NEARER JAPAN

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25022, 12 October 1944, Page 5

NEARER JAPAN

AMERICAN RAID RYUKYU ISLANDS CARRIER-BASED PLANES SHIPPING DESTROYED (Eecd. 11.45 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 United States . carrier - based planes, in their first blow against the islands commanding the East China Sea approaches between Foochow and Shanghai, destroyed 12 Japanese ships, probably sank 14 and damaged 12 others in heavy raids on Ryukyu Islands, a chain of islands stretching north of Formosa toward the southern coast of Japan. A total of 89 Japanese planes was destroyed. The Pacific Fleet communique says: "Carrier-based aircraft swept Ryukyu Islands in great force yesterday. All naval and merchant ships found were attacked and shore installations severely damaged. Preliminary reports indicate the following results: — "One destroyer, one minesweeper, one submarine tender, two medium, two small and five coastal cargo ships sunk. "Two medium, four small and seven coastal cargo ships and one medium tanker probably sunk. "Three medium and six small cargo ' ships, one destroyer and two small oil tankers damaged. "In addition, over 20 luggers and . other small craft were sunk or dam- ; "Complete surprise was achieved. 1 Over 75 enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground and 14 enemy aircraft were shot down. Buildings and defence installations'on the islands were severely bombed and strafed and many were left burning. , , "Our surface ships were undamaged and our plane losses were light. The attacking carrier task forces were part of Admiral Halsey's Third Fleet under the immediate command of Vice- - Admiral Mitscher." The Tokyo official radio announced !> that 400 United States carrier planes > attacked Ryukyu Islands in four waves : from 7 a.rti. to mid-afternoon on Mon- - day. The attack ranged from Amaim , Ishima, 200 miles south of Japan, to : Miyaki Island, 500 miles further south,' i and included Okinawa Island. The ; radio claimed that 26 planes were shot down. Only slight damage was done.