ALLIED HOLD

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21755, 3 July 1945, Page 3

ALLIED HOLD

STRATEGIC BASE ENEMY “CUT OFF

AIR BLOWS POSSIBLE

WHOLE OF EAST INDIES (10 a.m.) NEW YORK, June 2. ‘•Swiftly following our seizure of Brunei Bay and Tarakan, the enemy's defences are now isolated or crushed and his confused and disorganised forces incapable of effective strategic action,” added General MacArthur. “The speed, surprise and shock of these three operations have secured the domination of Borneo and driven a wedge southwards, splitting the East Indies. The strategic Macassar Straits, gateway to the Flores and Java Seas, is now controlled by Allied surface craft as well as aircraft and submarines.

“The development of the already existing air facilities at Balikpapan will enable our aircraft to smash enemy communications on land and sea from Timor to eastern Sumatra. The whole of Java and the important ports of Sourabaya and Batavia are now within easy flight range and subject to interdiction. Allied shipping can now sail with land-based air cover to any point in the south-west Pacific.

“It is fitting that the Australian Seventh Division, which in July, 1942, met and later turned back the tide of invasion of Australia on the historic Kokoda trail, should in the same month secure what was once perhaps the most lucrative strategic target in the East Indies sector and virtually complete our tactical control of the entire south-west Pacific.’’ The area was a major source of fuel oil and aviation petrol for the Japanese, with a total production of 15,000,000 barrels yearly.

During last week 5240 enemy dead were counted and 711 taken prisoner in the Philippines. The American casualties were 126 killed and 365 wounded. The total enemy casualties are 419,035, including 9774 prisoners. The American forces ill the Cagayan Valley, on Luzon, extensively patrolled without making major contacts. They continued pressure against centres of resistance at Kiangan and Mankayan. Strong patrols on Mindanao Island found many abandoned vehicles as the reduction of enemy personnel and supplies continues.

The air force continued the methodical destruction of supplies in Formosa and the Pescadores. Neutralising attacks were continued on airfields in the Celebes, East Java and the Lesser Sundas. The Australians, with medium bomber support, cleared the enemy from more high ground northwards of Wewak. Fighter-bombers, in force, supported the ground, troops in southern Bougainville.