AMERICAN MARINES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 December 1943, Page 3

AMERICAN MARINES

UNDISMAYED BY LOSSES ON TARAWA. ITCHING FOR FURTHER ACTION. PEARL HARBOUR, November 29. “It was-our will to die,” MajorGeneral McTiere Smith, commander of the amphibious forces, told the Press when asked how the marines were able to take Tarawa in 76 hours. He added that the marines, in spite of their heavy casualties were now itching for another action, and indeed asked: “Where do we go from here?!’ General Smith said nothing but the direct hit of a 20001 b. bomb would destroy the Japanese’concrete blockhouses. He also expresses the opinion that longer and more concentrated preliminary bombing was necessary to avoid too heavy losses. He said: “Japanese gunfire was so concentrated I counted 105 dead marines in the space of less than 20 yards.” The Berlin radio reports that there is no longer any communication between Japan and the Japanese troops fighting' in the Gilbert Islands.

TARGETS IN MARSHALLS BOMBED BY LIBERATORS. MANY FIRES STARTED IN NAURU. PEARL HARBOUR, November 30. Raids by Liberator bombers on Nauru Island, midway between the Solomon and the Marshall islands, and Milli atoll in the Marshalls, are reported by a spokesman at Admiral Nimitz’s headquarters. The bombers attacked Nauru last Sunday, leaving fires which were visible for miles. The aerodrome on Milli atoll was raided on Saturday. Only one Zero attempted interception, but without success. All the Liberators returned undamaged. The spokesman said it was estimated that fewer than 100 live Japanese were left in the Gilberts.