“SUICIDE PLANES”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25797, 19 March 1945, Page 5

“SUICIDE PLANES”

THE STORY GROWS (Rec. 0.40 a.m.) NEW YORK, Mar. 18. American carrier planes from the task force south-east of Kyushu Island have been raiding the eastern and southern sectors of Kyushu in waves since 6 a.m., says a Japanese communique issued at 1 pm. (Japanese time). A Tokio broadcast recorded at 12.30 p.m. indicated that the attack had ended. The radio had earlier claimed that suicide. planes had been in action against the raiders and that already part of the enemy fleet had been sunk. The radio claimed that Japanese planes sank one cruiser, one battleship or a converted carrier, and set fire to one carrier. Hot pursuit is under way in order to deal the enemy a painful blow.

The United Press recalled that the first attack against the Tokio area on February 16 preceded the landing on Iwo Jima, leading to speculation that the present strike might be a diversion for an invasion of the Bonins, which was heavily bombed recently, particularly Chichijima. The Tokio radio reported that a few days ago an Allied convoy was sighted in the Bonins area. Emperor Hirohito to-day visited Tokio’s bombed areas and expressed deep concern for the welfare of the raid victims, who were profoundly moved by the Imperial solicitude and reaffirmed their indefatigable resolution to crush their British and American enemies, says the Tokio radio. The radio also announced that owing to the critical war situation the Imperial Diet elections will not be held. Members will have their periods of office indefinitely extended.