America at war! (1941–) – Part 5

U.S. Navy Department (April 4, 1945)

CINCPOA Communiqué No. 321

The East Coast of Okinawa Island from Yaka in the north to Kuba Town in the south was brought under the control of the Tenth Army on April 4 (East Longitude Date). Elements of the Marine III Amphibious Corps pushing north and east simultaneously established their front line on the Isthmus of Okinawa about 3,000 to 4,000 yards north of Ishikawa and cap­tured all sections of the east coast in their zone of action. In the south, the XXIV Army Corps advanced steadily and at nightfall were holding a line between Uchi Tomari on the West Coast, Kamiyama in the center of the island, and a point just north of Nakagusuku on the east coast. The enemy offered scattered resistance to the advances of our troops. Concentrations of troops and vehicles in the southern part of the island were brought under fire by the guns of surface units of the fleet and by carrier aircraft supporting the attack. The unloading of supplies for the Expeditionary Forces ashore con­tinues satisfactorily.

The enemy made several small air attacks against our surface forces early in the morning of April 4. Four of his aircraft were shot down.

Aircraft from a carrier task group commanded by RADM Frederick C. Sherman, USN, attacked aircraft, airfields, and other installations in the Amami Group on April 3. The following damage was inflicted on the enemy:

  • Forty-five aircraft shot out of the air. Two aircraft destroyed on the ground. Nine aircraft damaged on the ground.

  • Twenty-five small craft damaged or destroyed. Two small cargo ships damaged. One motor torpedo boat damaged. Fuel dumps and buildings set afire.

Corsair and Hellcat fighters of the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing bombed warehouse and supply areas in the Palaus on April 4. On the same date, Marine fighters struck piers at Yap in the western Carolines.

On April 3, 4th MarAirWing planes continued neutralizing attacks on enemy-held bases in the Marshalls.