IWO JIMA CLEAR

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

IWO JIMA CLEAR

RESISTANCE ENDS NEARLY 20,000 CASUALTIES

(Rec. 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Mar. 16. “The battle of Iwo Island has been won,” says a communique frcm Admiral Nimitz. “Th; marines, by their collective and individual courage, have conquered a base which is as necessary in our continuing forward movement towards final victory as it was vital to the enemy in staving off his ultimate defeat.” The enemy was fully aware of the crushing attacks against the hcmeland which would be made possible by our capture of this island, only 660 nautical miles distant, so ha prepared what he thought was an impregnable defence, the communique continued. With a certain knowledgfof the cost of the objective which had to be taken, the marines, supported by the fleet and by army and navy aircraft, lought the battle and won. By their victory the marines had made an accounting to their country which only history would be able to value fully. Among the Americans who served on Iwo Island uncommon valour was a common virtue.

Admiral Nimitz. in a message to all forces in the Pacific Ocean areas, says: “ I send my admiration and congratulations on an achievement that brings the war much closer to its inevitable end. In capturing Iwo, which is as important as it was tough, you have overcome the most difficult defences that could be devised on an island which Nature already had made strong for military defance. Your victory will brighten the pages of American history. Your fellowcountrymen humbly but proudly sing your praises." The marines continued mopping-up operations on Iwo to-day, says an Admiral Nimitz communique. One hundred and fifty Japanese were observed attempting to organise in the northern part of the island. They were dispersed by mortar fire. The enemy attempted booby trap installations in our rear areas.

Surface units bombarded Matsuwa Island, in the Kuriles, yesterday, causing an explosion and several fires. Shore-based batteries answered, but caused no damage to our ships. The central airfield has been placed in operation. Army fighters and Liberators bombed and strafed targets and airfield installations at Chichi Jima.

A marine aircraft destroyed bridges and damaged other installations in the Palaus Islands yesterday, destroyed barges, and started fires. Neutralising raids in the Marshall Islands continued.

It is officially announced from Guam that organised resistance at Iwo ceased at 6 p.m. on Friday (local time). The total Casualties were 19.938, including 15,308 wounded, 441 missing, and 4189 killed.

Thirty Super - Fortresses returning from the Tokio, Nagoya, and Osaka raids landed on Iwo Jima for fuel or emergency repairs. Without Iwo Jima the majority would not have reached the Marianas.