CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 428, JUNE 1, 1944

 

Shimushu Island in the Kuriles was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on May 30 (West Longitude Date). Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters bombed and strafed enemy positions in the Marshalls on May 29. Runways, piers, and antiaircraft batteries were hit. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 429, JUNE 1, 1944

 

Guam Island was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force during daylight on May 28 (West Longitude Date). Approximately ten enemy fighters attempted to intercept our formation. One fighter was prob­ably shot down. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense.

Truk Atoll was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators at night on May 30. The airstrips were hit, and a fire started which was visible one hundred fifty miles. One enemy plane was in the air over the target. Anti­aircraft fire was meager.

Wake Island was bombed on May 30 by Seventh Army Air Force Liber­ators, which obtained hits on Peacock and Wilkes Islands and Heel Point. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Ponape Island was raided by Seventh Army Air Force Mite‑hells during daylight on May 30. Gun positions, runways, and defense installations were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager and no interception was attempted.

Enemy positions in the Marshall Islands were bombed and severely strafed on May 30 by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Daunt­less dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters. Blockhouses, barracks and coastal guns were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 430, JUNE 2, 1944

 

Shimushu in the Kurile Islands was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on May 31 (West Longitude Date). Several large and small fires were started in the vicinity of the airfield. Antiaircraft fire was moderate. All of our planes returned.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 431, JUNE 3, 1944

 

A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed ship­ping and shore installations at Truk Atoll at night on June 1 (West Longi­tude Date). Four one‑thousand‑pound bombs were dropped over a medium cargo vessel, two of them scoring direct hits and two straddling the vessel, which was believed sunk. The search plane then strafed a number of small

 

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cargo vessels, the seaplane base at Dublon and the airstrips at Eten Island. Two of the small vessels were set on fire, fires were started at Dublon Island and Eten Island, and an ammunition dump exploded. In retiring the search plane was pursued by a single enemy plane which did not make an attack. Over the target antiaircraft fire was moderate.

Two Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Shimushiru Island in the Kuriles before dawn on June 1. No opposition was encountered.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru and Shimushu Island before dawn on June 1. Fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was light and inaccurate.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 432, JUNE 4, 1944

 

Shimushu and Paramushiru Islands in the Kuriles were bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 2 (West Longitude Date). Two large fires were started on Shimushu. Antiaircraft fire was moderate. Matsuwa Island was bombed by Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force before dawn on June 2. No opposition was encountered. All of our planes returned.

Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators before dawn on June 3. Forty‑one tons of bombs were dropped on storage areas and on runways. Several fires and explosions were observed. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Two enemy fighters attempted to attack our force but did no damage.

Nauru Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers and search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two on June 2. Antiaircraft bat­teries were hit and fires Started. Antiaircraft fire was moderate.

Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 1. An airfield, hangars, and adjacent buildings were hit. No antiair­craft fire was encountered.

Remaining enemy objectives in the Marshalls were attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters on May 31 and on June 1 and 2. In these raids antiaircraft batteries, coastal defense guns, runways and barracks were strafed and bombed. Antiaircraft fire was generally meager.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 522, JUNE 5, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of sixteen vessels in operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:

 

1 large transport

1 large cargo vessel

7 medium cargo vessels

2 small cargo vessels

4 medium cargo transports

1 small cargo transport

 

2. These actions have not been reported in any previous Navy Depart­ment communiqué.

 

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N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 523, JUNE 5, 1944

Atlantic.

 

1. The Escort Carrier USS Block Island was sunk in the Atlantic during May, 1944 as the result of enemy action.

2. The next of kin of casualties, which were light, have been notified.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 433, JUNE 5, 1944

 

Several enemy patrol‑type vessels were sighted west of Truk Atoll on June 2 (West Longitude Date) and attacked by a single search plane. One was probably sunk and all were heavily strafed. On June 3 another search plane sighted the disposition and made an attack which resulted in the sink­ing of one of the auxiliaries and severe damage to another.

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Ketoi Island in the Kuriles before dawn on June 4. No opposition was encountered. A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Paramushiru Island before dawn on June 4. All of our planes returned from these operations.

 

 

JUNE 6, 1944

 

MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESS

 

The following was given to the press by Admiral Royal E. Ingersoll, USN, Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, at the press conference of Secre­tary of the Navy James Forrestal today:

 

"Recently on a brilliant moonlight night one of our destroyer escorts sighted a submarine, fully surfaced, silhouetted against the moon. The de­stroyer escort immediately rang up full speed and headed for the submarine, opening fire with all her guns. The submarine elected to fight it out and opened fire with her deck guns and machine guns, tracers passing high over the bridge of the destroyer escort. The submarine maneuvered at high speed and fired a torpedo. The destroyer escort closed the range rapidly, following the sub's evasive maneuvers and burying the sub under a withering fire at point blank range, machine guns and three inch forecastle guns. The range finally closed until the submarine was only 20 yards away. All fire on the submarine having ceased at this point the destroyer escort rode up on the forecastle of the submarine where she stuck. Men began swarming out of the submarine and up onto the destroyer escort's forecastle. The destroyer escort opened up on them with machine guns, tommy guns and rifle fire. Ammunition expended at this time included several general mess coffee cups which happened to be at the gun stations. Two of the enemy were hit on the head with these. Empty cartridge cases also proved effective for re­pelling the boarders. During this heated encounter the destroyer escort suffered her only casualty of the engagement, when a husky seaman bruised his fist knocking one of the enemy over the side.

