ENEMY PUSHED INLAND

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24632, 31 July 1945, Page 5

ENEMY PUSHED INLAND

ALLIED ADVANCE IN BORNEO AIR ATTACKS OVER WIDE AREA OF PACIFIC (Rec. 9 p.m.) WASHINGTON, July 29. “The Australian forces, with air support, are pushing deeper Inland in Borneo, driving the enemy into the rugged terrain of the interior,” says to-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters. “Units of the Royal Australian Air Force and the 13th Air Force have carried out bombing and strafing missions, cratering a runway north of Fontlanak, destroying numerous rlvercraft and defensive positions in the Balik Papan area, and causing considerable damage in other coastal targets. “Bombers of the 7th Fleet sank a freighter transport and two freighters, and demolished harbour buildings at Banderfnasin. Bombers of the Royal Australian* Air Force several damaged the Limboeing airfield in south-west-ern Celebes. , , “Fighters of the 7th Fleet and light surface craft harassed coastal facilities and communications in the Halmaheras. Patrol units over the Flores and Banha Seas strafed watercraft and started fires on Larat Island. • “Medium bombers of the Royal Australian Air Force, supporting ground operations, struck at enemy-held villages in the Prince Alexander range, south of Wewak, Planes of the Marine Air Force and the Royal .New Zealand Air Force bombed personnel areas at Kawieng and Rabaul, and isolated enemy defences in' Bougainville. “The reduction of enemy stragglers in northern Luzon Is continuing. The bulk of the remaining Japanese are surrounded, and compressed within the Kiangandaklanloo sector of the southern Cordillera mountains and the foothills of the Sierra Madres. “Sporadic patrol clashes have recurred in widely scattered sectors of Mindanao; mainly In the upper reaches of the Agusan river valley and along the Kibawe-Tolomo trail. “During the last week, our ground forces killed 4477 more Japanese and captured 587 in mopping-up operations. Our casualties were 34 men killed and 73 wounded.” " “ALLIED PLANS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE” (Rec. 11 p.m.) SYDNEY, July 30. “The prospect of a prolonged campaign in Borneo seems remote, and there are considerably fewer Japanese there than in the other island outposts where the Australians are fighting,” says a war correspondent of the Sydney “Sun.” "After initial difficulties on Tarakan Island, both the 7th Division (on the south-east coast of Borneo) and the 9th Division (on Tarakan and the north-west coast of Borneo) are making swift progress, and are well ahead of schedule. They are harrying the retreating Japanese, and are easily winning the few clashes which are occurring. “Japanese strategy in Borneo is not easy to understand, although its general pattern follows that of Bougainville, New Britain, and New Guinea. It seems clear that the commanders want ■to retain as many of their forces as possible, so that with the inevitable final Allied victory they can return home and be welcomed as ‘undefeated leaders.’ “The Australians have now completely cleared the enemy from the vital west coast oilfields around Brunei and in Sarawak. The Japanese stationed here are now racing -south towards Kuching, the capital of Sarawak, with the men of the 9th Division in hot pursuit," Soviet Woman Ambassador.—Mrs Alexandra Kollontay, the Soviet Ambassador to Sweden, has been relieved of her duties at her own request, because of ill-health. The Moscow radio has announced that the Soviet Government has appointed Mr Ilia Chernychev to Sweden.—London, July 26.