Evening star., 1945-06-05
Yanks Batt|inq
For Full Control
'0f Naha Airfie|d
Advances Reported
In All Sections
Of Okinuwu Front
BY the. Associated Press.

GUAM, June 5.-Americar
Doughboys and Marines, moving
so swiftly that their supplies had
to be parachuted from planes
fought today for complete pos
session of the big Naha airdrome
major prize of the bitter Oki-
nawa campaign.
They swept over much OF South
ern Okinawa in efforts to split the
remaining japanese troops into
small groups and forestau any re-
newed major resistance.
Smashing gains in all sections OF
the front, reported today by Admiral
Chester w. Nimitz, were scored
despite new heavy rains and deep
mud. Advances ranged up to 5000
yards-greatest of the entire in
vasion.
Admiral Nimitz, in a hearty mes
sage of well done" to the officers
and men of the 10th Army, foresaw
the conclusion of the Okinawa cam
paign within the next three or four
days" if they can maintain their
high-speed maneuvers."
Opposition Slight.
Little opposition was encoun-
tered, even by Maj. Gen. Lemuel C.
Shepherd jr's, 9Th Marine Division
which in surprise amphibious
operation yesterday crossed Naha
harbor to the Oroku Peninsula, and
quickly engulfed half of Naha air.
drome, best in the Ryukyu chain.
In American hands the airfield
which, has at least three long run
ways, will serve as an important
base for bomber strikes against
Japan proper, 325 miles to the north.
Associated Z Press Correspondent
Al Dopking, with the 4th Marine
Regiment which executed the am
phibious hop, wrote that the Marines
found the operation easier than
they expected, and casualties were
light.
Most Of their trouble" he said,
"was in getting over the coral reef
which stretched out into the Pacific
for 200 yards. Some amphibious
tractors hung up on the reef"
Bridges Constructed.
Admiral Nimitz reported the
Marines already had constructed
bridges to Onoyama Island, in the
center of Naha Harbor, and were
moving reinforcements and supplies
across to strengthen the new posi-
ton along a 1,200-yard beachhead
on the southern shore.
There were indications that q
fairly large group of japanese troops
was intact near the southern end OF
Naha airdrome, for the Marines en-
countered considerable mortar and
automatic weapon fire. They also
ran into antipersonnel and land
mines.
To the east. similar fire was en-
countered by Maj. Gen. Pedro A
del Valle's 1st Division, which
banged ahead up to 1000 yards neal
the center of the rapidly changing
line, capturing Kochinda heights
and the town of Tomusu.
Peninsula Being Overrun.
Maj. Gen. Archibald v. Arnold's
fast-moving 7th Infantry Division
already in possession of 5000 yards
of the southeastern coast line (anc
more than 5000 civilian beach
dwellers), was rapidly overrunnins
the peninsula after severing its
base.
Seventh Division elements oper-
ating toward the center of the line
scored the record 5,000-yard break
through in dash southwark to the
town Of Meka and beyond to coastal
Gusichan by nightfal.
While Maj. Gem Andrew D
Bruce's 77th Infantry Division moved
up to cover the 10th Army's right
flank, the 96th Infantry Division
under Maj. Gen. James L. Bradley
advanced up to 1900 yards and
seized Iva, a sizable town. The 96th
then pressed southeastward toward
Meka.
Admiral Nimitz gave further in
formation on the strong Japanese
air attack on United States Fleet
units at Okinawa on Sunday, re-
porting that one American light ves-
sci was damaged and As enemy
planes were shot down, IS of them
in air combat.