SHURI BY-PASSED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25853, 25 May 1945, Page 5

SHURI BY-PASSED

AMERICAN DIVISIONS ADVANCE ON OKINAWA NEW YORK, IRec. 11.50 p.m.) May 24. The United Press correspondent on Okinawa reports that the central stronghold of Shui'i is being by-passed rapidly as five American divisions push forward on all sectors to crush the remaining Japanese, now numbering fewer than 30,000.

The Japanese are fanatically trying to halt the deep east coast thrust, which has carried the infantry «.below the evacuated stronghold of Yonabaru. From there the Americans are pushing across to the coastal ridge, the capture of which will isolate the former Naha Line and open up a path deep behind the Shuri defences. The newly-reinforced American infantry and marines are forging forward through heavy rain. The last reports state that fighting on the Naha bridgehead had died away, but some more yards had been gained in close combat across the rain-soaked ridges forming the Shuri defence'system, the core of the Japanese defences on the island.

Admiral Nimitz’s communique says: “Two small groups of enemy aircraft attacked our forces on Okinawa last evening. One enemy plane was shot down, and the remainder were driven off without causing damage. The rains are continuing, and heavy mud has limited the movement of ground troops and armoured vehicles in Southern Okinawa. To-day, in these adverse conditions, the 7th Infantry Division expanded its positions south of Yonabaru, capturing a hill south of Taira and another elevation west of Yonabaru after sharp fighting, in which the 32nd and 184th Regiments led the attack. “ The 6th Marine Division sent elements of the 4th Regiment across the Asato River, about 1000 yards from the mouth under cover of field artillery and heavy naval gunfire. In the area west of Conical Hill the 96th Infantry Division is meeting stiff resistance. It beat off one counter-attack,-’ in which the 382nd Regiment killed 150 of the enemy. The 77th Infantry Division is engaged in attacking a range of hills south of Ishimmi and before the city of Shuri. In the first marine sector an enemy counter-attack was repulsed. “ Escort carrier aircraft bombed the Sakishimas yesterday and to-day, setting fire to one enemy aircraft. Other aircraft attacked shipping in the East China Sea. and sank three small craft south of Tokio.”