CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 708, JANUARY 1, 1945

 

FLEET ADMIRAL NIMITZ VISITS FORWARD AREAS

 

Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, USN, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, has within the last few days visited Eniwetok, Guam and Saipan, accompanied by Rear Admiral F. P. Sherman, USN, Deputy Chief of Staff, and Lieutenant Commander H. A. Lamar, USNR, aide to Fleet Admiral Nimitz.

Fleet Admiral Nimitz spent Christmas Day with the Fleet, dining with Admiral William F. Halsey, USN, Commander Third Fleet. The occasion was the first time the five‑star flag of a fleet admiral ever was broken aboard a battleship.

 

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CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 219, JANUARY 1, 1945

 

Airstrip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos were bombed by Libera­tors of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas on December 30 (West Longitude Date).

Marine Mitchell bombers scored rocket hits on a small coastal cargo ship which was left dead in the water near the Bonins on the same date.

Ammunition dumps and supply areas on Babelthuap in the Palaus were strafed and bombed by Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing on December 30. On the same date Marine Fighters sank four launches at Woleai in the Western Carolines and Marine torpedo planes bombed Yap in the same group.

Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on December 30 strafed targets on Rota in the Marianas.

Neutralizing attacks on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were continued on December 30 by airplanes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 565, JANUARY 2, 1945

 

1. The submarine USS Harder is overdue from patrol and presumed lost. The next of kin of officers and crew have been informed.

2. The LSM 318 has been lost as the result of enemy action in the Philip­pine Area. Next of kin of fatalities and most other casualties have been notified and notification is en route to next of kin of other casualties.

3. The PT 300 has been lost as a result of enemy action in the Philippine Area. Next of kin of casualties have been informed.

4. The PT 311 was lost in the Mediterranean Area as the result of enemy action. Next of kin of casualties have been informed.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 220, JANUARY 2, 1945

 

An enemy twin‑engined bomber attacked air installations on Saipan in the Marianas on January 1 (West Longitude Date), dropping a single bomb which caused no damage.

Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on December 31 bombed Iwo Jima in the Volcanos. Our aircraft struck at enemy air instal­lations and encountered moderate antiaircraft fire.

Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing strafed fuel dumps and other targets on Babelthuap in the Palaus on December 31.

Targets on Rota in the Marianas were strafed by Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters on the same date.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Fleet Air Wing Two aircraft continued neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on the same date.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 221, JANUARY 3, 1945

 

Carrier‑aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet struck at enemy instal­lations on Formosa and Okinawa Jima on January 2 (West Longitude Date). Details of the strike are not yet available.

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed airstrip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanoes on January 1. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.

 

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Army bombers of the Strategic Air Force also struck at Okimura Town on Haha Jima in the Bonins on the same date.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing strafed Rota in the Marianas on January 1. On the same date our fighters shot down an enemy recon­naissance plane near Saipan.

Planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing struck at installations on Babelthuap in the Palaus and on Yap in the Western Carolines on the same date.

Neutralizing raids on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 1.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 222, JANUARY 4, 1945

 

Carrier‑based aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet attacked installa­tions on Formosa and Okinawa Jima on January 3 (West Longitude Date). Details of this strike and that of the previous day are not yet available.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed targets on Babelthuap in the Palaus and strafed Rota in the Marianas on January 2.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two continued neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on the same date.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 566, JANUARY 5, 1945

 

1. The destroyer USS Reid was recently lost as a result of enemy action in the Philippine Islands area. The next of kin of casualties have been in­formed.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 223, JANUARY 5, 1945

 

Army Liberators and Lightnings of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, attacked airstrip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 2 (West Longitude Date). On the following day Liberators of the same force bombed the same targets, encountering moderate antiaircraft fire and one enemy fighter.

On January 2 Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed enemy installations on Marcus Island.

Fighters and Torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing strafed and bombed an enemy power plant, supply dumps and other installations on Babelthuap in the Palaus on January 2 and 3. Marine Fighters also strafed targets on Sonsoral and Merir Islands southwest of the Palaus on the same date.

Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Two and the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralizing attacks on enemy held bases in the Marshalls on Jan­uary 3.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 224, JANUARY 6, 1945

 

Carrier‑based aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet destroyed 111 enemy aircraft and damaged 220 more in attacks on Formosa and on Okinawa in the Ryukyus on January 2 and 3 (West Longitude Date). Twenty‑seven ships were sunk and an additional sixty‑eight were damaged. The enemy offered ineffective air opposition to our aircraft.