"At this stage of the battle the boatswain's mate in charge forward with a 45 Colt revolver and a Chief Firecontrolman with a tommy gun accounted for a number of those attempting to board. The destroyer escort then de­cided to back off to stop any more enemy trying to board her. Again the running battle was resumed, hits falling like rain on the sub's topside. Even shallow depth charges were used against the submarine. The destroyer es­cort rammed a second time and then the submarine rolled slowly over.

 

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Personnel on the escort's deck had a clear view into the conning tower which was ablaze. A torpedoman threw a hand grenade which dropped through the sub's conning tower before exploding. The submarine finally sank with her diesel engines still running, and the conning tower hatch open, fire blazing from It.

"The commanding officer of the destroyer escort was a young Lieutenant Commander in the Naval Reserve, who came on active duty in 1941."

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 434, JUNE 6, 1944

 

Truk Atoll was bombed during the night of June 3‑4 (West Longitude Date) by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force. The airfields at Moen and Param Islands were hit. Four enemy fighters were airborne but did not attack our force. Antiaircraft fire was meager and inaccurate.

Ponape Island was attacked on the night of June 3 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and on June 4 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells. Installations on Langar Island and antiaircraft batteries were hit.

Lauru Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells during daylight on June 3, and by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on June 5. Gun positions were the principal targets. Antiaircraft fire was intense.

Enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed on June 3‑4

search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless live bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. Gun positions and runways were hit. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 435, JUNE 7, 1944

 

Guam Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two during daylight on June 5 (West Longitude Date). Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense. Our force was not attacked by enemy aircraft. All of our planes returned.

Nauru Island was bombed on June 5 by Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two. The barracks area, phosphate plant, and gun positions were principal targets.

Ponape Island was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 5. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

On June 4 Mille Atoll in the Marshalls was attacked by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing. Runways were principal targets. Light caliber antiaircraft fire was intense.

A search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two sighted a group of small enemy cargo ships proceeding northwest of Truk on June 5, and attacked and damaged one of the vessels. Another search plane shot down an enemy torpedo bomber west of Truk on June 5.

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT, JUNE 9, 1944

 

The following joint Anglo‑American statement on submarine and anti­submarine operations is issued under the authority of the President and the Prime Minister:

 

"During May our shipping losses have been by far the lowest for

 

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any month of the war, and they have in fact been a fraction of the losses inflicted on enemy shipping by our warships and aircraft, although their merchant shipping is petty compared to that of the Allies.

"There has been a lull in the operations of the U‑boats which perhaps indicates preparation for a renewed offensive. The change which had come over the scene is illustrated by the fact that in spite of the few U‑boats at sea, several are now sent to the bottom for each merchant ship sunk whereas formerly each U‑boat accounted for a considerable number of merchant ships before being destroyed.

"This is to be ascribed to the vigilance and to the relentless attacks of our Anglo‑American‑Canadian and other anti‑U‑boat forces, including the scientists who support them in a brilliant manner."

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 438, JUNE 9, 1944

 

Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the night of June 7‑8 (West Longitude Date). Airfields were the principal tar­gets. Antiaircraft fire was meager and inaccurate.

Ponape Island was attacked by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on the evening of June 6 and at night on June 8. Airfields, plantation areas, and Ponape Town were bombed. Antiaircraft fire was meager.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Pakin and Nauru Islands on June 6. Antiaircraft batteries were hit at Pakin Island.

Enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters on June 6 and 7. Runways, coastal gun emplacements, and antiaircraft batteries were principal targets. A Corsair fighter was downed near Mille Atoll on June 7 and its pilot rescued by a destroyer.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 439, JUNE 10, 1944

 

Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 8 (West Longitude Date). No opposition was encountered.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Nauru Island on June 7 and 8 and Ocean Island on June 7. Barracks and gun emplacements were hit. Antiaircraft fire ranged from moderate to intense. Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed Nauru Island on June 8, hitting coastal defense guns and antiaircraft emplacements. Antiaircraft fire was intense.

A single search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed gun positions at Puluwat Island on June 9.

Mitchell bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked Ponape Is­land on June 7. Hangars near the seaplane base and shops were hit. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered. On June 8 a single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape.

Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Air­craft Wing, Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, and Navy Hellcat fighters bombed and strafed remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls on June 7 and 8. Piers and antiaircraft batteries were bombed. At one objective a large explosion was caused near an antiaircraft emplacement. On June 8

 

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two Corsair fighters were downed by antiaircraft fire near Maloelap. One of the pilots was rescued by a destroyer. A Dauntless dive bomber was shot down near Mille the same day and its pilot rescued by a destroyer.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 46, JUNE 11, 1944

 

A powerful Pacific Fleet Task Force struck enemy positions on Saipan, Tinian, and Guam, in the Mariana Islands, with carrier aircraft on June 10 (West Longitude Date). Further details are not now available.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 524, JUNE 12, 1944

Mediterranean.

 

1. PC‑558 was sunk as a result of enemy action in the Mediterranean on May 9, 1944.

2. The next of kin of casualties have been notified.

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 525, JUNE 12, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported sinking eighteen vessels as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:

 

1 large tanker

1 medium transport

6 medium cargo transports 6 medium cargo vessels

4 small cargo vessels

 

2. These actions have not been reported in any previous Navy De­partment communiqué.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 441, JUNE 12, 1944

 

Carrier aircraft again struck Guam, Rota, Tinian, and Saipan on‑ June 11 (West Longitude Date).

Truk Atoll was attacked by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force at night on June 9 and 10. Airfields at Param, Eten, Dublon and Moen Islands were principal targets. Several fires were started.

Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the night of June 9. Ponape Town and gun positions were hit.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Ocean Island during daylight on June 9, encountering moderate antiaircraft fire. Two of the planes continued to Nauru Island to strafe small craft there.

