MARIANAS GROUP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25564, 17 June 1944, Page 5

MARIANAS GROUP

AMERICAN FORCES LAND BEACH-HEADS SECURED (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 15. Washington has confirmed Japanese reports that United States troops have landed on Saipan Island, in the Marianas. The landing forces are described as strong. They went ashore under cover of a heavy bombardment by battleships, destroyers, and cruisers. First reports say the American casualties have been moderate, though Japanese opposition has been fierce. “Assault troops secured beach-heads at Saipan, and are advancing inland against artillery, mortar, and machinegun fire.’’ states a Pacific Fleet communique. “ Virtually all the heavy coastal and anti-aircraft batteries on the island have been knocked out by naval gunfire and bombing. Our troops captured Agingan Point. Brisk fighting continues in the town of Charan Kanoa. The enemy attempted several counterattacks with tanks, which were broken up by our troops, with support from ships and aircraft. In general, the fighting is heavy, but good progress is being made against well-organised defences.” “Saipan is the first large island attacked in the Central Pacific, thus our offensive leaves the phase of atoll warfare and for the first time encounters the problems of land masses,” says the New York Times correspondent with the United States forces attacking the Marianas. “ It can hardly be expected that the capture of Saipan will be a brief operation, such as the seizure of low sandspits in the Gilberts and Marshalls. The attack is plainly an example of leapfrog or by-passing technique, as opposed to island-hopping. The capture of Saipan will cut of! the Carolines from their supply line, thus ending the enemy’s southwards aerial traffic.”