SAIPAN VALUABLE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22934, 3 July 1944, Page 6

SAIPAN VALUABLE

Casualties Not Excessive 16.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 1. Japanese planes last night made nine separate raids against American positions and shipping off Saipan Island, reports a representative of the Combined American Press aboard the flagship. A few’ bombs were dropped, but nothing valuable was hit. At least one plane was shot down. The Pearl Harbour correspondent of the "New York Times” says the casualty figures for Saipan. 3076, which exceed those on Tarawa, demonstrate that the cost of Saipan is in accordance with its worth as one of the bastions guarding the heart of Japan. While the price is high, it is not considered exorbitant. it was anticipated that the battle for the Marianas would be a test of American sturdiness far exceeding anything in the Pacific war. However, the casualty rate henceforth is expected to decline, since the original enemy garrison of between 20,000 and 30,000 has been greatly reduced, and the capture of valuable heights in the centre of the island enables us to inflict mounting punishment, which is thinning the enemy ranks. Presumably the majority of American casualties resulted from mortar and artillery fire, since the initial landings were relatively lightly opposed. A Pacific Fleet communique says: “American forces consolidating their positions on Saipan Island on Thursday wiped out several pockets of resistance previously by-passed. We made small gains in the central sector of our lines. Enemy planes bombed an area accupied by our forces, one plane being shot down. We are continuing bombing and naval shelling of enemy gun positions on Tinian Island. Carrier aircraft bombed buildings and rundays on Roa Island. Navy Venturas bombed Paramushiro and Smumushu without interception. All our aircraft returned.”