SHOWDOWN NEAR

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 237, 4 July 1944, Page 5

SHOWDOWN NEAR

American Advance On Saipan CAPITAL ENTERED (By Telegraph.—Press Assn—Copyright.) (Received July 3, 9.15 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 2. “Our troops on the right flank on Saipan Island are within 5J miles ot the northern tip of the says a Pacific Fleet communique. “Me occupied the mountain village ot Chilian Tabute, in the centre of the Island, ami captured large quantities of equipment, including food and munitions. Before'dawn yesterday several enemy aircraft unsuccessfully attempted .to attack our transports and screening vessels. Two enemy aircraft were Department in Washington has announced further advances on the entire Saipan front, ranging from oUU yards to a mile. American troops have entered the capital, Garapan, seizing heights .of the town and lanapag haib°A‘showdown in the battle for Saipan is imminent, with marines ami army troops slugging down the jungl lc( ’ of Mt. Tapotchau toward the defences surrounding the remaining core ot Japanese resistance, says a combined Amencan Press correspondent aboard the flagship. American tanks, half-track 'em ieles and infantry have battered slowly into areas of increasing resistance.

Terrific Bombardment. The Japanese are using, mortars and machineguns, anti occasionally light tanks, but so far have been unable to stem the superior American manpower. The northern Garapan and lanapag harbour installations have been taking a terrible land, sea and air pounding. A huge fire which was started .at lanapag last Thursday is still blazing behind smoking wreckage. Tinian Island is also receiving a terrible pounding.. A Pacific Fleet communique says that the principal components of the expeditionary force now fighting on Saipan consist of the Second Marine Division, the Fourth Marine Division, and the Twenty-seventh Infantry Division. The Second Marine Division previously relieved the First Marine Division on Guadalcanal, and later launched the attack on Tarawa. The (Fourth Manne Division participated in the Marshalls campaign.