FURTHER LANDINGS BY AMERICAN TROOPS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 62, 14 March 1944, Page 6

FURTHER LANDINGS BY AMERICAN TROOPS

ADMIRALTY GROUP Attack Follows Heavy Bombardment N.Z. Press Association—Copyright 3ec. 2.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. New Allied troop landings have oeen made in the Admiralty Islands, where American forces already Dccupy Los Negros. General .MacArthur's communique to-day reports that. "Under cover" of air and naval bombardment, our troops went ashore on Halwei and But.jo Luo Islands, both in See Adler Harbour.

"The Japanese in the northern Solomons suffered heavy losses when they attacked the American beachhead at Torokina, Bougainville Island. The enemy were thrown back."

The heaviest air blows reported by General Mac Arthur's latest, communique were on Rabaul. NewBritain, and Wewak, New Guinea. More than 100 tons of bombs were dropped in each target area, and the damage caused was substantial. The destruction of 15 enemy barges and small craft in the Bismarck Sea area is also recorded.

SUICIDE ORDERS Japanese Defending Los Negros Island U.S. DEVELOPMENT OF BASE N.Z.P.A. Special Correspondent Rec. 2.30 p.m. SYDNEY, this day. The Japanese defending Los Negros, in the Admiralty Islands, were apparently ordered to annihilate the Americans or commit suicide, said Damien Parer, the Australian war photographer, who has just returned from the battle area.

"Large numbers of disembowelled Japanese were found," he said. "I counted 71 in a single group. They had committed suicide' with hand grenades when the Americans were only a few yards away from them."

Mr. Parer revealed that a Japanese commander on his way to kill the commanding American general had been captured inside the United States lines at night.

In three days the Americans had improved Momote airfield and Hyane Harbour, where the initial invasion assault was made, more than the Japanese had done in the two years they had occupied Los Negros.