OKINAWA BATTLE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22611, 16 May 1945, Page 5

OKINAWA BATTLE

EAST COAST ADVANCE

DOMINATING HILL TAKEN RAIDS ON SAKISHIMAS (United Press Assn. — Elec. Tel. Copyright) WASHINGTON, May 14 Two rifle companies of the 96th Division on Okinawa reached the summit of a conical hill 2500 yards east of Shuri, holding the position in spite of Japanese counter-attacks, says Admiral Nimitz’s communique. The 383rd Infantry Regiment completed the capture of the hill today. Domination of this high ground permitted our left flank to advance 2400 yards southward along the east coast, and Yonabaru airfield was captured. In other sectors, advances were limited generally to 100 to 200 yards against stiff opposition. Since April 1, our forces on Okinawa have captured or destroyed 386 enemy guns of 70mm. calibre or larger. About 35 enemy aircraft in three groups attacked American ships off Okinawa last evening, damaging two light units, says the communique. Twenty-five enemy planes were shot down, one destroyer accounting for eight aircraft. Early this morning a few planes dropped bombs on Okinawa without causing damage ! British carrier aircraft heavily bombed airfields on Miyano, Sakishimas, on Saturday and Sunday. Oil fires were started. From the beginning of operations |on Okinawa until Sunday, search planes sank 70,900 tons of enemy shipping and destroyed six aircraft. Our combat losses were three aircraft.