Australian Advance Posts Heavily Bombed

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1943, Page 4

Australian Advance Posts Heavily Bombed

(Special) SYDNEY, Monday. Japanese land forces on Saturday attempted to break the Allied siege on Mubo, che main enemy defence outpost in New Guinea. Raids by strong formations of bombers, dive-bombers and fighters were made to cover ground attacks, aimed at dislodging Australians from their Bobdubi positions astride the supply trails linking Mubo, Komiatum and Salamaua.

Supported by strong mortar five, Japanese troops attacked in some force in the Bobdubi Bridge area, but they paid heavily for the little ground gained. It is estimated that GO Japanese were killed and many more wounded.

Latest reports state the Australians are counter-attacking and a see-saw battle is progressing. Enemy divebombing was concentrated on Kunda, or Bobdubi Bridge, a rough structure over a swift flowing river, on the Francisco Bridge, south-west of Bobdubi village, and on our troop positions in the area. Most of the bombs exploded harmlessly in the jungle and Australian casualties are reported officially to be “very slight.” Australian patrols from Bobdubi have been playing havoc with Japanese supply columns, and the enemy's combined land and air attacks represent a very serious effort to drive the Australians out of Bobdubi area. However, there is no indication that the present Japanese activity presages anything more than an attempt to remove the threat to their Mubo supply line. Attack Jap. Shipping Bases A United States Navy communique states: “During Thursday night. Fortresses attacked installations on Kahili and on Ballale Island. Large tires were started. The same night Avengers attacked Japanese shipping in the Enin area, and scored two hits on a cargo vessel, which was observed to explode. During Friday night Japanese shipping dropped bombs on Guadalcanal-, causing slight; damage to United States installations. United States’ fighter planes attacked the bombers and shot down one and damaged two others. During Friay night Japanese shipping was again attacked by Avengers, while Liberators attacked Japanese installations on Kahili and Ballale Island.