On June 10 Mitchells of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Nauru, and started fires visible twenty miles. Heavy antiaircraft fire downed one Mitchell bomber. A Catalina search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two rescued the crew.

Enemy Positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed on June 9, during the night of June 9‑10, and on June 10. Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and Navy Hellcat fighters participated in these attacks. Coastal defense guns and antiaircraft batteries were hit.

 

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CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 47, JUNE 13, 1944

 

Supplementing Pacific Ocean Areas communiqué Number 46, the following information is now available concerning operations of Pacific Fleet Forces against enemy installations at Guam, Saipan, Tinian, and Rota Islands in the Marianas. These objectives were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 10 and 11 (West Longitude Dates).

On June 10 our fighter planes swept the objectives in force and destroyed 124 enemy aircraft. A large majority of these were destroyed in the sir. Our losses were 11 Hellcat fighters and eight pilots.

On June 11 our attacks were continued, resulting in the destruction of 16 enemy aircraft, two small cargo ships at Saipan, and a small oiler north­west of Saipan.

A formation of enemy ships apparently attempting to escape from Saipan was brought under attack on June 11. One large oiler, one destroyer, three corvettes, one large cargo ship, one medium cargo ship, and three small cargo ships were sunk; five medium cargo ships and five escort vessels were damaged.

A second formation of enemy ships several hundred miles away was at­tacked and heavily damaged by our aircraft on June 12. These were: three destroyers, one destroyer escort, and two cargo ships.

In the operations on June 11 our losses were four aircraft and seven flight personnel.

On the night of June 10 several enemy planes approached our force, but failed to drive home an attack, and one of them was shot down by antiaircraft fire.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 442, JUNE 13, 1944

 

Truk Atoll was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force be­fore dawn on June 12 (West Longitude Date). Thirty‑eight tons of bombs were dropped on airfields and the seaplane base. Three enemy fighters Inter­cepted our force, and damaged one Liberator. Antiaircraft fire was meager. All of our planes returned.

Ventura search planes of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two, bombed Nauru and Ocean Islands on June 11. Gun positions and barracks were attacked. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchells on June 11, meeting light antiaircraft fire.

In the Marshalls Navy and Marine fighters and dive bombers attacked Maloelap and Wotje Atolls on June 11.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 48, JUNE 14, 1944

 

Attacks directed against enemy positions in the Southern Marianas con­tinued on June 13 (West Longitude Date).

Battleships, cruisers, and destroyers of the Pacific Fleet bombarded Tinian and Saipan Islands on June 12. Large fires were started at Tanapag Harbor, and in the towns of Garapan and Charan Kanoa. Our ships suffered no dam­age.

Further air attacks were coordinated with the Naval shelling of Tinian and Saipan.

Pagan island was attacked by carrier aircraft on June 12. Enemy In­stallations were well worked over and three enemy aircraft were destroyed and one probably destroyed.

 

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In operations on June 11 our forces have reported the following additional losses: Three fighter planes, one dive bomber, and four flight personnel.

More than 60 survivors of an enemy ship bombed and sunk northwest of Saipan on June 11 have been rescued and made prisoners of war.

On June 12 and 13 ships and aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked enemy installations in the Kuriles. A fleet task force bombarded Matsuwa Island and aircraft bombed Shimushu and Paramushiru Islands with airfields as their principal targets.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 443, JUNE 14, 1944

 

The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet, has received a preliminary re­port from Rear Admiral J. F. Shafroth, U. S. Navy, president of a board of inquiry convened to investigate an explosion and fire which occurred on May 21, 1944, among a group of landing craft moored in Pearl Harbor.

The following casualties were caused by the explosion of ammunition being unloaded and the subsequent fire: Dead; Army 8, Navy 9, Marine Corps 10. Missing; Army 53, Navy 21, Coast Guard 26. Injured; Army 56, Navy 143, Coast Guard 3, Marine Corps 159, civilian 19.

This accident was originally announced in Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas Press Release Number 414.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 444, JUNE 14, 1944

 

On June 11 an explosion occurred near a magazine maintained by the Naval Ammunition Depot on Oahu Island. Several torpedo warheads being transferred from a truck to a platform were detonated in the explosion. Some damage was caused in the magazine area and minor damage was done to power lines and railroad tracks.

Three men were killed and seven are missing as a result of the accident. The names of casualties are being withheld pending notification to the next of kin. A court of inquiry of which Rear Admiral T. S. Wilkinson, U. S. Navy, is senior member, has been convened to investigate the accident.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 445, JUNE 14, 1944

 

Liberator bombers of the Seventh Army Air Force and Liberator search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, bombed Truk Atoll during daylight on June 12 (West Longitude Date). Airfields were hit and several fires started. Approximately 15 enemy fighters attempted to attack our force. One of their planes was shot down, two probably shot down, and four damaged. Two additional fighters were probably destroyed on the ground. All of our planes returned.

Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 12.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, attacked Ocean and Nauru Islands on June 12. Barracks and antiaircraft positions were hit.

Enemy positions in the Marshalls were attacked by Ventura and Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters on June 12 and during the night of June 12‑13.

 

166

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 49, JUNE 15, 1944

 

Operations for the seizure of Saipan Island in the Mariana Group have been initiated by strong Pacific Ocean Areas forces.

Assault troops have effected landings on Saipan Island, following inten­sive preparatory bombardment of Saipan, Tinian, Pagan, Guam and Rota Islands by carrier‑based aircraft and by a portion of the battleships, cruisers and destroyers of the Pacific Fleet.

Landings are being continued against strong opposition under cover of supporting bombardment by our air and surface forces. Initial reports indicate that our casualties are moderate.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 50, JUNE 15, 1944

 

Assault troops have secured beachheads on Saipan Island and are ad­vancing inland against artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. Virtually all heavy coastal and antiaircraft batteries on the island were knocked out by Naval gunfire and bombing. Our troops have captured Agingan Point. In the town of Charan Kanoa, brisk fighting is continuing.

