AIR STRIKES AT JAPAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23279, 15 August 1945, Page 5

AIR STRIKES AT JAPAN

Limited By Weather Enemy Attack Allied Fleet By Telegraph—N.Z. Press Assn.—Copyright (7.30 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Aug. 13. Although bad weather limited the operations of carrier aircraft over Tokio area early to-day, the weather improved later and preliminary reports indicate that considerable damage was inflicted on enemy aircraft, airfield installations and other ground targets. Admiral Nimitz’s communique says incomplete reports show that 43 planes were destroyed on the ground and 71 damaged. During the day our combat air patrols shot down 21 enemy aircraft, none of w'hich penetrated the vicinity of our surface forces. United States light cruisers and destroyers yesterday bombarded installations on Matsuwa Island, Kurabu Cape, and Suirbachi Bay, Paramushiro. Some opposition was encountered from shore batteries at Kurabu Cape but no damage or casualties were suffered. Our forces encountered and sank 10 trawlers and a submarine-chaser in nearby waters. Mitchells left a small cargo vessel burning in Tsushima Strait.

The Tokio radio announced that Japanese planes this afternoon were attacking the United States fleet off the Honshu coast east of Tokio. The radio claimed that Japanese marine forces during the attack today sank a large aircraft-carrier off Okinawa. /Admiral Nimitz, aboard a British battleship off Tokio, invited the Japanese to contact Guam by radio if they need a means of communication, reports. Reuter’s . correspondent with the British Pacific Fleet.

The correspondent of the Associated Press aboard the British flagship says the British Pacific Fleet moved within four hours’ steaming of Tokio to-day awaiting Japan's final word. The fleet plans to keep'fluid for quick action, either for participation in any manoeuvres ordered by Admiral Nimitz if capitulation comes, or to carry on heavy pounding such as helped to force Japan to make the surrender offer.

British planes attacked the Tokio area. Early reports stated that three Japanese seaplanes were set on fire, a large chemical plant was bombed, and luggers on which the enemy depends for coastal supplies were A correspondent with the United States Third Fleet says that carrier planes were turned back by fog and bad weather from Tokio. They attacked targets of opportunity in the Yokohama area, including docks, submarine pens, numerous freighters and luggers. Pilots reported no interceptors over the targets, but carrier planes shot down six aircraft attempting sneak attacks on the fleet. The Tokio radio reported that Allied carrier planes to-day attacked Yokohama ceaselessly for 12 hours, causing some damage to airfields, transport and industrial targets. Enemy Warned

The radio warned the Japanese to prepare for renewed assaults for a considerable time without let-up. The correspondent of the Associated Press on Okinawa says there is little evidence of a slackening of the war effort. The sprawling island is crammed with bombers and fighters of every description, and the harbour is packed with shipping, giving the appearance that the war is in full swing. A Japanese aerial torpedo plane inflicted minor damage on a major unit of the fleet at Buckner Bay. One correspondent said it was a battleship. The Far East air forces continued their daily devastating strikes on Ilushu. Western Shikoku and Northern Ryukyus, says General MacArthur’s communique. Our bombers and fighters hit aerodromes, railway lines and industrial centres. Three enemy planes were shot down and many others were destroyed on the ground. The seaport cities of Miyazaki and Kushikino were left in flames. We destroyed a medium freighter and several small vessels. We lost four planes. Heavy units attacked aircraft assembly plants and installations at Heito, South-west Formosa. Patrols harassed the Matsuyama aerodrome. Night reconnaissance bombers struck the Shanghai area and hit railroad yards and harbour facilities at Fusan and Gunzan. in Korea, causing fires and explosions. Our patrols harassed minor shipping near Hong Kong.

Enemy Losses on Borneo The Australian ground forces have killed an additional 1297 Japanese and captured 95 since July 22. Their ovn casualties were 50 killed and 109 wounded The total enemy casualties in the Borneo operations were 5693 killed and 536 prisoners. Our total casualties were 436 killed, three missing and 1460 wounded. Australian fighters continued to attack enemy rear area installations. | Australian heavy bombers striking at . enemy air facilities in the Celebes cratered the Sidate airstrip and sank ; one and damaged two coastal craft in > the Molucca Sea. Sixth -'■ustralinn Division troops

are maintaining steady pressure on enemy remnants in the Wewak sector and forcing them from stubbornly defended positions in the Prince Alexander range. Planes, continue steady attrition of the remaining enemy personnel and supplies throughout the islands.