NEARING DECISION

Evening Star, Issue 24917, 15 July 1943, Page 5

NEARING DECISION

BATTLE FOR MUKDA AMERICAN PINGERS CLOSING (N.Z.P.A. Special Aust. Correspondent) SYDNEY, July 14. The American pincer movement against Mupda is closing. The southern arm of the pincers, hinged on the base at Zanana Beach, has penetrated two enemy strongpoints and readied Munda's outer defence perimeter. The northern arm is also making progress after having destroyed the enemy garrison at Enogai Inlet. General MacArthur's communique says that the American advance is continuing in spite of stiffening Japanese resistance. The action now appears to be reaching a decisive stage. While the Allied land forces converge on their objective our air forces are battering the enemy positions incessantly. Japanese attempts to stem this aerial bombardment are proving costly. Reports indicate, however, no diminution in the enemy fighter strength available for Munda's defence, although the Japanese failure to make more extensive use of hombers may indicate a shortage of this type of aircraft. A Domei Agency report. says that terrific air battles are' raging in the Solomons,| and add that these are a prelude to a great naval engagement for which both' the Japanese and American fleets are now preparing. NAVAL LOSSES CONFIRMED.

General MacArthur's communique confirms 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 V the battle Were joined, it is believed, by other warships which did not take part in the fight. The official .reports confirm that the mission of,the Japanese task force was to reinforce the beleaguered Munda garrison. " If the Japanese are going to use ' the slot' to try to save New Georgia we may look forward to another rich harvest of scrap metal," writes an Australian war correspondent in the Solomons. The " slot," which is the graveyard, of many Japanese ships, is a narrow stretch of water running between the Solomon Islands from San Cristoval to Bougainville. It was the route followed by the " Tokio Express " in sneaking reinforcements into Guadalcanal by night. Here American motor torpedo boats and destroyers gained their best bags. The continuance of enemy ship movements through " the slot" must assist the Allies considerably in their purpose of whittling down Japanese strength. TARGETS IN NEW GUINEA. The Allied air offensive in New. Guinea 16 losing none of its force. Seventy-one tons of bomlbs were dropped by strong forces of our heavy bombers, which subjected the Lae and Salamaua sectors to another terrific pounding yesterday. One Allied plane was forced to land in the 6ea, but the crew are believed to have been saved. The Japanese air force made two at-, tacks in New Guinea yesterday. Benabena, inland from Madang, was twice raided, once by 10 bombers with an escort of 15 fighters,, and the second time by seven bombers. General MacArthur's communique reports no damage. _ Three floatplanes made an ineffective attack on Wau.