BATTLE INSIDE CAPITAL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25856, 29 May 1945, Page 5

BATTLE INSIDE CAPITAL

ENEMY ABANDONS CAVES PREPARING FOR WITHDRAWAL (Rec. 11 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 28. “ The marines on Okinawa threw a fifth bridge across the raging Asato River and drove 800 yards Into the ruined capital of Naha,” reports the United Press correspondent. “The marines widened their hold on the west bank of the river almost to the China Sea. The enemy is reported to be abandoning cave positions north-west of Shuri, leading to the belief that he is preparing an organised withdrawal. “ The marines on the west coast of Okinawa beat off a Japanese counterattack launched during torrential rain in the early hours of Saturday,” says the Associated Press correspondent. “ Rains came at a time when the enemy’s fiercely-defended NahaYonabaru line across Okinawa had been turned on both flanks, imperilling the fortress of Shuri from the rear. The Japanese also counter-at-tacked in the Naha sector, but were repulsed by the marines with rifle and artillery fire. American artillerymen have fired more than 1,000,000 rounds of ammunition during the Okinawa campaign, more than in any Pacific campaign. of similar length. The total does not include shells fired by tanks and anti-aircraft guns or the 25,000 tons of five-inch and larger ammunition by supporting naval units.’’ The United Press correspondent says the Americans found more than 1000 mines south and west of Yonabaru made from all types of explosives, including turned-up artillery shells, aerial bombs, torpedo warheads, and bundles of dynamite with pressure fuses. Brigadier-general Blanelock, the Tenth Army supply officer, announced that more than 1,000,000 tons of vital war cargo have been landed on Okinawa since the invasion started. Supply officers will soon be handling as much cargo every month as is handled in Honolulu. Twenty thousand gallons of petrol and 32,000 gallons of Diesel oil are hauled over the reefs at Okinawa every day. Despatches reported that torrential rain washed out three of four bridges the marines had thrown across the Asato River. In a surprise “battle of the waterfalls” Americans, south-west of Yonabaru on May 25, crawled up a 45deg. slope through mad rushing streams which washed some of them to the bottom of the hill, says the United Press correspondent on Okinawa. The Americans then scaled a perpendicular cliff and reached the plateau top, where they completely surprised the Japanese. An American officer said: “ Rain or mud, the One Hundred and Eightyfourth did not give a damn. The men were stopped only by the waterfalls.” Terroristic patrols of Japanese troops roam the mountains of northern Okinawa trying to incite the natives to acts of sabotage, and beheading them if they refuse, says the Associated Press correspondent on Okinawa. The patrols hide in caves in daylight and emerge at night. So far at least 40 Okinawans have been beheaded, and many including women and children, have been wounded. "Aircraft from fast United States carrier forces on Friday shot down five enemy planes in the area of the Northern Ryukyus,” says Admiral Nimitz’s communique. “Light units on Saturday in a co-ordinated action with land-based carrier aircraft destroyed a considerable number of enemy troops observed manoeuvring south of Shuri. The movement of ground troops and vehicles on Okinawa was restricted by adverse conditions for the sixth successive day. Marines have reinforced their positions on the south flank of the Asato River.

“ The 77th Infantry Division sent strong patrols into the Shuri area, and the Japanese troops facing the Ist Marines’ Division were observed destroying 15 to 20 caves. The 7th Division on the eastern sector of the front located large stores of enemy food, munitions, and equipment abandoned intact. Our front lines have been inadequately supplied under great difficulties in the last six days. “Planes from escort carriers made neutralising raids on runways, barracks, and radio installations in the Sakishima group on Saturday. Naval search planes to-day sank two small cargo ships and three fishing craft, and damaged a small cargo ship off the coast of Southern Honshu. Thunderbolts on Saturday and Sunday attacked Truk installations. Other aerial attacks were made on Marcus Island, Chichi Jima, and the Palaus.”