TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT OF JAPAN (1945) newsclip

TERRIFIC BOMBARDMENT OF JAPAN

Shells Striking at Rate of 50,000 lbs. per Minute

The third violent bombardment of Japanese coastal cities in four days began at 11.30 last night, when the United States Third Fleet and British warships began a devastating attack on industrial concentrations in the vicinity of Hitachi, 80 miles north of Tokio, on Honshu.

Warships are shelling Japaln in complete disdain of the enemy's navy and air force, and the unprecedented action of permitting correspondents to broadcast dis patches direct from the warships, which are pounding the enemy from only 10 miles off shore, is evidence of the Japanese inability to oppose the attacks.

One broadcast says that the military and industrial region north of Tokio is in flaming ruins, and another says that shells are hitting Japan at the rate of 50,000 lbs. per minute.

COMBINED BRITISH AND AMERICAN OPERATION

In what Admiral Nimitz dramatically declares is the opening of the pre-invasion phase of the Pacific war, powerful British warships, including the great 'battleship King George V. and the aircraft carrier Formidable, as well as the cruisers Black Prince and Newfoundland!, and the destroyer, Quick match, are co-operating with Un ited States warships in the great est sea assault yet made against Japan.

The attacks, which began at dawn yesterdiay morning in the form of carrier attacks against the Tokio area, represent the first combined British and Am erican operation of the Pacific war against Japan proper.

While the Tokio area was being plastered, American Corsairs, equipped with rockets, strafed installations on Kushira airfield, in Southern Kyushu, destroying barracks and other buildings and strafing parked aircraft. They also caused an explosion in a power home on Tanega Island.

In sweeps against shipping in the Shanghai area, Privateers set fire to ships and. docks—in the Whangpoo River and an old plant concentration near Shaghai.

Admirai Nimitz, who officially announced the new assault, says it is being made by the most powerful force ever assembled in the Pacific.

Admiral Nimitz declared that in this latest phase of the war they relied on two principal strategies, firstly the ever-tightening blockade on the Japanese home islands, and secondly the destruction by shelling and bombing of every industry and resource contributing to Japan's ability to make war.

Amiral Nimitz said: 'Our battle ships' 16-inch guns, in opening fire on industral targets on Honshu and Hokkaido, also opened an era in which we dominate the air and sea approaches to Japan.

"Conversely, the action highlights the desperate defensive position in the betterment, of the industry. The speaker also made reference to the Milk Producers' Association of Australia, and stated that it had been through this that it had been learner that not one State was contented. There were not many complaints from South Australia, although there was only a two hours "blue" test there. Neither was there a Milk Board .although it had been recent ly learned that the Minister for Health had recommended one being set up along the lines of the N.S.W. Board.

Mr Sedgwick referred at length on price control. He said that, after Professor Copland's finding, Mr Nette had said that there had been no mistake in the Professor's reckoning, and it was only after continual representation that Professor Giblin had bpen asked to look into the position. The report by Professor Giblin was in favour of the industry, but the report was not available for perusal. Whether it was unfavourable or not he was not in a position to say, bu' in justice, they should be allowed to See it. Mr J. P. Abbott had recently asked in the Federal Parliament 1 the report could be perused, but the answer was a flat "no."

PRICE CONTROL IN MILK BOARD

Continuing. Mr Sedgwick said ?.here had been advocacy for having price control vested back to the Milk Board. Mr Tom Williams, member for Robertson, and Mr J. P. Abbott had made this request, but the result was another flat "no."

Reference was made to the sweet cream milk position, the manpower position, and he added that there had been persistent representation for review of the petrol tyres and fencing wire poiltion for the man on the land.

Mr Sedgwick concluded by stating that if the Government would give the industry a guaranteed rice, and made available the manpower, there would be no rationing of milk.

Questioned by the local secretary, Mr Watson, regarding prices, which were 1/10J till August, 1/8 for September, 1/5 for October, and then 1/4 for summer months, Mr. Sedgwick said the matter was receiving thought, and it would shortly be placed before the management committee. It would later be referred to branches for opinion.

A vote of thanks to the visitors, including Mr A. A. Watson, was moved by Mr H. Wright, and supported byMessrs L. E. Hewitt and G. Stacy which the Japanese find themselves.

"We have paralysed the Japanese Navy's will and ability to come out and fight. We must now take a series of certain and progressive steps until the Japanese people's will and ability to resist are broken."—
(A.A.P)