ENIWETOK ATOLL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24827, 25 February 1944, Page 3

ENIWETOK ATOLL

CON QUEST COMPLETED PARRY ISLAND TAKEN BRIEF LAND FIGHTING (Kecd. *.45 p.m.) NEW YCRK, Feb. 24 American forces have completed the conquest of Eniwetok atoll in the north-western portion of the Marshall "Islands. This is announced in a United States Pacific Fleet communique, which says: "The conquest of Kniwetok atoll was com pleted on Tuesday evening with the capture of Parry Island, The enemy garrison which defended the atoll is estimated at 3000." The capture of Parry Island, completing (he total conquest of Eniwetok, required only 12 hours' land lighting. Marines landed at daylight, and by dusk they controlled the entire island. Parry Island was the location of an important Japanese radio station. AIR BLOWS AT JAPAN PORTION OF PLANE OUTPUT GENERAL CHENNAULT'S VIEWS NEW YORK. Feb g: OHiciaU at the headquarters in the Lnited States 1-lth Air Force in China estimate thai the Japanese industrial machine and Arm.\ will collapse easily if Allied fliers from China ran knock out the enemy shipping lanes in the South China Sea, the Yangise River and railways in northern China. Maior-Gencral C. Chennault, Commander of the United States Air Force in China, made the statement that the Allies need only 10 per cent of the European air force strength against Japan. He added that the destruction of Japan comparable to that which the Allies had wrought in Western Europe could be achieved against Japan with onlv JO per cent of the plane strength and bomb weight over Europe, says the correspondent of the Associated Press. Information here, however, suggests a contradiction of the popular belief that Tokyo itself could be readily destroyed. It is pointed out that Tokyo is a modern city, much of it in the Western style of construction, and is not likely to burn easily Moreover, Japan's war potential cannot be broken by attacks on Tokyo. The situation requires attacks against centres of heavy industry like Kobe and Osaka, where flimsy construction provides ideal targets for incendiaries and block-busters. NERVOUS JAPANESE PHILIPPINES AND FORMOSA NEW YORK. Feb. 23 The German transoeean agency lias reported from .Manila that a state of siege has been declared throughout, the Philippines The' Tokyo > itlciai radio announced that the Filipino National Assembly has granted Jose Laurel, the puppet President of the Phili; ties, sweeping powers to enable the Government to maintain and enforce its authority, and also take measures necessary tor the safety and protection oi' its ; eiulation. The Tokyo radio also announced that as a precaution against an Allied invasion of Formosa Emperor Hirobito has approved the establishment of special headquarters for Formosa n troops, with the Governor oi Formosa, Admiral Kiyoshi as Commander-in-Chief FIERCE ENCOUNTER GREEN ISLAND CLEARED OVER 60 JAPANESE KILLED iN.Z.E.L'", Official War CorrespuiKientJ N Z HEADQUARTERS, (-"eh Si More than &.) Japanese were killed I;;, units ol the New Xeabimk-r.- H Green Island in a tierce encounter lasting iro in 11 iicl- da \ to nightfall Our losses were remarkably light Ihe Japanese killed included four officers and this is believed to be the last ot organised resistance on the island An area was being reeonnoitered by a parn undei the command of Captain B Stronach, of Christchureh A shot from a sniper revealed the presence of the Japanese who had eluded the'Xeu Zealand sweep through the island by hiding in caves and the jungle. Captain Stronach quickly organised his few men and held oft the Japanese until reinforcements arrived. The first on the scene was a platoon of machine-gunners, then a squadron of tanks The Japanese-occupied area w«<s heavily pasted with shrac'-e! A tank, commanded by Sergeant R. H H Beet-ham, of Masterton, rescued one man who had lain in the field of fire for three hours Major A. B. Builen, of Auckland, had arrived with two platoons by 3.30 p.m. and he took command of the action, executing an encircling movement which relieved Captain Stronach and his small party and slowly drove the Japanese into a small grove on the coast The New Zealanders made most effectivi use of handgrenades in this move With only a quarter of an hour of daylight- left to finish the job. Major Bullen ordered the final assault and the men went forward under cover of their own grenades and rifle fire. Fifty-one enemy dead were counted in the area and eight others were downed by tommy-gunners as they trier] to escape along the coast. Four more dead were picked up next day. One wounded Japanese killed himself with n grenade. The action proved a stern test of the great qualities of the New Zealanders as jungle fighters. Bv their boldness and superior skill they outfought and outwitted the Japanese in jungle tactics the men engaged now receiving the highest praise for their courage and initiative. INVASION IN AUTUMN GERMANY'S LATEST GUESS LONDON, Feb. •>:>, The German Foreign Office has interpreted Mr. Churchill's speech as meaning that, the date for the invasion ol Western Europe has been postponed until the autumn. This deduction, says the Gerin a n -con troll ed Sea ndina vi a n Teh-graph Bureau, is made from the reference in the speech to the increasing air war this spring and summer to pave the way for invasion. The commentator for the bureau ridiculed Mr. Churchill's estimate that the strength of the German Arrnv is 300 divisions, adding: "He knows this figure is much too small." The Germans are experimenting with a "gas carpet" to he used when the Allies invade Europe, snvs the Daily Express correspondent in Stockholm An exploding shell releases heavy grey gas. winch does not rise more than 20ft. from the ground. The gas is not poisonous, but is highly inflammable. One spark could fire the whole of the "carpet." BERLIN COMMENTATOR , Herd. 5.35 D.m.) LONDON. Feb. 2-1 The Berlin radio has resumed broadcasts by Captain Sertorius, the military commentator, who had not. spoken since the last ICA.F. raid on Berlin. He stated that the bulk of American forces in Europe were still in Britain, where they were awaiting the planned invasion of .Western Europe,