 

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Surface units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet bombarded enemy installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins on January 5.

Shelling was concentrated on facilities around the harbor of Futami go on Chichi Jima and on other targets in Okimura town and Higashi Harbor on Haha Jima. Fires were started in Okimura town and an enemy cargo ship was sunk west of Haha Jima. Answering the attack with meager gunfire, defending shore batteries inflicted minor damage on units of our forces. A single enemy fighter was observed airborne.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 225, JANUARY 6, 1945

 

January 1, 3, and 4 (West Longitude Dates) Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed airstrip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos.

Surface units of the United States Pacific Fleet bombarded coast defenses and airstrip installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 4. Numer­ous fires were observed on the island. Fire from enemy shore batteries was meager.

The following damage was inflicted on enemy shipping and installations on Formosa and Okinawa Jima by carrier‑based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet on January 2 and 3:

 

Sunk or Destroyed:

 

One large cargo ship west of Takao

One medium cargo ship at Keelung

One small cargo ship at Keelung

One patrol craft

Ten small coastal cargo ships

Eleven small craft

 

Damaged:

 

One destroyer

Four destroyer escorts

Six patrol craft

One landing ship

Two landing craft

Two large cargo ships

One medium cargo ship

Thirty‑four small cargo ships

Seven small craft

 

Ground installations destroyed on Formosa:

 

Eleven locomotives

Four tank cars and several trucks and freight cars

 

In sweeps over the island our aircraft destroyed a railway bridge over the Tamsui River, a railroad station at Okayama and buildings, warehouses, fuel and ammunition dumps on all parts of the island.

Seventeen of our aircraft were lost in combat.

Army infantry units occupied Fais Island east of Ulithi on January 2, against slight resistance. Eight of the enemy were killed and six captured. Our forces suffered losses of three killed and six wounded.

 

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Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked fuel storage facili­ties on Babelthuap in the Palaus on January 4. Marine torpedo planes bombed enemy installations on Yap.

On January 4 aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 711, JANUARY 6, 1945

 

NAVAL AIR TRANSPORT EXTENDED TO LEYTE

 

Jumping another thousand miles westward over the Central Pacific, sky freighters of the Naval Air Transport Service are daily flying into Leyte, it was disclosed 31 December 1944, by Captain D. W. Tomlinson, USNR, NATS­-Pacific commander, who said the new route was opened early in December.

One NATS plane a day‑a twin‑engine R4D similar to Douglas aircraft serving U. S. domestic airlines‑makes the long ocean hop from Manus in the Admiralties, via Peleliu, and offloading its war‑vital priority cargo and pas­sengers at Leyte in 30‑minute "turnaround" before taking oft for the return flight.

An official NATS‑Pac unit will be in full operation on the Philippine island on the first of the year, Captain Tomlinson declared, and it is expected that four‑engined Skymaster transports operated by the Pacific Wing will be sched­uled to enter Leyte soon from other forward bases.

The Leyte run follows NATS‑Pac's mission of serving Fleet and ground forces at the battle fronts with urgent cogs that keep the attack machine running smoothly.

Addition of the new 1000‑mile flight brings the Pacific Wings total route mileage to 31,000 miles, with at least 30 planes in the air every minute, day and night.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 226, JANUARY 7, 1945

 

Carrier‑based aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet attacked aircraft, shipping and installations in and around Luzon in the Philippines on January 5 (West Longitude Date). Preliminary and incomplete reports show that eight enemy aircraft were shot down, 19 were destroyed on the ground, and 14 were damaged on the ground. Details of damage to shipping and ground targets are not yet available.

Surface units of the Pacific Fleet bombarded installations at Suribachi on Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 5 starting a number of fires. The enemy returned our fire but our forces suffered no damage.

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanoes on January 5.

A supply dump and other material were destroyed on Babelthuap in the Palaus by strafing fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on the same date.

 

 

CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 721, JANUARY 8, 1945

 

During the last week in December Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, accom­panied by Rear Admiral Forrest Sherman and Commander H. A. Lamar, flew to the Philippines and conferred with General of the Army Douglas Mac­Arthur at his headquarters on various matters.

 

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A visit of courtesy was also made to President Sergio Osmena at his tem­porary capital.

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT, JANUARY 9, 1945

 

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

 

"The German U‑boat warfare flared into renewed activity during December 1944. This is but another index that the European war is far from over.

"Increased losses in Allied merchant craft have been officially re­corded, as a result of the U‑boats' spurt last month.

