ADVANCE ON SAIPAN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 232, 28 June 1944, Page 6

ADVANCE ON SAIPAN

Americans Take Toll Of Japanese Tanks LONDON, June 24. American trbops pushing up the east and west coasts of Saipan Island ha'e captured 40 Japanese tanks and destroyed 36 others. American marines have established themselves firmly on high ground, giving control over Magicienne In a dispatch today from, the United States flagship off Saipan. Howard llandleman says that the Americans have captured Mount Tapotchau and alsosome of the forward slopes. They subsequently repulsed a Japanese counter-at-tack before dawn. The American troops who reached the summit of Mount Tapotchau. the key objective on Saipan, also captured Lagman Peninsula, it was announced by- Admiral Nimitz at Pearl Harbour. A Washington message reports that supplementing Admiral Nimitz s announcement a Pacific Fleet communique states that the United States, marines scaled Mount Tapotchau on Saturday and established positions near the summit. Further ground was gained along the western shore and more on the southern portion of Garapan fell to our forces. Simultaneously substantial gains were, made on the eastern shore. In the centre of our lines progress has been slowed by enemy troops occupy- " ing caves in the cliffs overlooking our ' positions. Our troops advanced beyond and surrounded this pocket of resistance, and it is being subjected to artillery fire at close range. in the south, small gains were made against the enemv troops cornered on the Nafutan Peninsula. Jn these operations three coastal defence guns were captured. Guam and Rota Raided. Aircraft from our fast carrier task force attacked Guam and Rota Islands on Saturday. At Guam six enemy planes were destroyed and two probably destroyed on Orote Peninsula airfield, and two were probably destroyed on the runway. The revetments were bombed. A large cargo vessel in Apra Harbour, which was damaged in a previous strike, was again attacked. .Several tons of bombs were dropped on an airstrip near Agana town. One enemy plane was destroyed on the ground and from eight to 10 were damaged. At Rota Island revetments and buildings were bombed. Fires were started. Two enemy planes were destroyed on the ground. ' Liberators and Venturas bombed Pararoushiru and Shimushu before dawn on Saturday, starting large fires. Other planes continued their neutralization raidsf on the Marshalls.