OKINAWA ATTACK

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25210, 24 May 1945, Page 5

OKINAWA ATTACK

ADVERSE WEATHER GAINS IN EASTERN AREA (Reed. 9.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 23 Rain and mud limited the movement of armoured vehicles and restricted operations on the central and western sectors of Southern Okinawa today, says Admiral Ninrttz's communique. The 7th Division, at the eastern end of the line, launched a night attack, forward elements penetrating to Yonabaru. Re-J ports indicate that the enemy is not defending Yonabaru. Ihe Ist Marine Division early today repulsed a Japanese counter-attack. Attacking in battalion strength under a smokescreen early this morning, the Japanese made an unsuccessful attempt to recapture strategic ground 300 yards south-west of Sugarloaf Hill, reports the New York Times correspondent on Okinawa. The marines' line held against a vicious assault, including 45 minutes of hand-to-hand fighting. The marines gave no ground and at 8 a.m. resumed the attack, which threatens to cut the main Naha-Shuri road. Yonabaru Occupied

The United Press correspondent says the 7th Division broke through the crumbling eastern anchor of the enemy line on Okinawa, occupying Yonabaru and sending out flanking columns around the port. This break-through enabled the central sector divisions to swing westward in an encircling movement. which threatened to cut off Shuri and Naha. The Americans on both sides of Shuri are within 1000 yards of the centre of the fortress.

Twelve to fifteen planes at dusk last night attacked our shipping in the Okinawa area, says the communique. Eight of these planes were destroyed. No damage was caused.

Vice-Admiral .Kelly Turner, commander of the Okinawa assault, predicted that the Tenth Army would capture Okinawa in the comparatively near future. "It seems that the Japanese have about their last reserves in the line," he said. Great Road System "A great road system has been built by our forces in a comparatively short time where no roads previously existed. Several airfields are already operating and ever}* day we have planes from Okinawa attacking Japan. Think what it will be like a month from now." Admiral Nimitz's communique says that aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet on Sunday and Monday bombed airfields, barracks and port installations on the Sakishima Islands, between Okinawa and Formosa. A Xavv Department spokesman in Washington says that Navy planes, based on Okinawa, sank 86,880 tons and damaged 51,500 tons of enemy shipping off the Korean coast in the past few weeks. SOVIET TIME IN BERLIN (Kecd. 6.30 p.m.) LONDON. May 22 The Russian-controlled Berlin radio tonight told Berliners that their clocks must be advanced one hour, bringing Berlin time into line with Moscow's.