The enemy has attempted several counterattacks with tanks. These at­tacks have been broken up by our troops with the support of ships and air­craft.

In general, fighting is heavy but good progress is being made against well organized defenses.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 51, JUNE 16, 1944

 

Chichi Jima, and Haha Jima in the Bonin Islands and Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 14 (West Longitude Date). Thirty‑three enemy fighters which attempted to intercept our forces at Chichi Jima were shot down. Four multi‑engined seaplanes were damaged at Chichi Jima. At Iwo Jima two airborne enemy aircraft were probably destroyed and 14 were destroyed on the ground.

One medium cargo ship was sunk by bombing at Chichi Jima, and four small cargo ships and six small craft were damaged. A medium transport, discovered underway near the Bonins, was heavily damaged by aircraft and later sunk by one of our destroyers. One hundred and twelve survivors were rescued and made prisoners of war.

Ground installations, including barracks, airfields, and fuel tanks were bombed by our aircraft.

Our losses were four aircraft and five flight personnel.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 52, JUNE 16, 1944

 

United States assault troops are engaged in bitter fighting against defend­ing forces on Saipan Island.

On June 14 (West Longitude Date) and during the night of June 14‑15 our troops were withdrawn a short distance toward the beach in some sectors in the face of intense mortar and artillery fire. Positions were consolidated and during the night our Naval forces carried out a heavy bombardment of enemy strong points.

 

167

 

On the morning of June 15 enemy resistance in the strongly held sector north of Charan Kanoa was broken. At midday a major element of our forces commenced an attack which advanced our line nearly one half mile in the southern sector of the island. Lesser advances were made in other sectors.

Our assumption that Saipan Island would be strongly held because of its strategic location in the Japanese defensive system has been proven correct. Preliminary estimates indicate there are upwards of two divisions of enemy troops defending Saipan.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 53, JUNE 17, 1944

 

United States Marines supported by elements of an Army Infantry divi­sion have improved their positions on Saipan Island, and are driving forward toward Aslito airdrome. Harassment of our beachheads by enemy mortar fire has been considerably reduced.

On the night of June 14 (West Longitude Date) enemy torpedo planes launched an attack against our carrier force, but were repulsed without damage to our ships.

Our heavy surface units bombarded Guam Island on June 15.

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Matsuwa, Paramu­shiru and Shimushiru on June 14. Five enemy aircraft were airborne near Matsuwa but only one attempted to attack our force, and did no damage. Fourteen enemy fighters appeared over Paramushiru and several made attacks causing damage to one of our planes. One enemy fighter was probably shot down and an enemy medium bomber was damaged. Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four also bombed Paramushiru and Shimushu on June 14. Fifteen enemy fighters attacked our force, causing minor damage to several of our aircraft. Shimushiru was again attacked by Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 15.

Army, Navy and Marine aircraft of Central Pacific Air Forces bombed objectives in the Marshall Islands and Eastern Caroline Islands on June 13 and 15 (West Longitude Date.)

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 54, JUNE 17, 1944

 

United States Marines and Army troops advancing east across the south­ern portion of Saipan Island, made gains averaging 1500 yards during the night of June 15‑16 and on June 16 (West Longitude Date). The area now held by our forces extends from a point just south of Garapan for a distance of approximately five and one half miles to Agingan and extends inland two miles at the point of deepest penetration. Our forces have captured Hinashisu due east of Lake Susupe.

Our positions were under sustained enemy fire during the night of June 15‑16, and before dawn on June 16 the enemy launched a determined counter­attack. This attack, which was broken up, cost the enemy heavily in lives and destroyed more than 25 enemy tanks.

Early in the morning of June 16 our troops launched the offensive which resulted in general advances. Some of our forward echelons penetrated the Naval air base at Aslito Airdrome but were later withdrawn under severe enemy fire.

During the action on June 16 our aircraft bombed and strafed enemy posi‑

 

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tions, and during the night of June 15‑16 enemy strong points were shelled by our ships.

On June 15 one of our destroyer transports encountered five enemy coastal cargo ships and sank them. Twenty‑nine survivors were rescued and made prisoners of war.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 448, JUNE 17, 1944

 

As the South Pacific has become relatively quiet, Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., U. S. Navy, has been relieved of command of the South Pacific Area and the South Pacific Force. He will henceforth command the Third Fleet which will operate in the Pacific Ocean in the same way that the Fifth Fleet is operating under command of Admiral Raymond A. Spruance, USN

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 55, JUNE 18, 1944

 

In the early morning of June 17 (West Longitude date) the enemy launched an amphibious counterattack against our forces on Saipan. A group of troop‑carrying barges attempted a landing south of Garapan, but were re­pulsed by our armed landing craft. Thirteen enemy barges were sunk.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 56, JUNE 19, 1944

 

Our assault troops on Saipan Island have captured Aslito Airdrome and have driven eastward across the island to Magicienne Bay, where we hold the western shore. Two pockets of enemy resistance remain east of Lake Susupe. The enemy continues to counterattack, but all attacks have been suc­cessfully repulsed.

Seabees are at work on the airstrips at Aslito Airdrome.

On June 18 (West Longitude Date) our carrier task force providing cover and support for our amphibious force was subjected to a severe aerial attack which continued for several hours.

The attack was successfully repulsed by our carrier aircraft and antiair­craft fire. Information presently available indicates that only one of our surface units was damaged, and this damage was minor.

