JAPS. IN A TRAP

Grey River Argus, 14 May 1945, Page 5

JAPS. IN A TRAP

ON MINDANAO Australian Advances TARAKAN, NEW GUINEA AND BOUGAINVILLE. WASHINGTON, May 11. A new move to entrap the principal Japanese force remaining in the southern Philippines is announced by General MacArthur. To-day’s communique states: — “Preceded by air and naval preparations, strong elements of the 40th. Division landed on the north coast of Mindanao at the. head of Macalalar Bay. The enemy’s Bukidnon garrison, preparing to meet our 31st. Division’s northward advance, was caught out of position with their local defences already dislocated by guerrillas, and was completely surprised bv the rear landing and incapable of serious resistance. Our forces quickly consolidated the beachhead and drove four miles inland along the central highway. “Throughout Mindanao the enemy's garrisons are now divided and isolated from each other, and from all outside sources. In the centre of the island his Bukidnon garrison is confronted by ,our columns converging from the north and south. In the south-east his Davao garrison is cut off from escape into the interior by the 31st. Division and is under attack by the 24th. Division and guerrillas. “At the head of the Davao Gulf in the Ahusan River Valley, his small garrison is being harried by local guerrillas. In the south his forces are caught in the Sarancani pocket. On Zamboanga Peninsula only fleeing enemy remnants remain in the interior mountains. “In central Luzon our columns, converging on Ipo from the north and south, are now less than four miles apart. “Our Tarakan forces in a two-mile advance, expanded their hold southwards, driving to within a mile and a half of Karoengan, near the island’s southern tip. Stubborn resistance continues from the enemy’s positions in the centre of the island. Medium bombers and fighters supported the ground forces at Tarakan and bombed Installations at Brocketon, near Brueni Bay, starting many fires. “Air and naval patrols along the shore lines destroyed two cargo vessels, three river boats, a small number of craft, and also a large warehouse. “Aircraft attacked Formosa, Canton, Saigon, Boroboro, the Celebes, and the Moluccas. “Australian troops, in a threemile advance on Bougainville, cut across the northern portion of the island from S-oraken harbour to within a mile of Ruri Bay.” LONDON, May 11 United States troops are moving towards French ports preparatory to transferring to the Pacific theatre. They will receive special training in tile type of warfare likely to be: encountered in the Pacific. It is expected that combat troops in the European theatre will not be moved for a month or two yet. General Eisenhower to-day held a. conference of the commander's of the four armies comprising th e 12th United States Army Group and of the air forces supporting them. They discussed immediate problems 'and the questions that might arise in the future. New Guinea Landing EAST OF WEWAK (Received 12.20 p.m. May 14) WASHINGTON, May 12 General MacArthur’s communique says: Elements of the Sixth Australian Division made a successful landing on the coast of New Guinea to the east of Wewak. Simultaneously other units of the Sixth Division have driven rapidly eastward toward Wewak along the coast. The Royal Navy, the Australian Navy, the United States Air Force, and the Australian Air Force gave support to this operation aimed at the seizure of Wewak and the capture of airstrips. It will drive the remnants of the enemy’s already isolated forces back into the mountains. 'The systematic neutralisation in the Solomons and New Ireland of isolated enemy remnants continues. Our northern column on Mindanao advanced southward ten miles inland along the central highway, past the enemy’s defence line, at least to within one mile of Delmonte airfield. Simultaneously the Thirty-first Division pushing northward up the central highway secured Maramag air field. In the Davao area, the 24th Division repulsed several night coun-ter-attacks near Mintal, steadily pushing the enemy back into the hills between the Talomo and Davao Rivers. „ T In the central sector of Luzon outcolumns converged on Ipo from the north and south. One is now less than two miles away. Part bf our light naval units patrolling the eastern coast destroyed several enemy small craft. On Tarakan, Australian and Netherlands East Indies forces advanced one mile northward towarct Djoeata oilfields against scattered enemy opposition. Heavy bombers cratered a runway at Ba'likpapan, destroyed barracks and shipyards southwards, and destroyed a freighter and two coastal vessels. Aircraft caused widespread destruction in the ind pstrial areas of Formosa. Fleavy units continued to attack the Canton oil base Patrol planes harassed shipping and taiL way installations from to Shanghai. Heavy bombeis attacked aerodromes, installations, and snip ping in the Netherlands East Indies. US EUROPEAN FORCES NOW MacARTHUR’S. “The Times” correspondent at supreme ' Headquarters says: The keynotp of the vast operation that comes into effect to-day for moving American armies in Europe is the lapid iul filment of the military demands, toi the ’war against Japan. American forces in Europe will now become General MacArthur’s troops said a senior S.H.A.E.F. staff officer. Europe has become General MacArthur s zone of the interior, from which lus requirements must be met.” . . Most of the combat divisions and air squadrons will go to the Pacinc via the United States, but many technical services will be embarked direct from Marseilles. Some are already en route to a new training command which is being established in. Europe under the command of one of America’s most eminent battle commanders for preparing troops for service in the Far East. They will go through eight weeks’ course on the Japanese soldier and how to fight him: -