Evening star., 1942-06-04
No Bombs Fell in Second Raid
On Dutch Harbor> Navy Declares;
Bremen Heavily Blasted by Raj
Planes Probably
Reconnoitering,
Communique Says
Ey the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
The Navy, describing the sit
uation at Dutch Harbor, Alaska,
as quiet at present, reported in
a communique early this after
noon that the second wave of
enemy planes which flew over
the base yesterday failed to drop
bombs and probably was engaged
only in reconnaissance.
The communique declared total
damage at the base was not extern
sive and fires we're quickly eXtin-
guished after the initial raid yes
terday morning in which high ex-
plosives and incendiary bombs were
dropped
While the source of the attacking
aircraft has not been definitely de
termined, the communique So 1,
they are believed to have been ar
rier- based.
Stimson Predicts New r ids.
Shortly before the new \ IVY COM
munoiue Secretary of w Stimson
predicted that the D'.cch Harbor
attacks were mot the only and last
raids to be expected on American
territory.
The War Department chief told
his press conference, Il reminded
you last week that raids were COM
ing and I caution you now this is
onI Loot rai6S "
Secretary StimSon refused, how
ever, to predict where further at
tacks might be expected, telling a
ouestioner he did not care to 60
into that phase of the japanese
minds" and similarly Tended off
question as to why the foe struck
first at the Aleutian outpost.
Asked if his references to raids
included any that might be at
tempted on the continental United
States, he merely added: Il make
no restrictions on the possibilities
of these raids. 1 don't profess to
anticipate what is in the mind OF
my opponent"
Text of Today's Communique.
The text of todays communique,
based on reports received up to noon,
follow:
North Pacific area:
81. The situation at Dutch Har-
Dor is at present quiet. Yesterdays
first raid by the japanese appears
to have been made primarily to
test our defenses. High explosives
and incendiary bombs were dropped
but, as previously announced, our
casualties were light and damage
was not extensive. The few fires
which were started were quickly ex-
tlnguished.
20. The second wave of enemy
planes which was reported to have
attacked six hours after the initial
attack Ccommunique No. 05) failed
TO drop any bombs and appears to
have been engaged solely in recon-
naissance.
"3. The source of the attacking
japanese aircraft has not been def
nitely determined, but they are
thought to have been carrier based"
Met Fiery Reception.
A hint that the raiders appar-
entity met a fiery reception came
from Rear Admiral G. S. Freeman,
commander of the 18th naval dis
trict. who declared after the initial
dawn assault on the Alaskan out
post:
This attack was not a surprise
and the station was prepared to
meet It,"
The japanese raids were gener-
ally regarded as a reprisal for Brig.
Gen. James H. Doolittle's smashing
attack at Toxic and three other
great japanese cities on April 18.
Few believed they marked the
opening of grand assault on
Alaska, although Anthony j. Dl-
mond, Alaskan Delegate to Con-
gress, declared:
It am afraid We may have strug-
gle on our hands to keep that area"
With the presence of a japanese
aircraft carrier indicated by the
use of fighter planes against Dutch
Harbor-more than 1.40O miles from
the nearest japanese iSlands-an
Pacific Coast defenses went on the
alert.
Everywhere from Alaska to the
Panama Canal came indications
that coastal defenses we're intensi-
flying their watch for the enemy.
In Victoria, British Columbia, the
western command of the Royal
(See DUTCH HARBOR, Page A-5)