"Despite these, the United Nations regularly continue to supply their expanding armies over the world, enabling them to resist the attackers or drive back the foe. The Allies continue to sink the enemy undersea craft in widely‑separated parts of the Atlantic.

"The announcement of the recent landing of enemy agents from a U‑boat on the Maine coast is yet another indication that the menace of Germany's undersea fleet is real and continuing."

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 227, JANUARY 9, 1945

 

On January 8 (West Longitude Date) carrier aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet attacked Japanese aircraft installations and shipping in and round the islands of Formosa, Ishigaki and Miyako Jima in the Sakishima coup, and Okinawa. Details of the sea operations are not yet available.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 228, JANUARY 9, 1944

 

Further reports of the attacks of aircraft from carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet which struck targets in and around Luzon in the Philippines on January and 6 (West Longitude Dates) and caused damage to the enemy are now available as follows:

 

Aircraft:

Ten shot down.

Seventy‑four destroyed on the ground.

One Zero, three damaged on the ground.

 

All aircraft figures are in addition to those reported in communiqué No. 226.

 

Shipping destroyed, not previously reported:

Three medium cargo ships sunk.

Four small coastal cargo ships sunk.

Five luggers sunk.

 

Shipping damaged, not previously reported:

One large cargo ship.

Three medium cargo ships.

Nine small coastal cargo ships.

One tug and fifteen small craft.

 

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Many fires were started by the attacking aircraft. In sweeps over the island aircraft destroyed one locomotive, fifteen freight cars, forty‑six trucks, barracks, fuel supplies and other installations and damaged buildings and other facilities. Our forces lost fifteen airplanes in combat.

Partial reports from the Pacific Fleet show that the following damage was inflicted on the enemy by carrier‑based aircraft in the attack on Formosa Ishigaki, and Miyako Jima in the Sakishima Group, and Okinawa on January 8; 17 aircraft destroyed; 17 aircraft damaged; 14 small ships sunk; 17 small ships and luggers damaged; one large tanker left burning off Toshien, Formosa. The enemy offered no opposition in the air. Further details of this attack which was reported in communiqué No. 227 are not now available.

On January 7, Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed air installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanoes. Our aircraft encountered moderate antiaircraft fire but all returned safely.

Aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Fleet Air Wing Two encountered meager antiaircraft fire in neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on January 6 and 7.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 567, JANUARY 10, 1945

Pacific Area.

 

1. The following craft have been lost in the Pacific Area recently as a result of enemy action:

 

4 landing craft (LST)

1 motor torpedo boat

1 small submarine chaser

1 small auxiliary vessel

 

2. The above, in addition to the loss of the destroyers USS Hull, USS Monaghan, and USS Spence, announced in a Navy Department Press Release today, together with losses previously announced in communiqués and press releases, covers all losses of surface craft during the Philippine campaign up to December 31, 1944.

 

 

FEBRUARY 9, 1945

 

Memorandums to the Press:

 

The vessels announced lost in Navy Department communiqué No. 667, which were not identified, may now be identified as

 

LST 750

LST 160

LST 738

LST 472

Motor Torpedo Boat 323

SC 744

The USS Porcupine, an auxiliary.

 

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JANUARY 10, 1945

 

THREE  DESTROYERS LOST DURING PACIFIC TYPHOON

 

While taking part in recent combat operations in the Western Pacific, three destroyers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet were lost and a number of vessels suffered damage during a typhoon of severe intensity which developed with great rapidity.

The importance of the operational situation was such that the operations in hand could not be suspended or altered because of weather conditions.

The ships lost were the USS Hull, Lieutenant Commander James Alexander Marks, USN, Commanding Officer; the USS Spence, Lieutenant Commander James Paul Andrea, USN, Commanding Officer; and the USS Monaghan, Lieutenant Commander Floyd Bruce Garrett, Jr., USN, Com­manding Officer.

A thorough search of the area by aircraft and surface vessels was con­ducted over a period of days. The Commanding Officer, four other officers and forty‑nine men of the Hull were rescued. Twenty‑four of the personnel of the Spence, including one officer of the Supply Corps, were saved. Six of the personnel of the Monaghan were rescued.

The next of kin of casualties of the Hull and Monaghan have been in­formed and those of the Spence will be notified by telegram as soon as In­formation becomes available.

A Court of Inquiry headed by Vice Admiral J. H. Hoover, USN, was duly convened by Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, USN, to investigate all the circumstances.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 229, JANUARY 11, 1945

 

On January 8 (West Longitude Date) Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed air installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos.

