Evening star., 1942-10-04
u. S. Forces Set Up
Mid-AIeutiun Bases
In 250-Mi|e Advance
Strong Air Operations
From New Positions
Already Undertaken
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
American Army forces In the
Aleutian Islands have advanced
$50 nautical miles nearer Japa-
nese bases in the North Pacific,
the Navy announced yesterday,
and already have undertaken
strong aerial operations against
the enemy from their new posi-
tiOns.
The advance-first in the North
Pacific area since the japanese oc-
cupied islands in the westernmost
Aleutians in early June-was COW
cred and supported by naval units
and accomplished without enemy
opposition.
1t carried American forces a long
stride west of Dutch Harbor, here
tofore regarded as the main United
States base for all operations against
the Japanese-held islands of Kiska,
Attu and Agattu.
The new islands occupied-the
Navy did not identify them spe-
cifically-are in the Andreanof
group, mountainous segment OF the
Aleutians stretching about 240 miles
between Seguam Pass on the east
and Amchitka Pass on the west.
Valuable Hours to Be Saved.
The effect of the advance, In the
first instance, will be to cut valuable
hours of flying time off the round
trip bombing expeditions against the
main Japanese base at Kiska which
Army planes have been pounding
steadily for many weeks. This re-
duction in time means the planes
can carry greater bomb loads and
operate with even better fighting
protection than they have had.
Whether, beyond that advantage,
the new advance positions may be
used as jumping-of points for an
actual amphibious invasion Of the
Japanese held Aleutians was a pos
sibility on which the Navy offered
no comment.
1t was obvious, however, that even
without invasion of Kiska and the
other enemy islands, the Japs are
now in q rather precarious position
in the Aleutians, with American
planes able to make heavier and
more frequent attacks on them, and
with the onset of bitter winter
weather characteristic of that region
at hand.
The Japanese already have lost
heavily in ships in their efforts to
keep their Aleutian bases supplied
and protected against attack.
Yesterdays Navy communique
which reported the American ad-
vance also said that on September
80, the Army's four engined con-
solidated I.iberator bombers had at
tackled ships in the harbor at Kiska
and that an enemy transport was
set aflre by two direct hits.
Camp Area Also Bombed.
The camp area also was bombed
and several fires resulted, the mis-
sion being carried out without the
loss OF an American plane.
The successful attack on the
transport raised the number of
Japanese ships sunk or damaged in
the Aleutians to 3s, made up of 10
vessels sunk, three probably sunk
and 81 damaged.
The communique also said an
enemy cargo ship which had been
attacked northwest of Kiska on
September % again was bombed and
straf1ed by Army aircraft on Sem
tember 20 and appeared to have
been abandoned.
There was no indication in ths
communique as to when the ad.
vance was carried out, but the as.
sumption here was that it probably
was made several days ago. at least
Navy communiques in recent davs
nave told of heavy aerial attacks
on japanese shore installations and
snlps at kiska and also on shins
operating west of that island
AIeution Landing Made
| NA/sSla