CONFLICTING REPORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 April 1942, Page 4

CONFLICTING REPORTS

OF AMERICAN AIR RAIDS ISSUED IN TOKIO INDICATIONS OF ANGER & ANXIETY. TALK OF “INNOCENT VICTIMS.” (By Telegraph—Press Association— Copyright) (Received This Day, 12.25 p.m.) NEW YORK, April 20. The Tokio official radio said Imperial Headquarters announced that one medium bomber of ten North American E 25 type planes which raided Japan was forced down and its crew captured. The Tokio official radio has contim ued to give contradictory reports of the air raids, the most notable being that the raid was carried out by ten medium bombers, of which one was captured. This is in contrast to previous reports that sixty bombers participated, 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 carriers, appeared on April 13 off the eastern coast of Japan, but fled immediately after launching the raiders.

Important developments apparently closely connected with the raids, have included the calling of the Vice-Min-isters and Cabinet to discuss the damage sustained as a result of the raids, remedial measures and regulations for controlling rumours, .which are a further indication of acute nervousness throughout Japan, over the possibility of new raids. Finally an official spokesman, Mr Tomakazu Hori, reflected official anger in a tirade against America, calling the raids barborous attacks against innocent victims. He accused the Americans of similar “atrocities” in the Philippines and sneered at reports from America that the raids were a prelude to a general Allied offensive.