Widespread Actions

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 41, 17 August 1942, Page 5

Widespread Actions

NO NEWS FROM SOLOMONS

LONDON, August 16.

The Japanese three-pronged threat to Australia has been stubbornly countered east, north, and west.

There are no fresh details of the naval battle in the Solomon Islands and of the operations of the American land forces. Washington has issued no communique during- the last 24 hours.

In Sydney Mr. W. M. Hughes said the offensive had shown that the Japanese were not equal to the United States marines.

There is news that Allied troops who remained in Timor after the Japanese occupation are still keeping 1 up their organised resistance. General Mac Arthur's communique told of a new attack in the south-east of Timor by Allied bombers. Troop concentrations, buildings, and road transport were bombed and fires were started.

An Australian commander lias given an account of the Japanese pressure and of the severity of the jungle righting in New Guinea.

His unit has rejoined the main force after a five-day running fight, and has brought its wounded and captured equipment. The men had not been long at Kodoka before the enemy counter-attacked in superior force. The fighting lasted all day, and after inflicting casualties the Australians crept through the Japanese lines at nightfall and started a widespread movement through the jungle.. They got back three days later. They were just in time to help beat off a renewed Japanese attack fought at close quarters in tropical rain The Japanese brought up strong re.inforcements, and after holding them for 24 hours the Australians had to withdraw to their original positions.