CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 317, APRIL 1, 1945

 

The United States Tenth Army, whose principal ground elements include the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps and the Marine Third Amphibious Corps, invaded the west coast of the island of Okinawa in the Ryukyus in great force on the morning of April 1 (East Longitude Date). This landing is the largest amphibious operation of the war in the Pacific to date.

Admiral R. A. Spruance, USN, Commander Fifth Fleet, is in overall tactical command of the operation. The amphibious phase of the operation is under command of Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, USN, Com­mander Amphibious Forces, Pacific Fleet. The Tenth Army is under com­mand of Lieutenant General Simon Bolivar Buckner, Jr., U.S.A.

The landings were made by ships and landing craft of the United States Fifth Fleet supported by the guns and aircraft of that fleet.

The attack on Okinawa has also been covered and supported by attacks of a strong British carrier task force under Vice Admiral Sir Bernard Rawlings against enemy positions in the Sakishima group.

Troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps are commanded by Major General John R. Hodge, U.S.A., and the Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps are commanded by Major General Roy S. Geiger, USMC

 

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The attack on Okinawa was preceded by the capture of the islands of the Kerama group west of the southern tip of Okinawa which commenced on March 26. The amphibious phases of this preliminary operation were com­manded by Rear Admiral I. N. Kiland, USN The troops consisted of the Seventy‑Seventh Army Division under command of Major General Andrew D. Bruce, U.S.A. The capture of these outposts was completed prior to the main landings on Okinawa and heavy artillery is now emplaced there and in sup­port of the Okinawa attack.

The amphibious support force is under command of Rear Admiral W. H. P. Blandy, USN, who was also present at the capture of the Kerama group of islands and in general charge of those operations. The battleships which form the principal gunfire support element are commanded by Rear Admiral M. L. Deyo, USN.

Fast Carrier Task Forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet which are participating in the attack are under command of Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, USN The escort carriers which are supporting the attack are under command of Rear Admiral C. T. Durgin, USN.

More than 1,400 ships are involved in the operation. The landings were preceded by and are being covered by heavy gunfire from battleships, cruisers and light units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet. U. S. carrier aircraft are providing close support for the ground troops. Strategic support is being given by the shore‑based air forces of the Southwest Pacific Area, the Pacific Ocean Areas, and by the Twentieth Air Force.

The operation is proceeding according to plan. The troops who went ashore at (1830, Tokyo time, advanced inland rapidly and by 1100 had cap­tured the Yontan and Kadena airports with light losses.

The capture of Iwo Island gave us an air base only 660 miles from Tokyo and greatly intensified our air attacks on Japan. The capture of Okinawa will give us bases only 325 miles from Japan which will greatly intensify the attacks by our fleet and air forces against Japanese communications and against Japan Itself. As our sea and air blockade cuts the enemy off from the world and as our bombing increases in strength and proficiency our final decisive victory is assured.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 318, APRIL 1, 1945

 

United States forces on Okinawa advanced inland rapidly throughout the first day of the assault and by 1800 on April 1 (East Longitude Date) forward elements of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps and Marine Third Amphibious Corps had expanded the beachhead to a three mile depth at several points. Enemy resistance continued to be light. Sporadic mortar and artillery fire fell on the beaches early in the day. The landing beaches were made secure against small arms fire as our forces deepened their positions behind the beaches. Heavy units of the Fleet continued to shell enemy installations on the island and carrier aircraft gave close support to the ground troops throughout the day. Four enemy planes attacking our surface forces were destroyed. Unloading of supplies on the beaches has begun.

Installations on Ishigaki and Miyako Islands in the Sakishima group were heavily hit by carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet on March 31 and April 1. Of 20 Japanese aircraft which landed in the Sakishimas during these attacks, 14 were destroyed and 6 damaged by British aircraft.

 

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Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command bombed Susaki airfield and harbor installations at Chichi Jima and other targets on Haha Jima in the Bonins on March 31.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters bombed supply areas in the Palaus on March 31. One of our fighters was destroyed but the pilot was rescued. On the same date, Marine fighters bombed the airstrip on Yap in the western Carolines.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 590, APRIL 2, 1945

Pacific Area.

 

1. The LCI (G) 974 has been lost in the Philippine Area as the result of enemy action.

2. Next of kin of casualties have been informed.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 319, APRIL 2, 1945

 

Elements of Twenty Fourth Army Corps moved across the island of Okinawa on April 2 (East Longitude Date) to a point on the east coast near the village of Tobara. Advances averaging several thousand yards were made along the entire Tenth Army line against scattered resistance. In the center of the island in rugged terrain increasing enemy activity was being encountered by some of our troops. In the northern sector advances were made throughout the day by the Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps. The ground troops were supported in their drive by carrier aircraft, by gunfire from heavy units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet, and by field artillery. Observa­tion planes began operation from Yontan and Kadena airfields. During the night of April 1 and 2, five enemy aircraft were shot down. The unloading of supplies is proceeding satisfactorily.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked houses, a causeway, and a bridge and set a supply dump afire in the Palaus on April 2.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed runways on Susaki air­field on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on March 31.

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 56, APRIL 2, 1945

 

Major General James E. Chaney, U. S. Army, has assumed duty as Island Commander of Iwo Island.

Brigadier General Ernest M. Moore, U. S. Army, commanding general of the VII Fighter Command of the Seventh Air Force has also been assigned duty in command of all aircraft of all services based at Iwo Island.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 320, APRIL 3, 1945

 

The Marine Third Amphibious Corps and the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps made rapid gains in all sectors of the lines on Okinawa Island on April 3 (East Longitude Date). In the north, the Marines advanced generally from 4,000 to 6,000 yards reaching the East Coast near Katchin Peninsula and cutting it off. Units of the Seventh Infantry Division which had reached the

 

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eastern shore of Okinawa the previous day moved southward along the shore of Katsurin Bay on the east coast from a point near the town of Takaesu to Kuba Town. Our front lines in the southern sector at nightfall of April 3, approximated a line from Kuba Town in the east to Chiyunna in the west. Resistance throughout the day was negligible. The advancing troops were supported by gunfire from heavy units of the Fleet. Ships' guns and carrier aircraft shot down 11 enemy planes during the day. Unloading of supplies continues satisfactorily.

Fast carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked targets in the Sakishima Group on April 3.

On March 30‑31, Corsair and Hellcat fighters, Helldiver bombers, and Avenger torpedo planes from carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet supporting the Okinawa operation inflicted the following damage on enemy forces in the Ryukyus:

 

Aircraft:

 

Seventeen shot out of the air.

Five destroyed on the ground.

Nineteen damaged in the air and on the ground.

 

Shipping:

 

Sunk:

 

Three motor torpedo boats.

Two small cargo ships.

Nine small craft.

 

Probably Sunk:

 

One small cargo ship.

Four small craft.

 

Damaged:

 

One motor torpedo boat.

Four small cargo ships.

One lugger.

Fourteen small craft.

 

Installations:

 

Six submarine pens at Unten Bay, Okinawa, destroyed and another heavily damaged.

 

Mills, barracks, bridges, radio stations, pillboxes, buildings, docks, gun positions and covered revetments destroyed or damaged on Okinawa.

Other installations on Tokuno, Amami, Kikai and Minami, Daito Islands, heavily hit.

Installations on Marcus Island were bombed on April 2 by Army Libera­tors of the Strategic Air Force.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked buildings, vehicles and barges in and around the Palau Islands on April 3.

During the week ending March 31, 69 Japanese were killed and 13 taken prisoner by U. S. patrols on Saipan, Tinian and Guam in the Marianas.

Navy Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Two made neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on April 2.

