WAKE ISLAND RAIDED

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 11, 8 October 1943, Page 5

WAKE ISLAND RAIDED

Strong Naval Task Force (Received October 7, 9.45 p.m.) PEARL HARBOUR, October 7. A strong task force, including an air-craft-carrier, heavily shelled and bombed the Japanese installations and garrison on Wake Island, in the North Pacific, commencing at dawn on Tuesuay, says a communique from Admiral Ninntz, Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet. RearAdmiral Alfred Montgomery commanded the operation. The participation of surface units as well as planes probably indicates that the navy intends the reduction of Make Island, which is a key stepping-stone in Japan’s aerial route to the Marshalls and Gilberts, says the “New York lunes. The occupation of Wake Island has been predicted for some time, but there is no indication that such an operation will be undertaken immediately. It is stated that if the fleet is able to keep the island neutralized, invasion is not necessary. It is noteworthy that the announcement of the attack followed shortly after the conference ot Admirals Nimitz, King and Halsey. The Associated Press of America says that the attack on Wilke, following closely on the Marcus Island and Gilbert Island raids, is evidence that the Japanese central Pacific defence perimeter will undergo a steady punching in the newly opened offensive phase of the Pacific war. Wake was captured by the Japanese on December 23, 1941, after 1G days of heroic resistance by its small garrison. The last naval blow at Wake was on February 23, 1942, when bombs from aircraft and shells from naval vessels destroyed shore installations. Wake, is an important mid-Pacific air base, being 12Q0 miles from Truk and 2000 miles from the Japanese mainland.