BOLD EXPLOIT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25800, 22 March 1945, Page 5

BOLD EXPLOIT

MITSCHER’S TASK FORCE JAPANESE FLEET ATTACKED CRIPPLED IN HOME WATERS WASHINGTON, (Rec. 11.10 p.m.) Mai’. 21. “After a day of destructive attacks against an enemy air force at Kyushu, Vice-admiral Mitscher’s fast cruiser carrier task force moved north-east and attacked the principal units of the Japanese Fleet in the home bases of the inland sea yesterday,” says Admiral Nipiitz’s communique. “ Crippling damage was inflicted on the fleet, and many Japanese aircraft were destroyed. “A preliminary report from Admiral Spruance, commander of the Fifth Fleet, who was in tactical command of the forces engaged, shows that the following damage was inflicted during the two days’ fighting 202 aircraft shot down, 275 destroyed on the ground, over 100 damaged in the first day’s attack and a large number damaged in the second day’s attack; 6 small freighters sunk, and 1 or 2 battleships, 2 or 3 carriers, 2 light carriers or escort-carriers, 2 escort-carriers, 1 heavy cruiser, 1 light cruiser, 4 destroyers, 1 submarine, 1 destroyer escort, and 7 freighters damaged. A large number of installations, including hangars, shops, arsenals, and oil storage facilities were destroyed. “ Our aircraft combat losses were extremely light. The enemy made many air attacks, but none of our ships were

lost. One, seriously damaged, is returning to port under her own power. A few others received minor damage, but are fully operational.” More than 1000 aircraft participated in the attacks, which smashed Japan’s hope of rebuilding her crippled air force and fleet, says a United Press

correspondent. In addition a dozen airfields of the air force training defence programme were wrecked. The Associated Press correspondent aboard Admiral Mitscher’s flagship states that returning pilots said the anti-aircraft fire was more troublesome than the enemy air force. Most of the American losses were due to flak “heavy enough to walk on.” One squadron was not opposed by a single Japanese plane. Most of the Japanese fleet was caught within the inland sea and sent scurrying to seek shelter. Enemy aircraft repeatedly attacked Admiral Mitscher's warships, but most were shot down without inflicting damage. Among the enemy ships damaged was a Yamata class 45,000-ton battleship. It was the first time the Japanese Fleet had been hit in home waters. The bold exploit undoubtedly means the erasure of the Imperial Fleet as a source of opposition in the future. Admiral Nimitz said the tabulation of the damage was preliminary, and therefore the final total might prove higher, with some major enemy units sunk. A navy spokesman at Washington indicated that American carriers will make further attacks to finish off the crippled ships and destroy other enemy vessels. Tokio radio, in one of the frankest broadcasts yet made, said the air raid on March 10 started fires which devoured whole districts. The opinion was expressed that the damage caused by the fires was greater than the heaviest raid against Germany. “ During the night we thought the whole of Tokio had been reduced to ashes,” the announcer said. The American carrier task force in the latest raid penetrated to within 60 miles of the mainland. He added that for the first time for more than a week there were no American planes reported over the homeland to-day (Tuesday).

Three thousand Tokio homes will be dismantled and remodelled into semiunderground air raid shelters for the people remaining in the capital, states the Tokio radio. Eighty vacant areas throughout the city will be cleared for fire breaks. Officials are rushing plans to move war. industries underground.