CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 349, MAY 1, 1945

 

Troops of the Seventh Infantry Division continued to advance in the eastern sector of the lines on Okinawa on April 30 (East Longitude Date). By mid‑afternoon advance elements of the division had entered the village of Kuhazu. Local gains were made along the remainder of the front. The at­tack of the infantry was supported by heavy naval gunfire, heavy artillery and carrier and land‑based aircraft. A few enemy planes were In the area of Okinawa on April 30. One medium sized ship was damaged.

Aircraft from escort carriers attacked air installations in the Sakishima group on April 30. Reports of the strike on these islands by escort carrier planes on April 29 reveal that ammunition dumps were exploded, radio facili­ties and barracks were hit and several planes were destroyed on the ground.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing One bombed and strafed radio installa­tions on Kuro and Kuchino Islands in the northern Ryukyus on April 30. An enemy plane was destroyed on the ground at Kuchino. On the following day aircraft of this wing sank a cargo ship and damaged another in the East China Sea; sank a small cargo ship off the southern coast of Shikoku; and destroyed a small cargo ship at Miyake Island, south of Tokyo.

On April 30, Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command, escorted heavy bombers of the Twenty‑First Bomber Command over Tokyo, probably shot down one enemy plane and strafed three picket boats off the coast leaving them afire and dead in the water. Iwo based Mustangs on May 1, bombed and strafed military installations on Chichi Jima in the Bonins.

Mitchells of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing damaged a large cargo ship with rockets north of the Bonins on April 30. Corsair and Hellcat fighters end Avenger torpedo planes of this wing bombed enemy islands in the Palaus on May 1.

Army Thunderbolt fighters of the Seventh Air Force shot down a four engine seaplane over Truk in the Carolines on April 30 and swept the sea­plane base and harbor with rocket fire sinking one small craft and damaging

 

408

 

two others. Army Liberators of the same force followed the attack with heavy bombing of the airfields on Moen and Param Islands. Marcus Island was bombed by Seventh Air Force Liberators on the same date.

Eleventh Army Air Force Liberators bombed Kataoka naval base on Shimushu on April 30. On the same date, installations on Kokutan Cape on the same island, were attacked by search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 594, MAY 2, 1945

Far Eastern Waters.

 

1. U. S. submarines have reported the sinking of 21 enemy vessels, includ­ing two combatant ships‑a destroyer and an escort vessel‑in operations against the enemy in these waters, as follows:

 

1 destroyer

1 escort vessel

1 destroyer transport

2 medium cargo transports

2 small cargo vessels

12 medium cargo vessels

1 large tanker

1 medium tanker

 

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

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 350, MAY 2, 1945

 

The Seventh Infantry Division which captured Kuhazu Village during the late afternoon of April 30 continued to advance southward on Okinawa on May 1 (East Longitude Dates). No substantial change was made in other sectors of the lines where our troops were under enemy artillery, mortar and small arms fire. On May 2, ships' guns destroyed a number of enemy emplace­ments, strong points, and boat pens and carrier and land based aircraft bombed enemy defenses. The Infantry resumed the attack during the hours of dark­ness on the morning of May 2 and elements of the Seventh Division moved 1,400 yards forward to the vicinity of Gaja Hill, approximately one mile north of the town of Yonabaru. Tanks and flame throwers were being em­ployed to develop this salient. The Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division and the First Marine Division launched an attack in the center and on the right flank and were moving forward during the morning of May 2.

Targets on Kume Island, west of Okinawa and in the Sakishima Group In the Southern Ryukyus, were attacked by aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet on May 2.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One sank a medium transport south of Korea on May 1. On the following day, planes of this Wing sank two small cargo ships off the coast of Central Honshu and one oft the coast of Kyushu. Two small cargo ships were damaged near Honshu and a number of fishing and small craft were struck off Kyushu on the same date.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command bombed and strafed radio installations and other targets in the Bonins on May 2.

 

409

 

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Param Airfield at Truk and the airstrip and air facilities at Marcus Island on May 1 and 2.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters and Avenger torpedo planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus and on Yap in the West­ern Carolines on May 2.

Neutralizing attacks were made on enemy bases in the Marshalls by Search Planes of Fleet Air Wing Two on May 1.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 351, MAY 3, 1945

 

The Tenth Army resumed the attack in Southern Okinawa on May 3, (East Longitude Date), meeting artillery, mortar and small arms fire from the enemy's fortified line. The First Marine Division made a limited advance in its zone of action while other sectors remained stable. The attack was supported by ships' guns and aircraft.

In the early evening hours of May 3, four small groups of enemy aircraft attacked our shipping off the coast of Okinawa inflicting some damage on our forces and sinking two light units. Seventeen enemy aircraft were destroyed.

Planes from escort carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued neutraliz­ing attacks on airfields and air installations in the Sakishima group on May 2.

As of May 2, according to the most recent reports available, 1,131 officers and men of the U. S. Pacific Fleet had been killed in action in the Okinawa operation and associated operations against Japan. A total of 2,816 were wounded and 1,604 were missing. All figures are preliminary and incomplete.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One destroyed three twin‑engine planes on the ground, damaged locomotive and set numerous fires in a low level attack on Kanoya Airfield, Kyushu, during the early evening of May 3. Planes of the same wing probably sank a small cargo ship off the coast of Central Honshu on the same date.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus and strafed installations on Sonsoral Island, southwest of the Palaus on May 3. On the same date dive-bombers of this wing struck the airstrip at Yap. Neutralizing attacks were carried out on enemy bases in the Marshalls by Marine aircraft on the previous day.

A search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed barracks and shops on Wake Island on May 2.

 

 

CINCPOA PRESS RELEASE NO. 89, MAY 3, 1945

 

Among the ships of the British Pacific Fleet which engaged in operations against the islands of the Sakishima Group during the period March 26 to April 20 were the following fleet aircraft carriers

 

HMS Indomitable

HMS Indefatigable

HMS Victorious

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 595, MAY 4, 1945

 

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

 

410

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 352, MAY 4, 1945

 

During the night of May 3‑4 (East Longitude Dates) about 600 Japanese soldiers using landing craft attempted to attack behind our lines at three points along the West Coast and at one point on the East Coast of Okinawa. By daylight the landing effort on the East Coast had been repulsed and enemy groups on the West Coast were pocketed and being destroyed. During early morning darkness a number of enemy aircraft attacked Yontan Airstrip, caus­ing some damage. In the same period, ships offshore destroyed 15 suicide boats one of which caused minor damage to a light surface unit.

There was virtually no change in the position of the lines of the Tenth Army in Southern Okinawa on May 4.

Between the hours of 0745 and 0915, on May 4, a substantial number of enemy aircraft attacked our forces afloat in the area of Okinawa, sinking five surface units and damaging a number of others. Preliminary reports indicate that 54 enemy planes were shot down over our forces by ships' guns and combat air patrols. One of our destroyers shot down a Baka bomb during the attack.

Aircraft from fast carrier task forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet sweeping the Islands of the Northern Ryukyus shot down one plane, destroyed one and damaged 19 others on the ground at Tokuno, Kikai and Tanega Islands on May 3. On the following day, aircraft from fast carriers shot 96 aircraft out of the air over Okinawa and the Amami Group.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One shot down two enemy planes and damaged two others on May 4.

