MANY ALLIED RAIDS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXII, Issue 255, 26 September 1942, Page 5

MANY ALLIED RAIDS

BIG ATTACK ON RABAUL LARGE SHIP BOMBED (N.Z. Press Association—Copyright.) (Special Australian Correspondent.) SYDNEY, Kept. 25. In an attack oil llabaul harbour early yesterday morning Flying Fortresses scored a direct hit amidships on an 8000-ton enemy cargo vessel, which was left burning and probably sank. Raids Were also made oti Dilli, in Timor, Buka in the Solomons, Mubo,' an advanced base 16 miles south of Salamaua, and at points on the Port Moresby trail over the Owen Stanley Ranges.

11l an attack oil Rabaul harbour early yesterday morning Flying Fortresses scored a direct hit amidships on an 8000-ton enemy cargo vessel, which Was loft burning and probably sank. Raids were also made oil Dilli, in Timor, Buka, in tho Solomons, Mubo, an advanced base 16 miles south of Salamaua, and at points on the Port Moresby trail over the Owen Stanley Ranges. It was reported that there had been Considerable recent Japanese shipping activity in Rabaul Harbour, and our bombers encountered heavy antiaircraft fire from Warships and shore batteries. Several 6llips are stated to have been in the harbour when the attack was made.

The situation ill the Owen Stanley front-line area is reported to be unchanged. Enemy concentrations which were attacked at Mubo are officially stated to be relatively small bodies of troops. No new enemy move is reported in that Sector. The Japanese occupation Of Mubo was announced some weeks ago, and it is belieVed the enemy is using the village as an advanced base to prevent Allied ground reconnaissance of tho activities at Salamaua

Allied aircraft continue the attacks on the bridge over the Kumusi River at Waii'opi, oh the Kokoda trail. To-day’s communique also mentions an attack on the aerodrome at Kokoda. The headquarters spokesman Said no Japanese air activity was observed oh the aerodrome, hut there were signs that work had been carried out. This indication of the Japanese intention to use the Kokoda aerodrome supports the view that the Japanese cannot too long delay a move against Port Moresby if they wish to avoid the enormously complicated transport difficulties presented by the rainy season, which is due in a few weeks. At the height of tho rains 10 to 12in fall daily Oil the jungle tracks, and they are already deep in slippery mud. The consequent slowing up of transport would make their lines of communication increasingly vulnerable to Allied air attacks. HOW JAPANESE SUCCEEDED.

“The Japanese have not succeeded in New Guinea by outflanking movements alone,” declares a British observer in the area. “Their direct attacks on Australian forward positions have often been fierce and sustained. For instance, softie 10 miles south of Kokoda they attacked our forward companies almost incessantly for four days. Six times one Australian company was driven off a ridge; five times it regained the lost ground. Tho sixth time it failed, but there was then loss than half the original company left. Another company position was overrun by troops, which stuck there and they were still fighting two days later. “The same kind of fighting went on all the Way back. Many of the outflanking movements were directed against Australian units in the headquarters lines and communications.”