NEW GUINEA CLASH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 24 June 1943, Page 5

NEW GUINEA CLASH

japanese"thrust smashed STRONGER FORCES ENGAGED Sydney, June 23. Australian ground forces have smashed a strong Japanese thrust near Mubo, an inland defence outpost for the enemy's north New Guinea base. More than 100 Japanese were killed or wounded. Our losses are described as light. This was the fiercest land fighting in New Guinea since the Japanese made their abortive drive on Wau late last January. The action followed reports of greatly intensified enemy air activity over the Mubo area. The Japanese used dive-bombers and fighters to attack Allied ground positions, while General MacArthur’s Boston attack planes struck heavy counter-blows. Allied forces hold three sides of Mubo village, with the Japanese having disputed access along the trail to the north. Mubo village itself has been practically wiped out by repeated air attacks and is “no man’s land.” An airstrip is situated on flat country in Japanese hands. It is officially stated that forces engaged in the clash reported to-day were stronger than those involved in recent patrol actions. Japanese troops drove against Australian positions on Labadia Ridge. Their attack was repulsed with severe losses and the retreating enemy were strafed by Boston attack planes operating over the Pimple and Buigap area, further to the north. Despite continued patrol actions, the ground position in this area has remained static since February, following the enemy retreat from Wau. Recently the opposing forces have been engaged in a “booby trap” war. The noise of booby traps being set off can be heard all night. Sometimes traps are sprung by rotting branches or falling trees and others by wild pigs. STRONG ALLIED AIR STRIKES In the’air, Allied forces on Tuesday struck strongly in the Aru Islands, north of Australia. Beaufighters attacked a Japanese seaplane base at Taberfane, two aircraft and a barge being destroyed and a lugger damaged. Two intercepting enemy fighters were also damaged. Liberators took up the attack and were intercepted by five enemy machines, one of which was destroyed and two damaged. It was revealed to-day that a lone Flying Fortress which was attacked by 15 Zeros over the northern Solomons on June 16 shot down five enemy fighters and damaged others. Injured crew members are now sufficiently recovered to give details of the encounter. According to estimates, 105 Japanese aircraft have now been shot down over Darwin since the enemy made their first raid on the area on February 19 last year. Throughout the Northern Territory, 111 Japanese planes have been destroyed, 29 probably destroyed and 43 damaged. Until Spitfires arrived, Darwin was protected by American Kittyhawks, who left behind a record of 29 bombers and 44 fighters destroyed and 12 bombers and six fighters damaged. Spitfire figures are 13 fighters and 19 bombers shot down, 11 fighters probably destroyed, and 11 bombers and 16 fighters damaged.—P.A. Special Australian Correspondent.