30,000 JAPS.

Grey River Argus, 20 March 1945, Page 5

30,000 JAPS.

OPPOSING AUSTRALIANS.

ON NEW BRITAIN ISLAND. (Rec. 6.30.) LONDON, March 19. Australian forces are having a dour time- in driving Japanese forces in New Britain. A Melbourne correspondent, quoting Army reports, said that bitter fighting has occurred on tlie erest of a ridge overlooking the Waitavalo Plantation on the island. Australians, in the face of a terrific mortar -barrage, prised out Japanese from many caves on the slopes. Some Japanese ’planes have been encountered, supporting the enemy. It is estimated that there are thirty thousand Japanese troops barring the way of the Australians on the Gazelle Peninsula. Australian forces are under two thousand yards distant from the But Airfield. They captured large quantities of equipment, motor vehicles and medical stores in an advance along the coast. A.I.F. TAKES ISLAND. OFF NORTH BOUGAINVILLE. .(Rec. 10.5.) SYDNEY, March 19. Taiof Island, Japanese stronghold off the Sorakan Peninsula, in Northern Bougainville, has fallen into Australian hands. Taiof had been a potential threat to the northern Australian force since the crossing of the Genga River, as it was known the Japanese could observe the Australian troop-, movements from this area. In addition, the enemy was known to have several large calibre guns on Taiof, which could be brought to bear on the Australian forces on the Sorakan Peninsula, into which Australian troops are penetrating. S.W. PACIFIC AIR RAIDS. Mac ARTHUR’S 1 REPORT. (Received March 19, 8.50 p.m.). WASHINGTON, March 18. In his latest communique, General MacArthur stated: Our heavy medium bombers, closely supporting our ground forces, attacked bivouacs in the Wewak sector, New Guinea. Heavy and medium fighter bombers struck positions at Wide Bay, Rabaul, New Ireland, and Bougainville, causing large explosions and fires, and much damage to motor transport. Two enemy aircraft were bombed in the Moevelo River area, Wide Bay. N.Z. AIRMEN’S GOOD WORK. [R.N.Z.A.F. Official News. Service.] BOUGAINVILLE, March 18. Appreciation of the efficient manner in which the New Zealand Corsair Squadron, led by Squadron-Lead-er G. FI. Corbet, of Invercargill, sighted and successfully . attacked three enemy armoured fighting vehicles recently on Bougainville Island, is contained in a message from the General commanding the Australian forces in the Solomons. The General stated: These activities were of great benefit to the ground forces. Information gained enabled early steps to be taken to deal with a threat. It is now known that in addition to destroying two enemy tanks, and damaging at least one more, the Corsairs destroyed an enemy truck loaded with troops, many of whom were killed. EMIRAU, March 18. Fuel sufficient only for another 20 minutes’ flying was all that remained in the tanks of R.N.Z.A.F. Venturas when they recently landed here n return from a strike on New Britain. Before touching down they had been forced to circle the island for ninety minutes, due to the weather closing in completely, and obscuring the airstrip. At one stage, when it looked as though the weather was lifting, an American Mitchell landed, skidding on the half-submerged airstrip, and crashed. This closed the strip for a further period. Two Mitchells came home from the strike on one engine. Both made safe landings. Australia's Part MacARTHUR’S JUDGM'ENT TRUSTED. (Received March 19, 10.40 p.m.). SAN FRANCISCO, March 19. Rt. Hon. F. M. Forde, Commonwealth Deputy Prime Minister and Army Minister, stated here at a press conference: “Australia has assigned a splendid striking force to General MacArthur for use when it is strategically possible. These Australian troops are in addition to those who are fighting the Japanese in the bypassed islands.” Mr Forde paid a tribute to General MacArthur as the outstanding military leader of the age. He said that Australia’s role in the Pacific war was to be determined by General MacArthur, who had recently conferred with Mr Curtin. Mr Forde added: “Australia is entering the United Nations’ peace discussions with an open mind, and the o will to Co-operate with the other Allies.”