NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 September 1943, Page 5

NEW GUINEA CAMPAIGN

LAND AND AERIAL ATTACKS

JAP. RESISTANCE STRONGER

SYDNEY, Sept. 28. Advanced elements of the- Australian force which is attacking Finschhafen, in New Guinea, from the south, are reported to be closing’ in on Japanese positions on the ridges overlooking’ the town. These troops moved inland to outflank Japanese positions guarding the approach from the south, and these positions are now threatened from the rear. The enemy is still resisting stubbornly from strong defence positions in the Bumi River area, but increasing land and air pressure is being brought to bear on him. To-day’s communique from General MacArthur does not mention the Allied force advancing from Lae to close the trap on Finschhafen. It was reported yesterday to have reached Hanisch Harbour, 25 miles southwest of Finschhafen. In the Markham Valley the Australians have pushed up the Yati River and occupied Sakerak, eignt miles north-west of the enemy post at Kaiaoit, which was captured by air-borne troops a week ago. This force is steadily squeezing the Japanese outposts into the narrow confines of the New Guinea seaboard. The aerodromes at Wewak, the enemy base on the north coast of New Guinea, were again heavily Bounded on Sunday by our Liberator i bombers, which dropped 33 tons oi explosives on the supply and disoersal areas at Dagua and Bub starting fires which were visible 30 miles away. At Dagua bombs .scored direct hits on six parked aircraft. Lightnings shot down, three of -0 Japanese fighters which, attempted to intercept the bombers. In a raid on Hansa Bay, between Wewak and. Madang. Liberators effectively concentrated 28 tons of bombs in supply and bivouac areas at Nubi and Potsdam plantations, starting many fires. All our aeto planes returned from these laicL. There was little air activity in the Solomons on Sunday. Allied aircraft on reconnaissance off Choiseul I sland bombed and strafed three small coastal vessels, one of which was lea. sinking. Enemy aeroplanes bombed a small Allied vessel oft the coast of Vella Lavella Island, causing damage and casualties. JAP. LOSSES HEAVY SEVEN SHIPS—64 PLANES (Recd. 1.20 p.m.) SYDNEY, Sept. 29. ( General MacArthur’s communique states: Allied bombers in a heavy laid off Weewak sank seven Japanese i ships (three tankers and four merchantmen) and also shot down 14 planes and destroyed. 50 moie on the ground. MACARTHUR’S STATUS (Recd. 2 p.m.) CANBERRA, Sept. 29. “I am not aware of any change m the' status, authority, or command ot GenSl MacArthur, and no change .could have been made wlth °Y- fc Australian Government s agreement. This statement was made in tnc House of Representatives by Mi. Curtin. “The set-up m the South-west Pacific area and the boundaries of this region were the subject of aliment between Australia, New Zea land. United Kingdom, United States and the Netherlands, and they cannot be varied without the consent _o.t the parties to the agreement. Ihe ap-poh-Sment of Lord Mountbatten does not impinge in any way on McArthur’s command in the S o uth-west Pacific, nor subordinate the Soutnwest Pacific to the South-east Asia command. The eastern boundary o / Mountbatten’s command is the western boundary oi MacArthur s C ®C“ maud. Mountbatten was appointed bj Mr. Churchill and Mr. Roosevelt. lh ls is I heir right and privilege as thev are supplying forces for South-east Asia region. The closest co-operation exists in the matters of higher policy, between Mr. Churchill, Mr. Roosevelt and the Australian. Government and between MacArthur and myself. RANKS SYDNEY, September 29. More than 600 privates, corporals, and sergeants have been commissioned as second lieutenants in the United States Army, upon graduation from, the officers candidate school, somewhere in Australia. All have been on active duty with the American forces in. Australia, New Guinea or elsewhere in the Southwest Pacific. BANGKOK~EiVACUATED. LONDON, Sept. 23. Bankok, the capital of Japanesecontrolled Siam, is being evacuated because of the danger of air raids, says the German overseas radio. Appeals to evacuate the city have been broadcast by the Siamese radio.