FAR EAST BOMBING

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25082, 21 December 1944, Page 6

FAR EAST BOMBING

1000 TONS ON HANKOW SHANGHAI AND NANKING WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 An Associated Press correspondent says that the largest force of United States planes yet used in China yesterday dropped a record bomb load of more than 1000 tons on Hankow aerodrome, the largest in China, and also on docks, railways and a fuel storage area, leaving them burning and smoking. About 250 Superfortresses, Liberators, Mitchells, Mustangs and Warhawks of the 20th Bomber Command, and also a Chinese and American composite wing, participated. General Wedemeyer's communique says that the first Liberators appeared over the target 45 minutes after the Super-Fortresses. They reported that the warehouse area along the waterfront was a belt of flame and smoke. A mediu:. force of Super-Fortresses from China attacked targets at Omura, Shanghai and Nanking in daylight today, say a Twentieth Air Force communique. Preliminary reports state that heavy cloud obscured the Omura target and that the bombing there was effected by instruments. Results were not observed. ~ , . The weather was clear at bnangnai and Nanking and visual bombing was carried out against doc'-s and engineerin"- works. Good to excellent results we're reported. Enemy opposition was; weak and anti-aircraft fire meagre. I lie Americans shot down five enemy planes. An official communique says that photographs show evidence of serious damage to the aircraft plant at Nagoya, which was bombed yesterday. Large fires and columns of black smoke IOOUft high were observed. Enemy fighter opposition was slight to heavy. Our crews destroyed +wo enemy planes. PRISONERS OF JAPAN OONDITIONS IMPROVED STILL AT LOW STANDARD LONDON. Dec. 20 Makinc a statement on the conditions of prisoners of war in Japanese hands, the Secretary of War, Sir James Gngg, said that in Siam, after completion ot the railway in October, 1943, for which the Japanese used some 60,000 white men, conditions did improve somewhat. "These conditions, however," said bir James, "are far below anything which would be regarded as reasonable for our prisoners in Europe. "The men, however, adapted themselves and had become, to some extent, inured to these lower standards. Many of the conditions which cause such heavy sick and death rates in jungle camps, did not obtain in the rear camps to which men were withdrawn. As a consequence there apparently is a very marked fall in the death rate and there is evidence on the whole that the prisoners are enjoying fair health and are in good spirits." These statements have brought strong comment from the London newspapers. The Times in an editorial marvels at the magnificent spirit shown by the prisoners in their terrible privations and savs that the onlv action possible for Britain and the Allies to take is to make it clear to the Japanese that their conduct will be brougnt to strict inquiry. Those whose conduct does not accord with the claims of common humanity will suffer the utmost penalty that stern justice can prescribe. The Daily Telegraph says the most damning fact in this new indictment of Japanese bushido is that 24,000 British prisoners out of 60,000 died in the jungles of Siam. This figure, the newspaper says, is given by the Japanese themselves in a singularly belated and valueless access of decency on a memorial they erected to the men. When the time comes fnr the final settlement of accounts with Japan this episode cannot and must not be forgotten.

ADMIRAL FRASER PACIFIC CONFERENCES (Reed. 5.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 United States Pacific Fleet headquarters nt Pearl Harbour announced the arrival of Admiral Sir Bruce Eraser, Commander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, for a series of conferences with Admiral Nimitz and General Mac Arthur. LUZON AIR ATTACKS ENEMY'S FURTHER LOSSES (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 Further reports of carrier-based aircraft blows against shipping in the Luzon area between December 13 and 15, says a United States Pacific Fleet communique, reveal the following additional particulars:— Sunk.—A large tanker, a minelayer and 12 small vessels. Damaged.—A large transport, a medium tanker, a small tanker and a coastal defence vessel. Tho Americans lost 27 planes in combat in the three-day action. MARSHALLS GARRISONS JAPANESE STILL RESIST (Reed. 6.35 p.m.) WASHINGTON. Dec. 19 The Japanese garrisons in the bypassed Marshall Islands aro still offering fanatical resistance to American planes which have been raiding them uight and day since last February, said MajorGeneral Woods, commander of the Fourth Marine Air Wing. Although short of food and ammunition, the Japanese continue to shoot nt American planes, several of which have been damaged. With them, said General Woods, it is not a defensive battle. They actually think they can win. We must face the fact that for totrl victory we must kill every Japanese who carries a rifle or a grenade. JAPANESE CABINET NEW YORK, Dec. 19 The Tokyo radio announced that the Minister of Munitions, Ginjiro Fujiwara, has resigned. He has been succeeded by Shigeru Yoshida, Director of the Regional Mines Bureau. "The Government is attempting to strengthen the administrative structure," the Domei news agency comments. "There is a growing sentiment in various quarters that the internal Government structure should be re-formed and strengthened in this critical period."