JAPAN NERVOUS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22253, 22 April 1942, Page 5

JAPAN NERVOUS

Contradictory Reports

Of Raids

Tirade Against America

Absence Of Allied News

By Telerraph—Press Association— Copyright (Rec. 8.30) NEW YORK, April 20. The Toklo official radio said that Imperial Headquarters announced that one medium bomber of the North American 825 type which raided Japan was forced down and Hs Crew captured.

The Toklo official radio continued to give contradictory reports of the air raids, the most notable being that the raid was carried out by 10 medium bohlbers, of which One was captured. This is In contrast to the previous reports that 60 bombers took part, and is also interesting in view of the first claims that nine raiders were shot down. Moreover, the Japanese asserted that an Allied naval force including three aircraft-carriers appeared off the eastern Coast of Japan on Saturday, hut fled immediately after launching the raiders. . , important developments, apparently closely connected with the raids. Included the calling of the ViceMinisters’ Cabinet to discuss the damage sustained as a result of the raids, remedial measures, and regulations for controlling rumours, which is a further indication Of the acute nervousness throughout Japan over the possibility of new raids. Finally, the official spokesman (Mr Tomokazu Hori) feflected the official anger in a tirade against America, calling the raids ferbarlc attacks against Innocent victims. He accused the Americans of similar atrocities In the Philippines, and sneered at reports frbm America that the raids were the prelude to a general Allied offensive.

Absence of Allied Confirmation The absence of news from Allied sources about the air raid on Japanese cities is regarded as confirming the ■view that the raiders were American aeroplanes operating from aircraft carriers, as these would maintain radio silence while in proximity to the enemy. . , The following details were taken from Japanese and German broadcasts. The raids began soon after midday on Saturday when Toklo and Yokohama were visited by more than 60 aeroplanes Many bombs were dropped on the outskirts of both towns where thousands of factories are situated. Two hours later the ptjrt of Kobe And the Industrial city of Nagoya were hit. Some damage is admitted by the Japanese, who said that fires were caused at Nagoya and Kobe by large numbers of incendiary bombs, and communications were interrupted and factories burned down at Toklo. Alarms were again sounded at Toklo early yesterday morning and throughout central Japan yesterday. ‘■Enough- has come from the Japanese official spokesman, affirming, denying and exhorting, to justify the Inference that their people have at least been badly startled at the rude break in their hitherto unbroken immunity ■from the kind of destruction that their war lords have inflicted On Other nations,’* states "The Times."

Discussing the strategic aspects, "The Times’’ states: “If the attacks Were delivered from aircraft carriers It means, that for the first time since the disaster at Pearl Harbour, that the American Navy is again In a position 'to operate within striking distance of Japanese home bases. "In the first and most favourable phase of their war, the Japanese were able, thanks to their treacherously seized advantage, to hurl their forces In many directions at once without thought for security behind the lines. That phase has ended. Henceforward they will have to think of their home waters and Inflammable wooden cities as the striking power within range of Japan is built up by the factories of the Allies, and there is good reason to hope that the strain will be felt when the needs of their advanced armies and fleets, engaged in their main offensive, are most acute.”

New Stage In Raiding Policy The "Manchester Guardian” states: "In attacking Japan the Americans have entered a new stage In their raiding policy. At first they set about reinforcing the north Australian mainland and in protecting their operations they made guerrilla raids on Japan’s communications In and around the Marshall and Gilbert Islands.”

The "Manchester Guardian” speculates: “The Americans could choose between two methods of approach If ihelr bombers fly all the way the distances are great. If the attack Is off the sea, carriers must make a long trip from Pearl Harbour or some other distant base to a chosen point near Japan —the same journey which Japanese .carriers and aircraft made when they assailed Pearl Harbour, But if the Americans attack Japan from carriers they run a greater risk than the -Japanese did on December 7, for the Americans were caught napping, tvhereas one must assume that Japan could not now be surprised.” Official quarters In Chungking denied knowing where the planes lanfied which bombed Japanese cities, adding that no Chinese authorities had Issued a statement in the matter. (Reuter’s reported earlier in a Chungking dispatch that the raiders arrived safely at their destination). Officials said that the Toklo communique suggesting that the planes arrived in China was Intended for the purpose of eliciting information. Senor Armando, Chilean Minister to Japan. Informed his Government to-day that in the aerial bombardment of Toklo and other Japanese cities, Chilean nationals were uninjured, and Chilean property was undamaged.