The Waterbury Democrat., 1943-05-20


 ---.----------------- island and the entrapment of the Japanese In a small area on the eastern end where they can be blasted by field artillery from land and naval guns from the sea.
 His revelations followed Axis broadcasts which said U. S. Forces had inflicted heavy casualties, as high as 100 per cent in one battle on the Japanese intruderS. The Axis broadcasts suggested that the Jap anese were making death stand against tremendously superior American forces.
 The attack was launched with a naval bombardment, Stimson said. A small American scout force land- cd in the western part of Holtz Bay and was closely followed by an- other wave in tho same general area. Later there was another land- ing at Massacre Bay. The landings were highly successful he said.
 "In the first phase there was lit- tie enemy resistance and little dif- ficulty in securing firm beach heads and holding them" Stimson dis closed.
 Japanese resistance stiffened as American forces advanced inland. They encountered numerous ma chine guns on the central ridge or the island. The Americans from the northern beachhead fought their way forward slowly and reached high ground overlooking Holtz Bay only after repclling several counter attacks, Accurate naval fire sup ported this advance until Culin's troops won control of the Holtz Bay area. Stimson said.
 "The southern force was held up by a concentration of Japanese ma chine guns in a pass in the hlgh central ridge" he continued, but the pass subsequently, was cleared and Patros finally established contact with troops from Holtz Bay.
 "The two forces merged ana are now attacking the Japanese gar rison of Chichagof Harbor," Stim- son said. "Our casualties thus lar reported have been relatively light, but sharp fighting may occur before the occupation Is completed.
 "The weather has been very cold. Large amounts of supplies, guns, ana ammunition have been cap- tured, including large anti-alrcralt battery with ammunition intact. This has been used in horizontal fire against the enemy"
 Thus, the enemy on Attu finds it- self in nearly the same situation as the Japanese who were trapped on the northwestern tip of Gaadalca- nal in the final days of that cam palgn. Given a few days Of good weather which would permit steady instead of sporadic employment or aircraft and naval guns, military quarters said. The American forces can bring the campaign to a close in short order.
 They contended that the only thing that could save the trapped Japanese now would be reinforce ments. There is no evidence the Jap anese have any reinforcement move underway If they do. American surface forces are ready to thWart 1t.
 By joining forces, the two Amer ican columns which advanced toward each other from the north- eastern and southeastern sides or the island, have drawn line across Attu which will prevent the enemy from escaping into the westernr end:
 There are 70 Japanese forces ot any consequence in the western end of the island, although there might be a few isolated patrols. The rugged nature of the western end preclud- ed its use for bases by the Japanese when they occupied Attu last June.
 Capture of the high ridge south east of Holtz Bay by one of the American columns divested the en- emy of its major defense position From here on out, the Americans will be fighting downhill. And, of course, they have the advantage of hiLh elevation for their field pieces. 1 k.tA aVsA