PUSH ON MUNDA

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 13, 15 July 1943, Page 5

PUSH ON MUNDA

U.S. PINCERS CLOSING

OUTER DEFENCES

(Special P.A. Carrespontlent.)

SYDNEY, July 14,

The American pincers are closing on Munda, in New Georgia. The southern arm of the pincers, which is hinged on the base at Zanana beach, has penetrated two enemy strong-points and reached Munda's outer defences; the northern arm is also making progress after having destroyed the enemy garrison at Enogai Inlet. General Mac Arthur's communique says: "The advance of our ground ■forces against Munda is continuing in spite of stiffening enemy resistance. Our torpedo and dive-bombers in direct support attacked anti-aircraft positions and bivouac areas with 32 tons of heavy explosives. Large fires resulted. !r "Shortly after dawn our fighters intercepted 18 enemy dive-bombers and 10 Zeros over Langedale Point, forcing the bombers to jettison their bombs and shooting down four Zeros for the loss of one plane. "In the battle at Enogai Inlet, our forces captured equipment including heavy artillery and machine-guns. The enemy casualties included 150 known to be dead and as many wounded." A Domei report says that terrific air battles are raging in the Solomons, and that these are a prelude to a great naval engagement ±'91- which both the Japanese and American fleets are now preparing. General Mac Arthur's communique gives the Japanese naval losses in the second battle of Kula Gulf as one light cruiser and three destroyers .sunk and two other destroyers probably sunk. The remnants of the enemy force which returned north after the battle were joined, it is believed, by warships which did not take part in the fight. Official reports confirm that the mission of the Japanese force was to reinforce the beleaguered garrison at Munda. General Mac Arthur's communique today also reports:—"Bougainville, Bum, I'aisi: Our heavy units bombed Ballale aerodrome after dark, dropping 24 tons of high explosives and numerous fragmentation clusters. Five fires were started."