Striking at Japs From New Guinea Bases

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 224, 21 September 1943, Page 5

Striking at Japs From New Guinea Bases

(By Telefrraph- - Press Assn.—-Copyright.) Received Monday, 9 p.m. SYDNEY, Sept. 20. Allied troops are scouring the area north of Lae for remnants of the Japanese garrison trying to escape to the foothills. Some Japanese loaded down with rations lagged behind the small escape parties and were quickly rounded up. Meanwhile the work of clearing the captured enemy base is proceeding apace. Large quantities of naval and military equipment and hundreds ci drums of oil are reported to have been captured. Some of the prepared Japanese positions were so unhygienic as to he almost plague spots. The worst were destroyed and others cleaned out. According to a Chinese carpenter, who was picked up in the bush by the Australians, fever was widspread in the Lae area and dead were carried out daily from the barracks and hideouts. An Australian war correspondent says New Guinea has changed during the past three months from a defensive base to an offensive hopping-off region whence our rapidly-growing might can be hurled at the enemy almost wherever and whenever we choose. Nine months ago, we had only a few airstrips in the whole of Papua. To-day the entire area is patterned with airfields dispersed to provide an aerial overlay and each having multiple landing strips. Just as important is the flow of aircraft and fighting equipment into the area to establish pools at strategic points all over New Guinea. In this we have been assisted tremendously by our expanding sea control, but the most spectacular aspect of the supply and general ground development has been the vital part played by the troop-carrier command and its flying box cars which ferry back and forth in swarms to discharge hundreds of tons of equipment and supplies. A glowing tribute to the ground forces in New Guinea is paid by General Mac Arthur in a special statement reviewing the Lae-Salamaua campaign. “The conduct of the ground troops was splendid beyond words,” said General MacArthur. “The Australian contingent included two of th 9 A.l.F.’s most famous divisions, who added new lustre to their colours. These are magnificent troops unsurpassed in the world. The newer Australian troops also covered themselves with distinction. “The American contingent of ground troops was much smaller than our Australian comrades, hut performed equally well. The paratroop unit was especially notable and the naval units performed their difficult and dangerous task most admirably. No amphibious force could have excelled them. The superb work of American and Australian airmen has already been noted by me. The skill of all the commanders was of a high order.”