Suribachi on Paramushiru in the Kuriles was bombed by Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force on January 9. The enemy offered no opposition to the attack.

Corsairs of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked enemy installations on Babelthuap in the Palaus on the same date.

Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered by Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters in an attack on gun positions and the power plant on Nauru on January 9.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing also carried out neutralizing attacks on enemy held bases in the Marshalls on January 8 and 9.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 230, JANUARY 12, 1945

 

Carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet are now attacking the enemy off the coast of French Indo‑China between Saigon and Camranh Bay.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 231, JANUARY 12, 1945

 

Additional reports from forces of the United States Pacific Fleet which struck at targets along the coast of French Indo‑China on January 11 (West Longitude Date) show that our carrier aircraft attacked four convoys and other scattered units sinking a total of 25 ships including a Katori class light cruiser and several destroyers or destroyer escorts. Heavy damage was inflicted on 13 additional vessels.

Eighteen aircraft were observed airborne over Saigon of which our fighters shot down ten. A bomber off the Indo‑China coast and eight of five Zero planes at the Thanh Son Nhut air base north of Saigon were destroyed. Twenty flying boats and seaplanes in Camranh, Cat Lai near Saigon and Quinhon Harbor about 250 miles northeast of Saigon were also destroyed. At last reports our surface forces had suffered no damage and were continuing their attacks.

Conclusive evidence has been obtained which shows that on October 24, 1844, the Japanese battleship Musashi blew up and sank as the result of dam­age inflicted on her by aircraft attacks. These attacks were made by carrier aircraft from the Pacific Fleet Task Force commanded by Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher. The Musashi and her sister ship Yamato which was damaged by bombs during the same action were the two most powerful battleships in the Japanese Fleet.

On January 9 and 10 (West Longitude Dates) Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed airfield and other installa­tions on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos.

Torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked air installa­tions on Yap in the Western Carolines on January 10.

Marine fighter aircraft ranged over targets in the Palaus on the same date striking barges at Koror, destroying an ammunition dump on Babelthuap and striking other targets on Urukthapel Island.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing Fighters bombed boat facilities on Nauru through moderate antiaircraft fire on January 10.

On the same date Marine fighters and dive bombers made neutralizing attacks on enemy bases in the Marshalls.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 232, JANUARY 13, 1945

 

Following the first carrier attacks in the vicinity of Saigon on January 11 (West Longitude Date) numerous fires were observed on shore especially at the Thanh Son Nhut Air Base and at Port Nhabe. Six transports were in­cluded in the ships sunk at Saigon. At least six ships were sunk in the Harbor of Quinhon.

Reports of the United States Pacific Fleet Carrier Aircraft strike against Formosa on January 8 (West Longitude Date) have now been amplified. They show that the following damage was inflicted on the enemy in addition to that reported for the same attack in communiqué Number 228:

 

Shipping sunk:

Two destroyers or destroyer escorts

One oiler

One large cargo ship

Two medium cargo ships

Eighteen small craft

 

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communiqué number 228 reported that fourteen small ships not included in above had been sunk. This figure is now reduced to nine.

 

Shipping damaged:

One destroyer

Five destroyer escorts

Two oilers

Five large cargo ships

Three medium cargo ships

Twenty‑eight small ships

Forty‑two small craft

 

Aircraft:

 

Two zeros destroyed

Forty‑four damaged

 

In addition to these aircraft our search and patrol planes shot down seven other enemy planes on January 9 and 10.

 

Ground installations:

 

An ammunition dump and chemical plant destroyed at Keelung.

Two hangars, five locomotives and three tank cars destroyed at Heito.

Radio stations damaged at Giran.

An aluminum and nickel smelter damaged at Karenko.

Shops damaged at Tainan, Heito, Kobi and Toyhara.

 

Our forces lost four aircraft in combat during the attack on Formosa.

It can now be announced that heavy bomber units of the Seventh Army Air Force assisting the Far Eastern Air Force have been operating from the Palau Islands against targets in the Philippines in support of operations of the Commander in Chief Southwest Pacific. Army Liberators of the Seventh Air Force have been engaged In attacking the enemy on Luzon, Cebu, Negros and Nactan. In addition the same units have carried out attacks in the Palaus and Western Carolines. A summary of operations from November 1, 1944 to January 4, 1945 show that 1,375 tons of bombs have been dropped on enemy targets in 714 sorties.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 233, JANUARY 13, 1945

 

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed airfield facilities near Kurabu Saki at the southern end of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 10 (West Longitude Date). Six enemy fighters were in the air and antiair­craft fire was encountered but all our aircraft returned safely.