It is believed a portion of the enemy planes were carrier‑based, and used nearby shore bases as shuttle points. However the effectiveness of this pro­cedure was sharply limited by our systematic bombing and strafing of the air­fields at Guam and Rota.

It is estimated that more than 300 enemy aircraft were destroyed by our forces during this engagement. No estimate is yet available of our own air­craft losses.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 526, JUNE 20, 1944

 

1. The submarine, USS Grayback, is overdue from patrol and must be presumed to be lost.

2. The next of kin of casualties of the Grayback have been so notified.

 

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CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 57, JUNE 20, 1944

 

United States Marines and Army infantrymen are continuing to advance on Saipan Island closely supported by aircraft bombing by Army and Marine artillery and Naval gunfire against severe enemy artillery fire. Our troops now hold the entire southern portion of the island from the southern out­skirts of Garapan across to the center of the western shore of Magicienne Bay. Several strong pockets of enemy resistance within this area are being heavily attacked by our forces.

During June 19 (West Longitude Date) the airfields on Tinian Island were bombed by our aircraft and shelled by our surface units.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 450, JUNE 20, 1944

 

Truk Atoll was bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on June 18 (West Longitude Date). Airfields on Moen Island were principal targets. No fighter interference was encountered and antiaircraft fire was meager.

A single Seventh Army Air Force Liberator bombed Ponape on June 18.

Nauru Island was attacked on June 18 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers which shelled and bombed antiaircraft emplacements and buildings. Antiaircraft fire was intense but inaccurate.

Enemy positions in the Marshalls were attacked during the day and night of June 18 by Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, and Navy Hellcat fighters. Antiaircraft fire did sufficient damage to a Dauntless dive bomber to force it down on the water before reaching its base. The crew was rescued by a Catalina search plane of Group One, Fleet Air Wing Two.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 58, JUNE 21, 1944

 

In the afternoon of June 19 (West Longitude Date) carrier‑based recon­naissance planes of the Fifth Fleet sighted a Japanese fleet, which included carriers and battleships, approximately midway between the Mariana Islands and Luzon. Aircraft of our fast carrier task force were immediately ordered to attack and made contact with the enemy fleet before dusk. Enemy losses and our own losses have not yet been assessed. Additional details will be made known as they become available.

In the ground fighting on Saipan Island, our assault troops made ad­vances in a northly direction along the western shore of Magicienne Bay and made progress against an enemy strong point at Nafutan Point. Severe fighting continues.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 452, JUNE 21, 1944

 

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four bombed Shimushu in the Kuriles before dawn on June 17 (West Longitude Date). Fires were started near the airfield. No opposition was encountered. Paramushiru Island was bombed by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four and Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force before dawn on June 19. Antiaircraft fire was meager and no attempt was made, to intercept our force.

Truk Atoll was attacked by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators during

 

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daylight on June 19. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered but there was no fighter opposition. Ponape Island was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and Mitchells on June 19.

Mille, Maloelap and Wotje Atolls were bombed on June 19 by Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Ventura and Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, and Navy Hellcat fighters.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 59, JUNE 22, 1944

 

1. During the attack by enemy carrier‑type aircraft on our ships on June 18 (West Longitude Date), 353 enemy aircraft were shot down of which 335 were destroyed by our carrier aircraft and 18 by our own antiaircraft fire. This is a revision of the estimate contained in communiqué No. 56.

Two of our carriers and one of our battleships received superficial dam­age. We lost 21 aircraft in combat.

2. The following information is now available concerning the attack of our carrier aircraft upon units of the Japanese fleet in the late afternoon of June 19 (West Longitude Date).

The enemy forces attacked consisted of: Four or more battleships, five or six carriers, five fleet tankers, and attached cruisers and destroyers.

On the basis of information presently available, our planes inflicted the following damage

One carrier, believed to be the Zuikaku, received three 1,000‑pound bomb hits.

One Hayataka Class carrier was sunk.

One Hayataka Class carrier was severely damaged and left burning furiously.

One light carrier of the Zuiho or Taiho Class received at least one bomb hit.

One Kongo Class battleship was damaged.

One cruiser was damaged.

Three destroyers were damaged, one of which is believed to have sunk.

Three tankers were sunk.

Two tankers were severely damaged and left burning.

Fifteen to 20 defending aircraft were shot down.

Our losses were 49 aircraft, including many which landed in the water at night and from which an as yet undetermined number of pilots and aircrewmen have been rescued. Search for others is continuing.

3. The engagement was broken off by the Japanese fleet which fled during the night toward the channel between Formosa and Luzon.

The Pacific Fleet units in these two actions were commanded by Admiral R. A: Spruance. The carrier task force was under the immediate tactical command of Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 60, JUNE 22, 1944

 

Our troops on Saipan Island have made further advances of more than a mile along the shoreline of Magicienne Bay to the town of Laulau and have advanced about a mile up Mount Tapotchau. The pocket of enemy resistance tat Nafutan Point has been reduced by one half, and our forces have gained

 

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the heights of Mount Nafutan on the east coast. Heavy pressure is being maintained night and day against enemy troop concentrations and defense works by our aircraft, Army and Marine artillery, and Naval gunfire.

At night on June 20 (West Longitude Date) several enemy aircraft dropped bombs near our transports and along shore but did no damage. Sporadic fire has been directed against our ships by shore batteries but the enemy emplacements have been quickly knocked out.

 

 

JUNE 22, 1944

 

STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF THE NAVY JAMES FORRESTAL

 

"Under the circumstances our Fleet did a magnificent job, but the Navy is not going to be satisfied until the Japanese Fleet is wiped out.

"The Japanese were extremely cautious and never came very far to the eastward so that the bulk of our forces could engage them. As a result, we were able to send home but one air attack at very long range from our carriers just before dark.