 

384

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 321, APRIL 4, 1945

 

The East Coast of Okinawa Island from Yaka in the north to Kuba Town in the south was brought under the control of the Tenth Army on April 4 (East Longitude Date). Elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps pushing north and east simultaneously established their front line on the Isthmus of Okinawa about 3,000 to 4,000 yards north of Ishikawa and cap­tured all sections of the east coast in their zone of action. In the south, the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps advanced steadily and at nightfall were holding a line between Uchi Tomari on the West Coast, Kamiyama in the center of the island, and a point just north of Nakagusuku on the east coast. The enemy offered scattered resistance to the advances of our troops. Concentrations of troops and vehicles fn the southern part of the island were brought under fire by the guns of surface units of the fleet and by carrier aircraft supporting the attack. The unloading of supplies for the Expeditionary Forces ashore con­tinues satisfactorily.

The enemy made several small air attacks against our surface forces early in the morning of April 4. Four of his aircraft were shot down.

Aircraft from a carrier task group commanded by Rear Admiral Frederick C. Sherman, U. S. Navy, attacked aircraft, airfields, and other installations in the Amami Group on April 3. The following damage was inflicted on the enemy

Forty‑five aircraft shot out of the air. Two aircraft destroyed on the ground. Nine aircraft damaged on the ground.

Twenty‑five small craft damaged or destroyed. Two small cargo ships damaged. One motor torpedo boat damaged. Fuel dumps and buildings set afire.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed warehouse and supply areas in the Palaus on April 4. On the same date, Marine fighters struck piers at Yap in the western Carolines.

On April 3, Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing planes continued neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls.

 

 

APRIL 5, 1945

 

JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF

 

The Joint Chiefs of Staff today made the following announcement regard­ing the command directive for the war against Japan:

 

1. The Joint Chiefs of Staff, with the approval of the President, have modified the command organization for the war against Japan with a view to giving full effect to the application of our forces against the Japanese including the large forces to be redeployed from Europe, taking into account the changed conditions resulting from our progress in both the Southwest Pacific and the Pacific Ocean Areas. The rapid advances made in both areas, which have brought us into close proximity with the Japanese homeland and the China Coast, and the corresponding change in the character of operations to be conducted are the considerations which dictated the new directive.

 

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2. General MacArthur, Commander of the Southwest Pacific Area, under the terms of the new directive will be given command of all Army forces and resources in the Pacific Theater. Similarly, Admiral Nimitz, Commander of the Pacific Ocean Areas, will be given command of all Naval forces and resources in the Pacific Theater. General Arnold will continue in command of the 20th Air Force.

3. The Joint Chiefs of Staff will continue to exercise strategic direc­tion of the entire Pacific Theater and will charge either General MacArthur or Admiral Nimitz with the over‑all responsibility for conducting specific operations or campaigns. Normally General MacArthur will be charged with the conduct of land campaigns and Admiral Nimitz with the conduct of sea campaigns. Each Commander will furnish the forces and resources of his service for the joint forces which are required for the conduct of the operation or campaign which has been duly directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

4. Essentially the new arrangement permits either Commander in Chief to conduct operations or campaigns in any part of the entire theater as directed by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the choice as to which shall be charged with the responsibility in each case will be dependent on the nature of the operation or campaign which is to be undertaken.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 591, APRIL 5, 1945

Pacific Area.

 

1. The LCI (G) 474 was lost in the Iwo Jima area as the result of enemy action.

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

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 322, APRIL 5, 1945

 

Our troops in both the northern and southern sectors of Okinawa con­tinued to advance on April 5. By 1800 on that date, Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps had moved forward generally 8,000 to 9,000 yards on Ishikawa Isthmus, the southern end of their line being in the neighborhood of Kin Town. Japanese opposition in the north continued to be ineffective. Army troops in the south made advances up to about 3,000 yards. In this sector, elements of the Twenty Fourth Army Corps moved into areas organ­ized for defense by the enemy and at nightfall resistance to the advance was increasing. Our advancing troops were supported throughout the day by gunfire from units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet and by carrier aircraft. During the period of April 1 to 1800 on April 5, 65 enemy aircraft have been de­stroyed over our forces attacking Okinawa. During the Okinawa operation as of midnight April 4‑5, 175 soldiers and Marines had been killed in action. Figures as to Naval personnel are not available. Seven hundred and ninety eight soldiers and Marines had been wounded in action during the same period.

Organization for military government in the area of Okinawa under our control has been established and is functioning satisfactorily. About 9,000

 

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civilians have surrendered to our forces. Considerable stocks of enemy food­stuffs have been captured and are available for civilian use.

On April 5, Hellcat and Corsair fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked targets in the Palaus. A ware­house was destroyed and barges and vehicles were damaged.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 323, APRIL 6, 1945

 

By late afternoon on April 6 (East Longitude Date), Hellcat and Corsair fighters from two fast carrier task groups of the U. S. Pacific Fleet com­manded by Rear Admirals Frederick C. Sherman and J. J. Clark, USN, had shot down about 150 enemy aircraft which were attempting to attack fleet surface units in the area of the Ryukyus. This tally of damage is preliminary and incomplete. Some ships of our forces received minor damage but all remain fully operational.

United States troops on Okinawa continued to attack in both the northern and southern sectors. At midday the Marine Third Amphibious Corps had advanced 3,000 to 5,000 yards against small scattered groups of the enemy on Ishikawa Isthmus. In the south, the Twenty Fourth Army Corps was encountering stiffened enemy resistance in areas organized by the enemy for defense and supported by enemy artillery. Our forces were being supported continuously by ships' gunfire and by carrier aircraft. During the night of April 5‑6, nine enemy planes were shot down near our forces around Okinawa.

In capturing the Kerama group of islands preliminary to the attack on Okinawa, U. S. forces killed 539 of the enemy and captured 166 prisoners of war.

Search aircraft of Fleet Wing One shot down two enemy aircraft in the Ryukyus area on April 6.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 324, APRIL 7, 1945

 

On April 6 and 7 (East Longitude Dates) the enemy attempted strong counterattacks against our forces operating in the vicinity of Okinawa.

During the late afternoon and evening of April 6, a large force of enemy aircraft attacked our ships and shore installations in the vicinity of Okinawa. One hundred sixteen of these enemy aircraft were destroyed‑55 by our fighters and the remainder by our antiaircraft fire. The attacking enemy aircraft pressed their attacks in with desperation and succeeded in sinking three of our destroyers and damaging several destroyers and smaller craft. No larger fleet units were hit.

Early on April 7, Navy Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One sighted an enemy surface force which had left the Inland Sea and passing south of Kyushu had headed into the East China Sea. The force included the large battleship Yamato, the most powerful ship left in the Japanese Navy, an Agano class light cruiser, one other small light cruiser or large destroyer, and a number of destroyers. A fast carrier task force commanded by Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher steamed toward the enemy at high speed and dur­ing the middle of the day brought the Japanese Force under air attack.

Our carrier aircraft which had destroyed 245 enemy aircraft on April 6, met no opposition over the Japanese ships but did meet heavy antiaircraft fire. At a point about 50 miles southwest of Kyushu they sank the Yamato, the light Agano class cruiser, the small cruiser and three destroyers. Three other destroyers were left burning. About three destroyers escaped from this attack.

 

387

 

The Yamato was hit by at least eight torpedoes and eight heavy bombs. All the enemy ships were heavily strafed with rockets and machine guns.

Our carriers lost seven aircraft in this action. During minor contacts on April 7, they and their aircraft shot down 30 enemy aircraft. The task groups participating were commanded by Rear Admirals F. C. Sherman, U. S. Navy, A. W. Radford, U. S. Navy, G. F. Bogan, U. S. Navy, and J. J. Clark, U. S. Navy.

The Marine Third Amphibious Corps on Okinawa moved forward steadily in the northern sector throughout the afternoon of April 6. By 1800, it had made advances which placed its front lines across Ishikawa Isthmus from Chuda on the west coast to the mouth of the Kinbaru River on the east coast. In the south, strong enemy resistance developed during the day. From its' strong defensive positions the enemy employed machine gun, small arms, mortar and artillery fire against the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps throughout April 6, and the following night. Army troops along the East Coast in the southern sector advanced about 2,000 yards during the afternoon of April 6, and occupied the town of Tsuwa. The enemy in the south was brought under heavy fire by our artillery throughout the day.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One attacked airfields in Kyushu, de­stroying four fighters on the ground, probably destroying three others and damaging about 15 more by strafing.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed dock installations and buildings at Truk in the Carolines on April 5.

