JAP. THREAT GROWS IN THE ALEUTIANS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 172, 23 July 1942, Page 5

JAP. THREAT GROWS IN THE ALEUTIANS

AIR - SEA BATTLES

Enemy Strength Said To

Be 25,000 Men

United Press Association.—Copyright. Rec. 12.30 WASHINGTON, July 22

A United States Navy communique states that long-range army bombers made several air attacks on Kiska, in the Aleutians, recently, concentrating on the enemy encampment and ships in the harbour. Army and navy aircraft are continuing their joint operations against the forces which are occupying the western Aleutian Islands.

Mr. Anthony Dimond, delegate to Congress from Alaska, speaking to the Press said: "I have received reports that about 25,000 Japanese troops have landed in the Aleutians at Attu, Kiska and Agattu. If those reports are true it must be assumed that the Japanese activities in the Aleutians are of major proportions, not merely a diversion, as was the opinion. , the American armed forces failed to drive the Japanese out, he continued, it would be a grievous mistake. He said that the Japanese were constructing air bases to accommodate land-based bombers for a subsequent drive to Alaska. A United States Navy communique quoted by British Official Wireless states: "In the North Pacific area United States submarines have sunk three Japanese destroyers in the vicinity of Kiska, in the Aleutians. These sinkings are in addition to those previously announced. "Several air attacks against enemyoccupied Kiska Islands have been made recently by long-range army bombers. These attacks centred on an enemy encampment and ships in Kiska Harbour. It has been impossible to observe results. "Army and Navy aircraft are continuing operations against the enemy forces occupying islands in the Western Aleutians." Sitnation Not Yet Serious The situation in the Aleutian Islands, where a battle between United States aircraft and submarines and Japanese naval forces continues, is described by an American naval observer in London as "portentous." The island of Atta, which has been occupied by the Japanese, was about 800 miles from the Japanese naval base in the Imperial Islands, he said, but opposite Atta on the Asiatic mainland was Petropavlovsk, where there was an excellent harbour which could hold all the navies of the world.

By occupying the western Aleutians the Japanese had made a good attempt to prevent the United States from using Kamchatka. The situation was uncertain because of foggy weather and the Japanese by seizing the American weather station at Kiska had deprived the Americans of their most valuable source of information and were in a position to choose their own weather for operations.

The situation was not serious at the moment, but if Japan attacked Russia they could use their positions in the north to keep American supplies from Russia along that route.