JAP POINTS IN SOLOMONS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 5

JAP POINTS IN SOLOMONS

AIR ACTIVITY HAMPERED BY WEATHER Sydney, Feb. 4. Allied destroyers surprised and shelled Japanese troops on the beach at Choiscul Bay, in the Solomons, in daylight on Tuesday. Choiscul Bay is at the north-west tip of Choiscul Island. The enemy garrison on the island was bypassed when American marines invaded Bougainville Island. A diversionary force was put ashore at Choiscul and was later withdrawn. Our destroyers also daringly approached Japanese strongpoints near Buka Passage, at the northern end of Bougainville Island, on Tuesday morning and exchanged fire with the shore batteries. Adverse weather has hampered South-West Pacific air activity. The heaviest raid reported by General MaeArthur’s communique to-day was a midday strike by Liberators on Alexishafen, New Guinea, where 77 tons of explosives were dropped. Large fires were started in the dump areas. Madang, 12 miles to the north-west, was bombed by Bostons with 30 tons of explosives. Mitchell medium bombers, with Lightning and Airacobra fighters, in a sweep along the north coast of New Britain sank a barge, the enemy troops on board being drowned. RABAUL NOT ATTACKED For the first time in four weeks General MacArthurs communique to-day does not record an aerial blow against Rabaul. In Monday’s attack the reported intercepting force of 30 enemy planes was the smallest for some time, indicating that the Japanese are feeling the strain of persistent Allied attacks, despite their proven ability to replace combat losses. No further news has been given of the progress of the New Guinea land fighting, but enemy remnants fleeing up the north-west coast are stated to face an almost impossible task in attempting to by-pass Saidor to reach their base at Bogadjim. Saidor, where the Americans landed on 2nd January, is 45 miles south-east of Bogadjim and 60 miles from Madang. In addition to the American threat from Saidor, Bogadjim is menaced from south and south-east by Australians advancing in the Ramu Valley.