VICTORY IN SIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 25680, 24 May 1945, Page 5

VICTORY IN SIGHT

ENEMY WEAKENS ON OKINAWA AMERICAN ADMIRAL’S PREDICTION (Rec. 10 p.m.) WASHINGTON, May 22. Vice-Admiral Kelly Turner, the commander of the Okinawa assault, predicted that the 10th Army would capture Okinawa in the near future. “It seems that the Japanese have about their last reserves in a line on a great road system built in a compar- • atively short time where no roads previously existed,” he said. “Airfields are ready for operating, and every day we have planes from Okinawa attacking Japan. Think what it will be like a month from now.” The Okinawa correspondent of the Associated Press says that nearly 250 Okinawa civilians crept out of two tunnels three feet high today. They sought refuge there when the American attacks on Okinawa began six weeks ago. They were so stiffened from life in the caves that they were unable to stand erect, and blinked through blurry eyes at the daylight. One woman gave birth to a boy as soon as she reached a camp. Twelve to 15 planes at dusk last night attacked American shipping in the Okinawa area, says Admiral Chester W. Nimitz’s communique. Eight of these planes were destroyed and no damage was caused. Rain and mud is limiting the movement of armoured vehicles and has restricted operations on the central and western sectors on southern Okinawa. Today the 7th Division on the eastern end of the line launched a night attack, forward elements penetrating to Yonabaru and others reaching the high ground overlooking Rioj and Itafa Shiku. Reports indicate that the enemy is not defending Yonabaru, which was reduced by gunfire and bombings. The Ist Marine Division early today repulsed Japanese counter-attacks. Aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet on Sunday, and Monday bombed airfields, barracks and port installations in the Sakishimas. "Naval search planes today damaged two small cargo ships in the east China sea and strafed cargo ships south of Korea. Liberators yesterday and today sank two small cargo ships and three fishing craft and damaged a small cargo ship to the south of Honshu. Fighters and bombers attacked enemy installations on the Palaus, Yap, Chichijima and the Marshalls. A small group of enemy bombers last night made low level attacks on installations at Iwojima, causing a few casualties. Two enemy planes were shot .down. MALAYBALAY FALLS The Americans on Mindanao have captured Malaybalay and secured a nearby airfield, says General Douglas MacArthur’s communique. The troops met scattered resistance. The 24th Division in the Davao area advanced four miles to the outskirts of Bunawan, within two miles of Licanan aerodrome, which is the only Davao air installation in enemy hands. The 6th Army continues pressure on the enemy defences in the rugged Sierra Madre mountains in eastern Luzon. Medium bombers and fighter bombers dropped 325 tons of bombs supporting the ground troops and attacking enemy positions. Australian and Netherland East Indies troops on Tarakan were supported from the air in mopping-up operations.