Neutralizing raids on enemy bases in the Marshalls were continued on April 5 by planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 325, APRIL 7, 1945

 

The Marine Third Amphibious Corps continued to drive northward against negligible enemy resistance on the Ishikawa Isthmus of Okinawa on April 7 (East Longitude Date). By noon of that date, the Marines had advanced about 3,000 yards to the vicinity of Nago Town on the west coast and Ora Bay on the east coast. The Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps in the south was moving through difficult terrain in which the enemy is fortified behind an extensive system of strong points, pillboxes, blockhouses and trenches. Carrier aircraft, ships' guns and heavy artillery continued to bombard enemy positions. A small group of aircraft attacked our forces early in the day. Twelve were shot down.

A carrier task force of the British Pacific Fleet attacked airfields and other installations on Ishigaki and Miyako in the Sakishima group on April 6 and 7. British fighters destroyed five enemy aircraft in the air and three others on the ground.

Further information on the action of fast carrier task forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet on April 6 shows that our aircraft sank four small cargo ships and many small craft in the area of the Ryukyus and ‑destroyed two aircraft on the ground, this damage being in addition to that previously reported. On April 7, after attacking Japanese surface forces off Kyushu, one of our heavy fleet units suffered minor damage during an aircraft attack but is fully oper­ational.

Hellcat and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed warehouses and other installations in the Palaus on April 7.

 

388

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 63, APRIL 7, 1945

 

Additional information on the three‑day strike of the British Pacific Fleet on the Sakishima Group 31 March to 2 April (East Longitude Dates) shows extensive damage inflicted on enemy ground installations in those islands, destruction of 22 enemy aircraft and damage to nine others. Some major units of the British Pacific Fleet sustained slight damage from enemy aircraft during the attacks but all major units remained fully operational.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 326, APRIL 8, 1945

 

On the afternoon of April 7 (East Longitude Date) the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps drove into heavily defended terrain in the southern sector of Okinawa and captured the villages of Uchitomari and Kaniku. The enemy resisted stubbornly from numerous pillboxes and blockhouses which are em­placed to take full advantage of the broken terrain. In the north, Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to move northward rapidly against negligible opposition. Four enemy aircraft appeared in the Okinawa area on April 7 and all were shot down.

On the following day Twenty‑Fourth Corps troops made small gains against heavy opposition in the south. By 1800 of that date the front line on their right had moved forward about 200 yards and on the left about 400 yards. Heavy artillery was used by the enemy throughout the night and day. Our troops are being supported by ships' gunfire, carrier aircraft and field artillery. In the northern sector of the island on April 8, Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps had moved 3,000 to 4,800 yards westward along Motobu peninsula by nightfall.

Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing have begun to use the captured air fields on Okinawa. Major General F. P. Mulcahy, USMC, is present in command of the tactical air forces on shore at Okinawa. Nine enemy aircraft were destroyed on April 8 by various forces.

By the end of April 7, 30,000 civilians were under care of the U. S. Mili­tary Government on Okinawa. Native housing is being utilized fully.

Carrier aircraft attacked shipping and installations in the area of the Amami group on April 8. A small cargo ship was set afire and a lugger de­stroyed.

 

 

JOINT STATEMENT, APRIL 9, 1945

 

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

 

"During March the U‑boat effort continued to increase but fewer successes were obtained against our shipping than in February. Casualties inflicted on U‑boats were again severe and the prolonged and extensive bombing and mine-laying policy of the Allies has undoubtedly delayed the introduction of the new type U‑boats. In a similar manner the capture of Danzig by the Soviet army helps to cut off the evil at its source."

 

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CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 327, APRIL 9, 1945

 

About half of Motobu Peninsula was brought under U. S. control by Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps on Okinawa on April 9 (East Longi­tude Date). A general advance of 3,000 to 4,000 yards was made during the day against opposition which continued to be scattered and ineffective. Ad­vance element of the Third Corps on Ishikawa Isthmus were reported in the vicinity of Kushibaru Town.

The Twenty Fourth Army Corps made small local gains in the southern sector against enemy opposition which continued to be heavy. The volume of enemy small arms and machine gun fire on the southern front increased during the day of April 9, and mortar and artillery fire continued to be heavy. Heavy gunfire from fleet units was concentrated on enemy installations in southern Okinawa during the day resulting in destruction of guns, emplace­ments, barracks, and small craft. Carrier air craft from the Pacific Fleet and both Army and Marine artillery supported the attacking U. S. Army troops. During the evening of April 9 about 10 enemy aircraft attacked our forces in the area of Okinawa. Seven were destroyed.

Army Black Widow night-fighters attacked targets in the Bonins on the nights of April 8 and 9. Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command made daylight attacks on enemy installations in the Bonins on the same dates.

Ammunition dumps, storage dumps, buildings and other installations in the Palaus were destroyed on April 8 and 9 by Corsair fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing.

A single search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed installations on Wake Island on the night of April 8.

On the same date Helldiver bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralizing attacks on enemy positions in the Marshalls.

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 65, APRIL 9, 1945

 

During the heaviest aerial attacks on our forces around Okinawa on 8 April (East Longitude Date), Vice Admiral Richmond Kelly Turner, U. S. Navy, received the following report via. voice radio from a minesweeper under his command

 

"We have been hit twice in attacks by two aircraft but we splashed the third one. Six wounded in action. We are now taking a damaged destroyer in tow."

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 328, APRIL 10, 1945

 

After beating off two small counterattacks on Motobu Peninsula on the evening of April 9 (East Longitude Date), Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps on Okinawa continued their advance on April 10, moving their lines generally about 2500 yards westward to the Manna river on the south and Unten Bay on the north. Enemy submarine pens at Unten Bay and other in­stallations were captured. On Ishikawa Isthmus, Marines moved northward to the vicinity of Tsuwa Village.

The Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps in the southern sector of the Okinawa battle continued to meet stubborn enemy resistance along its entire front. At 1800 on April 10 there were no substantial changes in the lines. Backed by heavy artillery fire, the enemy made several unsuccessful counterattacks

 

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against our positions. Army troops were supported by intense Marine and Army artillery fire by carrier aircraft and by Naval gunfire from major units of the Pacific Fleet.

Elements of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps landed on Tsugen Island about ten miles off the east coast of Okinawa on the morning of April 10 en. countering some enemy resistance..

At the end of April 8 our forces on Okinawa had killed 5,009 of the enemy and had taken 222 prisoners of war. At that time 43,378 civilians were under care of the U. S. Military Government.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One bombed hangars and barracks on Tanega Island in the northern Ryukyus on April 10.

Army Black Widow night fighters strafed and bombed installations in the Bonins on the night of April 9‑10. Seventh Fighter Command Mustangs bombed docks and shipping at Chichi Jima on April 10 scoring a hit on a small cargo ship.

Targets in the Palaus were struck by Hellcat and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on April 10.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 329, APRIL 11, 1945

 

No substantial changes were made in the lines on Okinawa on April 11 (East Longitude Date). In the south the enemy continued to resist attacks of the Twenty Fourth Army Corps with artillery, mortar and small arms fire. In the north Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps met some organized resistance on Motobu Peninsula but continued to advance northward on Ishi­kawa Isthmus.

Army troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Corps reduced enemy points of re­sistance on Tsugen Island off the east coast of Okinawa and occupied the island on April 11.

Direct support was provided for our forces by carrier aircraft, Naval gun­fire and Marine and Army artillery. Our forces in the Okinawa area were attacked sporadically by enemy aircraft, four of which were destroyed.

United States forces on Okinawa had lost 432 killed at the end of April 9. Our wounded for the same period were 2,103. A total of 180 were missing.