"Some of the Japanese vessels which were damaged may be able to make port and eventually return to the fight. This is especially true of the war­ships, only one of which is reported as definitely sunk."

 

 

N. D. COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 527, JUNE 23, 1944

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of 16 vessels, including one Naval auxiliary, as a result A operations in these waters, as follows

 

11 medium cargo vessels

4 small cargo vessels

1 medium Naval auxiliary

 

2. These actions have not been announced in any previous Navy Depart­ment communiqué.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 61, JUNE 23, 1944

 

A Pacific Fleet submarine torpedoed a Shokaku Class carrier on June 18 (West Longitude Date). Three torpedo hits were obtained and the Japanese carrier is regarded as probably sunk.

Supplementing Pacific Ocean Areas communiqué No. 59, the following more detailed information is now available concerning the strike by carriers of the Fifth. Fleet against units of the Japanese fleet on June 19:

One small carrier of unidentified class previously reported damaged received two aerial torpedo hits.

One destroyer previously reported damaged sank.

Two additional Japanese navy twin‑engined bombers were shot down by carrier aircraft returning to our carriers after attacking the Japanese force.

Ponape Island was bombed on June 20 by Seventh Army Air Force Mitchell bombers, and on June 21 by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators. Gun positions were principal targets.

Seventy tons of bombs were dropped on Truk Atoll by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on June 20 and 21. On June 20 five enemy aircraft

 

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attempted to intercept our force. Two enemy fighters were damaged, and one Liberator was damaged. On June 21 nine enemy aircraft attempted to Inter­cept our force. One Liberator was damaged and one enemy fighter. All of our planes returned.

Corsair fighters and Dauntless dive bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing, Catalina search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two, and Navy Hellcat fighters carried out attacks in the Marshalls on June 20 and 21, bombing and strafing gun positions and targets of opportunity.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 62, JUNE 24, 1944

 

1. Carrier aircraft of the fast carrier task force swept Iwo Jima in the Bonin Islands on June 23 (West Longitude Date). Sixty or more enemy air­craft of a force which attempted to intercept our fighters were shot down. Twelve of the enemy planes found our carriers and all of these were shot down by our combat air patrols. We lost four fighters. There was no damage to our surface ships.

2. Pagan Island in the northern Marianas was attacked by carrier air­craft on June 22. The following damage was inflicted on the enemy

Four small cargo ships and one sampan, sunk.

Two small cargo ships and 12 sampans, damaged.

Four enemy aircraft destroyed and two probably destroyed on the ground.

A flight consisting of one twin‑engine bomber and five Zero fighters Inter­cepted some distance from our carrier force was shot down.

A wharf and fuel dumps at Pagan were destroyed and buildings and run­ways were damaged.

We lost one Hellcat fighter and one pilot.

3. United States Marines and Army troops are pushing ahead on Saipan Island and have made new gains along the northern shore of Magicienne Bay. Booby traps and land mines are being extensively employed by the enemy. Two enemy aircraft detected in the Saipan area were shot down by carrier aircraft of the fighter screen on June 21. Coastal guns on Tinian Island have intermittently shelled our ships at anchor of Saipan, but have done little damage. On June 23 the airfields on Tinian Island were heavily bombed and shelled.

4. The airstrip and buildings at Rota Island were attacked by carrier aircraft on June 22. A medium cargo ship at Rota was sunk by an aerial torpedo. Our planes received no damage.

5. Shimushu Island in the Kuriles was attacked by Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 23. In the Central Pacific, Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft continued neutralization raids on June 23 against enemy positions in the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 63, JUNE 25, 1944

 

On the basis of latest reports received tabulating damage inflicted upon the enemy during operations in the Mariana Islands, the following revisions are necessary.

A) During the attack by enemy carrier aircraft on our ships on June 18 (West Longitude Date), 402 enemy aircraft were destroyed, of which 369 were shot down by our carrier‑based fighters, 18 by antiaircraft fire; and 15 were

 

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destroyed on the ground. We lost 18 pilots and 6 aircrewmen from 27 aircraft shot down by the enemy.

B) In the attack by our carrier aircraft upon units of the Japanese Fleet in the late afternoon of June 19, one heavy cruiser and one light cruiser, neither of which was previously reported, were damaged. One light carrier, not previously reported, received seven 500‑pound bomb hits. One of the three tankers previously reported sunk has been. transferred to the severely damaged category. 26 enemy aircraft were shot down, instead of the previously re­ported 17 to 22. We lost 22 pilots and 27 aircrewmen from 95 aircraft either shot down by the enemy or forced to land in the water.

C) In the fighter sweep over Iwo Jima in the Volcano Island on June 23, 116 enemy aircraft were shot down, and 11 were probably shot down. We lost five fighters instead of four.

On June 24, United States Marines and Army troops on Saipan launched an attack, preceded by intense artillery and Naval gunfire preparation, which resulted in advances on our Western flank around Mount Tapotchau, ranging from 500 to 800 yards. Strong enemy opposition continues. Enemy aircraft dropped bombs among our transports off Saipan on June 23, doing minor dam­age to several landing craft. During the evening of June 23 a small fight of enemy planes dropped several bombs in the area occupied by our forces on Saipan. Casualties were very light.

. On June 23, Seventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Truk Atoll, and Army, Navy and Marine aircraft continued their reduction of enemy defenses in the Marshall and Caroline Islands.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 528, JUNE 26, 1944

Mediterranean Area.

 

1. The U. S. Destroyer Escort Fechteler was sunk in the Mediterranean during the month of May as the result of enemy action.