On the following day Eleventh Air Force Mitchells strafed and bombed installations on Torishima Retto southeast of Paramushiru starting extensive fires. The enemy sent up meager antiaircraft fire. Liberators of the Eleventh Air Force on the same date struck at installations in Suribachi on Paramushiru meeting moderate antiaircraft fire. Four enemy fighters attacked of which one was damaged. All our aircraft returned safely from these operations.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed a building and supply dump on Babelthuap and bombed defenses on Urukthapel in the Palaus on January 11.

 

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CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 234, JANUARY 15, 1945

 

Further reports from U. S. Pacific Fleet forces which struck at shipping and other targets along the coast of French Indo‑China on January 11 (West Longitude Date) show that our carrier based aircraft inflicted the following damage on the enemy. (This report includes damage previously reported in communiqué No. 231)

 

Sunk:

41 ships totaling about 127,000 tons.

 

Damaged:

28 ships totaling about 70,000 tons.

 

Enemy plane damage:

15 aircraft shot down.

77 aircraft destroyed on the ground.

20 aircraft destroyed on the water.

About 50 aircraft damaged on the ground.

 

Ground installations

A large dock at Camranh Bay demolished.

6 oil tanks at Saigon destroyed.

Oil storage facilities, warehouses and buildings on Saigon River de­stroyed.

Seaplane hangar at Cat‑Lai destroyed.

Two locomotives at Quang‑Ngai destroyed.

Oil refineries in Saigon area damaged heavily and fires started in Saigon Navy Yard.

 

Our forces suffered losses of 16 planes in combat.

 

While inflicting the damage listed above our aircraft sank a convoy of 1 oiler, 4 medium cargo ships, 2 destroyer escorts, and 4 coastal cargo ships in its entirety. A second convoy was all sunk or damaged and beached. It consisted of 1 light cruiser now believed to be Kashii, of the Katori‑class, 4 destroyer escorts, 4 oilers, 7 medium and 2 small cargo ships and 1 coastal ship. A third group of ships approaching Saigon from the south was attacked, an oiler sunk, and 1 large cargo ship, 1 medium cargo ship and 1 small coastal cargo ship damaged. At Camranh Bay a destroyer escort and a small cargo ship were sunk, and at Cape St. Jacques, 3 destroyer escorts, 1 oiler, 3 large cargo ships and a small cargo ship were sunk. Attacking the Saigon area heavily our planes sank a large oiler, a large troop transport, 2 medium cargo ships, a dismantled French light cruiser Lamotte Picquet and damaged a large cargo ship, 4 medium cargo ships and 2 coastal cargo ships. Along the coast our planes sank an additional medium cargo ship and damaged 5 small coastal cargo vessels.

On January 13 carrier‑based aircraft of the Pacific Fleet struck at targets in Formosa and along the China Coast including Amoy, Swatow and Hongkong. Details of these attacks are not now available.

Fires were started in storage areas on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos by bombs dropped by Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on January 12 and 13. On the same date Marine Mitchells scored rocket hits on a small ship in Okimura Ko at Haha Jima in the Bonins.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked warehouses, de­fense positions, coastal defenses and a dry dock on Babelthuap and Urukthapel

 

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in the Palaus on January 12. Attacks on Babelthuap were repeated on the following day.

An enemy reconnaissance plane was shot down off Guam in the Marianas on January 13.

Sixty‑eight tons of bombs were dropped on installations on Truk in the Carolines by Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force on January 13. Escorting Lightning fighters shot down two defending enemy fighters and probably destroyed another.

Search Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed targets on Wake Island through intense antiaircraft fire on January 12.

Neutralizing raids were continued by the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on enemy held bases in the Marshalls on January 12.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 235, JANUARY 16, 1945

 

Carrier aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet attacked shipping and other targets in Formosa and along the coast of China including Canton, Swatow and Hongkong on January 14 and 15 (West Longitude Dates).

Preliminary and incomplete reports show the following damage inflicted on the enemy on January 14:

 

Sunk:

Nine ships totaling about 22,000 tons including one destroyer, one destroyer escort and one oiler.

 

Damaged:

Nine ships.

Nine small vessels.

 

Enemy plane damage:

Sixteen aircraft shot down.

