa’s triangular reef lies awthwart short cut routes for American supplies.” He adds, “Any movement to drive the Japanese from the Gilberts would transfer the strategic advantages now possessed by the Japanese to the American forces shortening and strengthening American supply lines. For several weeks there has been a series of manoeuvres indicating that American strategy might be developing towards fulfilment of these purposes.” —P.A.