ADVANCE IN NEW BRITAIN

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 119, 15 February 1944, Page 5

ADVANCE IN NEW BRITAIN

Marines’ Penetration MOKE AIR-STRIPS FOR ALLIES

(Bv ' Telegraph.—Pres® assn.—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received February 14, 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 14. Making further eoastal aud inlaud penetrations in western Britain, United States marines have forced the dwindling Japanese forces in the area to make hasty withdrawals from then deteriorating defence positions. Ihe marines have destroyed large quantities of supplies and equipment abandoned by the enemy. They found many Japanese head from starvation and disease. In their pursuit of the half-starved enemv forces the marines have penetrated almost to Cape Mensing, la miles east of Bergen Bay. This advance has cleared a large section of the western tip of New Britain of Japanese, thus enabling the building of new Allied air-strips. With their supply lines disrupted by constant Allied air and sea attacks, the Japanese are largely dependent on supplies carried over rough jungle trails or sneaked down the coast by barges under cover of darkness.

With the occupation of the Huon peninsula completed, the battle for the Rai coast west of Saidor has been, intensified. The American and Australian troops now at Saidor are prepat ing to advance on Bogadjim, an important Japanese supply point 56 air miles to the west.

1000 JAP AIRCRAFT This Year’s Bag In South- , West Pacific (By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright.) ’ (Special Australian Correspondent.) (Received February 14. 11.30 p.m.) SYDNEY, February 14. Nearly 1000 Japanese aircraft have been destroyed, probably destroyed or damaged, in the South-west Pacific area since January 1. The bulk of the enemy losses have -been at Rabaul. in New Britain. which was raided on Friday for the 36th time in 41 days. The targets were the harbour area and Vunapope. Tobera and Vunakanau airfields. Three enemy interceptors' were • shot down, and five others probably destroyed. Two Allied planes wore lost, with others damaged. The bomb load dropped was 13-1 tons. Heavy explosions and fires were caused at -the airfields. Many, buildings were demolished and six barges iu the harbour were sunk. A mixed force of Zero's. Haps and Tonis (the latest Japanese fighters) made. unsuccessful attempts to penetrate the Allied fighter screen. Enemy air opposition was officially described as “weak.” New Zealand fighters have played a prominent part in covering the recent Rabaul raids. Near the enemy’s main New Guinea base of Wewak, Allied night, patrols scored direct bomb bits on a 3000-ton Japanese cargo vessel and left it listing. Liberators have again made the round trip of 2000 miles to bomb Kendati, the chief enemy base in the Celebes. They started fires which were visible for 60 miles. CHANCE FOR NAVY Boast By Japanese (Received February 14, 'll p.m.) NEW YORK, February 14. Tokio official radio threatens that the Japanese Navy will deliver a killing blow to the United States Navy. “The war situation has grown grave with the frantic Allied attempt to drive a wedge into the Marshalls defences,” the radio says. “However, this offensive is constituting an ideal chance for the Japanese Navy to deliver a killing blow to the American naval force. The raised fist of the Japanese Navy can be expected to come crashing down on the foolhardy enemy’s head at any time.”