RESISTANCE ENDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

RESISTANCE ENDS

ATTU ISLAND CAMPAIGN AMERICANS IN CONTROL RUGBY, May 30. All organised resistance by the Japanese on Attu Island has declared the spokesman of the United States Navy Department, according to a Washington message. ■ At the same time a United States Navy Department communique states that on Friday United States Army troops cleared the Japanese from easterly and northerly faces of the Fishhook ridge on Attu Island. Next day at dawn the enemy counter-attacked the right flank of the United States forces in Chicago Valley. Except for snipers, this enemy force was annihilated. .... , Preliminary reports indicate that Japanese casualties are high. Unfavourable weather prevented air operations. An Imperial Headquarters communique issued in Tokio says: “Our garrison at Attu dauntiessly fought against the American force, but finally on May 29 gave the final blow against th*

enemy, and the entire number, about 2000 soldiers fought bravely and perished. Since May 12 our garrison at Attu had been 'carrying out deceive battles against a superior force. On May 29, however, it was decided to carry out the final blow against the enemy’s main force, so, true to nature, out gallant Imperial force commenced a gallant offensive. Since then communication has been completely cut off. It is thought that the entire number of our force perished. Those wounded and unable to participate in the offen- , sive killed themselves preceding the ’ final offensive. Colonel Yasuoy Yamazaki commanded the troops. The casualties inflicted on the enemy ‘ to May 28 were at least 6000. Kiska is still in our hands. About 2000 Japanese defended Attu. The enemy totalled 20,000.” ' , /