On the night of April 10, Army Black Widow night fighters strafed and bombed targets on Haha Jima and Chichi Jima in the Bonins. On the same date a Marine Mitchell of the Strategic Air Force attacked a large cargo ship north of the Bonins scoring rocket hits on it and leaving it dead in the water.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked buildings and other installations on islands in the Palaus and on Yap in the Western Carolines on April 11.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 592, APRIL 12, 1945

Pacific Area.

 

1. The submarine USS Scamp is overdue from patrol and presumed lost.

2. The LCS (L) (S)‑49 was lost in the Philippine area as the result of enemy action.

3. The next of kin of casualties have been informed in both cases.

 

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APRIL 12, 1945

 

DEATH OF PRESIDENT TOLD TO NAVAL SERVICE IN MESSAGE FOND SECRETARY    OF THE NAVY FORRESTAL

 

News of the death of President Roosevelt was dispatched to all ships and stations of the United States Navy tonight in a message by Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal, who called upon the Nation's sea forces to pay tribute to the memory of the Nation's leader by carrying on "in the tradition of which he was so proud."

The Secretary's message follows:

 

"I have the sad duty of announcing to the naval service the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the President of the United States, which occurred on twelve April.

"The world has lost a champion of democracy who can Ill be spared by our country and the Allied cause. The Navy which he so dearly loved can pay no better tribute to his memory than to carry on in the tradition of which he was so proud.

"Colors shall be displayed at half mast for thirty days beginning 0800 thirteen April West Longitude Date insofar as war operations permit. Memorial services shall be held on the day of the funeral to be announced later at all yards and stations and on board all vessels of the Navy, war operations permitting.

"Wearing of mourning badges and firing of salutes will be dispensed with in view of war conditions."

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 330, APRIL 12, 1945

 

The Sixth Marine Division on Okinawa moved forward against sporadic resistance by the enemy on Motobu Peninsula on April 12 (East Longitude Date). On Ishikawa Isthmus our troops continued to press northward over rugged terrain and extremely poor roads. The First Marine Division continued mopping up in its zone of action.

There was virtually no change in the lines in the Southern sector of Okinawa where the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps, including elements of the Twenty‑Seventh and Ninety‑Sixth Divisions, continued to meet strong enemy resistance on April 12.

On April 12, large numbers of enemy aircraft made desperate suicidal attacks on our forces in the Okinawa Area. Early in the morning, seven enemy aircraft were shot down in the vicinity of the Hagushi beaches. During the afternoon, ships' guns, carrier aircraft and shore‑based antiaircraft shot down 111 of the attackers. One of our destroyers was sunk during these attacks and several other surface units were damaged but remained in operation.

Installations on Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins were bombed and strafed on the night of April 11‑12 by Army Black Widow night fighters.

Warehouse and other installations in the Palaus and facilities on the airfield on Yap in the Western Carolines were bombed by Hellcat and Corsair fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing on April 12.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed installations on Truk in the Carolines on April 11.

 

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Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Four and Mitchells and Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force on April ?, made rocket machine gun and bombing attacks on installations on Shimushu, Paramushiru, and the Tori­shima Group in the Northern Kuriles. On April 11, further attacks were carried out by Eleventh Army Air Force aircraft on the Kataoka Naval Base on Shimushu where Army planes damaged one of several enemy fighters which attacked them. Fleet Air Wing Four Search planes made rocket and strafing attacks on installations at the mouth of the Hayake River on Paramushiru on April 11. Minami Cape on Shimushu and Masu Town on Paramushiru were bombed by Army Mitchells on the same date. All our aircraft returned safely.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 593, APRIL 13, 1945

Far Eastern Waters.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of 15 enemy vessels, in­cluding two combatant ships‑an escort vessel and a converted gunboat. Re­ported sunk were:

 

1 escort vessel

2 destroyer transports

1 large tanker

1 naval auxiliary

1 converted gunboat

6 medium cargo vessels

1 medium tanker

2 small cargo vessels

 

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

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 331, APRIL 13, 1945

 

During the early morning of April 13, the enemy in the Southern sector of Okinawa counterattacked in battalion strength but was beaten back with numerous losses by the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps, supported by Naval gun fire and artillery. No substantial change was made in the lines in the South during the day.

On Motobu Peninsula in the North, Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to engage groups of the enemy in sporadic fighting. Third Corps troops on Ishikawa Isthmus continued to press northward against In­effective resistance.

Aircraft from fast carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet shot down over 100 enemy planes in the area of the Ryukyus on April 11‑12, in addition to those reported destroyed in communiqué No. 330. At Tokuno and Kikai Islands, eight more planes were destroyed on the ground and fuel dumps and ware­houses were damaged or set afire.

On April 12, Shinchiku and Kiirun airfields on Formosa were attacked by Seafire and Hellcat fighters of the British Pacific Fleet. Sixteen enemy planes were shot out of the air, one was destroyed on the ground, and five were damaged.

 

393

 

On the following day, U. S. carrier aircraft shot one plane down and des­troyed 12 others on the ground in the Northern Ryukyus. Attacking shipping end ground installations in and around the Ryukyus our planes destroyed 23 Barges and small craft, damaged airfields and set buildings afire.

During the period March 18 to April 12, inclusive, U. S. Fast Carrier Task Forces under command of Vice Admiral Marc A. Mitscher, U. S. Navy, hot down 841 enemy planes in combat, destroyed 73 by gunfire and destroyed 363 on the ground.

Navy Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One destroyed a large radio station on Gaja Island in the Northern Ryukyus and sank a picket ship and set second vessel afire north of the Bonins on April 13.

Army Black Widow night fighters bombed and strafed harbor installations at Chichi Jima and Haha Jima in the Bonins on the night of April 12‑13.

On April 12, a single Navy Search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing Two combed installations on Wake Island.

Marine Corsairs and Hellcats of the Fourth Aircraft Wing bombed ware­houses and buildings in the Palaus and on Yap in the Western Carolines on April 13.

Marine fighters and bombers continued neutralizing raids on enemy‑held gases in the Marshalls on April 12.

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 72, APRIL 13, 1945

 

The Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, has authorized the following, statement:

 

For some months the Japanese have been employing aircraft on a gradually increasing scale in suicidal attacks upon our forces in the Western Pacific. These aircraft were initially piloted by a group of pilots who were known as the "Kamikaze Corps" by the Japanese. The enemy has made much in his propaganda of this "sure death‑sure hit" suicide technique which is simply an attempt to crash planes on the decks of our ships.

The enemy has expended a large number of planes and personnel on missions of this nature with negligible effect on the continuing success of our operations. Some major units of the fleet have been damaged, but no battle­ship, fast carrier or cruiser has been sunk. Some smaller ships have been sunk, but in the great majority of cases they have remained in operation after being struck by one of these suicide planes. This reflects considerable credit on our officers and men and also on the designers and builders of our ships.

Effective methods of meeting and destroying suicidal attacks have been developed and will continue to be employed to increase the toll of Japanese aircraft shot down by our aircraft and by our antiaircraft guns.

The "suicide attack" and the so‑called "Kamikaze Corps" are the products of an enemy trapped in an increasingly desperate situation. Pushed back upon heir own inner defenses the Japanese have resorted to fanatical methods which, from a purely military viewpoint, are of doubtful value.

The "Kamikaze Corps" is apparently being used not only to attempt to damage our ships but also to stir the lagging spirits of the Japanese people. Although these "sure death‑sure hit" pilots are reported to be volunteers, many have very willingly become survivors of "suicide" missions and are now prisoners of war.

 

394

 

The enemy claims for the accomplishments of "suicide swimmers, human torpedoes and suicide speed boats" hardly need comment. In the majority of such attacks up to this date these personnel have failed completely in their missions but have been successful in committing suicide.

The "suicide" technique is continuing at the present time. Although it is always considered and prepared for as a factor in estimating the enemy's capabilities it cannot prevent our continuing success in the war in the Pacific.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 332, APRIL 14, 1945

 

Elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps on Okinawa Island on April 14 advanced northward to the vicinity of Momubaru Town on the west coast and Arakawa Town on the east coast. Resistance was negligible. The Marines on Motobu Peninsula are now in possession of most of that area and are attacking small concentrations of enemy troops which continue to resist.

