SAIPAN ISLAND

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22935, 4 July 1944, Page 5

SAIPAN ISLAND

Americans Occupy Capital Step Toward Control Of The Marianas By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (9.20 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 3. The Navy has announced further advances on the entire Saipan front ranging from 500 yards to a mile. American forces entered the capital, Garapan, seizing the heights of the town and Tanapag Harbour. Our troops on the right flank on Saipan Island are within five and ahalf miles of the northern tip of the island, says a Pacific Fleet communique. We occupied the mountain village of Charan Tabute in the centre of the island and captured large quantities of equipment, Including food and munitions. Before dawn on Saturday several enemy aircraft unsuccessfully attempted to attack our transport and screening vessels. Two enemy aircraft were shot down. Enemy Severely Pounded

An earlier message said a showdown in the battle for Saipan is imminent with Marines and Army troops slugging down the jungled slopes of Mount Tapotchau toward the defences surrounding the remaining core of Japanese resistance, says the Combined American Press correspondent aboard the flagship. American half-track vehicles and infantry battered slowly into areas of increasing resistance. The Japanese are using mortars, machineguns, rifles and occasionally light tanks, but so far have been unable to stem the superior American manpower. The chief fighting is on Tapotchau’s slopes, where the Americans are encircling the heavy defences behind Garapan. The Marines on the east coast moved far ahead against little opposition. Northern Garapan and Tanapag Harbour installations have been taking a terrible land, sea and air pounding. A huge fire started in Tanapag last Thursday is still blazing. Behind the smoking wreckage the Americans expect to come to grips with the largest concentration of the enemy so far encountered. Timian Island is also receiving a terrible pounding. Up to last Friday 80 enemy tanks were destroyed or captured. Our troops buried 6015 enemy dead and took more than 200 prisoners. Army Liberators on Thursday dropped 70 tons of bombs on Truk Atoll. Several enemy fighters ineffectively attempted interception. On the same day Army, Navy and Marine aircraft bombed Ponape and Nauru, the remaining objectives in the Marshalls. Gnawing at Japan’s Vitals The Washington correspondent of the “New York Times" says that the statement by the Secretary for the Navy (Mr .Times Forrestal) about attacking Japan means that when we have consolidated our hold on Saipan, from which the Marianas can be controlled, we will not need additional Pacific bases unless for secondary strategic reasons, and that the green light will be on for big blows against Japan’s vitals. It is improbable that Japan can be Invaded for a while. The French invasion pattern demonstrated how overwhelmingly we must build up for such a major effort, but it seems logical that blows from surface ships, carrier-aircraft and further Super-Fortress attacks may be aimed at Japanese shores. The time also seems ripe to re-establish ourselves in the Philippines to sit athwart Japan’s communication lines to Dutch Indies, on which the enemy depends for oil. There is considerable speculation in Washington on Japan’s attitude as the vyce tightens. Some experts feel that Japan might quit before her ultimate destruction, but the majority believe that she will fight to the end.