“Timetable Bombing” Wrecks Jap. Landing

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1942, Page 5

“Timetable Bombing” Wrecks Jap. Landing

(Special) SYDNEY. This Day. The remnants of Japanese landing parties on Mambare and Kumusi estuaries are still being attacked heavily by Allied aircraft. The shattering of the latest enemy northern New Guinea beach-head operations is dramatically described by reports now coming to hand. It is confirmed that only a small part of the enemy force reached shore in safety, and that the larger proportion was killed in the water or on the beaches. Japanese soldiers, swimming out to sea in desperate efforts to salvage floating supplies, have been killed by our strafing aircraft. The beach area has also been bombed and raked with fire in an effort to wipe out the remainder. Again on Tuesday the aerial “timetable schedule" of the previous day was in operation. On Monday our planes made 112 sweeps and the latest attacks against the beach area were on an equal scale. Incinerated in Grass Fire Many Japanese were incinerated when our aircraft set fire to grass seven feet high on one of the islands of the Mambare delta. The village of Mamba, at the river mouth, was also raided. Twenty motor-boats, four life-boats, and a number of rafts were used to bring enemy troops ashore. These are believed to have been completely destroyed. Supplies were lashed together with petrol drums to be floated ashore. Many of these floating dumps were destroyed, while others were carried out to sea. When our planes completed their destruction the sea was dotted with blazing patches of oil and petrol. The water near the shore is described as “thick with bodies of slaughtered Japanese.” Mambare, rather than Kumusi appears to have been the chief enemy landing point. The beach here is fringed by a 500-yards’ wide strip of dry land, backed by treacherous swamps.

Japs. Need to do Better

There is no further news of Japanese cruiser and destroyer convoy which is believed to have fled for Gasmata, New Britain. Liberators and Flying Fortresses on Tuesday attacked targets in this area. Of twelve Zeros which engaged the Fortresses three were shot down and tiwo heavily damaged. No reliable estimate can yet be formed of the size of the problem which the latest enemy landing northwest of Buna will present to the Allies. But it is felt the Japanese will have to land more troops and more supplies if they are to establish an effective barrier in the way of an eventual Allied northwards drive against Lae and Salamaua. The. heightened security given at the moment to naval forces during the rainy season makes it likely that further landings will be attempted during the next few months.

300 Killed at Buna

Japanese forces, believed to number at least 300 were annihilated when American troops captured Buna village, according to war correspondents’ reports. Fierce fighting still rages in the area of the Japanese Papuan beach-head. General MacArthur’s communique yesterday reports: “Heavy pressure in all sectors." One Nclw Guinea correspondent states that Allied troops are supported by 14 Brengun carriers, whose arrival on the battle scene proved an unpleasant surprise for the enemy. However, the swampy nature of the ground restricts offensive use of these light armoured fighting vehicles. Allied progress is said to be proving most difficult at Sanananda. While enemy efforts to prolong the Papuan campaign are likely to meet with some success in this sector, it is improbable the Japanese' in the Buna Mission air-strip can long withstand Allied pressure. The only communication between these two remaining enemy salients is by water at night. While Allied aircraft again attacked Lae, Port Moresby had its 93rd Japanese raid. This was made by a single enemy night bomber, and no damage was done.