THE OKINAWA AREA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25866, 9 June 1945, Page 7

THE OKINAWA AREA

AMERICAN ADVANCES INTENSE FIRE ENCOUNTERED (Rec. 11 p.m.) WASHINGTON, June 7. “Improving weather in-the Okinawa area to-day permitted large use of aircraft and tanks in support of Tenth Army troops as they continued their effort to clear the Oruku Peninsula and drive into the Jaejudake escarpments,” says Admiral Nimitz’s communique. “ The Sixth Marine Division, moving slowly to the south-east against machine-guns and heavy automatic weapons in entrenched positions, gained about 200 yards on the left flank. The First Marine Division captured Hill ICfB, to the west of Dakiton, against strong opposition. “Advanced elements drove to the vicinity of the west coast about 900 yards to the north of Itonan. The division’s centre and right flank are advancing through a series of ridges towards Zawa. The Ninety-sixth Infantry Division, using tanks, advanced about 1000 yards through hills to the north-east of ' Yuza. The Seventh Division is attacking in the south against determined resistance. Advance patrols of- both divisions reported that machine-gun fire along the entire southern escarpments was intense. Elements of the Seventh Division landed at Oshima, near Monatoga cave, to-day. Resistance is reported to be light. “Enemy casualties on Okinawa up to yesterday were estimated to be 66,324 killed. “ Fleet privateers sank two small cargo ships and damaged another off Kyushu to-day. Coronados destroyed a small cargo ship and damaged two others in the East China Sea.”