Evening star., 1943-07-16
knoxSays U. 5.
Will Drive Japs
From A|eutia:ns
Diseloses New Type
OF Dive Bomber Is
Now in Production
BY WILLIAM ]. WHEATLEY.

DJ "AAAAhN y. VnEA LIE Il.
Secretary Knox said this aft
ernoon that the United States
proposes Ito drive the japanese
out of the Aleutians."
That's no secret" Mr.. Knox told
newspapermen at a press confer
ence in commenting on naval bonn
bardments of the Japanese base on
Kiska. 49,.
Just how and when we are going
to do 1t, I can't talk about"
Secretary Knox said he did not
know why bombardments were
being concentrated on Gertrude
Cove on the southeast coast of
Kiska and remarked that he did
not know exactly what the enemy
had built up at the cove.
He said he presumed that it was
being developed as one of the prin-
cipal points of defense of that is
land. Gertrude Cove is 20 miles
overland from Kiska Harbor, which
heretofore has been the objective
OF the air attacks by American
planes. 1t is considerably longer
distance by sea from Kiska Harbor
to Gertrude Cove.
Attacks May Be Feelers.
1t was presumed that the single
naval unit which has been lombard
ing the area at regular intervals
during the past 10 days may be
seeking to determine the location
OF shore batteries at that point. and
possibly to determine whether it
would make a good landing place
for an amphibious force.
Mr.. Knox disclosed that a new
type of dive bomber. bigger and
better than any now in existence. is
in production at the plant of the
Curtiss- Wright Corp. at Columbus.
Ohio. The plane is known as the
Helldiver. 1t was described as
two-seat, single engine, extremely
long range and heavy-load type of
combat aircraft. While details were
withheld by naval officials. it was
said 1t would do better than 800
miles an hour and has more
powerful engine than any of the
dive borrlbers now in existence.
In making the announcement, Sec
retary Knox said he wanted to cor
rect wrong impression which he
gave last week.
II made a statement that the He'll
diver aircraft were not as yet in
said Mr.. Knox The
assistant secretary for air (Artemus
Gates was inspecting the plant on
the same day that I made the state
ment.
Now In Production.
HE informs me that this plane
is in production, and that real pro-
gress is being made in producing 1t.
As you know. the Navy is in great
need of this combat plane, and we
believe the production log jam has
been broken"
The naval secretary officially out
lined the present method for an
nouncing actions OF the combined
air forces in the Southwest Pacific.
The joint operations now carried
on in the South and Southwest
Pacific" he said, "are under the
strategical direction of Gen. Mac
Arthur and for this reason it is
proper for the initial release of
operational information in the areas
to be made by Gen. Macarthur. All
land, air and sea actions in the
South and Southwest Pacific will be
reported in Gen. MacArthur's COM
muniques, with such exceptions as
may be considered necessary by the
War and Navy Departments in
Washington, regarding details of
naval actions.
No Ironclad Policy.
mo ironclad policy can be adopt
ed other than the general rule that
the initial announcement of war in
formation in these two areas will be
handled by Gen. Macarthur.
Every effort will continue to be
made to clear promptly special
stories of news correspondents as
signed to the United States forces
in the south and southwest Pacific,
with the exception that the initial
release of an action in these areas
is to be made by Gen. Macarthur.
1t is not expected that there will be
any material change in the
mechanics of clearing correspond
ents' stories which have prevailed
for the last several months"
IN1lI