Eighteen aircraft destroyed on the ground.

Thirty‑eight aircraft damaged on the ground.

 

Ground Installations:

Warehouses, docks and seven locomotives destroyed at Takao, Formosa.

Buildings, ammunition dumps and other installations destroyed or damaged at Pratas Reef southeast of Hongkong.

 

Preliminary and incomplete reports show the following damage inflicted on the enemy on January 15:

 

Sunk or damaged:

Shipping totaling about 82,000 tons including the 17,000 ton tanker Kamoi seen listing and two oilers seen burning.

 

Enemy plane damage:

Seven aircraft shot down.

One aircraft destroyed on the ground.

Seven aircraft damaged on the ground.

 

Ground Installations:

Royal Navy and Taikoo, docks, harbor facilities and fuel storage areas in Hongkong and Canton heavily damaged.

 

830

 

Little air opposition was encountered by our aircraft over any of the targets. Over Hongkong and Canton there was none.

A Japanese reconnaissance plane was shot down by our aircraft off Tinian in the Marianas on January 14.

Neutralizing raids on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 14 and 15.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 568, JANUARY 18, 1945

Pacific and Far East.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of twenty‑four enemy vessels, including four combatant vessels‑a destroyer and three escort craft-­as a result of operations against the enemy in these waters. The vessels sunk were:

 

1 destroyer

3 escort vessels

1 large cargo transport

2 large tankers

1 medium cargo transport

8 medium cargo vessels

2 medium tankers

1 medium transport

4 small cargo vessels

1 small tanker

 

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

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 236, JANUARY 1E, 1945

 

Seventh Army Air Force Liberators and Lightning fighters operating under the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, attacked airstrip Installa­tions on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 15 (West Longitude Date).

Assurance has been received that no Frenchmen were lost in the sinking of the French light cruiser Lamotte Picquet, communiqué 234.

Enemy facilities on Rota in the Marianas were strafed and bombed by Marine Aircraft on the same date.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters attacked installations on Babelthuap in the Palaus on January 15 and 16.

On January 16 Marine Torpedo planes and fighters struck at harbor facilities on Yap in the Western Carolines.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 237, JANUARY 19, 1945

 

1. Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed targets on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins starting fires among installations on both islands on January 17 (West Longitude Date).

2. On the same date Army Liberators also attacked airstrip facilities on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos.

3. Marine Mitchells of the Strategic Air Force made rocket attacks on

 

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two small convoys north of the Bonins on January 18, scoring hits on a medium cargo ship and one other vessel. The attacks were met with moderate antiaircraft fire.

4. In operations over the China coast on January 13, 14 and 15, our forces lost 22 carrier‑based aircraft in combat. (communiqués No. 234‑236. )

5. On January 17, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing fighters and torpedo planes attacked targets in and around Arakabesan.

6. Installations on Yap in the Western Carolines were struck by torpedo planes on the same date.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 238, JANUARY 20, 1945

 

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, en­countered moderate antiaircraft fire while bombing airstrips on Marcus Island on January 15 (West Longitude Date).

During a rainstorm on the night of January 17 two barges carrying about 64 enemy troops landed on Peleliu Island from neighboring Japanese‑held bases in the Palaus. Forty‑nine of the attackers were killed, two taken prisoners and the remainder surrounded by our forces. At last reports no damage had been caused to our installations.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed installations on Urukthapel in the Palaus and struck at buildings and small craft at Merir and Sonsoral Islands southwest of the Palaus on January 17. On the following day Marine Corsairs sank a barge and a launch and struck a bridge on Babelthuap.

On January 18 Marine Torpedo planes bombed enemy installations on Yap in the western Carolines;

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Kurabu Saki at the southern end of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 19. Meager antiair­craft fire was encountered.

Neutralizing raids on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 16.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 239, JANUARY 21, 1945

 

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos on January 18 ( West Longitude Date). Three enemy fighters rose to intercept our aircraft and one was shot down.

On the same date Army Liberators bombed harbor installations at Chichi Jima in the Bonins starting fires in barracks and warehouse areas.

On January 19 carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet shot down 16 enemy planes which were attempting to fly from Formosa to Luzon.

Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed and strafed bar­racks areas and a radio station on Wake Island on January 19. Moderate antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Single Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Matsuwa and Onekotan Islands south of Paramushiru in the Kuriles on January 20.

Neutralizing raids on enemy held bases in the Marshalls were continued by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on January 19.

 

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N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 569, JANUARY 22, 1945

Atlantic Area.