Escort carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued neutralizing raids on airfields in the Sakishima Group on May 3.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed air and harbor Installa­tions at Truk on May 3, leaving a small cargo ship burning and another listing after being hit by bombs. A single Navy search Plane exploded an ammuni­tion dump at Truk on the following day. On May 4, Seventh Army Air Force planes bombed runways and dispersal areas on Marcus Island.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus and Marshalls on May 4.

Mopping up operations on Two Island and the Islands of the Marianas continued during April 22 and 28 inclusive. A total of 108 of the enemy were killed and 156 were taken prisoner.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 353, MAY 5, 1945

 

Following and in conjunction with the attempted landings of Japanese troops behind the Tenth Army lines on Okinawa on the night of May 3‑4 (East Longitude Dates) and in coordination with his heavy air attacks of May 3 and 4, the enemy on May 4, launched a general counterattack. Its greatest weight was against the positions of the Seventh and Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Divisions. This attack was supported by tanks and was preceded by intense artillery fire. Our troops supported by a heavy barrage from Army and Marine artillery and low level strafing by carrier and Marine air­craft broke up the enemy attacks. Taking advantage of the disorganized state of the enemy's lines after his failure in these operations, Army and Marine infantry men resumed the offensive on the morning of May 5 and were advancing at midmorning when elements of the First Marine Division began

 

411

 

an assault on Hill 187, east of the Asa River Mouth. A total of 3,000 of the enemy were killed during the attacks on May 3‑4, including troops which made landings on our beaches. Five enemy tanks were destroyed.

During the air attacks of May 4, our forces shot down 168 planes over the Okinawa Area including 45 by the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and 67 by Fast Carrier Forces Patrols. Early in the morning of May 5, a small group of enemy planes approached our forces and bombed the Yontan Airstrip causing no damage.

From the beginning of the Okinawa operation to May 5, the enemy lost 33,462 killed and 700 prisoners of war including 297 labor troops.

The Tenth Army up to May 3, lost 2,337 soldiers and Marines killed. A total of 11,432 were wounded and 514 were missing.

Search Planes of Fleet Air Wing One sank two large tankers in Fusan Harbor, Korea, and damaged a cargo ship south of Fusan on May 4.

Aircraft from escort carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued to neutralize airfields in the Sakishima Group on May 4.

Corsairs and Avengers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Libera­tors of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed installations in the Palaus on May 5.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 354, MAY 6, 1945

 

Heavy units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet in attacks coordinated with those of carrier and land‑based aircraft bombarded enemy positions on Okinawa on May 5 (East Longitude Date). During the early morning and early evening of that day a number of enemy aircraft approached our forces without causing damage. On the morning of May 6 a small number of enemy air attacks were made on ships off Okinawa. One light unit suffered minor damage and four enemy aircraft were shot down.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One based in the Okinawa area swept Tsushima and Korea Straits and the coastal waters of Western Korea on May 5 and inflicted the following damage on the enemy by low level bombing and strafing:

 

Sunk:

Two large oilers

One medium freighter

One small cargo ship

 

Damaged:

One large fleet oiler left dead in water and sinking

One cargo ship exploded and left sinking.

One small freighter left abandoned and sinking

One large cargo ship left burning

One freighter left listing and burning

One medium oiler left burning

Nine small cargo ships damaged

One lugger damaged

 

In addition, search planes shot down three enemy aircraft. On the foll­owing day aircraft of this wing probably sank a picket boat and destroyed numerous fishing craft.

On May 4 heavy units of the British Pacific Fleet including battleships

 

412

 

and cruisers bombarded enemy airfields at Hirara and Nobara on Miyako Island in the Sakishima group causing considerable damage. Aircraft from carriers of the force attacked enemy airfields in the island group on May 4 and 5 destroying 15 aircraft in the air, three on the ground and damaging four others on the ground. A major unit of the task force suffered some damage during an air attack but has resumed operations.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed installations in the Palaus through intense antiaircraft fire on May 6.

Thunderbolt fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force strafed shipping and air installations at Truk on May 6 sinking one tug and damaging two other craft in the harbor.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 355, MAY 7, 1945

 

Enemy positions in the Southern Sector of Okinawa were brought under fire by heavy forces of the United States Pacific Fleet on May 6 (East Longi­tude Date) and numerous blockhouses, pillboxes and other structures were destroyed. Carrier aircraft of the Fleet and planes of the Tactical Air Force gave close support to the ground troops. On the same day, U. S. carrier air­craft made neutralizing attacks on airfields of the Sakishima Group.

On May 7, troops of the Tenth Army advanced in the Southern sector. The First Marine Division drove southward to the edge of Dakeshi Village while the Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division, led by flame‑throwing tanks, made gains in the center, and the Seventh Infantry Division moved forward on the left flank.

From the beginning of the Okinawa operation through May 7, the enemy lost 36,535 killed in all areas of the land fighting.

A small number of enemy aircraft were over our forces in the Okinawa Area early on May 7. No damage was reported.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One attacking at masthead height with bombs and machine guns inflicted the following damage on enemy ship­ping in the waters around Korea on May 6:

 

Sunk:

One large cargo ship.

One medium cargo ship.

One medium oiler.

One large fleet tanker.

 

Damaged:

Two small freighters damaged.

One large cargo ship exploded.

 

Planes of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen in searches of Japanese waters sank three coastal cargo ships south of Honshu and probably destroyed a seagoing tug on May 7.

Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command bombed and strafed barracks, and small craft at Chichi Jima in the Bonins on May 7.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing made neutralizing attacks on the Marshalls on May 6. On the following day, Corsairs, Hellcats and Avengers of the same Wing and Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force attacked targets in the Palau Islands.

 

413

 

 

MAY 8, 1945

 

A PROCLAMATION

 

The Allied armies, through sacrifice and devotion and with God's help, have wrung from Germany a final and unconditional surrender. The western world has been freed of the evil forces which for five years and longer have imprisoned the bodies and broken the lives of millions upon millions of free­born men. They have violated their churches, destroyed their homes, corrupted their children, and murdered their loved ones. Our Armies of Liberation have restored freedom to these suffering peoples, whose spirit and will the oppressors could never enslave.

Much remains to be done. The victory won in the West must now be won in the East. The whole world must be cleansed of the evil from which half the world has been freed. United, the peace‑loving nations have demon­strated in the West that their arms are stronger by far than the might of dictators or the tyranny of military cliques that once called us soft and weak. The power of our peoples to defend themselves against all enemies will be proved in the Pacific war as it has been proved in Europe.

For the triumph of spirit and of arms which we have won, and for its promise to peoples everywhere who join us in the love of freedom, it is fitting that we, as a nation, give thanks to Almighty God, who has strengthened us and given us the victory.

Now, THEREFORE, I, HARRY S. TRUMAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby appoint Sunday, May 13, 1945, to be a day of prayer.

I call upon the people of the United States, whatever their faith, to unit in offering joyful thanks to God for the victory we have won and to pray that He will support us to the end of our present struggle and guide us into the way of peace.