2. The next of kin of the casualties have been notified.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 64, JUNE 26, 1944

 

United States Marines scaled Mount Topatchau on June 24 (West Longi­tude Date) and have established positions near its summit. Further ground was gained along the western shore, and more of the southern portion of Garapan fell to our forces. Simultaneously, substantial gains were made along the eastern shore, and the gagman Peninsula is now entirely in our hands. In the center of our lines progress was slowed by enemy troops occupying caves in cliffs overlooking our positions. Our troops have 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 enemy troops cornered on Nafutan Peninsula. In these operations three coastal defense guns were captured on Kagman Peninsula. To date our forces have destroyed 36 enemy tanks and captured 40 more.

Guam and Rota Islands in the Marianas were attacked by aircraft of our fast carrier task force on June 24 (West Longitude Date). At Guam, six enemy aircraft were destroyed on the Orote Peninsula airfield, and two were probably destroyed: Runway revetments were bombed. A large cargo vessel in Apra Harbor, damaged in a previous strike, was attacked again. Several

 

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tons of bombs were dropped on the airstrip near Agana Town, and one enemy plane was destroyed on the ground and eight to ten were damaged. At Rota Island, revetments and buildings were bombed, and fires started. Two enemy aircraft were destroyed on the ground.

Paramushiru and Shimushu in the Kurile Islands were bombed by Libera­tors of the Eleventh Army Air Force and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 24, starting large fires. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered. All of our planes returned.

Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters continued neutralization raids in the Marshalls on June 24.

 

 

JUNE 28, 1944

 

NAVAL ADVANCE TO THE WESTWARD

 

The advance of our Naval forces to the westward began with the reoccupa­tion of Attu and Kiska in the far north, and the capture of the most important islands in the Solomons group in the far south.

From our far northern bases we began attacking the Japanese Kuriles from the air. We have also made several surface vessel bombardments against the enemy's shore installations in the Kurile chain.

In the south, the successful termination of the Solomons campaign made possible air and surface raids against Japanese garrisons in the Bismarck Archipelago and along the northern New Guinea Coast.

With our positions in the far north and in the south firmly established the next step was the squeeze made in the middle of the enemy's perimeter. This resulted in the capture of the Gilbert Islands. Following that, the Marshall campaign then gave us Kwajalein, Majuro; and Eniwetok. .Farther to the south we took the Admiralty Islands and also important positions on New Britain. Then strategic areas along the northern New Guinea coast fell to us with the. result that we were then able to launch air and. surface attacks against Truk, Ponape, Kusaie and other islands in the Caroline group, from several directions. We also were able to strike from Australia in the far south against Japanese positions in Java. But it was the capture of certain of the Marshalls group that permitted us to launch our surface and air attacks as far west‑as Palau, Guam, Saipan, Rota and the Bonin Islands.

Our last offensive blow, aimed in the ultimate capture of Saipan, already has permitted our air and surface fleets to strike still farther westward. The final occupation of Saipan will enable us to project surface and air operations that will include the mainland of Japan, the Philippines and a greater part of the Dutch East Indies.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 65, JUNE 28, 1944

 

1. United States Marine and Army troops have made further gains on Saipan Island, pushing north nearly two miles along the east coast, passing the villages of Donnay and Hashigoru: On the west coast, further penetra­tions have been made into Garapan Town. Enemy troops broke through our lines containing them on Nafutan Point on the night of June 26 (West Longi­tude Date), and attempted to drive northward. Two hundred enemy troops were killed in this counterattack. The next day further attacks were launched

 

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by our forces against Nafutan Point and the enemy now holds only the extreme tip of the point.

Close support is now being given our troops by shore‑based aircraft operat­ing from Aslito Airdrome. Tinian Island has been subjected to protracted daily bombardment to neutralize enemy positions there.

On the night of June 25 several enemy torpedo planes attacked a carrier group screening our transports. Several torpedoes were launched, but no hits were obtained. One enemy plane was shot down, and another probably shot down. During the night of June 26‑27 enemy aircraft again attacked our transports, but all bombs landed in the water. One near miss on a transport injured a member of the crew.

2. Surface units of the Pacific Fleet bombarded Kurabu Zaki at the southern tip of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on the night of June 25‑26.

Paramushiru and Shimushu Islands were bombed by Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force and Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four before dawn on June 25 and 26. Several fires were started in these raids. Antiaircraft fire was intense. Eleven enemy fighters attacked a single Ventura of Fleet Air Wing Four near the airfield at Paramushiru before dawn on June 26. Two of the attacking planes were damaged, and one disappeared into a fog bank trailing smoke. The Ventura returned with superficial damage.

3. Carrier aircraft swept Guam and Rota Islands in the Marianas on June 26. Fuel reservoirs and coastal defense gun positions were bombed. three small craft in Apra Harbor at Guam were destroyed. The cargo vessel damaged in previous strikes was observed to have sunk. At Rota the airstrip was strafed and buildings were set afire. There was no enemy air opposition during these attacks.

4. Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 25. One of five enemy fighters which intercepted our force was shot down. We suffered no damage. Army and Marine aircraft attacked enemy objectives in the Marshalls on June 25.

5. An enemy twin‑engine bomber was shot down south of the Hall Islands by a search plane of Fleet Air Wing Two, Group One, on June 26. The same day an enemy torpedo plane was damaged by another search plane northwest A Truk.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 66, JUNE 29, 1944

 

Organized resistance at Nafutan Point on Saipan Island ceased on June 27 (West Longitude Date). The entire point has been occupied by our forces. Small gains were made along the western shore into Garapan Town, and in the center of the island. Our advance northward is being made against severe enemy resistance. On the night of June 27 enemy aircraft dropped bombs in the area occupied by our forces. Two of the attacking planes were shot down by antiaircraft batteries.