 

1. The LST 359 has been lost in the Atlantic Area as the result of enemy action.

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

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 240, JANUARY 22, 1945

 

On January 20 (West Longitude Date) carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked the enemy air force, shipping and. installations in Formosa. Forty‑three Japanese aircraft were destroyed in aerial combat, 97 were de­stroyed on the ground, and approximately 100 more were damaged in attacks on the airdromes at Heito, Choshu, Matsuyama, Eiko, Kuputsua, Giran, Koshum and Taien. Intense antiaircraft fire was encountered at Takao. Reports of damage to enemy shipping are as yet incomplete, but at Takao two large ships and the docks and industrial area were left burning furiously. Considerable damage was inflicted on shipping at Keelung, Toshien and Nan Wan in Formosa, at Mako in the Pescadores and in the Sakishima Islands.

During this operation one of our major ships was damaged. Our aircraft losses were relatively light.

Eleventh Army Air Force planes attacked Kataoka Wan on the island of Shimushu in the northernmost Kuriles on the same day.

Docks and buildings on Yap were bombed and small craft at Babelthuap were destroyed by planes of Fleet Air Wing One on the same day.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing aircraft made neutralization raids on islands in the Marshall group.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 241, JANUARY 23, 1945

 

On January 21 (West Longitude Date) a strong force of carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet attacked Okinawa in the Ryukyus. Reports of damage in­flicted are not yet available.

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 242, JANUARY 25, 1945

 

Surface units of the Pacific Fleet, aircraft of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, and B‑29's of the Twenty‑First Bomber Command. In a coordinated action on January 23 (West Longitude Date) attacked Iwo Jima. A sizeable force of Liberators dropped more than 70 tons of explosives on air installations and shipping, starting fires visible 15 to 20 miles away. B‑29's dropped 117 tons of bombs on the airfield areas. Three of our planes were damaged, and one was lost but most of its crew were rescued. There was no interception by enemy planes. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Our surface units inflicted severe damage on island installations. One enemy cargo vessel exploded and two others were left burning.

On the same day planes of the Eleventh Army Air Force attacked Paramushiru. Three enemy planes were shot down. One of our planes was lost.

 

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Planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing destroyed two warehouses at Babelthuap and damaged harbor installations at Yap in the Palaus on January 23. The Palau area was attacked previously on January 21 at which time one of our planes was lost but the pilot rescued.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 570, JANUARY 27, 1945

Far Eastern Waters.

 

1. United States submarines operating in Far Eastern Waters have re­ported sinking 21 enemy vessels, including one light cruiser. The enemy vessels sunk were:

 

1 light cruiser

1 large tanker

1 large cargo transport

1 medium auxiliary

9 medium cargo vessels

1 medium tanker

3 small cargo transports

4 small cargo vessels

 

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

 

 

CINCPAC COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 243, JANUARY 27, 1945

 

An estimated 60,000 thus of Japanese shipping in Formosa ports was destroyed and 65,000 tons damaged in attacks by Pacific Fleet carrier aircraft on January 20 (West Longitude Date). Among enemy ships sunk were:

 

Six oilers and four medium cargo ships

 

Among ships damaged were:

 

Three destroyers

One large troop transport

Four large oilers

One large cargo ship

One medium cargo ship

 

Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed installations and the airfield areas on Iwo Jima on January 24. Several fires were started. Antiaircraft fire was meager. Only one enemy plane intercepted our bombers.

Planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked installations at Babelthuap and in the Yap area on the same day.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 244*, JANUARY 28, 1945

 

A recapitulation of damage inflicted on enemy shipping in and around Formosa on January 20 (West Longitude Date) by aircraft of the United States Pacific Fleet is as follows: (Including damage reported in Communiqué No. 240. )

 

*First communiqué to be released at Advance Headquarters by Admiral Nimitz. See CINCPOA Press Release No. 4, February 7, 1945.

 

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Sunk: Sixty thousand tons, including six oilers, two medium cargo vessels previously damaged, one medium cargo vessel, two small coastal cargo ships, four luggers, one medium cargo ship.

Damaged: Sixty‑five thousand tons, including one large transport, two large oilers, one large cargo ship, three luggers, one destroyer, two medium cargo ships, four small coastal cargo ships.

Aircraft destroyed or damaged: 47 shot down, 102 destroyed on the ground, 162 damaged on the ground.