I also call upon my countrymen to dedicate this day of prayer to the memory of those who have given their lives to make possible our victory.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States of America to be affixed.

DONE at the City of Washington this eighth day of May, in the year of our Lord nineteen hundred and forty‑five, and of the Independence of the United States of America the one hundred and sixty‑ninth.

      By the President

 

[SEAL]                       

HARRY S. TRUMAN.

 

JOSEPH C. GREW,

Acting Secretary of State.

 

 

MAY 8, 1945

 

STATEMENT TO THE MEN OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY AND ARMY BY THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY

 

You and your Allies have won a great victory. The price was high; it has been won by determination, sacrifice and blood. With this victory you have won something more: the admiration and gratitude of America and the world.

The task has now been half accomplished. Another powerful enemy remains. It will require all our resolution and fortitude to destroy him. Only by so doing can we keep faith with those who have fallen. Let us now go forward to speedy and complete victory in the Pacific.

 

414

 

 

MAY 8, 1945

 

MEMORANDUM TO THE PRESS

 

The following are casualty figures for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard sustained in the Atlantic‑Mediterranean theaters, including the Euro­pean theater. Data for the Navy are through April 26; those for the Marine Corps are through April 10 ; those for the Coast Guard are through May 5. The Coast Guard keeps no breakdown by theaters for casualties other than dead. Totals include combatant as well as non‑combatant casualties. Navy totals for the combined Atlantic and Mediterranean theaters include casualties which might have been sustained on the continents of Europe and Africa. The Coast Guard totals for the "Atlantic" theater cover all operations against the European enemy.

 

 

 

Dead

Missing

Wounded or Injured

Prisoners of War

Total

Navy

 

 

 

 

 

Atlantic

6,415

594

3,612

29

10,650

Mediterranean

1,930

78

1,689

0

3,697

Total

8,346

672

5,301

29

14,347

Marine Corps:

 

 

 

 

 

Atlantic

32

0

1

0

33

Mediterranean

2

0

0

0

2

Eastern Theatre of Operations

0

1

o

3

4

Total

34

1

1

3

39

Coast Guard

508

...

...

....

508

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 356, MAY 8, 1945

 

Battleships and cruisers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet delivered heavy fire in support of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps and the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps in southern Okinawa on May 7 (East Longitude Date) destroying gun emplacements, some artillery and a number of mortars. During the night of May 7‑8, surface craft fired several hundred rounds of illumination which effectively reduced the enemy's attempts at infiltration into our lines. Adverse weather limited our operations on the island during May 8 and there were no substantial changes in the lines.

No enemy aircraft activity was noted in the Ryukyus during the night and day of May 7‑8. As of that date, summaries of damage to the enemy show that fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing have shot down 209 Japanese aircraft since they commenced operation from captured fields on Okinawa.

Escort carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued to neutralize airfields in the Sakishima group on May 7.

Concentrations of shipping in the coastal waters around Korea were at­tacked on May 7 by search planes of Fleet Air Wing One and an estimated 14,000 tons of shipping were sunk and 3,500 tons damaged as follows

 

Sunk:

One small freighter transport

One large fleet oiler

 

415

 

Damaged:

One trawler set afire

One small freight transport set afire and listing

One small freighter left listing and dead in water

 

Planes of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen in attacks on shipping south of the island of Honshu on May 8 inflicted the following damage on the enemy:

 

Sunk:

Two small cargo ships

One large fishing craft

One coastal cargo ship

 

Damaged:

Four small cargo ships

Four large fishing craft

One coastal cargo ship

 

Search planes of this wing shot down a four‑engine flying boat near the Honshu coast on the same date.

Night flying Mitchells of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing damaged a small ship with rockets south of Honshu on May 7.

Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force strafed and bombed gun positions and radio installations on Truk in the Carolines through intense antiaircraft fire on May 7. On the same date, Liberators of this force bombed the runways on Marcus Island.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 357, MAY 9, 1945

 

Carrier‑based aircraft, Marine aircraft based ashore and ships' guns con­tinued to support the troops of the Tenth Army with heavy bombing and gunfire on enemy positions in southern Okinawa on May 8 (East Longitude Date). Adverse weather continued in the Okinawa area through May 8 and no enemy aircraft were active over the Ryukyus on that date. The troops continued to move southward on May 9.

At noon on May 9 every gun ashore and every gun afloat which bore on the enemy on Okinawa fired one round simultaneously in recognition of the victory of the United Nations in Europe.

From the beginning of operations against Okinawa through May 7, the Tenth Army lost 2,107 soldiers and 577 Marines killed in action. A total of 10,402 soldiers and 2,800 Marines were wounded and 501 soldiers and 38 Marines were missing.

Aircraft from carriers of the British Pacific Fleet bombed airfields and defenses on Miyako and‑Ishigaki in the Sakishima group on May 9 destroying two planes on the ground and shooting one out of the air. Two units of the force suffered minor damage during an air attack but remained operational.

A substantial force of Mustang fighters of the Seventh Fighter Command destroyed two aircraft on the ground and probably destroyed five others in low level strafing attacks on Kisarazu airfield and Tateyama Naval Air Station southeast of Tokyo on May 8. In other attacks a small cargo ship and a locomotive were destroyed and a train and a number of small craft damaged.

On the same date, Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed airfields on Marcus Island and at Truk. In low level attacks on Marcus on

 

416

 

May 9, Liberators and search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen destroyed five aircraft on the ground and damaged three others. Antiaircraft fire was intense and two of our planes were shot down in the action. Survivors of one were rescued. On the same date, Liberators of the Seventh Air Force again bombed air installations on Truk.

Corsairs and Hellcats of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing attacked in­stallations on enemy‑held islands in the Palaus on May 8 and 9.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 596, MAY 10, 1945

Philippine Area.

 

1. The LCS(L)‑26 and the YMS‑71 have been lost in the Philippine area as the result of enemy action.

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

 

 

MAY 10, 1945

 

NAVAL LOSSES AS ANNOUNCED IN NAVY DEPARTMENT COMMUNIQUÉS NOS. 1 TO

596; NAVY DEPARTMENT PRESS RELEASES; AND AT CINCPOA HEADQUARTERS

 

 

 

Sunk

Overdue and Presumed Lost

Destroyed to Prevent Capture

Total

Battleship

1

0

0

1

Aircraft carrier

11

0

0

11

Heavy cruiser

5

1

0

6

Light cruiser

3

0

0

3

Destroyer

54

4

1

59

Destroyer escort

7

0

0

7

Submarine

4

37

2

43

Miscellaneous

163[1]

6

7

176

Total

248

48

10

306

 

[1] Includes one light unit (unidentified) mentioned in CINCPOA Communiqué  No. 340, one light unit (unidentified) mentioned in CINCPOA Communiqué No. 346, two light units (unidentified) mentioned in CINCPOA Communiqué No. 361, and five light units (unidentified) mentioned in CINCPOA Communiqué No. 352.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 358, MAY 10, 1945

 

Enemy installations in Southern Okinawa were bombarded by ships of the U. S. Pacific Fleet and carrier and Marine aircraft on May 9 (East Longitude Date). Ships' gunfire broke up a number of troop concentrations in the enemy's rear areas and destroyed pillboxes, emplacements and a motor transport. During the evening of May 9, several groups of enemy aircraft attacked our shipping off the Okinawa coast damaging two auxilia­ries and bombing Yontan Airfield without success. Early the following morning another attack was made on our ships and ground installations but we suffered no damage. Six enemy aircraft were shot down during these actions. A Second Marine Aircraft Wing fighter with guns inoperative de‑

 

417

 

stroyed a Japanese bomber by cutting off its tail assembly with his propeller in three attacks.

