LANDING CONFIRMED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 62, Issue 88, 24 January 1942, Page 5

LANDING CONFIRMED

IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS. HUGE CLOUD OF AIRCRAFT. TRANSPORT ALSO SIGHTED. (United Press Association—Copyright. (Rec. 2.15 a.m.) MELBOURNE, Jan. 23. A communique issued by Mr F. M. Forde (Minister of the Army), this afternoon said: “Although it is feared that landings have been made in other areas, latest advices from Port Moresby indicate that the only definitely established landing of Japanese troops at present is at Kijeta, in the Solomon Islands, 250 miles south-east of RabauL Buloio, on the New Guinea mainland, reported that large numbers of planes were overhead at 7.20 a.m. to-day. The radio station then closed down and has not been heard since.

“Gasmata, on the south coast of New Britain, reported that huge clouds of enemy aircraft were heading east and west at 9.10 p.m. A message has been received that five Japanese transports, three cruisers and three destroyers were first sighted at 1 p.m. on Thursday some distance from Rabaul but they had not entered the harbour at 7 a.m. to-day. Nevertheless there has been no communication from Rabaul since 4 p.m. on Thursday.”