Shelled and Divebombed As Never Before

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 161, 9 July 1943, Page 5

Shelled and Divebombed As Never Before

AMERICA’S MECHANISED MIGHT IN SOLOMONS

SYDNEY, July 7. ‘‘Unprecedented use in this theatre of‘war of artillery and divebombers is being made to soften up the enemy resistance at Munda, New Georgia. Perhaps this blasting will prove, the answer to the enemy’s stubborn ‘dig in or die’ tactics which prolonged both the Papuan and Guadalcanar campaigns,” writes the South Pacific war correspondent 01 the Sydney Daily Telegraph, Mr. Osmar White.

“Never has any Japanese base received such prolonged and concentrated poundings. Munda on Tuesday was plastered by both medium bombers and divebombers with nearly 50 tons of bombs aimed at camp areas and gun positions. Despite heavy antiaircraft fire our aircraft returned without loss ’ 4 he writes.

It is reported that American forces have established bridgeheads on New Georgia flanking the Munda base. While adverse weather delays fullscale air operations, observers believe that the development of the final assault against Munda will not be lorn' delayed.

The Americans are rapidly building up a strong base at Rendova, from which island heavy artillery is shelling Munda. Invasion ships are discharging a. steady stream of supplies at the island, while ashore bulldozers and scoops are ripping out roads, bivouac areas, and ammunition dumps. Quoting the Japanese military at tache at Vichy, Paris radio to-day said: “The Americans apparently intend to nibble away at the advanced Japanese positions in the South Paciflc. These are extremely slow and costly tactics.”