EVACUATION BY JAPANESE

Southland Times, Issue 24870, 9 October 1942, Page 5

EVACUATION BY JAPANESE

ISLANDS OF ATTU AND AGATTU (8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 7. The Japanese, while still retaining their hold on Kiska Island, in the Western Aleutians, appear to have abandoned the islands of Attu and Agattu. A United States Navy Department communique says: “Our aerial reconnaissance has failed to detect any signs of continued enemy occupation of or activity on Attu or Agattu for several weeks. In the latter part of September Army aircraft bombed Attu, destroying most of the buildings on the island. A study of photographs taken during the raid revealed no trace of the enemy .on Attu at that time. A similar situation has been observed at Agattu. “Attacks by our aircraft on Kiska continued on Monday. Army Liberators with a fighter escort dropped many high explosive and incendiary bombs in the camp area. Hits were made on a seaplane hangar. Six enemy seaplane fighters were shot down. All our planes returned.” REPORTED SINKING OF SHIP WITH PRISONERS (8.0.W.) RUGBY, October 7, The War Office is taking action to investigate a statement by the Japanese that the Lisbon Maru, carrying 1,800 British and Australian prisoners to Japan, was sunk by a submarine in the China Sea on October 1. The survivors are said to be on their way to Japan. The War Office has asked the protecting power to confirm this report, and, if it is true, to- obtain the names of the prisoners as soon as possible.