Elements of the Sixth Marine Division bridged and crossed the estuary of the Asa River in Southern Okinawa on May 10. Construction of the bridge was delayed temporarily by the enemy's use of two human bombs which caused some damage during the early morning hours. Limited gains were made on the remainder of the Southern front where hand to hand fighting was in progress in some sectors. The enemy on Okinawa lost 38,857 killed through May 9.

The area of Okinawa from the Central sector of the Island near the Hagushi beaches, northward to the extremity of the Island was passed to the control of the Island Commander, Major General F. G. Wallace, U. S. Army on May 4. About 135,000 civilians were under the jurisdiction of the U. S. Military Government on May 8.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One damaged two medium freighters and two small cargo ships south of Korea on May 9 by bombing and strafing attacks.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed airfields on Truk and Marcus Islands heavily on May 10. On the same date, Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command struck at radio installations on Chichi Jima in the Bonins.

Helldiver bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing continued neutralizing raids on the Marshalls on May 9 and struck targets in the Palaus and on Yap on the following day.

During the week of April 29 to May 5, inclusive, 69 Japanese were killed and 57 captured on Iwo Island. Total Japanese casualties on Iwo to May 5 were 23,244 killed and 1,03,8 prisoners of war. In the Marianas during the week of April 29 through May 5, 23 of the enemy were killed and 98 were captured.

On May 6, surface forces under Commander, Marshalls‑Gilberts Area, evacuated 494 Marshallese from Islands of Jaluit Atoll. Japanese garrison troops resisted the operation with light weapons on all islands. Our forces lost one killed and one wounded. The evacuated natives have been placed on Islands in the Marshalls Group under U. S. control.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 359, MAY 11, 1945

 

During the evening of May 10 and the morning of May 11 (East Longi­tude Dates) several groups of enemy aircraft attacked our ships and shore installations in the Okinawa area damaging three light Naval units. More than 40 enemy planes were shot down by our combat air patrols and anti­aircraft fire.

During the night of May 10‑11, the Japanese on Okinawa made numer­ous night attacks and attempts at night infiltration into the lines of the Tenth Army. Practically all the attacking Japanese were killed. At 0700 local time on May 11 after large scale preparation by heavy artillery Naval gunfire and aerial bombing the Tenth Army launched a strong attack. The initial assault carried elements of the Marine Third Amphibious Corps on the west and of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps on the east to the high ground overlooking the enemy stronghold of Shuri. Enemy resistance was heavy along the front. On the west the Sixth Marine Division made a

 

418

 

general advance southward to a line about 800 yards south of the Asa estuary and the First Marine Division, employing tanks, advanced and occupied the village of Dakeshi. In the center of the island, the Seventy-Seventh Infantry Division engaged in hand to hand fighting as it moved forward in rugged terrain. On the east the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division was gaining ground slowly against strong resistance.

At the end of May 10, the enemy on Okinawa had lost 39,469 killed in action.

As of May 9, according to most recent reports available, 1,283 officers and men of the U. S. Pacific Fleet had been killed and 2,072 were reported missing in action from the beginning of the Okinawa operation and associated operations against Japan. A total of 3,498 were wounded.

Search planes of Fleet Air Wing One shot down a four‑engine flying boat west of Kyushu and set a small cargo ship afire west of Korea on May 10.

Fleet Air Wing Eighteen planes damaged several fishing craft and set two small cargo ships afire south of Honshu on May 10. In the same area on the following day planes of this wing shot down an enemy plane, exploded a coastal cargo ship, damaged another coastal vessel and caused it to beach, set a small cargo ship afire and damaged a number of landing craft. Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen destroyed two small cargo ships in Truk Harbor on May 11.

Further information about the action of British carrier aircraft against airfields in the Sakishima group on May 9 shows that two enemy planes were destroyed on the ground and six more were destroyed in the air. One British plane was lost in combat.

Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed shipping and instal­lations at Kataoka Naval Base on Shimushu and Kashiwabara on Para­mushiru in the Kuriles on May 10. Meager antiaircraft fire was encountered.

Aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Fleet Air Wing Two continued neutralizing raids on the Marshalls on May 10. Marine Corsair and Hellcat fighters destroyed installations in the Palaus on May 11.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 360, MAY 12, 1945

 

Cruisers and destroyers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet covered by aircraft from fast carriers, bombarded shore installations on Minami Daito Island, east of the Ryukyus on May 10 (East Longitude Date). On the following day, air groups and ships' guns of the fast carrier task forces destroyed 72 enemy aircraft over the Ryukyus including 40 over Okinawa. Carrier planes made low level attacks on May 11 on airfields and shipping in the Amami group destroying four planes on the ground and damaging warehouse Installations and a number of luggers. One of our major Fleet Units suffered damage during an air attack on that date.

A total of 93 enemy planes were destroyed over our forces around Okinawa on May 11 including 19 planes shot down by one of our destroyers. Several surface ships were damaged during these attacks.

On May 12, the Tenth Army continued the general attack of the preced­ing day supported by heavy gunfire from ships and sustained bombing by carrier planes and by aircraft of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. Apprecia­ble gains were made on each flank of the Army line.

 

419

 

Elements of the Sixth Marine Division entered the suburbs of Naha on the west coast of Okinawa. Progress of the center of the line against the positions of the enemy in the hilly central portions of the Island was slow. The Seventy‑Seventh and Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Divisions captured important enemy strong points and made local advances against stiff resistance in their respective zones of action.

Tori Island, approximately 55 miles west of Okinawa, was occupied by Tenth Army Troops without opposition on May 12.

In waters south of Korea on May 11, search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One including Privateers, Coronados and Mariners, inflicted the following damage on the enemy:

 

One coastal cargo ship sunk

Two coastal cargo ships set afire.

One large coastal cargo ship set afire and listing

 

Mitchells and Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force sank a small largo ship and damaged two others in Kataoka Harbor on Shimushu in the Northern Kuriles on May 11. A Mitchell was shot down during the attack. On the same date, Eleventh Air Force Mitchells attacked targets at Kashiwabara on Paramushiru and planes of Fleet Air Wing Four made rocket attacks on radar installations on Minami Cape on Shimushu.

Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force bombed Truk in the Carolines and Marcus Island oh May 12.

