MACARTHUR’S OFFENSIVE

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 April 1943, Page 5

MACARTHUR’S OFFENSIVE

BOMBINGS CONTINUED

NO JAP. PLANES ENCOUNTERED

SYDNEY, April 7. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur’s headquarters is:— Aru Islands:—One of our medium units bombed and strafed enemy installations at Wokam and Kenari from a low altitude. Tenimber Islands: —One of our medium bombers raided the village of Alitit. New Britain:—At Gasmata one of our heavy units raided the aerodrome and bombed and strafed an enemy coastal vessel near Montagu Harbour. At Cape Gloucester one of our heavy bombers strafed the waterfront area. At Finschhafen one of our heavy units strafed the aerodrome from a low altitude, starting fires. New Guinea:—At Salamaua, in a co-ordinated low-level sweep, our medium and attack units heavily bombed the town, starting large fires and silencing anti-aircraft positions. Later one of our heavy units bombed the jetty area, demolishing a supply warehouse. No enemy aircraft were encountered during the day.

U.S.A. BOMBINGS

RUGBY, April 7.

A United States Navy communique states: Army Liberators and Mitchells, escorted by Lightnings and Warhawks, made five attacks on Japanese installations at Kiska, and one against Attu (westernmost island of the Aleutians) on Monday, when hits were scored on enemy positions. To-day, Wednesday, Dauntless dive-bombers and Lightnings attacked Japanese positions at Vila, Central Solomons. Fires were started.

MILITARY MISSION’S RETURN

SYDNEY, April 7

The military mission sent to Washington from the South-west Pacific has returned to Australia after a month in the United States. The mission was led by General MacArthur’s Chief of Staff (Major-Gen-eral Richard Sutherland) and the Commander of the Allied Air Force in this theatre (Lieutenant-General G. C. Kenney). Major-General Sutherland was the personal representative of General MacArthur. In the United States the mission had important talks with Mr. Roosevelt and high officers of the American War Department. Vital issues were discussed, including additional aid for this war theatre and broad plans for the whole Pacific area. Lieutenant-General Kenney and Major-General Sutherland have made no statement except that they “fully presented the military situation in this area and General MacArthur’s comments and recommendations thereon.” N.Z. REPRESENTATIVE.

WELLINGTON, April 8. The appointment of Colonel C. W. Salmon, D.C.M. at present Deputy Quartermaster General, as the representative of the New Zealand Chiefs of Staff at the Headquarters ol the South Pacific Force, was announced by Mr. Fraser (Prime Minister). During a visit which he made recently to Admiral Halsey’s Headquarters, Tvlr. J. G- Coates discussed, the desirability of making such an appointment which Admiral Halsey readily accepted. “Col. Salmon, said Mr. Fraser, “is an officer with a most valuable record of service and as the representative of the Chiefs of Stan, at Admiral Halsey’s Headquarters will serve as a channel through which the Commander can be kept informed of developments in New Zealand and as a medium for the communication of Admiral Halsey s wishes to the Chiefs of Stasi.