JAP RESISTANCE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19, 23 January 1943, Page 5

JAP RESISTANCE

RAPID DESTRUCTION AT SANANANDA

MUCH AIR ACTIVITY

(By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, January 22. j The Allied forces are rapidly destroying the remaining Japanese resistance round Sanananda. When one enemy pocket was cleaned out yesterday 150 Japanese were killed, and heavy casualties have also been inflicted on the enemy troops defending the other strongpoints. The Allied gains have been made in spite of adverse ground and weather conditions. Ten inches of rain fell in the area yesterday. In their three remaining dwindling pockets of resistance the Japanese are being attacked from all sides. The largest enemy-held area is the beach front of 150 yards. In Giruwa, in the Tarakena area, the enemy troops defiantly hoisted two flags. Australians shot them down, and the Japanese immediately hoisted two larger flags which were also shot down. American and Australian forces are combining their attacks at this point, where the enemy defences are strongest. Japanese power-driven barges have again been heard moving at night off Sanananda, and two or three may have put briefly in to the shore. The purpose of the visit has not been established. CRUISER CRIPPLED. A Japanese cruiser and a 5000-ton merchantman have been crippled in a raid on Ambon. The cruiser is thought to have been sunk. Two more enemy merchantmen have been severely damaged in another heavy raid on Rabaul. These attacks on enemy shipping are part of the continued widespread Allied air activity throughout the area of the Sbuth-west Pacific Command. Fourteen Zeros were shot down yesterday and eight others damaged. The attack on Japanese shipping at the important naval base of Ambon, in Amboina Island, about 600 miles northwest of Darwin, indicates the purpose of recent Allied reconnaissance flights over this area. Liberators made the raid, and a force of about 20 Zeros intercepted, two of which were shot down and others were damaged. All our planes returned. When last seen the cruiser was listing badly with smoke pouring from it. The enemy shipping concentration at Ambon may be intended for an offensive purpose, or—more likely—it is being used to strengthen the Japanese positions on Timor and the other islands in the Arafura Sea. LONG RAID ON RABAUL. Catalinas and Flying Fortresses attacked shipping in Rabaul harbour in raids lasting for several hours from midnight on Wednesday. They seriously damaged a 6000-ton and a 2000----ton merchantman. The attacks were pressed home from mast height, ana the enemy was later observed attempting to beach the larger vessel to prevent its total loss. The aerodromes in the Rabaul area were also heavily raided to hamper fighter interception. Increased Japanese air activity has again been evident. In various actions throughout the South-west Pacific Command area yesterday the enemy employed about 60 planes. Two of these actions were offensive. One was a night raid on Darwin, made by two planes, whose bombs dropped harmlessly in the bush, om Kittyhawk night-fighters intercepted, and one of the bombers is believed to have been destroyed. Two enemy night raids have also been made at Milne Bay. A total of 12 bombers caused slight damage but no casualties at the aerodrome. Over Wewak four Liberator bombers were engaged by 25 Zeros in a running fight which lasted for an hour. Twelve enemy fighters were shot down and six others were damaged. All four Liberators returned safely.