Planes of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck targets in the Palaus and at Yap on the same date.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed workshops and air installations on Wake Island on May 11.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 361, MAY 13, 1945

 

Heavy fighting continued on Okinawa on May 13 (East Longitude Date) as troops of the Tenth Army continued to attack the approaches to the enemy stronghold of Shuri. Few changes were noted in the western sector A the lines where the Sixth Marine Division was meeting stiff resistance. An attempted enemy landing behind our lines in the area of Machinato air­field was broken up and a number of enemy boats were destroyed by ship and shore gunfire. The First Marine Division was moving at noon south of Dakeshi into the high ground protecting Shuri after beating off an enemy counterattack and killing approximately 100 Japanese. Throughout the morning, these troops were under heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire and progress teas difficult. The attack of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps carried its lines 300 yards forward on the Corps' right flank and about 800 yards forward on the Corps' left flank. The Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division, meeting very strong resistance, advanced into high ground northeast of Shuri and the 383rd Infantry Regiment of the Ninety‑Sixth Division was approaching the summit of Conical Hill, a key position which forms a pro­tective barrier for both Shuri and Yonabaru. The ground troops were sup­ported throughout the day by heavy air strikes from carriers and from the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. The guns of heavy units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued to bombard enemy areas.

 

420

 

A few enemy planes approached our forces in the Okinawa Area early on the morning of May 13 but caused no damage.

Search seaplanes of Fleet Air Wing One sank a lugger, set a small cargo ship afire and heavily damaged a small oiler in waters around Korea on May 12.

Runways at Marcus Island and Truk were heavily bombed by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on May 13.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy installations in the Palaus on May 13.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 597, MAY 14, 1945

 

1. The YMS‑103 has been lost in the Okinawa area as the result of enemy action. The next of kin of casualties have been informed.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 362, MAY 14, 1945

 

About 35 enemy aircraft in three groups attacked our ships off the coast of Okinawa on the evening of May 13 (East Longitude Date) causing some damage to two light units. Twenty‑five of the planes were shot down, one of our destroyers accounting for eight aircraft. Early in the morning of May 14, a few planes dropped bombs ashore on Okinawa but failed to damage any installations.

On the afternoon of May 13, two rifle companies of the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division reached the summit of Conical Hill, 2,500 yards east of Shuri, holding the position despite a Japanese counterattack. The 383rd Infantry Regiment of the Ninety‑Sixth Division completed capture of the hill on May 14. Domination of this high ground permitted our left flank to advance 2,400 yards southward along the East Coast bringing Yonabaru airstrip into our possession. In other sectors of the line, advances were limited generally to 100 to 200 yards as troops of the Tenth Army met stiff opposition. The ground forces were supported by heavy gunfire from ships of the Pacific Fleet and by bombing and strafing attacks on enemy positions by carrier aircraft and planes of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing.

Since April 1, our forces on Okinawa have captured or destroyed 388 enemy guns of 70 millimeter caliber or larger.

Several groups of enemy aircraft made a series of attacks on the Fast Carrier Task Forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet during the morning of May 14, causing some damage to one major unit. Preliminary reports show that 21 enemy planes were shot down by combat air patrols and ships' gunfire.

Carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet bombed the airfields on Miyako in the Sakishima Group on May 12 and 13, and struck buildings, dumps and barges at Hirara Town where a large oil fire and a number of smaller fires were started. Two aircraft were destroyed on the ground dur­ing these attacks.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small oiler, a medium freighter, and a small freighter transport in the waters around Korea on May 13. A medium freighter transport was damaged and left burning. From the beginning of operations in the Okinawa Area to May 13, inclusive, search planes of this Wing have sunk 71,900 tons of enemy shipping, damaged

 

421

 

70,160 tons and destroyed six aircraft. The unit has suffered combat losses of three aircraft from which all personnel were rescued.

Fleet Air Wing Eighteen aircraft damaged five small cargo ships, a lugger and a fishing craft south of Honshu on May 13. In low level attacks along the coast of Southwestern Honshu our search planes halted two trains with strafing and rocket attacks and damaged a number of buildings.

Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing planes bombed targets in the Marshalls on May 13 and attacked military installations in the Palaus and on Yap on the following day. Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two continued neutralizing attacks in the Marshalls and bombed Ponape in the Carolines on May 13.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 598, MAY 15, 1945

Pacific.

 

1. United States submarines have reported sinking nine enemy vessels as a result of operations in Far Eastern waters. Five combatant vessels were included those sunk. The vessels sunk were:

 

1 destroyer

2 small escort vessels

1 large tanker

2 patrol vessels

1 medium cargo vessel

2 small cargo vessels

 

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

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 598, MAY 15, 1945

 

JAPANESE LOSSES INFLICTED BY U. S. SUBMARINES

 

(According to the latest available information)

 

Combatant Ships

 

 

Sunk

Probably Sunk

Damaged

Total

Battleships

0

0

1

1

Aircraft Carriers

4

2

2

8

Cruisers

17

2

6

25

Destroyers

54

6

6

65

Submarines

0

0

0

0

Tenders

3

1

1

6

Others

63

1

0

54

Total

131

11

16

168

 

Non‑Combatant Ships

 

Tankers

110

1

18

129

Transports

165

5

8

178

Cargo & Supply

682

17

71

770

Miscellaneous

40

3

6

49

Totals

997

26

103

1126

Total Ships of all Types

1128

87

119

1284

 

422

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 363, MAY 15, 1945

 

Airfield installations at Kokubu, Kanoya, Chiran and Kagoshima on Kyushu were bombed by Avenger torpedo planes of the Fast Carrier Task Forces of the U. S. Pacific Fleet on the night of May 12‑13 (East Longitude Dates.)

Twelve enemy planes were shot down during this period. On May 13 and 14, heavy strikes of torpedo aircraft, Helldiver bombers and Corsair and Hell­cat fighters were launched against airfields throughout Kyushu and in parts of Shikoku in the Japanese Empire. During these two days our aircraft de­stroyed 71 enemy planes and a barrage balloon in the air and 93 planes on the ground and destroyed or damaged 108 more on the ground. An additional 73 aircraft were brought under machine gun and rocket attack with unob­served results. Railroad installations in Kyushu were heavily hit with an oil train, four locomotives, a railroad station, a chemical plant and a number of large buildings destroyed or seriously damaged. Our planes also struck buildings, barracks and aviation installations at airdromes in Saeki, Oita, Miyakonojo, Kikuchi, Ashiya, Gannosu, Kofuji, Usa, Izumi, Tachiarai, Chiran, Omura and Hitoyoshi on Kyushu and at airfields in Kochi and Matsuyama on Shikoku.

Two motor boats and two luggers were sunk and a repair ship, seven torpedo boats, four luggers, a small cargo ship, four small craft and a tug were dam­aged on May 13 and 14. Preliminary reports indicate that our forces lost about 10 aircraft in these attacks.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One heavily damaged a small freighter transport and two small cargo ships on May 14 in the waters around Korea.