In the southern sector during the early morning hours of April 14, the enemy mounted a small counterattack which was immediately beaten off by troops of the Ninety Sixth Army Division. Enemy positions were brought under fire of field artillery, ships' guns, and carrier and land‑based aircraft.

A few enemy aircraft appeared in the area off Okinawa during the day and nine were shot down by our combat air patrols.

Aircraft from carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet bombed airfields on Ishigaki and Miyako Islands in the Sakishima group on April 14, destroying seven aircraft on the ground and damaging twenty five more.

Without opposition, carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet struck airfields and installations at Matsuyama and Shinchiku on Formosa on April 13. A number of aircraft were damaged on the ground and hangars, barracks, buildings, a railway bridge, a train and other targets were heavily hit. Several small groups of enemy planes attempted to attack surface units of the British force and three of these were shot down. The task force suffered no damage.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy islands in the Palaus on April 14.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 333, APRIL 15, 1945

 

Three enemy counterattacks in the Southern sector of Okinawa were broken up by Marine and Army artillery on the night of April 14‑15 (East Longitude Date). At noon on April 15, the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps lines were unchanged.

In the north, Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to mop up small units of the enemy. In the Western area of Motobu Peninsula one isolated group of the enemy was offering stiff resistance.

Ground forces continued to receive effective support from Naval guns, carrier and land-based aircraft, and field artillery.

Keufu Island in the Kerama Group was occupied by our troops on April 14.

Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One damaged a small cargo ship near Tanega Island in the northern Ryukyus and bombed and strafed buildings and radio towers on the Island on April 15.

 

395

 

A Marine Mitchell scored rocket hits on a small ship in the area of the Bonins on the night of April 14‑15. On the same date, Army night fighters attacked targets on Haha Jima, Chichi Jima and Muko Jima in the Bonins.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing damaged bridge and pier installations in the Palaus on April 15.

 

 

CINCPOA ADVANCE HEADQUARTERS, GUAM, APRIL 15, 1945

 

1. Elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps on Okinawa Island on April 14 advanced northward to the vicinity of Momubaru town on the west coast and Arakawa town on the east coast. Resistance was negligible. The Marines on Motobu Peninsula are now in possession of most of that area and are attacking small concentrations of enemy troops which continue to resist.

2. In the southern sector during the early morning hours of April 14 the enemy mounted a small counterattack which was immediately beaten off by troops of the Ninety Sixth Army Division. Enemy positions were brought under fire of field artillery, ships' guns and carrier and land‑based aircraft.

3. A few enemy aircraft appeared in the area off Okinawa during the day and nine were shot down by our combat air patrols.

4. Aircraft from carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet bombed airfields on Ishigaki and Miyako Islands in the Sakishima group on 14 April, destroying seven aircraft on the ground and damaging twenty five more.

5. Without opposition, carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet struck airfields and installations at Matsuyama and Shinchiku on Formosa on 13 April. A number of aircraft were damaged on the ground and hangars, bar­racks, buildings, a railway bridge, a train and other targets were heavily hit. Several small groups of enemy planes attempted to attack surface units of the British force and three of these were shot down. The task force suffered no damage.

6. Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy islands in the Palaus on 14 April.

 

C. W. NIMITZ,

Fleet Admiral, U. S. Navy,

Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet,

and Pacific Ocean Areas.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 334, APRIL 16, 1945

 

Supported by carrier aircraft and by naval gunfire, elements of the Twenty Fourth Army Corps landed on le Shima, an island west of Okinawa, on the morning of April 16 (East Longitude Date). Advancing inland rapidly against resistance which was initially light but later stiffened, our troops captured the enemy airfield and secured most of the area west of that point. The greater part of the enemy defense force has been driven back to defensive positions in the pinnacles southeast of the airfield.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to attack groups of the enemy on Motobu Peninsula, Okinawa, on April 16. Marine forces con­tinued to advance northward in the rugged terrain of the island north of the peninsula.

There was little change in the lines of the Twenty Fourth Army Corps in the southern sector of Okinawa. Naval guns and carrier planes attacked enemy positions in the south.

 

396

 

At the end of April 13 our forces on Okinawa had killed 9,108 of the enemy and captured 391 prisoners of war. About 85,000 civilians had come under jurisdiction of the U. S. Military Government on the island by the end of April 15. Our Military Government authorities have constructed one large camp and have taken over thirteen villages for use of civilians. Civilian food­stuffs are being salvaged and used. Our medical facilities have proved ade­quate for treatment of civilians thus far.

Fast carrier task forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked aircraft, air­fields and other military installations in the northern Ryukyus and on the island of Kyushu during the period April 12 to 15 (East Longitude Dates). In sweeps over airfields on Kikai and Tanega our planes shot down 77 enemy aircraft from April 12 to 14. Attacking major air bases at Kanoya and Kushira on Kyushu on April 15, U. S. carrier planes shot down 29 aircraft, destroyed 58 on the ground and damaged 60 more.

The enemy launched heavy air attacks against our forces in and around Okinawa on the morning of April 16. Strong combat air patrols from the fast carrier task forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet met the attacking enemy aircraft and preliminary reports indicate that our planes shot down 62 enemy aircraft over the Okinawa area. Fighters, sweeping Kyushu, shot down 22 more, anti­aircraft guns of the fast carrier forces shot down 15, and 67 more were shot out of the air by combat air patrols in the Ryukyus area.

Ship's antiaircraft fire off the Okinawa beaches destroyed 38 Japanese planes on April 16. Land‑based aircraft shot down an unreported number.

On April 16, Army Mustang fighters of the Seventh Fighter Command based on Iwo Island attacked ground installations at Kanoya and Kushira on Kyushu.

Army Black Widow night fighters attacked military installations in the Bonins during the night of April 15‑16. Search planes of Fleet Air Wing One damaged a small cargo ship heavily on April 16 in the northern Ryukyus.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 335, APRIL 17, 1945

 

About two thirds of the area of le Shima was brought under the control of the Tenth Army on April 17 (East Longitude Date) as our attacking forces wheeled eastward to occupy a line running from the northeast corner of the airfield along the base of the island's central pinnacle and through the town of Iegusugu to the southern coast. Resistance was moderate throughout the day.

Small pockets of the enemy continued to resist attacks of Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps on Motobu Peninsula and in northern Okinawa.

In the south there was no change in the lines of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps.

Our troops in both the northern and southern sectors were supported throughout the day by heavy Naval gunfire, carrier aircraft and Army and Marine artillery. A few enemy reconnaissance planes were in the Okinawa area during the day.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One destroyed two small cargo ships at anchor near Tanega Island in the northern Ryukyus and demolished a ware­house on the island with a direct bomb hit on April 17. In waters east of the Ryukyus, Fleet Air Wing One planes sank three small cargo ships and dam­aged three others on the same date.

United States forces attacking the home islands of Japan and the island

 

397

 

groups of the Ryukyus since initiation of the Ryukyus campaign on March 18 to April 17, inclusive, have, destroyed more than 2200 Japanese aircraft in the air and on the ground. Aircraft from the fast carriers of the Pacific Fleet have destroyed more than 1600 of this total. In addition, units of the British Pacific Fleet operating in waters off the Sakishimas and Formosa have destroyed more than 80 enemy planes.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Four made rocket and machine gun attacks on buildings on Tomari Cape on Paramushiru in the northern Kuriles and strafed a trawler off the island on April 16.

Liberators of the Seventh Bomber Command bombed concrete structures and runways on Marcus Island on April 16. On the same date Marine Mitchells strafed ground installations at Kushira airfield on Kyushu.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command strafed and bombed shipping in and around Chichi Jima in the Bonins on April 17.

Corsairs and Hellcats of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed targets in the Palaus on April 17.

Planes of Fleet Air Wing One attacked installations on Yap and Puluwat in the Carolines on April 17.

