Show Fleet Bombards Japs on Aleutian Island WASHINGTON April 29 INS The The navy announced Thursday that a task force of the U. U S S. S SPa SPa- Par Pa- t bombarded Japanese s installations on Attu island i in hi the western Aleutians starting several several sev sev- eral fires At the same time the navy re re- re ported that range long-range army bombers caused heavy damage Inan inan in inan an attack on the Japanese air base at Tarawa in the heart of the Gilbert Gilbert Gilbert Gil Gil- bert islands 1000 miles northeast of Guadalcanal The warship attack in the north Pacific occurred the morning of April 24 when U. U S. S surface units blasted Jap positions at Holtz bay and harbor on Attu island Several fires were started by by the bombardment the navy said No enemy gunfire was en en- countered No further details have i been reported All AH Planes Return Enemy fighter opposition and antiaircraft fire were encountered by army bombers which raided the advanced base at Tarawa but all aircraft returned and the navy said extensive damage to enemy installations was indicated The twin sea and air blow against Japans Japan's forward Pacific bases was reported shortly after Secretary of War Stimson asserted that tension in the Australian area was eased somewhat because of lessened enemy air attacks The surface force bombardment of Attu was the second in recent months On February 18 American American Ameri Amen can ships blasted the same positions positions positions on Attu The raid on Tarawa in the south Pacific was the second by air in that important area On January 26 army planes bombed a Jap cargo ship near that island Threat to Allies The j Jap Ji p air air- airbase base at Tarawa isa Isa is isa a threat to American installations at Funafuti in the Ellice islands miles southeast of the enemy base in the Gilbert islands At the same time the navy reported reported re re- i-c- i ported that army bombers again struck at Japanese positions in the central and northern Solomons while other U. U S. S aircraft continued continued contin contin- their offensive against Kiska liska which is miles mileS' cast east of Attu x |