On May 14, escort carrier aircraft attacked airfield installations in the Sakishima group and struck enemy positions on Kume Island west of Okinawa. On the same date night fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing struck targets in the Amami group. No material changes were made in the Tenth Army lines on Okinawa on May 15. The day was marked by heavy fighting along the western and central sectors of the front where the enemy mounted a counterattack in the Sixth Marine Division sector. The Twenty‑Second Regiment of Marines standing at the suburbs of Naha met the assault of the enemy during the morning and beat it off in hand to hand fighting, finally driving the attackers into the interior of Takamotoji Town with heavy losses. An attempt to land small craft behind the Marine's lines in the Machinato airfield sector was broken up by Naval gunfire. The First Marine Division continued to attack the high ground in the vicinity of Wana Town and the Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division after a difficult five day battle, captured "Chocolate Drop Hill", east of Ishimmi, inflicting major losses on the enemy. In the eastern sector, the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division strengthened its positions and beat off an enemy counterattack in the vicinity of Conical Hill. Throughout the day, Army and Marine troops were supported by field artil­lery, heavy Naval gunfire and carrier and land‑based aircraft.

Fighters of the Second Marine Aircraft Wing struck installations on Kikai Island in the Amami Group on May 16.

Fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed and strafed enemy facilities in the Palaus an May 14.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Two sank a small cargo ship at Truk on May 15.

 

423

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 599, MAY 16, 1945 Atlantic.

 

1. The USS Frederick C. Davis, a destroyer escort, was sunk recently in the Atlantic by an enemy submarine.

2. Next of kin of casualties have been informed.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 364, MAY 16, 1945

 

During the early evening of May 15 (East Longitude Date) about 12 enemy aircraft approached our ships off Okinawa but were intercepted by escort carrier and Second Marine Aircraft Wing planes which shot down nine and forced the others to retire without causing damage. A single enemy plane was shot down early in the morning on May 16 when a few enemy aircraft attacked Yontan and Kadena airfields causing minor damage.

Marine and Army Infantrymen supported by tanks, aircraft, field artillery and Naval gunfire continued to carry the attack to the enemy on Okinawa on May 16 but the lines remained substantially unchanged. Shuri Town was sub­jected to heavy bombardment by artillery and Naval guns. Local gains were made on the West Coast by The Sixth Marine Division. The Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division was engaged in an uphill drive against stubbornly defended tombs and caves. On the east the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division attacked westward through the rugged country around Conical Hill.

At the end of May 15, the enemy had lost 46,505 killed in action at Okinawa. Our forces on that date had captured 1,038 prisoners.

Reports through May 14 show that 2,771 soldiers and 1,010 Marines have been killed in action in the Okinawa operations. In the same period 11,675 soldiers and 5,329 Marines have been wounded and 129 soldiers and 36 Marines are missing.

In operations against Ishigaki and Miyako in the Sakishima group on May 14‑15, escort carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet shot down three enemy planes and destroyed two on the ground.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One sank two medium freighters and heavily damaged a medium freighter transport south of the Korean Coast on May 15. On the following day planes of the same wing damaged a small cargo ship in the same area.

Search Venturas and Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen attacked shipping and installations along the southern coast of Honshu on May 16 sinking a small oiler, a small cargo ship and five fishing craft and damaging a fuel barge. Search planes of this wing damaged the entrances to three rail­road tunnels along the coast with rocket and bomb hits.

Helldiver bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck storage areas on Yap in the Carolines and fighter aircraft attacked targets in the Palaus on May 15.

Fleet Air Wing Two search planes made neutralizing attacks on Wake Island and on enemy installations in the Marshalls on May 15.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Four made rocket and machine gun attacks on trawlers and fishing craft off Kokutan Cape on Shimushu in the northern Kuriles on May 15.

 

424

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 365, MAY 17, 1945

 

On the evening of May 16 (East Longitude Date) a small group of enemy aircraft attempted to attack our forces on and around Okinawa but failed to cause any damage. One enemy plane was destroyed.

Elements of the Sixth Marine Division crossed the Asato River and gained a small bridgehead in Naha, capital of Okinawa on May 17. During the late afternoon the Marines, after heavy fighting, also captured "Sugar Loaf Hill" several hundred yards northeast of Takimotoji. On the Third Amphibious Corps left flank, troops of the First Marine Division reached Wana Town during the day. Without advance artillery preparation, infantrymen of the Seventy‑Seventh Army Division made a surprise night attack against enemy positions on the high ground in the vicinity of Ishimmi Town and reached the outskirts of the town by noon of May 17. In the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division zone of action, enemy resistance was heavy in the hill masses east of Ishimmi and in the ridges running south of Conical Hill. Some progress was being made in destruction of enemy strong points.

The attacking infantry was supported by artillery, Naval gunfire and heavy strikes of planes of the escort carriers and the Second Marine Aircraft Wing. Through May 15, guns of the U. S. Pacific Fleet had delivered 25,000 tons ammunition of five inch caliber or larger in support of the troops on Okinawa.

Carrier aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet heavily bombed towns and airfields in the Sakishima group on May 16 and 17, damaging three planes on the ground and strafing four others with unobserved results. In these attacks two small craft were destroyed, a small coastal cargo ship and a lugger were left in sinking condition and two small cargo ships, two luggers and six barges were damaged. A large explosion was observed during an attack on Ohama Town and an oil dump set afire. Motor vehicles loaded with troops were severely strafed.

Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command swept Atsugi airfield in the vicinity of Tokyo with low level attacks on May 17 destroying seven enemy aircraft on the ground, probably destroying two more and damaging 33 others. One of our aircraft was shot down by intense antiaircraft fire over the target.

On May 16, Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force sank a small cargo ship or escort vessel in the waters between Paramushiru and Shimushu in the northern Kuriles and damaged two enemy fighters which attacked.

Aircraft of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck targets in the Marshalls on May 16 and in the Palaus on the following day.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 366, MAY 18, 1945

 

During the period May 16‑17 (East Longitude Dates) troops of the Tenth Army penetrated sectors of the enemy's line on Okinawa which are being defended with the greatest tenacity of the entire operation. On the evening of May 16, "G" Company of the 383rd Regiment, Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division, at the crest of Conical Hill engaged in a one‑hour grenade battle with a force of counter‑attacking Japanese before driving the enemy oft the peak. On the same day in the Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division zone of action, the 307th Regiment captured a small hill twice, were forced to retire on both occasions, recaptured the Hill on the morning of May 17 and again were forced to retire due to heavy artillery and mortar fire later in the day.

 

425

 

The First Marine Division captured a Japanese command post on top of a small hill between Dakeshi and Wana on the afternoon of May 17 after over­coming intense opposition from caves. The Sixth Marine Division which cap­tured "Sugar Loaf Hill" on the same day retained possession of it only after losing it twice to heavy counterattack. During this Division's advance from the Asa to the Asato River, it is estimated that two battalions of Japanese troops were destroyed.

Ground troops were supported on May 17 and 18 by heavy gunfire from ships of the U. S. Pacific Fleet and by aircraft from escort carriers of the fleet and from the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and 318th Army Fighter Group. A few enemy planes were over the Okinawa Area late in the day on May 17 and during the early morning hours of May 18.

