NEW JAP BASE IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 111, 4 February 1943, Page 5

NEW JAP BASE IN NEW GUINEA

Bombed On SouthWest Coast (By Telegraph.—Press Assn. —copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received February 3, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 3. The Japanese forces ringing northern Australia have apparently made a further advance along the south coast of New Guinea. This is indicated by General MacArthur’s communique today, which announces the first Allied air attacks on Kaukenau, in former Dutch New Guinea. Enemy supply dumps were bombed and strafed by Liberators. The Dutch in the pre-war years had ■built numerous airfields and seaplane bases in their New Guinea territory, and it appears that the Japanese are now making use of at least some of these for consolidation and extension of their defensive arc. Another Allied target in the same area yesterday was a wharf at loeal, on Kei Island, where an attack by Hudsons started extensive fires. Babaul Raided.

For .the fourth successive day Rabaul has been heavily raided. Blinding searchlight glare aga'in prevented observation of the results. The main target was the Vunakanau aerodrome. Indeed, throughout the entire New Britain area the Allied air force continued, to attack Japanese aerodromes and shipping. At Open Bay enemy troops in launches were killed. It was obvious that two cargo ships which had previously been attacked had been beached. Off Imbjbau Island a Liberator attacked a 0000-ton. enemy cargo ship which was towing two barges. One barge was sunk by a direct bomb hit, while a direct hit and several near-misses damaged the ehip so badly that efforts were made to beach her. Lull on Land. The Japanese drive in the Bulolo Valley against Wail, in the centre of the New Guinea goldfields area, has not been renewed. The land fighting has died down, but our planes have continued their bombing and strafing attacks along the Mubo-Komiatum trail. Reports from Australian outposts round Wau indicate that, the Japanese have been using dogs, mostly of the Alsatian type, for finding our positions and giving warning. Several of our posts have been attacked soon after the appearance of these “friendly” dogs. In Papua the mopping up of Japanese stragglers is almost completed. General MacArthur’s communique today states that 158 enemy troops, not previously reported, have been killed or have surrendered.