11l PLANES LOST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 14 April 1945, Page 5

11l PLANES LOST

JAP DEFEAT OFF OKINAWA ATTACK ON U.S. WARSHIPS ONE DESTROYER SUNK Washington, April 13. In desperate suicidal attacks on American warships off Okinawa, the Japanese yesterday lost 111 planes. An American destroyer was sunk and several other surface units were damaged, but they remained operational. This was announced in Admiral Nimitz’s communique, which adds that earlier in the day seven Japanese aircraft were shot down in attacks on beaches. Yesterday the marines advanced against sporadic enemy resistance on Motobu Peninsula. The “Herald-Tribune’s” correspondent on Okinawa reports: “Under cover of rocket-firing planes an American battalion again tried to dislodge the Japanese from the high point of Kakazu Ridge. The Americans almost gained the summit but the Japanese again laid down terrific artillery and mortar concentrations, forcing the Americans to withdraw to their original positions. Other troops, however, consolidated their grip on the western half of the summit and along th e northern slope.” ANOTHER LANDING IN PHILIPPINES American troops landed on Bohol, the last of the Visayan Islands not liberated. General MacArthur’s communique says: “Americans went ashore near Tngbilaren under cover I of naval and air support and rapidly drove inland in an endeavour to secure control of the whole island beI fore the surprised enemy could rally strength. Local guerrillas are cooperating. “Our troops on Cebu made substantial gains north-east against moderate resistance.”