Fleet Air Wing Two planes continued neutralizing attacks on enemy‑held bases in the Marshalls on April 16.

Mopping up operations on Iwo Island continued during the month of April as our forces developed that island as an air base. A total of 22,731 of the enemy were killed on Iwo from February 19 to April 14, inclusive, and 624 were captured.

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 79, APRIL 17, 1945

 

On the morning of April 16 large numbers of enemy aircraft attacked one of our destroyers for more than two hours off the coast of Okinawa. The ship took two bomb hits and four suicide hits.

But she shot down 6 dive bombers and proceeded to operate as ordered.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 336, APRIL 18, 1945

 

Tenth Army Troops in Ie Shima made substantial gains in the North­eastern area of the Island on April 18 (East Longitude Date). The enemy in the area of Iegusugu Peak gave stiff resistance from dug in positions and pillboxes. On the third day of the action, preliminary reports show that 388 of the enemy have been killed and one prisoner taken. In the same period our forces lost 15 killed and 73 wounded. Five are listed as missing.

Elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps have reached the north­ern end of Okinawa Island. The Marines on Motobu Peninsula continued operations on April 18 against isolated groups of the enemy in that sector.

There were no changes in the lines of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps In the Southern Sector of Okinawa. Naval guns and carrier aircraft continued to attack enemy strong points in the south. As of April 18, according to the most recent reports available, 989 officers and men of the U. S. Pacific Fleet had been killed in the Okinawa operation and associated attacks on Japan, 2,220 were wounded in action, and 1,491 were missing in action. At last re­port the soldiers and Marines of the Tenth Army had lost 478 officers and men killed, 2,457 had been wounded and 260 were missing.

 

398

 

A Search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small cargo ship north of the Ryukyus on April 18.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked targets in the Palaus and destroyed buildings on Yap in the Western Carolines on April 18.

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force on April 17, bombed the Kataoka Naval Base on Shimushu in the Northern Kuriles.

U. S. patrols on Saipan, Tinian and Guam in the Marianas killed 30 Japanese and took 88 prisoners of war during the week ending April 14.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 337, APRIL 19, 1945

 

The Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps launched an offensive of substantial force against enemy defense lines in the southern sector of Okinawa on April 19 (East Longitude Date). In the early morning hours, powerful concentra­tions of Army and Marine artillery joined with battleships, cruisers, and lighter units of the Pacific Fleet to deliver one of the largest bombardments ever made in support of amphibious troops. Under cover of this fire and supported by great flights of carrier aircraft, Army Infantrymen of the Seventh, Twenty‑Seventh and Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Divisions moved off to the attack between 0600 and 0800. By noon the left and right flanks of our lines were reported to have moved forward from 500 to 800 yards and our forces captured the village of Machinato. The enemy was resisting our ad­vance stubbornly with artillery, mortars, and light weapons. Our troops are now striking at a fortified line which is organized in great depth and developed to exploit the defensive value of the terrain which is dissected by ravines and terraced by escarpments. These fortifications whose northern perimeter follows an uneven line across the island at a point where it is about 8,000 yards wide are about four and a half miles north of Naha on the west coast and three and a half miles north of Yonabaru on the east coast. They include interlocking trench and pillbox systems, blockhouses, caves and the con­ventional Japanese dug‑in positions. During the forenoon, U. S. Army In­fantrymen were engaged in knocking out strong points and penetrating and destroying segments of the outer lines.

Tenth Army troops in Ie Shima continued to advance on April 19 moving their lines forward south of the Iegusugu Peak. The enemy continued to resist from concealed fixed positions. Some of our observation planes have landed on the island airstrip.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to extend their control over the northern areas of Okinawa. On Motobu Peninsula, mopping up operations were still in progress.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command, Strategic Air Force, Pacific Ocean Areas, on April 19 attacked Atsugi airfield, in the area of Tokyo.

Preliminary reports show that the following damage was inflicted on the enemy:

 

Twenty‑one aircraft shot out of the air

Two aircraft probably shot down

Twenty‑six aircraft destroyed or probably destroyed on the ground

Thirty‑five aircraft damaged in the air and on the ground

 

A large cargo ship was seen sinking off the coast and a medium cargo ship was observed burning south of Tokyo. Our aircraft strafed the ground targets at low level through moderate to intense antiaircraft fire.

 

399

 

A search plane of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small coastal cargo ship in the area of the northern Ryukyus on April 19.

On the same date, Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked buildings and installations in the Palaus and Hell­diver bombers of the same force struck the airstrip on Yap in the Western Carolines.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 338, APRIL 20, 1945

 

After a day of heavy attacks on the enemy's fortified positions in the Southern Okinawa Sector, the Twenty Fourth Army Corps had advanced about 1,000 yards generally by the morning of April 20 (East Longitude Date). The Seventh Infantry Division penetrated enemy defenses up to 1,400 yards in its zone of action near the east coast. Heavy Naval guns continued to bom­bard enemy strong points and Marine and Army artillery supported the ad­vancing infantry with carrier aircraft delivering close support. Most of Yonabaru Town was destroyed. The enemy resisted our attacks bitterly in all sectors of the fighting in the south.

On Ie Shima, Tenth Army troops continued to drive eastward against strong resistance from isolated enemy positions on April 20. Simultaneously, operations were began to destroy enemy forces holding Iegusugu Peak. At the end of April 18, 736 of the enemy had been killed on the island.

Patrols of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps continued to cover the rugged country in Northern Okinawa on April 20 while operations against small groups of the enemy in Motobu Peninsula were continued.

In the early morning hours of April 20 several small groups of enemy aircraft approached our forces in the Okinawa Area and retired without causing damage.

The following is the complete list of ships sunk by enemy action in the Okinawa operation and the associated attacks on Japan from March 18 to April 18:

 

Destroyers.

Halligan

Bush

Colhoun

Mannert L. Abele

Pringle

 

Minecraft.

Emmons

Skylark

 

Destroyer Transport.

            Dickerson

 

Gunboat.

PGM 18

LST 477 (later removed from Communiqué).

LCI 82 (complete designation LCI (G) 82)

LCS 33 (complete designation LOS (L) (3) 30)

LCT 876 (complete designation LCT (6) 876)

 

400

 

Ammunition Ships

Hobbs Victory

Logan Victory

 

During the same period the following Japanese ships and aircraft were destroyed by our forces participating in the same operations:

 

2,569 Aircraft destroyed

One Yamato class battleship

Two light cruisers

Five destroyers

Five destroyer escorts

Four large cargo ships

One medium cargo ship

28 small cargo ships

54 small craft

 

Numerous enemy torpedo boats, speed boats and other types of small craft.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on April 19 bombed installa­tions on Truk in the Carolines. On the following day, a search plane of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small sailing vessel in Truk Lagoon.

Army bombers of the Seventh Air Force also struck Arakabesan and Koror in the Palaus scoring hits on antiaircraft emplacements on April 19. Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed miscellaneous targets in the Palaus and on Yap in the Western Carolines on the following day.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 339, APRIL 21, 1945

 

The Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps pressed its attack against the enemy in the southern sector of Okinawa on April 20 and 21 (East Longitude Dates) making small gains through heavily defended areas. On the approaches to Hill 178, the high ground changed hands several times on April 21 in the bitterest kind of fighting. Small gains were made by our forces in other seg­ments of the lines. Naval guns and Army and Marine artillery continued to bombard enemy emplacements with heavy fire and carrier aircraft attacked troop concentrations in the southern part of the island.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps reduced the remaining pockets of enemy resistance on Motobu Peninsula on the afternoon of April 20 and brought the entire area under their control.

Tenth Army troops placed the United States Flag on the summit of Iegusugu Peak on Ie Shima on the morning of April 21 after overcoming bitter resistance from caves, pillboxes and other strong points. Our forces are engaged in mopping up operations on the island which is now in our possession.

On the night of April 20‑21, enemy aircraft attacked Yontan and Kadena airfields causing minor damage. Carrier aircraft from the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked air installations in the Sakishima group on April 19 and 21, shooting down one plane and strafing several others on the ground.

