Evening star., 1945-06-24
War Review
Fall of Okinawa Bad
News for Japs
Bv HOacard p. Bailey

Completion of the conquest of Oki-
naWa last week and further gains on
Borneo have served to secure the f1anks
of the American forces in the Pacific
and to pave the way for fresh ad-
vances against the Japanese Constant
pounding of enemy industrial cities
served to reduce still further the ability
of the Japs to replace the planes and
other equipment which are being ex-
pended in a futile effort to stem the
Allied tide which is moving toward
complete victory.
The week, however, was not without
its heavy costs. The total price of the
Okinawa victory was $500 killed or
missing, including 1t. Gen. Simon
Bolivar Buckner, commander of the
10th Army and 1908 wounded for
the Army; 2,573 dead or missing, with
1855 wounded for the Marines and
4270 killed or missing and 4,171
wounded for the Navy. Against this
were slightly more than 10000 Japs
killed and 1000 taken prisoner.
1t was costly victory but the results
are of extreme Importance.
The highlights of the week were:
Sunday: Kagoshima, Omuta, Hama
matsu and Yokkaichi, medium sized
Japanese industrial cities hit by 450
B-29s showering down incendiaries in
campaign to wipe out Japan's small
factories. In Kagashima all but the
baseball park was ablaze Admiral Ota
found among Jap slain on Okinawa
as Doughboys and Marines press attack.
Gen. MacArthurs forces spread out
from Brunei Bay on Borneo and patrol
ships and planes blast coast southwark
Formosa bases of Japs bombed Chinese
gain Is miles in Southern China as
they push drive toward Liuchow, vital
rail hub. American planes bomb 1000
mile Jap line of communication
Monday: Jap garrison on OkinaWa
cut into two segments as the dead
mount to 1000 additional per day. Mac
Arthur'S 37th Division drives rapidly
ahead in Northern Luzon Enemy dead
in Philippines now set at 402, 1863 Gen.
Eisenhower returns to Washington to
be greeted by million people between
Lincoln Memorial and Capitol Rus
sia starts trial of 16 accused Polish
leaders, Is of whom admit guilt on
charge of killing 594 Russian officers and
plotting espionage.
Tuesday: Two fresh Marine divisions
enter Okinawa fight as Jap line cracks.
Marine Maj. Gen. Geiger replaces 1t.
Gen. Buckner, killed on Okinawa yes
terday. Japs now herded into 6-mile
square. Destroyer Emmons lost off
OkinaWa, victim of Jap suicide plane,
Navy announces. Chinese advance to
within 81 miles of Liuchow. Austral-
ians on Bougainville Island cut off Jap
food supply and push enemy into trap.
Gains made on New Guinea also.
Wednesday: Doughboys of the 7th
Division draw near Mabuni on Okinawa,
where Jap leader is believed directing
last stand from cave. Many of Japs
jump from cliffs into sea rather than
surrender. Brig. Gen. Claudius NJ
Easley of Goth Division killed. Japs,
worried at reports of 100 transports at
Okinawa, expect fresh landings in
Ryukyu Islands south of Okinawa.
Shizuoka, Fukuoka and Toyo-H -Hashi,
Jap industrial cities hit by 5000 tons of
incendiaries dropped by $50 Super
Forts. Yanks only 100 miles from
northern tip of Luzon. Chinese with
in miles of Liuchow airfield. De Gaulle
invites British to join in ending Levan-
tine.
Thursday: Okinawa falls. It.. Gen.
Stillwell, Vinegar Joe, they call him,
put in command of 10th Army. Navy
reports destroyer Adele sunk by suicide
planes and baka bomb. Tokyo radio
says Wake Island is raided. Austral-
ians make new landings on Brunei Bay
and now control all entrances to harbor.
Russia sentences IL of 16 accused Poles
to prison for months to 10 years. Ital-
ian mob storms jail and kills 80 Fascists.
All big issues settled at San Francisco
parley and windup Tuesday forecast.
Friday: Kure arsenal and five plane
plants hit by $50 Super Forts. More
than 121 square miles of Japan's indus
trial areas now smashed by B-29s. 1t.
Gen. Geiger named commander of Pa
(see WAR REVIEW, Page o-l2J