STORE GAINS IN PAPUA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23849, 19 January 1943, Page 5

STORE GAINS IN PAPUA

MAIN TRACK CUT AT ' SANANANDA

ENEMY FORCES NOW DIVIDED (Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

(Rec. 10 p.m.)

SYDNEY, Jan. 18.

The Japanese defences at Sanananda are now divided into three sections. Important gains have been made by Allied forces who, with

direct air support, cut the main track in two places. More than 120 enemy dead have been counted by our troops. , These tactics of tutting off and isolating Japanese strongpoints were employed with marked success in the Buna mission area, and the newest Allied gains should hasten the final collapse of enemy resistance in Papua. No details of the attacks at Sanananda are yet available.

U.S. ADVANCE ON GUADALCANAR

POSITIONS BOMBED BY JAPANESE

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17,

A United States Navy communique says; “On Friday night Japanese aeroplanes bombed United States positions on Guadalcanal inflicting minor damage and some casualties among troops. United States ground forces continued to advance slowly against a determined resistance.

“On Saturday Marauder medium bombers escorted by Airacobra and Warhawk fighters bombed Munda, on New Georgia, scoring a ' number of hits, in the target area.”

OPERATIONS IN BURMA

E.A.F. ATTACKS ON RATHEDAUNG

LAND FORCES CAPTURE HILL NEAR AKYAB

(Rec. 11 p.m.)

LONDON, Jan. 18.

The Royal Air Force concentrated most of its attacks in Burma yesterday on the village of Rathedaung, which lies in the path of the Allied advance on Akyab, Aircraft were over Rathedaung three times, and good results were obtained with bombs and machine-gun fire. Elsewhere in Burma river craft were attacked and damaged. The airfield at Toungoo was raided, bombs falling on runways and dispersal areas. Once again the Royal Air Force suffered no loss in the day’s operations. Allied troops operating in Burma have captured another strategic hill near Akyab and are now fighting for a third.

The following joint communique has been received in London from India: “On January 16 forces of Blenheim bombers escorted by Hurricanes cooperated closely with our ground forces on the Mayu Peninsula and successfully attacked enemy targets on Akyab Island. Some fires were started and the escorting Hurricanes made lowlevel machine-gun attacks. Several light anti-aircraft guns were silenced. “In addition, offensive sweeps were carried out by our fighters against a variety of targets, including river craft, trains, enemy occupied buildings, and coastal shipping. Considerable success was achieved by these attacks. From these and other operations none of our aircraft is missing.” A further Indian communique says: "Yesterday morning a force of enemy bombers escorted by fighters attacked an airfield in the Chittagong area. Preliminary reports indicate that the casualties were few and slight. One enemy aircraft was destroyed and several damaged. We lost one aircraft.”

AMERICAN 7 COAL STRIKE

(Rec. 1.30 a.m.) NEW YORK. Jan. 18. Fifteen thousand Pennsylvania miners defied a second demand from the War Labour Board to return to work, and voted to continue the anthracite strike, which has now lasted 19 days. Members of the board said the matter will be referred to Mr Roosevelt for direction and action, possibly in the form of Government seizure of the mines.

U.S. NAVY CROSS AWARDED

BATTLESHIP CAPTAIN DECORATED

(Rec. 1.30 a.m.) WASHINGTON, Jan, 18,

Admiral W. F. Halsey has awarded the United States Navy Cross to Captain Thomas Gatch, whose battleship shot down 32 Japanese aeroplanes while protecting carriers in the battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Captain Gatch was seriously wounded during the battle.

AXIS SHIP SUNK IN MEDITERRANEAN

(Rec. 11 p.m.) LONDON, Jan. 18. In the Mediterranean light British naval vessels attacked and sank an enemy merchant vessel 100 miles out from Tripoli. One of the escorting enemy warships was damaged. There were no British losses.

New Japanese Battleships.—The Brussels radio quotes a Tokyo report that four new battleships will be ■launched in Japan in the spring.— London, January 17.