JOINT STATEMENT, JUNE 9, 1944
The following joint Anglo‑American statement on submarine and antisubmarine operations is issued under the authority of the President and the Prime Minister:
"During May our shipping losses have been by far the lowest for any month of the war, and they have in fact been a fraction of the losses inflicted on enemy shipping by our warships and aircraft, although their merchant shipping is petty compared to that of the Allies.
"There has been a lull in the operations of the U‑boats which perhaps indicates preparation for a renewed offensive. The change which had come over the scene is illustrated by the fact that in spite of the few U‑boats at sea, several are now sent to the bottom for each merchant ship sunk whereas formerly each U‑boat accounted for a considerable number of merchant ships before being destroyed.
This is to be ascribed to the vigilance and to the relentless attacks of our Anglo/American/ Canadian and other anti‑U‑boat forces, including the scientists who support them in a brilliant manner."
CINCPAC PRESS RELEASE NO. 438, JUNE 9, 1944
Truk Atoll was bombed by Seventh Army Air Force Liberators on the night of June 7‑8 (West Longitude Date). Airfields were the principal targets. Antiaircraft fire was meager and inaccurate.
Ponape Island was attacked by Liberators of the Seventh Army Air Force on the evening of June 6 and at night on June 8. Airfields, plantation areas, and Ponape Town were bombed. Antiaircraft fire was meager.
Ventura search planes of Fleet Air Wing Two bombed Pakin and Nauru Islands on June 6. Antiaircraft batteries were hit at Pakin Island.
Enemy positions in the Marshalls were bombed and strafed by Dauntless dive bombers and Corsair fighters of the Fourth Marine Aircraft Wing and Navy Hellcat fighters on June 6 and 7. Runways, coastal gun emplacements, and antiaircraft batteries were principal targets. A Corsair fighter was downed near Mille Atoll on June 7 and its pilot rescued by a destroyer.
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