Hellcat and Corsair fighters of Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus on April 21.

 

401

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 340, APRIL 22, 1945

 

The Twenty Fourth Army Corps continued to attack the enemy's fortified positions in the southern sector of Okinawa on April 22 (East Longitude Date) meeting bitter resistance in all areas of the fighting. Our troops were sup­ported by heavy artillery, naval guns, and carrier and land‑based aircraft. No substantial changes had been made in the lines by 1700 on April 22. A total of 11,738 of the enemy have been killed and 27 taken prisoner in the Twenty Fourth Corps zone of action.

Elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps occupied Taka Banare Island east of Okinawa on April 22 and landed on Sesoko Island west of Motobu Peninsula on the same date. Our troops on Sesoko were reported to be half way across the island in the early afternoon.

During the night of April 21‑22, a few enemy aircraft approached our forces around the Okinawa area and four were shot down by carrier planes and aircraft of the Tactical Air Force. On the afternoon of April 22 a sub­stantial group of Japanese planes attacked our forces in and around Okinawa causing some damage and sinking one light unit of the fleet. Forty‑nine enemy planes were shot down by our combat air patrols and antiaircraft fire.

Carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked airfields and other installations in the Sakishima Group on April 21 and 22.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command attacked Suzuka air­field 32 miles southwest of Nagoya on April 22 inflicting the following damage on the enemy:

 

9 aircraft shot out of the air

One probably shot down

17 aircraft destroyed on the ground

20 Aircraft damaged on the ground

A 6000‑ton ship exploded in Ise Bay south of Nagoya

Two small oilers sunk

One small tanker sunk

One coastal cargo ship damaged

 

Carrier‑based aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked airfields and ground installations in the Amami Group of the Northern Ryukyus during April 18 to 20 inclusive, damaging or destroying numerous airfield structures. On April 21 and 22 carrier planes operating in the Northern Ryukyus shot down 16 enemy planes and burned 10 more on the ground.

A search plane of Fleet Air Wing One attacked a small cargo ship east of the Ryukyus on April 22 leaving it burning and dead in the water.

Runways and installations on Marcus Island were bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on April 21. Helldiver bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked the airstrip on Yap in the Western Carolines on April 21.

During the twenty four hours ending at 1800 on April 20, 60 Japanese were killed and 64 were captured on Iwo Island. A total of 23,049 of the enemy have been killed and 850 captured since February 19.

Communiqué  Number 338, paragraph five, is corrected as follows

 

Delete "One LST 477" from the list of ships sunk.

 

402

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 86, APRIL 22, 1945

 

Major General Andrew D. Bruce, Commanding General, 77th Infantry Division, whose forces captured Ie Shims, has sent the following message to Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz, Commander in Chief, U. S. Pacific Fleet and Pacific Ocean Areas, and to the Governor of Texas:

 

"After a bitter fight from pill box to pill box, cave to cave, and house to house, the Seventy Seventh Infantry Division placed the American flag on top of the heavily defended pinnacle on Ie Shims on April 21, 1945. A Texas flag was placed on the bloody ridge below the fortress by the Texans of the Division in honor of those gallant Texas men who gathered at Corregidor to remember San Jacinto Day on April 21, 1942, exactly three years ago."

 

Fleet Admiral Nimitz is a native of Fredericksburg, Texas.

Major General Bruce is a resident of Temple, Texas.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 341, APRIL 23, 1945

 

Naval guns and carrier aircraft continued to support troops of the Twenty-Fourth Army Corps attacking the enemy's fortified line in the southern sector of Okinawa on April 23 (East Longitude Date).

Planes from carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked 25 enemy aircraft about to take off from an airfield on Miyako in the Sakishima group on the evening of April 22 destroying 15 on the ground and shot down five more in the air. Four planes were shot down over Ishigaki in the same group. On April 23, three aircraft were destroyed on the ground at Kume Island in the Okinawa group by our fighters and a single enemy plane was shot down north of Okinawa by a Marine plane.

No further information is available on the progress of the fighting in southern Okinawa.

Carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet bombed and strafed air In­stallations in the Sakishima group on April 16 and 17. Four enemy planes were shot down and one was destroyed on the ground.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus on April 23.

On April 22, Marine Corsairs continued neutralizing raids on enemy bases in the Marshalls.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 342, APRIL 24, 1945

 

The Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps continued the attack against enemy lines in the southern sector of Okinawa on April 23 (East Longitude Date). Elements of the Seventh Infantry Division captured an important enemy posi­tion on high ground west of Ishin Village. Enemy opposition was heavy along the entire front.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps were engaged in mopping up remnants of the enemy on Yagachi Island north of Motobu Peninsula on April 23. On the same date, Third Corps troops occupied Heanza Island east of Katchin Peninsula and Kouri Island, north of Motobu Peninsula, finding no opposition.

On April 24, ships of the U. S. Pacific Fleet delivered heavy gunfire in support of the attacking troops in the Twenty‑Fourth Corps sector. Numerous caves were closed and blockhouses, pillboxes, trenches and gun emplacements

 

403

 

were destroyed. Adverse weather reduced air operations and there was no enemy aircraft activity over the area during the day.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One sank two small cargo ships and one motor torpedo boat and damaged two torpedo boats east of the Ryukyus on April 23. On the following day search planes of the same Wing strafed building and radio installations in the northern Ryukyus and damaged a num­ber of small craft.

Carrier aircraft from units of the British Pacific Fleet strafed and bombed runways, airfield structures, barracks and other installations on islands of the Sakishima group on April 20 encountering no enemy air opposition.

On April 23, Liberators of the Strategic Air Force bombed installations on Marcus Island. Iwo based Mustangs of the same force bombed and strafed storage dumps on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on April 24.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 343, APRIL 25, 1945

 

A general advance was made by troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps on Okinawa on April 24 (East Longitude Date) resulting in the capture of Kakazu Town in the center and an important strong point at Hill 178 on the left flank. Our ground forces were supported by heavy Naval gunfire and low level attacks by aircraft of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. Enemy de­fenses at Tanabaru were in process of being reduced as Army troops continued to advance on April 25.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to patrol northern areas of the island on April 24 and 25.

As of 0600 on April 25, United States soldiers and Marines on Okinawa and surrounding islands had killed 21,269 of the enemy and had taken 399 prisoners of war. A total of 115,279 civilians have come under jurisdiction of U. S. Military Government authorities.

At the end of April 22, 889 soldiers of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps and 257 Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps had been killed in action on Okinawa. A total of 4,879 officers and men of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps were wounded and 289 were missing. The Third Amphibious Corps suffered 1,103 wounded and had 7 missing.

Carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet attacked airfield installations on islands of the Sakishima group on April 24.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing One destroyed a small cargo ship, sank six fishing craft, sank a whaling vessel and damaged a small cargo ship in the water east of Kyushu on April 24.

On April 24 and 25, Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked targets in the Palau and Marine bombers and fighters struck runways and other installations on Yap in the Western Carolines.

The following are enemy killed and taken prisoner during mopping up operations on Iwo Island and islands of the Marianas and Palaus during the week of April 15 to April 21 inclusive

 

Iwo:

Killed, 360 ; prisoners of war, 246.

 

Saipan:

Killed, 4 ; prisoners of war, 7.

 

Tinian:

Prisoners of war, 38.

 

404

 

Guam

Killed, 38; prisoners of war, 21.

 

Peleliu:

Killed, 6.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 344, APRIL 26, 1945

 

On April 26 (East Longitude Date), the troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps moved forward and secured positions on the high ground East of Urasoe Mura. Battleships and cruisers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued to give close gunfire support to the troops. A number of batteries, emplace­ments, structures and caves were destroyed by ships' guns. Aircraft from carriers and planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing attacked enemy in­stallations in the Southern sector of the Island. During the early hours of April 26, a few enemy aircraft approached our forces in the area around Okinawa and one was shot down.

Carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued neutralizing attacks on airfield installations in the Sakishima Group on April 25.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One strafed and sank a number of fishing craft, a small picket boat and a torpedo boat and damaged a number of other small craft in the waters east of Kyushu on April 26.

Helldiver bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck the air­field on Yap on April 26. On the same date, fighters of the same Wing bombed targets in the Palaus. On the previous day dive bombers of the same Wing continued neutralizing raids on the Marshalls.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed fuel and ammunition storage areas on Wake Island on April 25.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 345, APRIL 27, 1945

 

Troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps in the southern sector of Okinawa made a general advance during the afternoon of April 26 (East Longitude Date). By 1800 on that day, elements of the Twenty‑Seventh In­fantry Division had reached the vicinity of the Machinato Airfield near the West Coast after by passing enemy strong points in Nakama Village. In the central and eastern segments of the lines local gains were made against enemy mortar and machine gun fire. The ground troops were supported by Naval gunfire, carrier aircraft and planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. The attack was resumed on the morning of April 27.

Marines of the Third Amphibious Corps continued to patrol northern Okinawa on April 26 and 27.

A few enemy aircraft appeared over our forces during the early morning of April 27. Three were shot down by one of our minesweepers.

Attacks by carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet on the Sakishima Group continued on April 26.

Mitchells of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked harbor installa­tions on Chichi Jima in the Bonins on the night of April 26. Fighters and torpedo planes of the same wing bombed bivouac areas in the Palaus on April 27 and fighters attacked targets on Yap.

 

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CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 87, APRIL 27, 1945

 

In the Okinawa campaign the enemy has attempted the use of rocket-propelled suicide bombs against our forces. These weapons, which are similar to a small single‑seat airplane, carry a pilot and are generally launched from the underside of the fuselage of a bomber. They have a wingspan of about sixteen feet, a length of more than 19 feet, and a tail plane of about eight feet. Constructed of light metals and wood, these bombs carry a heavy war­head of explosives. They are capable of high speed which reduces their qualities of maneuverability to a low point. The enemy has used them in limited numbers in the Okinawa operation up to this date, offering little op­portunity for observation of their powers or effects. U. S. forces have desig­nated these missiles by the term "baka bomb". "Baka" Is Japanese meaning "stupid," "foolish," or "silly."

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 346, APRIL 28, 1945

 

Troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps moved slowly forward in the Southern sector of Okinawa on April 27 (East Longitude Date) destroying pillboxes, caves and strong points. Heavy artillery was employed to break up troop concentrations in the enemy's rear areas and planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing joined with carrier aircraft of the Pacific Fleet to give close support to the troops. Naval gunfire continued to be effective in de­stroying enemy fortified positions.

During the night of April 27‑28, two groups of enemy aircraft attacked U. S. shipping off Okinawa beaches causing some damage and sinking one auxiliary surface unit. Twenty‑five enemy aircraft were shot down and two were probably destroyed. Enemy small craft activity increased during the night and a number of small boats were destroyed by our forces.

On April 28, combat air patrols from fast carriers shot down 32 enemy planes in the areas around Okinawa, Kikai and Yaku Islands in the Ryukyus.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One sank three small cargo ships, forced another to beach and damaged several other small ships in the area around Kyushu on April 28.

Aircraft from escort carriers of the Pacific Fleet continued to bomb and strafe airfields on islands of the Sakishimas on April 27.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed installations at Truk in the central Carolines on April 26. A search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small ship and several fishing boats in Truk Harbor on April 28.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 347, APRIL 29, 1945

 

A Navy Hospital Ship, USS Comfort, was attacked and heavily damaged by a Japanese aircraft about 50 miles south of Okinawa at 2058 local time on April 28 (East Longitude Date). The crashed Japanese plane which made the suicide attack is still on the Comfort. The vessel which was engaged in evacuating wounded from Okinawa suffered 29 killed, 33 seriously wounded, and 100 missing, including patients, passengers, and crew. At the time of the attack she was operating under full hospital procedure, was clearly marked and was fully lighted. She is now proceeding to port under her own power.

Elements of the Twenty Seventh Infantry Division captured the northern half of Machinato Airfield on Okinawa on April 28 as a general advance was made in the southern sector of the island. The Seventh Infantry Division

 

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secured the high ground near Kochi Village and was continuing to move southward. Corsair fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and planes from the carriers of the Pacific Fleet bombed and strafed ahead of the ad­vancing troops. The attack was supported by heavy artillery and by the guns of heavy units of the fleet.

A series of attacks involving a total of about 200 enemy aircraft were made on our forces in the Okinawa area during the afternoon of April 28 and the night of April 28‑29. Combat air patrols from escort and fast carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet and from the Second Marine Aircraft Wing prevented any enemy planes from penetrating to our main forces during daylight. At­tacks after nightfall and continuing until 0215 on April 29 caused some dam­age to light units of the fleet. A total of 104 enemy aircraft were destroyed by ships' guns and carrier and land‑based aircraft.

Carrier aircraft strafed targets on Kume Island west of Okinawa on April 28.

From the beginning of operations against Okinawa and surrounding islands through April 27, the Tenth Army lost 1,527 soldiers and 320 Marines killed in action. A total of 7,826 soldiers and 1,322 Marines were wounded and 413 soldiers and five Marines were missing.

Navy search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One attacked a convoy west of Kyushu on April 27 scoring four hits with medium bombs on cargo ships. Aircraft of the same wing attacked shipping in Shimonoseki Strait with bombs and torpedoes during the night of April 28‑29. During daylight on April 29, Fleet Air Wing One planes destroyed a small cargo ship, damaged seven others, and set a picket ship afire in attacks made in the waters around Kyushu, Honshu, and the Ryukyus.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command strafed small craft, radio installations, and other targets in the area of the Bonins on April 29.

Corsair fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Air­craft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus through moderate antiaircraft fire on targets April 28 and 29.

Army Liberators and Thunderbolt fighters of the Strategic Air Force bombed and strafed airfields and installations at Truk in the Carolines on April 28 and 29. On April 29 Navy search planes of Fleet Air Wing One hit the same target setting a drydock afire and sinking a ship in the harbor.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 348, APRIL 30, 1945

 

Machinato Airfield on Okinawa was captured by troops of the Twenty-­Seventh Infantry Division on April 29 (East Longitude Date). Behind aerial bombing, Naval gunfire and heavy artillery preparation, troops of the Ninety Sixth Infantry Division in the center were advancing southward over hill terrain. Seventh Division infantrymen were driving toward the ridges southeast of Kochi Village.

On April 29, several groups of enemy aircraft attacked our forces in the area of Okinawa. A total of 29 planes were shot down by our fighters and by ship and shore antiaircraft fire. In addition combat air patrols of the Fast Carrier Task Forces shot down 21 planes near our surface units on April 29 and four more on April 30.

Carrier aircraft from the Pacific Fleet attacked landing craft, a coastal ship, fuel dumps, barracks and airfield installations on Tokuno, Amami and

 

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Kikai Islands, in the Ryukyus on April 29 and 30. Five enemy aircraft were burned on the ground.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One bombed two small cargo ships in the Ryukyus Area on April 29 leaving one in sinking condition and an­other burning badly. On the same date, planes of the same Wing set three small cargo ships afire in the East China Sea.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing One on April 30 destroyed a small cargo ship and damaged dry dock installations, a coastal vessel, a patrol craft and a number of small craft in the area of Kyushu. Aircraft of the same Wing sank three small cargo ships near Kozu Island south of Tokyo and a number of fishing craft off the south coast of Honshu. On the same date search Air­craft of the same Wing sank a number of small craft in Truk Harbor in the Carolines and destroyed six barges at Woleai.

Buildings, gun emplacements and radar Installations on Minami Cape, Shimushu in the Northern Kuriles, were attacked with rockets and machine gun fire by Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Four on April 29.

Helldiver bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing made neutralizing raids on enemy bases in the Marshalls on April 29. Aircraft of the same Wing attacked targets in the Palaus on the following day.