Carrier aircraft attacked Pagan Island on June 27. Barracks and a water reservoir were hit. Only one plane was seen on the ground, and it appeared unserviceable. Several small craft badly damaged in previous strikes were hit by rocket fire.

Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on June 27, and neutralization raids were made against objectives in the Marshall and Caroline Islands on June 26 and 27.

 

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JUNE 29, 1944

 

NAVAL AVIATORS HAVE DESTROYED MORE THAN 6,259 JAPANESE AIRPLANES

 

Naval Aviators have shot 5,521 Japanese warplanes out of the air since Pearl Harbor, while losing 1,260 planes in aerial combat. At least 65 per cent of the U. S. Navy airmen shot down have been rescued.

In addition to the 5,521 Jap aircraft destroyed in the air, Naval Aviators have, in 1944 alone, destroyed at least 738 Jap planes on the ground. Only 17 Navy planes were lost in this way during the same period.

This 43 to 1 ratio in ground destruction partially explains the drop in ratio of U. S. air victories In the last three months from 4.7 to 1 to 4.4 to 1, according to Rear Admiral A. W. Radford, USN, Acting Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Air). He explained that the accumulation of Naval strength in the Pacific, plus increasing effectiveness of Navy aerial recon­naissance, has made it possible for carrier task forces to surprise the Japanese and destroy their aircraft before they can become airborne to fight.

"As a result," Admiral Radford said, "fewer Jap planes are available for us to shoot down. In addition, the Jap pilot is becoming less and less anxious to close with our pilots. So the air ratio of victories has dropped slightly. This is more than compensated, however, by the 43 to 1 ground ratio. We don't care where they are when we destroy them"

Compilation of statistics in ground destruction of planes for 1942 and 1943 is being completed, but that phase of the aerial war during that period was relatively unimportant.

Combining the available figures not including ground losses of 1942 and 1943, the Navy enjoys a 4.8 to 1 advantage over Japan in the air war, having shot out of the air and destroyed on the ground a total of 6,259 planes, as against 1,277 planes lost. These figures for destruction of Jap planes do not include losses inflicted by antiaircraft fire. They cover the period from Decem­ber 7, 1941, through June 23, 1944. The figures for the period May 1 through June 23, 1944, are not final.

One reason for the increased air losses of Navy planes in 1944 over 1942 and 1943 is the loss of planes in the incessant Bombing raids on Jap holdings, such as the Kuriles, Truk and the Marshalls, where aerial opposition is rarely encountered any more, but where heavy antiaircraft exacts a toll‑a very small toll in relation to the frequency and intensity of the bombing raids carried out.

 

The record of air losses by years follows:

 

Year

Japs

Navy

Ratio

1942 (including December 1941)

1134

384      

3‑1

1943

2212

351

6.3‑1

1944

2175

525

4‑1

Total

5521

1260

4.4‑1

1944 (ground)

738

17

43‑1

Grand total

6259

1277

4.8‑1

                 

All of the Navy's planes have played a part in amassing the victory record. Naturally, it was the fighters‑Grumman Hellcat and Wildcat and Vought Corsair‑which scored the large majority of the victories, either while escort­ing the torpedo and dive bombers, or while defending American sea and land

 

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forces. The bombers‑Grumman Avenger, Douglas Dauntless and Curtiss Helldiver, Consolidated Catalinas and Liberators, Lockheed Venturas‑drove hone the heavy blows while the fighters fended off the enemy's air forces.

The Wildcat and Avenger are also built by General Motors' Eastern Air­craft Division, the Corsair by Goodyear. The Helldiver is also built by Canadian Car and Fairchild of Canada, the Liberator by Ford and Douglas.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 464, JUNE 29, 1944

 

Aslito Airfield on Saipan Island today was renamed Isely Field in honor of Commander Robert Henry Isely, USN, Commander of Torpedo Squadron Sixteen, who was shot down June 12 by Japanese antiaircraft fire as he was leading a bombing attack on the field.

The change in name was recommended by Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, Commander, Fast Carrier Task Force, Pacific Fleet, and was made by Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas. Aslito Airdrome was first attacked by carrier aircraft of Admiral Mitscher's task force in February of this year.

A Naval aviator since 1937, Commander Isely had taken part in attacks at Tarawa and other Gilbert Islands, at Kwajalein, Palau, Woleai and Truk. He flew aerial cover for General MacArthur's troops when they landed in Hollandia in New Guinea. Admiral Mitscher's recommendation was based on Commander Isely's gallant performance of duty during all of these Pacific actions. '

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 67, JUNE 30, 1944

 

Our troops on Saipan Island have made new gains both in the center and on the right flank of our lines, pushing ahead through difficult terrain and intensified enemy resistance. High ground occupied near the town of Charan Danshii places our forces in a commanding position over the area held by the enemy. Strong points in the Tanapag area are being subjected to aircraft bombing and shelling by Naval surface vessels. Air attacks and Naval gunfire continue against enemy defenses on Tinian Island.

Our casualties in the ground fighting on Saipan Island through June 28 (West Longitude Date) are as follows: Killed in action: Marines, 1,289, Army, 185, total 1,474. Wounded in action: Marines, 6,377, Army 1,023, total 7,400. Missing in action: Marines, 827, Army, 51, total 878.

No accurate estimate of enemy casualties is possible. A great many Japanese dead and wounded have been carried back by the retreating enemy troops. However, our troops have buried 4,951 enemy dead.

Rota Island was attacked by carrier aircraft on June 28 (West Longitude Date). Fires were started, and revetments and runways were bombed and strafed. No enemy aircraft attempted to intercept our forces.

Army, Navy, and Marine aircraft continued neutralization raids against enemy objectives in the Marshall and Caroline Islands on June 28.