Evening star., 1945-06-01
Okinuwu
Continued From First Page.)

all directions into remaining pock-
cts.
japanese Domei news agency,
meanwhile, admitted in a dispatch
broadcast by Tokyo. the "penetra-
ton" OF Naha by Americans. 1t
termed the situation critical de-
velopment" which compelled jap
commanders to withdraw part of
their troops to positions in the rear
In order to consolidate their de-
fense lines"
Elements of the 9Th Marine Di-
vision, Mr. Dopking reported, were
pursuing the withdrawing" enemy
southwark toward the mouth of the
Kokuba River and toward the Naha-
Yonabaru road south of Shuri.
Those which did not Withdraw"
were either killed or captured.
Defenses Split.
The Toxic radio yesterday ad-
m1tted the Okinawa defenses had
been split into multiple fronts, but
claimed, nevertheless, today that
the japanese still were engaged in
"sanguinary hand-to-hand fight"
against the Americans with "our
men inf1icting tremendous bleeding
on the enemy"
Three-quarters of the original
Japanese garrison on the important
Ryukyu Island have been killed or
captured. 1t appeared certain the
remaining $4,000 or fewer japanese,
their line crumbling, will be unable
TO make a prolonged stand.
Admiral Chester w. Nimitz re-
ported today that of the original
OkinaWa garrison of $4,000 troops,
6l,5l9 have been killed and 1858
captured in the tWo-month cam
paign. The tWo-week Yank assault
which cracked the stiff Naha-S -Shuri-
Yonabaru line cost the Japanese
13,416 dead and 315 captured.
1000 Killed Daily.
The japanese casualty figures,
showing a sustained 1000 killed
day, compared with American dead
and missing of 1902 as of May "a.
The United States figures include
those for the Navy, Marine Corps
and Army. No record of japanese
naval dead is known here.
Both fanks of the enemy line
Naha on the west and Yonabaru on
the east-have fallen, and bitterly
defended Shuri Town in the center
is going fast. Marines of Mai. Gen.
Pedro A. Del Valle's 1st Division
penetrated the ruined city in force
yesterday to form the arm of one of
two encircling drives under way to
the south.
Throughout the Southern Oki-
naWa battle front American forces.
despite clinging mud, were moving
swiftly to cut off Shuri where the
Stars and Stripes flies from the
captured 18th century castle.
The entire Shuri position is being
plnched out" Admiral Nimitz said
IN his communique, strongly indi-
eating that little more than mop
ping up is expected there.
Juncture Near.
Advance elements of the 7th CAP
tured two elevations near the town
of Chan, about mile and a half
due south of Shuri. This column
was last reported within 2 miles
of a Juncture with forward units of
Maj. Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherds 9Th
Marine Division, moving southeast
ward from Naha.
Another inner encirclement of
Shuri was threatened by the lst
Marine Division, moving southwark
through the city's western section
toward Maj. Gen. James L. Bradlev's
96th Infantry Division, driving in
from the southeast. Forward pa
trolls were in sight of each other.
The 96th Division infantrymen
made the greatest gains yesterday,
up to 1900 yards, and captured
strong hill positions 600 yards south
east of Shuri.
Wet weather has slowed mech
anlzed maneuvers and transformed
the battle into foot soldier fight.
Conversely, it may be an assistance
In easing the way. for extremely
heavy rains and electrical storms
halted all enemy air activity.