RESISTANCE ENDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24598, 1 June 1943, Page 3

RESISTANCE ENDS

JAPANESE ON ATTU HIGH ENEMY LOSSES ADMISSION BY TOKIO WASHINGTON, May 30 " All organised resistance by the Japanese on Attu Island, in the Aleutians, has collapsed," said a spokesman of the Navy Department to-day. A Navy' communique states that on Friday United States Array troops cleared the Japanese from the easterly and northerly faces of Fishhook Ridge. Tho Japanese counter-attacked the right flank of the United States forces in Chichagof Valley at dawn on Saturday. Except for snipers this enemy force was annihilated. Preliminary reports indicate that Japanese casualties are high. The Tokio radio says that since Saturday communication has ceased between Attu and Tokio. An Imperial headquarters communique says: " Our garrison at Attu dauntlessly fought against the American forces, but finally, on Saturday, gave their last blow against the enemy and the entire number ox about 2000 Eoldiers who fought bravely perished.

" Since May 5 our garrison on Attu has been carrying out decisive battles against a superior force. However, on Saturday, it was decided to carry out the final blow against the enemy's main force. So, in the true nature our gallant Imperial force can show the enemy, wo commenced a gallant offensive. Since then communication has been completely cut off. " It is thought the entire number of our force has completely perished. Those wounded and unable to take part in the offensive killed themselves preceding the final offensive. Colonel Yasuoy Yamazaki commanded the troops which inflicted on the enemy to Friday at least 6000 casualties. Kiska is still in our hands. "About 2000 Japanese defended Attu. The enemy totalled 20,000." The German news agency said to-day that the island of Attu was of no strategic value and the American attack had been a futile waste of blood and material. The news agency did not explain why the Japanese made such desperate attempts to hold Attu.