In attacks in and around Okinawa Jima in the Nansei Shoto, aircraft of the Pacific Fleet inflicted the following damage on the enemy on January 21:

(Attack reported in communiqué No. 241.)

 

Sunk: 4 ships, 25 vessels.

 

Damaged: 5 ships, 36 small vessels.

 

Aircraft destroyed or damaged: 28 planes burned on the ground, 40 planes damaged on the ground.

 

The two‑day operations cost our forces 15 carrier aircraft lost in combat.

 

Venturas of Fleet Air Wing Four made rocket and machine gun attacks on radio and lighthouse installations on Shimushu in the Kuriles on January 25. On the same day Eleventh Army Air Force Mitchells bombed installations on Torishima in the same group. Eight enemy fighters were encountered by the Army bombers which probably destroyed two and damaged four others. All our aircraft returned safely.

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, bombed installations on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos through moderate antiaircraft fire on January 25.

Two enemy fighters were seen in the air.

On January 24 and 25 torpedo planes and fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.

On January 25, Marine aircraft destroyed a building and bridge on Urukthapel in the Palaus, sank a barge near Babelthuap, and bombed Sonsoral Island southeast of the Palaus.

Neutralizing raids were continued by planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on January 26.

 

 

CINCPOA* PRESS RELEASE NO. 1, JANUARY 28, 1945

 

Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, U. S. Navy, Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, today sent the following message to Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., USN, Commander, Third Fleet; Vice Admiral Charles A. Lock­wood, Jr., USN, Commander, Submarine Force, and Lieutenant General Millard F. Harmon, USA, Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Pacific Ocean Areas

 

"The Third Fleet in the last four months has hit the enemy hard in the Philippines, the Ryukyu Islands, Formosa, Indo‑China and South China. It has demolished and damaged aircraft, ships and land objectives to a degree which has materially reduced Japan's ability to make war.

 

*CINCPOA‑United States Pacific Fleet and Pacific Areas, Advanced Headquarters. See CINCPOA Press Release No. 4, February 7, 1945.

 

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It has paved the way for and covered the Philippine re‑occupation. It has written proud pages, in our nation's history.

"Submarines of the Pacific Fleet and the Army Air Forces in China and in the Pacific Ocean Areas have provided extremely effective cooperation and support and have continued to destroy the enemy wherever found.

"Well done to the officers and men of these gallant fighting forces."

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 245, JANUARY 29, 1945

 

Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, en­countered moderate antiaircraft fire over Iwo Jima in the Volcanos while bombing air installations on the island on January 26 (West Longitude Date). One of our planes suffered a hit by a 75 millimeter projectile but all our air­craft returned safely. One of two enemy fighters opposing our force was shot down. On the following day Liberators again bombed the island. This mission marked the fifty‑second day in succession that Seventh Army Air Force bombers, operating under the Strategic Air Force, have attacked Iwo Jima an average of twenty‑eight aircraft per day bombing the island.

On the night of January 26, Marine Mitchells of Victor Mike Baker 61 swept over the Bonins and Volcanos attacking a small coastal cargo ship from low altitude. On the following night the Marine bombers attacked a convoy near the Bonins damaging a destroyer. An attack was also made on a destroyer and medium cargo ship near the Volcanos and rocket hits were scored on both targets. Another destroyer south of the Bonins was left dead in the water by our aircraft which scored four hits causing explosions aboard the ship. This shipping search marked the fifty‑fourth consecutive night on which aircraft of this squadron have carried out harassing flights against enemy shipping in the Bonins Volcanos area.

Fighters and bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing sank a barge near Babelthuap in the Palaus on January 26 and bombed and strafed shore installations in the same area on the following day.

Harbor installations and shore facilities on Yap in the western Carolines were attacked with bombs and rockets by Marine aircraft on the same dates.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 246, JANUARY 30, 1945

 

More than 40 tons of bombs were dropped on Iwo Jima in the Volcanos by Army Liberators of the Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on Jan­uary 28 (West Longitude Date). An explosion was observed on an airstrip and several fires were started in storage areas.

Liberators of the same force bombed Marcus Island on the same date.

Night flying Marine Mitchells of the Strategic Air Force, struck at ship­ping around the Bonins and Volcanos on January 29. Hits scored with rockets caused large explosions on a large enemy cargo ship and a medium cargo ship in the Bonins.

On January 28 fighters and torpedo aircraft of the Fourth Marine Air­craft Wing attacked shore and harbor installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.

Facilities on Babelthuap in the Palaus were attacked by Marine Aircraft on January 29.

 

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