WELL PREPARED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 41, 18 February 1944, Page 4

WELL PREPARED

INVASION OF NISSAN

BIG CONCENTRATION OF SHIPS

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Scrvice) SOLOMONS BASE, Feb. 15. Weeks of intensive preparation for the invasion of Nissan ensured the utmost Allied strength to cope with any Japanese opposition. Nearly 100 ships of all types and sizes provided firepower on a vast scale, which, with strong air cover, was prepared to tackle any Japanese sortie from nearby Rabaul. It is safe to say that, had the need arisen, such a bombardment would have taken place on Nissan that it would have been difficult for any enemy to survive on the limited land area defending the approaches to the atoll. As it was the value of strong air cover was proved when the Japanese sent two bombing raids over, and only a few got through to drop their "sticks." They were near Nissan and did no damage to the ships, which sent up the most effective naval barrage seen in these waters for a long time. To guard against any Japanese efforts to block or cover the narrow entrance between Barahun Island and the Pokonian plantation mine sweepers and gunboats entered the channel before the main invading force, giving aid to the assault troopcarrying boats. The lack of opposition was intensely gratifying to the Allied command, which was enabled to achieve its objective in the most economic manner.