Search Aircraft of Fleet Air Wing One sank a small freighter south of Korea and damaged two freighter transports and an oiler in the same area on May 18.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 367, MAY 19, 1943

 

Troops of the Tenth Army maintained heavy pressure on the enemy along the whole southern front of Okinawa on May 18 (East Longitude Date), meet­ing strong resistance at all points on the front lines. The Sixth Marine Divi­sion withdrew from "Sugar Loaf Hill" in the western sector after nightfall on May 17 but occupied the summit for the fifth time after heavy fighting on the morning of May 18. The enemy has sacrificed large numbers of troops in the defense of this key position before Naha. The First Marine Division gained several hundred yards and was operating east of Wana Town to destroy enemy strong points in that area. The Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division continued to assault strongly held enemy positions with local support from aircraft and from flame‑throwing tanks. This division gained some ground on its right flank near Ishimmi Town. In the hilly sector on the eastern end of the lines south and east of Conical Hill, the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division progressed slowly in hand to hand fighting. The enemy employed substantial artillery fire all along the line in attempts to contain the attacks of our forces. Our troops were supported throughout the day by ships' gunfire and aircraft bombing. A few enemy aircraft appeared over the Okinawa area during the evening of May 17. Two enemy planes were shot down.

Minor changes were made in the positions of our troops attacking the Shuri position on May 19. Enemy resistance throughout the hilly area around the fortress town remained extremely strong. The Sixth Marine Division re­pulsed a counterattack east of Takamotoji during the early morning. The First Marine Division and Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division continued to attack abreast against heavily fortified ridges and hills around Wana Town. The Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division continued to develop its positions around Conical Hill and to the west of that point in violent hand to hand fighting. On the evening of May, 18, a small group of enemy aircraft attacked our forces in the area of Okinawa. Fourteen were shot down by combat air patrols and by ships' gunfire.

Our attacking troops were supported by aircraft from carriers and from the Second Marine Aircraft Wing and by Naval gunfire.

The enemy on Okinawa at the end of May 17 had lost 48,103 killed in action. U. S. Military Government authorities on that date, had 139,858 civilians under their jurisdiction.

 

426

 

The following is a report of casualties to United States Forces in the Okinawa operation and associated operations against Japan since March 18:

 

Army troops to May 18, killed and missing 3,093, wounded 12,078.

Fleet Marine Forces to May 18, killed and missing 1,239, wounded 8,180.

U. S. Pacific Fleet to May 16, killed and missing 3,978, wounded 3,958.

 

Sweeping the northern Ryukyus on May 17‑18, aircraft from fast car­riers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet sank a number of luggers and small craft and damaged numerous others, destroyed five planes on the ground and probably destroyed eight more. Fuel dumps, buildings and installations at Yaku, Tokara, Tokuno, Kikai, Gaja and Amami were destroyed or damaged.

Search Liberators and Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen struck ship­ping and installations along the south coast of Honshu May 18, sinking a trawler, damaging six small cargo ships, a trawler, a sailing vessel, and numerous fishing craft. In low level attacks, planes of this wing wrecked a train. On the following day, the planes of the same wing sank a small cargo ship and damaged three others near the Honshu coast.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One heavily damaged a medium oiler south of Korea on May 19.

On May 18, Army Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Command attacked military installations on Chichi Jima in the Bonins. On the same date, Corsairs and Hellcats of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck targets in the Palaus, on Yap and in the Marshalls. Marine aircraft again bombed Installa­tions in the Palaus on May 19. One plane was shot down by enemy antiair­craft fire but pilot was rescued.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 368, MAY 20, 1945

 

The Tenth Army in Southern Okinawa gained ground slowly against the heaviest kind of resistance in the central and western sectors as it enveloped the enemy citadel of Shuri on May 20 (East Longitude Date). The First Marine Division established its forward elements at a point about 800 yards south of Dakeshi Town and the Seventy‑Seventh Infantry Division, after re­pulsing three enemy counterattacks, captured a strong point 900 yards north­east of Shuri. In the Sixth Marine Division zone on the west coast, local progress was made east of Takamotoji. Moving against intense fire the Ninety-Sixth Infantry Division reached an elevation about 1,600 yards east of Ishimmi Town. Throughout the day our troops in all sectors met strong re­sistance from caves, pillboxes and intense small arms fire. Ships' gunfire and aircraft continued to support the troops.

A few enemy planes were over the area of Okinawa early on May 20, but no activity was reported during daylight hours when adverse weather prevailed.

On the night of May 18‑19, Thunderbolts of the 318th Army Fighters Group struck targets among the Amami Islands. Thunderbolts of the same force strafed air installations in the Northern Ryukyus and joined a Navy search Privateer to sink a picket craft west of Kyushu on May 20.

Search Privateers of Fleet Air Wing One sank a medium freighter, prob­ably sank two small freighters and damaged a number of landing craft in the waters around Korea on May 20.

Thunderbolt fighters of the Seventh Army Air Force strafed sir installa­tions and barges at Truk on May 20. On the same date, Seventh Air Force Liberators bombed Marcus Island.

 

427

 

Mopping up operations continued on Iwo Island, the Islands of the Marianas and the Palau Islands during the week May 6 through 12. In this period, 141 of the enemy were killed and 167 were captured.

Search aircraft of Fleet Air Wing Four struck installations at Kokutan on Shimushu in the Northern Kuriles with bombs and rockets on May 18. On the same date, Liberators of the Eleventh Army Air Force bombed Kataoka naval base on the same island.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 369, MAY 21, 1945

 

On the night of May 20‑21 (East Longitude Dates) the Sixth Marine Division in western Okinawa repulsed a substantial counterattack by Japanese troops, some of whom were found to be wearing Marine uniforms and carry­ing U. S. weapons. An attempt by three groups of the enemy to destroy our tanks in the First Marine Division sector by use of suicide demolitions was repulsed.

During the darkness of early morning of May 21, infantrymen of the Seventy‑Seventh Army Division struck out in a surprise attack against the enemy lines north of Shuri and captured the town of Taira Machi under In­tense small arms fire. Fighting heavily all day, troops of the Twenty‑Fourth Army Corps and the Marine Third Amphibious Corps made advances on both flanks and in the center of the lines. The Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division pressed southward making gains toward Yonabaru Town on the east coast and was under intense interlocking machine gun fire throughout the day. In the center of the lines, the Seventy‑Seventh Division was moving slowly south of Taira Mach! after repulsing a strong enemy effort to recapture the town in daylight. The First Marine Division was engaged in heavy fighting during the afternoon in the ridges in the Wana area. On the west coast, the Sixth Marine Division was attacking on a line south of Sugar Loaf Hill which is now reported secured after its peak had changed hands eleven times !n heavy fighting.

The troops were supported by heavy field artillery and Naval gunfire.

During the evening of May 20, about 35 enemy planes made low level attacks on our ships off the coast of Okinawa damaging five light units. Twenty‑six of the attacking aircraft were destroyed by our forces.

A search Privateer of Fleet Air Wing One bombed warehouse installa­tions on Yaku Island in the northern Ryukyus on May 20 starting large fires. From the inauguration of searches from Okinawa area bases until May 21, planes of this wing sank 86,880 tons of enemy shipping, damaged 81,500 tons, destroyed 21 enemy aircraft and damaged 15 aircraft.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed defense positions in the Palaus and on Yap on May 20. Planes of Fleet Air Wing Two and the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck enemy positions in the Marshalls on May 19‑20.

