FIGHTING IN PAPUA

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23718, 17 August 1942, Page 5

FIGHTING IN PAPUA

Japanese Renew Thrust ENEMY SHIPPING ATTACKED (Special Australian CorrespondentJ (Received August 16, 11.10 p.m.) (N 'Z- P -A. ) SYDNEY, August 16. Ine Japanese, strongly reinforced and equipped with mortars and automatic weapons, have resumed their Papuan land thrust towards Port Moresby. They are making strong attacks on the Australian advanced positions of Kokoda, 60 miles from Port Moresby. The enemy is clearly endeavouring to recover the initiative he lost following the successful harassing actions by the Australians a week ago. One report says the Japanese suffered more than 150 casualties in a series of swift thrusts by our troops. “The numbers that the Japanese are now using about Kokoda indicate that the Buna landing was no mere opportunist excursion," writes a war correspondent from an operational base. The present skirmishing is likely to prove the forerunner of actions on a large scale for the possession of the passes through the Owen Stanley range. The recent fighting has been in the broken country near Kokoda, and the enemy has still to face the great natural obstacle barring the way to Port Moresby. Here the ground favours the defenders. Following the enemy landings at Buna an Allied headquarters spokesman stated that the defence of Port Moresby from land attack would be made along the line of the Owen Stanley range. That line is just now being reached. Coupled with the renewed enemy land activity in Papua has been the growing evidence of increased Japanese shipping movements to the north of Australia. For five successive days Allied Flying Fortresses and medium borpbers have hammered enemy shipping either on the move or in occupied harbours. While the outcome of this air and sea duel is not yet clear, some observers see in these shipping movements the possibility of a new enemy aggressive move, made to relieve the strain on'their Solomon Islands positions. Significance is attached to the sudden transfer of Allied bombing raids from key enemy airfields to shipping in the harbours and sea lanes. However, observers offer no opinions on the likely destination of these Japanese transports with their accompanying warships. A communique issued by General MacArthur’s headquarters on Saturday said: “Allied heavy bombers attacked a small escorted convoy off New Britain, but dull weather hindered observation of the results. Six Zero fighters tried to intercept and two of them were shot down. Three others were damaged. Our formation received slight damage and suffered minor casualties, but all our aircraft returned to their, base. “At Kokoda, in New Guinea, our forward elements were engaged in a series of minor clashes with the enemy. There was only reconnaissance activity in the north-west sector.” To-day’s headquarters communique on the fighting in the Kokoda area says; “Enemy pressure continues.” The communique adds: “On Saturday Allied medium bombers attacked enemy troop concentrations, buildings, and other installations on the southeast coast of Timor. Large fires were started. Enemy fighters which attempted to intercept our aeroplanes did not succeed.”

R.A.F. ATTACK ON GERMANY

BERLIN CLAIMS DAMAGE AT PORTSMOUTH. LONDON, August 16. The Royal Air Force again attacked objectives in north-west Germany last night. Details are not available, but it is known that British losses were five bombers. One German • night fighter was shot down. Enemy aircraft were over East Anglia and north-east England last night. Some damage was caused, but no casualties have been reported. The Berlin radio says the Luftwaffe on Friday night attacked military objectives at Ipswich, causing fires in the harbour area. Large fires were started at Eastbourne. Hits were scored with heavy bombs on the naval dockyard at Portsmouth. Before ’midnight on Friday there was slight enemy activity over the coastal areas of East Anglia. A few bombs were dropped. Little damage was reported. There was a little enemy activity over the south and south-east coasts of England on Saturday afternoon. Bombs, which were dropped in two places, caused some damage to houses and a small number of casualties. It is dfficlally stated that a few enemy aircraft were over the south coast of England on Friday and one flew inland. Bombs wdre dropped in four districts. Some damage was caused. At one place a small number of people were killed. An enemy bomber was brought down off the south coast on Friday evening. Enemy raids on Britain during July resulted In the deaths of 368 people, according to an official statement issued in London to-day. In addition 203 people who were injured still remain in hospital. Of those killed 160 were women an'd 40 were children. A total of 803 people was injured.