AMERICAN BLOW

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 May 1943, Page 3

AMERICAN BLOW

STRUCK AT JAPANESE IN ALEUTIANS LANDING ON ATTU AT WESTERN END OF ISLAND CHAIN. FIGHTING IN PROGRESS. LONDON, May 14. United States forces' have landed on Attn Island, in the Aleutians. The Japanese occupied the island last -lune o and the American landing was made on Tuesday. Washington states that the American troops are now fighting the Japanese on the Attn, the most westerly of the Aleutian chain, lying considerably to the west of the Japanese base at Kiska. is a stepping-stone between the United States of America and Asia. It was occupied by the Japanese last June and has been repeatedly attacked by United States planes. VALUE OF ATTU IMPORTANT JAPANESE BASE. PROTECTED BY STRONG DEFENCES. (Received This Day, 12.50 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 14., The Associated Press of America s Washington correspondent says there are indications that the United States has been building up a powerful striking force in the Aleutians. The strength of American attacks against Japanese bases in this area has oeen mounting steadily. A determined American campaign is believed now to be under way to drive the Japanese right out of the Aleutians. This would be preparatory to a possible thrust across the island stepping stones against Japan itself. The occupation of Amchitka Island, 265 miles east of Attu, was announced last week. Attu is a Japanese supply and reinforcement base for Kiska Island .196 miles to the east. It is the enemy’s only petrol supply base on the 200-mile Tokio-Kiska air route. The Japanese have been constructing a large base at Attu, apparently for launching attacks against the American mainland. The defences include strong anti-aircraft batteries and big costal defence guns in emplacements built into the cliffs. Authoritative feeling in the United States has always been that among all sections of the Pacific front the Aleutians and the South-West Pacific area afford the best opportunities for heavy blows against the Japanese.