RABAUL BASE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 8 January 1944, Page 5

RABAUL BASE

ADMISSION BY TOKIO RADIO PROGRESS OF ALLIED OFFENSIVE Sydney, Jan. 7. “The great Japanese supply base of Rabaul, New Britain, is in grave danger,” says an admission by Tokio radio. “Our position in the South-West Pacific has become very serious in the past few days, and the menace to Rabaul has become acute.” The radio declared: “Our forces have been placed at a disadvantage since the enemy has now mastery of the air and dominates our supply lines. The enemy also has at his disposal numerous aerodromes.” A further sweep over Rabaul by Allied Solomons-based fighters is reported in General MacArthur’s communique to-day. Of 30 intercepting Zeros 10 were shot down and five others probably destroyed We lost one Corsair, lnese persistent Allied fighter sweeps, based on Empress Augusta Bay airstrip, Bougainville Island, are forcing Japanese fighters to engage in combat Such tactics prevent the Japanese from building up reserves of airpower at Rabaul The enemy no sooner brings in fresh air strength to Rabaul than it is forced to fight by our challenging sweeps. Kavieng, New Ireland, is also feeling the effects of the increased Allied air pressure, promised by General. MacArthur rece.ntly. In the latest strike against this "enemy base made on Tuesday morning, American carrier-based aircraft badly damaged two Japanese destroyers and shot down nine enemy planes. The destroyers were caught in the harbour and hit by both torpedoes and 1000-pound bombs One Allied plane was lost and others damaged. Other Japanese shipping has been attacked by Beaufighters at Koepang, Timor, where a schooner loaded with troops was left burning on Tuesday DAY-LONG BATTLE AT CAPE GLOUCESTER In Land fighting ol mounting lury, American marines on Cape Gloucester have slaughtered a further 600 Japanese in a day-long battle in the Borgen Bay area The total of enemy killed counted at Cape Gloucester since the marines landed on 26th December is now nearly 2000, but the actual number of Japanese casualties may have been four times that figure. In their present push to drive enemy troops back from their Borgen Bay strongholds the marines have strong artillery and tank as well as direct air support. The Japanese, whose strength is believed to have tome from the interior where the country is rugged and heavily timbered, are also making increased use of artillery. No reports have been received of land operations at Arawe, southern New Britain, where Americans, who landed on 15th December, are consolidating their hold of the Cape Merkus Peninsula area At the Saidor northern New Guinea, beachhead established by the Americans last Sunday, our patrols have made their first contact with the enemy at Cape Iris. Australians driving up the Huon Peninsula to make contact with Americans at Saidor about 70 miles distant, are now 12 air miles from Sio. the important enemy barge base. Fleeing Japanese troops are believed to be trying to reach Sio in an effort to evacuate the peninsula. All their land avenues of escape have been closed by Allied forces on Hupn Peninsula at Saidor and in the Ramu Valley MADAXG BOMBED AGAIN Madang. the Japanese supply base, just 55 miles north-west of Saidor and nearby Alexishafen, have been hit with 243 tons of bombs During the past fortnight the area has been a target for almost daily aerial attacks Allied patrol boats have taken an additional toll of enemy barge traffic along this coast.—P.A, Special Australian Corresprndent