Another Disastrous Jap. Shipping Loss

Northern Advocate, 25 February 1944, Page 3

Another Disastrous Jap. Shipping Loss

(Special) SYDNEY, This Day. At sea the Japanese have sustained another disastrous blow when their ships attempted to run the Allied aerial blockade of the Bismarck Archipelago to supply the beleaguered garrisons. Mitchell and Liberator bombers on Monday sank a 4000-ton freighter, a transport and a 1500-ton freighter and an escort ship, while another escort vessel was left in flames. An accompanying destroyer was heavily strafed, but when last seen was still afloat.

Another Japanese vessel of 1000tons was sunk by Allied bombers near Hansa Bay, New Guinea. Fighter units sweeping the coast from Wewak to Sarang Harbour destroyed a coastal vessel and four barges._ Announcing the destruction of 1000 enemy barges, General McArthur says that enemy barge traffic, one of the Japanese main channels of supply, is now thoroughly disorganised throughout the entire South-West Pacific area. Many of the barges destroyed were large enough to transport upwards of 100 men and were heavily powered, armed and armoured.

In three raids on Monday, Allied Solomons-based aircraft dropped 130 tons of bombs on Lakunai and Rapopo aerodromes, Rabaul. There was no fighter opposition. ___ On the New Guinea coast, Allied troops continue their mopping up operation. Around Saidor they have accounted for a further 77 Japanese dead.

In western New Biritain only fugitive Japanese remain in the area from Rottock Bay to Arawe, and the enemy remnants are being steadily wiped out., All organised resistance has ceased.

The estimate of 7000 Japanese casualties is a highly conservative one. being based on the number of enemy killed actually counted. Many hundreds more have been buried or lie undiscovered in the jungle.