A Mitchell bomber of the Eleventh Army Air Force was lost to antiaircraft fire during an attack on Minami Cape on Shimushu in the northern Kuriles on May 20. Search planes of Fleet Air Wing Four swept targets !n the area of Paramushiru on the same date.

 

428

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 370, MAY 22, 1945

 

At dusk on May 21 (East Longitude Date) about 12 to 15 enemy aircraft attacked U. S. ships in the Okinawa area. Eight of these planes were de­stroyed by our forces and the remainder retired from the area without caus­ing damage.

Heavy rains and resulting mud limited the movement of armored vehicles and restricted operations in the central and western sectors of the front in Southern Okinawa on May 22. On the eastern end of the lines the advances made in the previous week by the Ninety‑Sixth Infantry Division permitted the Seventh Infantry Division to launch a night attack which carried their forward elements into Yonabaru on the left flank and around the city into the high ground overlooking Rioj Town and Itarashiku Town to the south. Reports at this time indicate that the enemy has chosen not to defend Yona­baru which has been thoroughly reduced by our gunfire and bombing. Mean­while the Ninety Sixth Infantry Division continued to attack enemy defenses southwest of Conical Hill. During early morning darkness of May 22, the Marine Division in the west repulsed a Japanese counterattack killing about 80 of the enemy. The Sixth Marine Division continued to consolidate its posi­tion along the Asato River and the Seventy Seventh Infantry Division con­ducted mopping up operations.

Carrier based aircraft of the British Pacific Fleet bombed airfields, bar­racks, port installations, and buildings in the Sakishima group on May 20 and 21. One enemy plane was shot down.

Search Mariners of Fleet Air Wing One damaged two small cargo ships in the East China Sea on May 22. One the same date a search Privateer of this wing strafed a small cargo ship and left it burning south of Korea.

A small group of enemy bombers made a low level attack on installations on Iwo Island during the night of May 21, causing a few casualties. Two enemy planes were shot down.

Liberators and Privateers of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen shot down a glider, probably destroyed an enemy plane and sank two small cargo ships south of Honshu on May 21. On the following day aircraft of this wing destroyed three fishing craft and damaged a small cargo ship in the same area.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed enemy installations !n the Palaus and on Yap on May 21 and 22. On May 21 and during the night of May 21‑22, Mustangs of the Seventh Fighter Com­mand bombed and strafed a radio station on Chichi Jima !n the Bonins. Marine bombers continued neutralizing raids on the Marshalls on May 21. In mopping up operations on Iwo Island and the Island of the Marianas from May 13 through May 19, U. S. forces killed 94 of the enemy and captured 134.

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 371, MAY 23, 1945

 

Two small groups of enemy aircraft attacked our forces on and around Okinawa during the evening of May 22 (East Longitude Date). One enemy plane was shot down and the remainder driven off without causing damage.

Continuing rains and heavy mud limited the movement of ground troops and armored vehicles !n southern Okinawa on May 23. In these adverse condi­tions the Seventh Infantry Division on our left flank expanded Its positions south of Yonabaru capturing a hill south of Taira Town and another eleva­tion west of Yonabaru after sharp fighting in which the Thirty Second and One Hundred Eighty Fourth Regiments led the attack. The Sixth Marine

 

429

 

Division on the right flank sent elements of the Fourth Regiment of Marines across the Asato River about 1,000 yards from its mouth during the day under cover of field artillery and heavy Naval gunfire. In the area west of Conical Hill the Ninety Sixth Infantry Division was meeting stiff resistance beating of one counterattack in which the Three Hundred Eighty Second Regiment killed about 160 of the enemy. The Seventy Seventh Infantry Divi­sion was engaged throughout the day in attacking a range of hills south of Ishimmi and before the city of Shuri. In the First Marine Division sector a counterattack by the enemy was repulsed.

Escort carrier aircraft of the U. S. Pacific Fleet bombed airfields and installations on Ishigaki and Miyako in the Sakishima group on May 22 and 23 setting one aircraft afire and strafing five others on the ground.

A search seaplane of Fleet Air Wing One heavily damaged a small cargo ship in the East China Sea on May 23.

Search Privateers and Liberators of Fleet Air Wing Eighteen sank three small craft south of Tokyo and strafed radar and camp installations on Shikoku on May 22. On the following day Venturas of this wing strafed bar­racks and shipping on and around Honshu and a search plane shot down one enemy fighter and sank a net tender and a small cargo ship oft the Honshu coast.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing bombed targets in the Palaus on May 22 and Helldiver bombers of the same wing struck Yap on the same date. Planes of Fleet Air Wing Two strafed targets in the Marshalls on May 21 and 22. On May 23 Thunderbolts of the Seventh Army Air Force destroyed one aircraft on the ground and probably destroyed another in attacks on Truk.

 

 

N. D.  COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 600, MAY 24, 1945

Philippine Area.

 

1. The YMS‑481 has been lost in the Philippines area as the result of enemy action.

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

 

 

CINCPOA COMMUNIQUÉ NO. 372, MAY 24, 1945

 

Several small air raids were made by the enemy on our forces in the Okinawa Area on May 23 (East Longitude Date), causing minor damage to a light unit.

Heavy mud continued to hamper movement of the Tenth Army in South­ern Okinawa on May 24. On our right flank in the west, the Sixth Marine Division constructed two bridges across the Asato River under fire of enemy artillery and sent Infantry elements to the bridgehead on the South Bank In force. Patrols afoot were engaged throughout the day, reducing strong points South of the River. On our Left flank in the East, the Seventh Infantry Divi­sion made important advances after sharp fighting. Action along the remainder of the front was limited largely to mopping up operations. Use of our armor was prevented by adverse conditions of the terrain at the front.

Numerous small groups of enemy aircraft attacked our forces afloat and ashore at le Shims during the evening of May 24, causing some damage to installations on the Island. By 2330, Local Time, fifteen enemy planes had been destroyed and the attack was continuing.

 

430

 

U. S. Military Government authorities on Okinawa are engaged in de­velopment of facilities for the caring of more than 139,000 civilians on the island. Of the civilians thus far taken under our jurisdiction, 82 per cent are children under seventeen years of age or women. The majority of adult males on the Island were drafted for labor service with the enemy prior to U. S. landings. During the month of April, 86 per cent of the civilians in areas under U. S. control subsisted wholly on native resources. Security patrolling of areas under the Island Commander is being carried out by troops of the Twenty‑Seventh Infantry Division.

Aircraft from Escort Carriers of the U. S. Pacific Fleet continued to neutralize enemy airfields in the Sakishima Group on May 24. Five planes were strafed on the ground at Miyako Island.

Search Coronados of Fleet Air Wing One shot down an enemy fighter off the coast of Southern Korea on May 24.

Fighters and bombers of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing struck instal­lations in the Palaus and on Yap on May 23 and 24.

Light Naval units of the U. S. Pacific Fleet bombarded Suribachi Port and installations on the East Coast of Paramushiru on May 20, causing fires and explosions. An attack by two enemy aircraft upon our forces during their retirement was beaten off without casualties to our ships.