Allied Landing In Hollandia Sector Cuts Off 6o,oooJaps

Northern Advocate, 24 April 1944, Page 3

Allied Landing In Hollandia Sector Cuts Off 6o,oooJaps

(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) SYDNEY. This Day. TN THE GREATEST COMBINED 1 OPERATIONS YET UNDERTAKEN IN THE SOUTHERN PACIFIC, TROOPS OF GENERAL MACAItTHUR’S COMMAND HAVE LANDED IN THE HOLLANDIA SECTOR OF DUTCH NEW GUINEA.

The move isolates a force of 60,000 Japanese, mainly concentrated east of Hollandia, the main enemy base in New Guinea.

The invasion troops are now driving to secure vital airfields. The initial landings were made with only slight losses. Complete Surprise Effected “We have seized the Humbolt Bay area on the northern coast of Dutch New Guinea, approximately 500 miles west of Saidor,” says General Mac-. Arthur's communique today announcing this newest sensational development in the war against the Japanese. Ground troops landed at Aitape, Hollandia, and Tanahmerah Bay, covering a front of about 150 miles. The landings were made under cover of naval and air bombardment and followed neutralising attacks by our air forces and planes from Pacific Fleet carriers.

A complete surprise is understood to have been effected and the troops went ashore after the landing points had been bombarded from the sea and air.

Feints made towards Madang and Wewak in North-East New Guinea appeared to have deceived the Japanese into concentrating the mass of his troops forward into these sectors, leaving the vital Hollandia sector vulnerable.

The result is that Japanese troops, estimated to number 60,000. are now completely isolated They are cut off by Australian and American forces to the west, Americans to the north and by the impassable mountain barrier in the hinterland. With Allied control of the sea lanes and undisputed air mastery, their ultimate fate is sure. British New Guinea Free

The operation frees British New Guinea from the Japanese and is the first recapture of Dutch terri-

tory in the war

General MacArthur's communique says that 140,000 of the total Japanese forces destined for the invasion of Australia are now trapped in the New Guinea and Bismarck areas. The original enemy force was estimated at 250,000. The remaining 100,000 enemy troops have been wiped out. Trapped troops are located as follows: New Britain. 50.000; New Ireland 10,000; Bougainville 20,000; New Guinea 60,000. These invested garrisons are expected to strike desperately, and time and combat will be required to accomplish their annihilation, but General MacArthur declares that their fate is certain.

Though not officially disclosed in the communique it is understood that the Hollandia landings were made on Saturday. Heavy pounding of Japanese aerodromes and installations in north-east and Dutch New Guinea is the latest significant development in the SouthWest Pacific. About 600 tons of bombs have been dropped on these targets in attacks reported by General MaeArthur’s weekend communiques. All bases are part of the enemy air supply route to this area.

This series <of raids opened on Thursday when Liberators plastered aerodromes of Mamber and Kamari on Noemfoor Island, in Geelvink Bay, away to the west of Hollandia. Runways were cratered at two aerodromes which are situated on the aerial route to Hollandia. The biggest blows were delivered on Friday when three aerodromes at Wewak were hit with 200 tons of bombs, while the Aitape. area was the target for a record strike cf 260 tons. No Opposition Reporting the raid on Wewak, General MacArthur’s latest communique says: “Continuing the neutralisation of this air base, our heavy units in a morning attack on But, Dagua and Wewak airfields, dropped 200 tons of bombs. A large fire was started and the three runways were’rendered unserviceable.” Of the attack on Aitape area, today’s communique says: “Our heavy, medium and attack units bombed and strafed enemy installations in coastal villages and on ofT-shore islands, dropping over 260 tons of explosives. Fuel dumps were ignited, many buildings were destroyed and fires were started.” Large forces employed on these raids encountered no Japanese fighter opposition. Where Patrols Co-operate Five separate raids were made by Bostons on Bunabun Harbour, between" Hansa and Madang, on Thursday. Later, naval patrols co-operated with the aerial sweep by shelling targets of opportunity along the coast. At Vanimo, 45 tons of bombs were dropped by Mitchells, which set buildings on fire, in low-level strafing runs.

Although Hollandia, main Japanese base in New Guinea, was not bombed in this series of powerful attacks. Liberators were over the area. West of the base they sank one of three freighters ob about 1000 ions.

Rabaul, New Britain, number one target for General MacArthur’s bombers, respite. Solomons-based bombers on Friday pounded Lakunai, Vunakanau and Keravat airfields and supply areas at Matupi and Tobooi with 100 tons of bombs. Allied fighter patrols over the area set fire to 12 trucks and two small carft. New Ireland Area Farther to the nprth, Solomons-based air and naval units were active in the Hew Ireland area. This intensive activity within the southwest Pacific commande area has not prevented General MacArthur’s bombers from making further attacks on the Carolines. On Wednesday, Nomoi, 150 miles southeast of Truk, was hit for the fourth successive day. In that time nearly 150 tons of bombs have been dropped on Satawan airfield. Woleai, between Truk and Palau, was attacked on Wednesday and Thursday, three Japanese planes being destroyed, bringing enemy losses there for the three days to 11 planes destroyed and three probably destroyed. Off the tip of Dutch New Guinea, air patrols attacked four small Japanese freighters, sinking one, damaging another, and forcing tho other two aground on Mapia Islands, where supply dumps on the shore were set on fire, New Atolls Occupied Raids by United States bombers on Marianas, Carolines and Marshalls are reported in the Pacific Fleet communiques. American forces occupied Erikuk and Aur atolls in the Marshalls.

A group of army and navy heavy bombers attacked Saipan and Tinian in daylight on Tuesday. One of 25 intercepting Japanese fighters was shot down and another probably destroyed. On the same day Army Liberators bombed Dublon, Moen, Eten and Mesegen, all in Truk atoll, without opposition. Liberators again struck against Moen and Dublon on Thursday. Bomb explosions on a runway were observed and fires were started in adjacent areas. Army Mitchells bombed Ponape on Thursday, starting fires on airfields. Ack ack was intense.

Liberators, Mitchells. Dauntlesses, Corsairs, Venturas and Hellcats dropped 67 tons of bombs on enemy gun positions and airstrips in the Marshalls on Thursday. A large explosion was caused by a hit on a magazine. Single search planes attacked Ulul, Igup, Murilo and Ruo in Halli Islands on Friday. Four small craft were destroyed and four damaged. Marshalls Attacks Mitchells bombed runways and adjacent installations on Ponape Island on Friday,

says a Pacific Fleet communique. Other bombers and fighters dropped 60 tons of bombs on remaining enemy positions in the Marshalls. A gun position and coastal defence positions were bombed and ' strafed.