STRATEGIC FINALE IN NEW GUINEA

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 206, 29 May 1944, Page 5

STRATEGIC FINALE IN NEW GUINEA

Americans’ Last 200-Mile Leap ISLAND LANDING Year’s Advance Surveyed

(By Telegraph.-Pre« Assn.-Copyrigbt.) (Special Australian (Received May 28, 9.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 28 American invasion troops landed early yesterday morning on Biak Island, near the western tip of Dutch New Guinea. Ihe capture of this Japanese stronghold, which is the keypoint of the Schoutin Islands in Geelvink Bay, 200 miles west of Wakde Island gives General MacArthur’s forces complete domination ot Dutch New Guinea except for isolated enemy positions. “For strategic purposes this marks the practical end ot the New ’Guinea campaign,” declares today’s South-west Pacific headquarters communique announcing the final stage of General MacArthur’s leap-frog offensive iri Dutch New Guinea. The latest phase of this offensive began with the landing at Hollandia on April 22 and was continued by the subsequent landing on Wakde Island on May 18.

“The final stage has been reached in the offensive initiated in this theatre on June 28, 1943, by the combined forces of the South-West Pacific and South Pacific,” says General MacArthur’s communique. "It has resulted in the recouquest or neutralization of the Solomons, Bismarcks, Admiralties, and New Guinea. From the forward point reached by the Japanese we have advanced our front approximately 1800 statute miles westward and approximately 700 miles to the north. "Compared with the enemy, our offensive has employed only modest forces, and through the maximum use of manoeuvre and surprise has incurred only light losses.

. “These operations have effected a strategic penetration of the conquered empire which the Japanese were attempting to consolidate in the South-west Pacific, and have secured bases of departure for the advance to its vital areas in the Philippines and the Netherlands .East Indies.”

Only light losses were suffered by the Americans at Biak. The invasion troops went ashore under cover of an air and naval bombardment, and they are now advancing toward the island’s three air* fields; seven miles from their beach-head. They are meeting with Japanese resista nee, the strength of which has not yet been disclosed. ; ... „ The capture of Biak Island will enable an intensification of the Allied air aud naval blockade of the remaining Japanese bases in New Guinea. With their supplies completely cut off, the enemy garrisons face starvation and annihilation. Biak Island has been the most important Japanese strongpoint in the Geelvink Bay area. Its three airfields, foorido, Mokmer and Borokoe, formerly based considerable plane strength. This, however, was effectively neutralized by the incessant Allied air attacks during the past three weeks. The enemy airfields of nearby Noemfoor Island have also been heavily hit in the preliminary softening-up raids. Main Village Taken. Within four hours of their landing on the south-east.coast of Biak Island, the American invasion forces had gained a dominating ridge overlooking Bosnek, the lar-est village on the island. Bosnek has now been captured, and the Americans are extending their perimeter round it and continuing their drive toward the cluster of three airfields. They are.meetino, enemy mortar and artillery fire. American and Australian warships escorted the invasion convoy. They were fired on by Japanese shore batteries, and destroyers were hit, damage a nd some casualties being caused. liberators pounded shore targets before the land in gs. In a special statement to war correspondents at his headquarters today, General MacArthur said that the success of the Allied offensive in New Guinea had more than fulfilled his most optimistic hopes and expectations. He was particularly thankful for the light losses which had niarked these operations. The chief remaining Japanese strength in Dutch New Guinea is Manokwan, 100 miles west of Biak. Manokwan already has been the target for a stepped-up air offensive, which is now certain to be further intensified. ■- . , , . . Since General MacArthur began his great forward drive in New Guinea on April 22 his forces have captured 16 strategically-important Japanese airfields.

Map shows the great extent of the. American, Australian and New Zealand ‘advance north-westward in the southern Pacific since a year ago, and the greater distances the Allies have yet to cover. The Allies have at last made a deep bite into Japan's strategic , Empire. From Geelvink Bay, which is the deep gulf behind the "head of New Guinea, MacArthur has 800 miles to go to the southern tip of the Philippines.