N.Z. MEN EFFECT LANDING

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 121, 17 February 1944, Page 5

N.Z. MEN EFFECT LANDING

Americans In Support ONLY RESISTANCE WAS FROM AIR (Official War Correspondent, N.Z.E.F.) NEW ZEALAND H.Q. IN'PACIFIC, February 15. “New Zealand troops from Admiral Halsey’s South Pacific command landed on the Green Islands atolls, starting shortly after six o’clock this morning,” Rear-Admiral Robert B. Carney, Chief of 'Staff for Admiral Halsey, announced today. “The landing was unopposed bv Japanese ground forces,’ Admiral Carney said, “though later, resistance was encountered. No reports have been received concerning the character of the Japanese oppositiou. , , . ' “Japanese aircraft attacked our forces as the troops were going .ashore, but we suffered no damage.' .This marks the third time that crack New Zealand army forces have landed on Japanese-con-trolled islands during the South Pacific campaign. Previously the New Zealanders captured Treasury Islands, and were in great part responsible for the ultimate capture and control of Vella Layella. “Major-General Harold E. Barrowclough D. 5.0., M.C., commanded the Kiwis, while Rear-Admiral Theodore ». Wilkinson, United States Navy, commanded the amphibious operation. Practically all types of-landing craft carried the troops ashore at various, points on the islands from points inside the lagoon. Larger surface forces and aircraft of all types, including Venturas flown by New Zealanders, protected the troop and cargo-carrying vessels. “The landing on Green Islands brings our forces within 135 miles of Rabau* and 230 miles of Kavieng, the remaining two Japanese strongpoints in the South Pacific. It also completes the encirclement of the Bougainville-Buka Is land group, and effectively cuts off the Japanese on those islands from aid from their more northern bases. The landing on Green Islands is another step toward the elimination of Japanese from the South Pacific.” Light Enemy Garrison. Probably fewer than 100 Japanese ground forces were on the island at the time of-landing. Most of these, according to native reports, were near the site of the old Roman Catholic mission at the southern end of Nissan. But there were several enemy barges on the lagoon and one was immediately badly smashed by heavy fire from a navy gunboat. Gunboats proved their utility later in the day by plastering moving enemy barges in the vicinity of the known Japanese point of concentration. These, however, were the only signs of fighting, as most of the troops established their perimeter for . the night. Fighter and surface escorts fought off light Japanese air attacks during the landing, which took place at five .points iftside the elliptical lagoon, and was unopposed by the-enemy land forces. New Zealand engineers and American construction battalions performed miracles in the preparation of roads, ami in clearing away sections of bomb-tor:? bush near the landing l beaches. By the end of the day the New Zealanders and the supporting American units were firmly established. As the ground troops toiled throughout the day, friendly aircraft droned incessantly overhead and warships of the United States Navy maintained a tireless vigil around the atoll.

The Japanese discovered the large invading convoy going toward Nissan in the early hours, and bombed some ships two hours before dawn. The convoy was the biggest ever used by the New Zealanders in the South Pacific operations! In the light of day the Japanese bombers reappeared and two were downed by anti-aircraft fire and one by a fighter pilot. Heavy anti-aircraft fire dotted fhe skies with countless puffs of smoke and bursts of tracer followed the enemy aircraft as they made a quick exit from the hotly defended area. No Japanese aircraft returned all day.