STORM DAMAGE

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22661, 14 July 1945, Page 5

STORM DAMAGE

UNITED STATES FLEET 21 WARSHIPS SUFFER TYPHOON IN PACIFIC (United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright) LONDON, July 13 Units of the United States Third Fleet serving in the Pacific suffered > extensive damage during a severe typhoon on June 5, says a communique from Admiral Nimitz. At least « 21 warships, including three new , battleships and two Essex class air- i cralt-carriers, were damaged. The storm was so severe that the cruiser Pittsburg had 100 ft tom off her bows. The battleships damaged were the Massachusetts, Indiana and Alabama. The wind reached a velocity of 120 kndts and the Third Fleet was battered by seas of mountainous proportions. No ships were lost. Al- i though there is no report about casualties, Admiral Nimitz states that no men were lost from the Pittsburgh, which suffered the heaviest damage, and nobody in the vessel was seri- ; ously injured. STRICKEN WITH TERROR j JAPANESE ON MINDANAO WOMEN KILL CHILDREN (Received July 14, 11.30 a.m.) MANILA, July 13 Japanese civilians in the interior of Mindanao are resorting to mass 1 suicide to avoid capture, reports an American Press correspondent. It is estimated that about 13,000 helpless, terror-stricken civilians, virtually deserted by their own army, are living on the slopes of Mount Apo. A captured Japanese sergeant told an American officer there would be no large scale army surrender because the soldiers were afraid both of beheading by their officers and torture by the Americans. Another prisoner told of finding 40 Japanese women and children with their throats cut. The sole survivor •was a girl of 12 who said their party had been left behind by the retreating troops, sick and starving. Frightened mothers when they found themselves between the American and Japanese lines killed their children and then committed suicide. WON VICTORIA CROSS GALLANT BRITISH CORPORAL (Official Wireless) (Received July 14, 3.15 p.m.) RUGBY, July 13 The Victoria Cross has been awarded to Corporal Edward Thomas Chapman, of the Monmouthshire Regiment, for his part in securing the capture of the great ridge which dominates the Westphalian plain and the Dortmund-Ems canal near Rheine. The citation says Corporal Chapman displayed outstanding gallantry and superb courage. Singlehanded he repulsed the attacks of well-led and determined troops and gave the battalion time to reorganise on a vital piece of ground overlooking the only bridge across the canal. His magnificent bravery played a very large part in the capture of the vital ridge and the successful development of the subsequent operations. UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL ORGANISATION (Omclal Wireless) RUGBY, July 13 A conference is to be held in London on November 1 to consider the establishment of a United Nations educational and cultural organisation, states the Ministry of Information.