JAPS THROWN BACK

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 163, 12 July 1945, Page 7

JAPS THROWN BACK

FIERCE ENCOUNTERS

FIGHTING ON BOUGAINVILLE

R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service

BOUGAINVILLE/JuTy 1Q

In a savage effort to disrupt Australian positions threatening the Mivo River, in South Bougainville, strong parties of fit and wellequipped Japanese troops crossed the river from the east yesterday and launched a series of fierce and determined attacks. At the end of the day the Australians stood unshaken and the Japs had lost more than 50 killed. The strongest enemy bid was to capture an Australian position, just west of, and dominating the main Mivo ford. Crossing the river at night, the Japanese began their attack at daybreak, pressing on to.the Australian barbed wire defences, through withering Bren and Owengun fire. Many broke through, but were accounted for to a man.

As the Jap counter-attacks paused this morning, nearly 50 New Zealand Corsairs unleashed a mass bombing and strafing assault on the enemy forming Up at' a point astride the Buin- Road', on the Mivo's eastern bank. Squadron-Leader M.R. Clarke, D.F.C., of Wanganui, led the strike,and the bombing was directed by Squadron-Leader W. A. Hardham, of Palmerston North. The pilots were unable to observe the full results of their bombing because of the'/torn and tangled jungle, but their reports indicate that the mission was very successful, and the whole area was thoroughly blasted and cleared. The enemy has fallen back after the smashing of- his attack, but he isstill lurking near the Australian perimeter. Sharp clashes further west along the- Buin Road also- resulted in clear-cut victories, for,. jtlhe 'Australians, Che enemy'"•-" Idling heavily.' ' ".'