BIG RAID ON RABAUL

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 5

BIG RAID ON RABAUL

Large Cargo Ship Hit AIR FORCE POUNDS ENEMY BASES (Special Australian Corresp., N.Z.P.A.) (Rec. 12.15 a.m.) SYDNEY. Sept. 25. Seventeen Flying Fortresses made a dashing moonlight attack ° n on Thursday night, the mai ‘\ all Japanese operations m £ outh west Pacific. The bombers v. ent m at a low altitude, in spite of heavy file from the ground, and dld . w i^f s ß damage in the harbour. A dnect hit on an 8000-ton cargo ship was observed. A heavy explosion occurred and a fire started on the vessel, which is believed to have sunk. The harbour was crowded with snipping, including worships, as well as the cargo vessels. There was no attempt at interception by enemy aircraft and all the bombing force returned safely. . „ Buka, in the northern Solomons, Mubo in north-west New Guinea, and Dilli in Portuguese Timor, were also targets for Allied air attacks. Mubo is the advanced enemy base for Saiamaua, and points on the Port Moresby tr fn the heart of New Guinea the main Allied offensive has been directed on the Kokoda trail where air force attacks have been concentrated on me

wire suspension bridge over the Kumusi river at Wairopi. This has been twice repaired by the Japanese. It is a vital link in the line of communications with their bases on the other side of the Owen Stanley ranges. Mountain Position Unchanged

The situation in the Owen Stanley front line area is reported to be unchanged, with patrols in contact, but with the main forces still unengaged. Unofficial reports describe these clashes as “fierce,” but they are not referred to in General Mac Arthur s latest communique. Enemy concentrations which were attacked at Mubo, 16 miles south of Salamaua, were officially stated to be relatively small bodies of troops. There has been no new enemy move in that sector. The presence of enemy troops there cannot yet be regarded as evidence of another prong in the Japanese drive to Port Moresby. The Japanese occupation of Mubo was announced some weeks ago, and it is believed that the enemy are using the village as an advanced base to prevent Allied ground reconnaissance of the activities at Salamaua. To-day’s communique mentions an attack on the aerodrome at Kokoda. A hj .dquarters spokesman said that no Japanese-air activity has been observed on the aerodrome, but there are signs of work being carried out. This is an indication of the Japanese intention to use the Kokoda aerodrome, supporting the view that the Japanese cannot too long delay the move against Port Moresby if they wish to avoid the enormously-compli-cated transport difficulties presented by the rainy season, which is due in a few weeks. At the height of the rams 10 to 12 inches fall daily on the jungle tracks, which are already deep in slippery mud. The consequent slowing up of transport would make the enemy lines of communication increasingly vulnerable to Allied air attacks. “The Japanese have not succeeded in New Guinea by out-flanking, movements alone,” declares a British observer in the area. “Their direct attacks on the Australian forward positions have often been fierce and sustained. For instance, some 10 miles south of Kokoda th-y . attacked forward companies almost incessantly for four days. Six times one Australian company was driven off a ridge and five times it regained the lost ground. The sixth time it failed, but there was then less than half the original comcompany whose position was overrun by enemy troops, stuck there and were still fighting two days later. The same kind of fighting went on all the way back. Many out-flank-ing movements were directed against the Australian unit headquarters and lines of communication.

“A CHRONIC DISEASE” UNDERESTIMATING THE ENEMY (Rec. 12.30 a.m.) SYDNEY. Sept. 25. “The chronic disease of under-esti-mating the enemy” was trenchantly attacked by the former Prime Minister (Mr R. G. Menzies) m Sydney *°“Whv. every now and then, does it become necessary for us t od sclare that, man for man, we! are better than the Japanese?” he asked So far we have had defeats and they have been administered by people who have learnt more about the art; of ■ wa r we have. Let us admit that and we will be well on the way to recovery, hj6 “A straight look at, ourselves would not dampen our patriotism" dared. "The fire within us is no flickering flame to be put out by the first gust of wind.” “JAPAN READY FOR

LONG WAR”

ADMIRAL NOMURA IN ITALY

(Rpc 9 Dm.) LONDON, Sept. 24. “Japan is ready for a long war, declared Admiral Nomura, who is in Italy with a Japanese naval missmn according to the Rome radio. He added that enormous quantities of raw materials had been accumulated from conquered territories and an inexhaustible reserve of manpower would enable Japan to maintain a long war if England and America had a plan along_tkos e _ “War experts in New Delhi believe that Japan is more likely to push on to Australia than to attack India, says a correspondent of the New York Herald-Tribune.” “It is obvious that no campaign against India could be carried out without bringing large forces by sea around Singapore and so far no such movement has been noted.’ U.s. NAVAL LOSSES IN SOLOMONS ACTION OFF GUADALCANAR WASHINGTON, Sept. 24. The United States Navy has announced the loss of the destroyer Jarvis and the auxiliary transport Little in the Solomons area. It is believed that approximately 250 lives were lost. The Jarvis was damaged as a result of enemy air attacks off Guadalcanar while en route from the Tulagi area to a southern repair base. The Jarvis had been overdue for several weeks and an intensive search by ships and aircraft had failed to locate her or reveal any trace of her personnel. The Little was sunk by enemy action in recent operations in the Solomon Islands area, The Jarvis displaced 1500 tons, and had a complement of 172. She was commissioned in 1938. American ships lost in the Solomons fighting now total eight, compared with Japanese losses of at least 22 vessels.