JAPS FINISHED

Grey River Argus, 12 August 1944, Page 5

JAPS FINISHED

IN NEW GUINEA Attack on Philippines Begun by MacArthur s Bombers (Special to N.Z. Press Assn.) (Rec. 11.10) SYDNEY, Aug 11. In New Guinea the Japanese 18th Army trapped in the, Ai ft^'^e'forarea is finished, as its fighting io ward elements have suffered a crushffig defeat in the Driniumor-Afua sector. Most of the enemy s 41st and 51st Divisions were destroyed. All resistance in this sector has ceased. Japanese troops who have escaped American encircling movements are fleeing south towards the Torricelli Mountains, or are; trying to make their way back to Wewak. The combat effectiveness of General Adachi’s Army is thus destroyed. Its casualties during the past month are conservatively estimated at 18,000 dead and wounded. Because of the lack of medical supplies, General Adachi’s surviving troops are m a precarious position, and there are indications that his forces are disintegrating into small groups, seeking refuge in the hinterland. For the first time since the battle for Corregidor, in April, 1942, United States bombers have been over the Philippines mainland. Hard on Mr Roosevelt’s promise bf a speedy recovery of the Philippines, General MacArthur’s headquarters announced to-day, that South-west Pacific Liberators bombed an airfield at Davao on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights. The raids involved longrange flights, and were made possible by recent New Guinea successes which enabled an advancement of Allied air bases. Davao is sbout 700 miles north-east of Sansapor (Dutch New Guinea), where American troops landed recently. Other night patrols have been over Halmahera, an important Japanese base, 250 miles from Sansapor, guarding the eastern approach to the Philippines. They damaged two 2000-ton freighters.