FINAL STAGE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 29 May 1944, Page 5

FINAL STAGE

NEW GUINEA FIGHTING ALLIED LANDING IN GEELVINK BAY MacArthurs Leapfrog Offensive Sydney, May 28. American invasion troops landed early yesterday morning on Biak Island near the western tip of Dutch New Guinea. The capture of this Japanese stronghold and keypoint in the Schouten Islands, Geelvink Bay, 200 miles west of Wadke Island, gives General MacArthur s forces complete domination of Dutch New Guinea, except for isolated enemy positions. “For strategic purposes this marks the practical end of the New Guinea campaign,” declares to-day’s South-West Pacific headquarters communique, announcing the final stage of General MacArthur’s leapfrog offensive in Dutch New Guinea. This offensive began with the landing in Hollandia on 22nd April and was continued by the subsequent landing at Wadke Island on 1 Bth May.

Only light losses were suffered by | the Americans at Biak. Invasion troops went ashore under cover of air and j naval bombardment and aie now ad-j vancing towards the island's three airfields seven miles from their beachhead. They are meeting Japanese resistance in strength. This opposition has, not yet been disclosed. The capture of | Biak Island will enable an intensifica-1 tion of the Allied air and naval blockade of the remaining Japanese bases in New Guinea. With their supplies completely cut off enemy garrisons face starvation and annihilation. Biak Island has been a most important Japanese strongpoint in the Geelvink Bay area. Its three airfields. Sorido, Mokmer and Borokoe. formerly based considerable plane strength. This, however, was effectively neutralised by incessant Allied air attacks during the past three weeks. Enemy airfields of nearby Noemfoor Island were also heavily hit in these preliminary softenup raids. The chief remaining Japanese strtkigpoint in Dutch New Guinea is Manokwari, 150 mile s west of Biak. Manokwari has already been a target for the stepped-up air offensive, which is now certain to be further intensified. Since General MacArthur began his great forward drive in New Guinea on 22nd April, his forces have captured 16 strategically important Japanese airfields. ADVANCE OF ALLIED FRONT “The final stage has been reached in the offensive initiated in this theatre on 28th June. 1943. by combined forces of the South-West Pacific and South Pacific.” say s General MacArthur’s communique. “It has resulted in the reconquest or neutralisation of the Solomons. Bismarcks, Admiralties and New Guinea. From the forward point reached by the Japanese we have advanced our front approximately 1800 statute miles westward and approximately 700 miles to the north. Compared with the enemy, our offensive has employed only modest forces and through the maximum use of manoeuvre and surprise has incurred only light losses. “These operations have effected a strategic penetration of the conquered empire which the Japanese were attempting to consolidate in the South-West Pacific and have secured bases of departure for the advance to vital areas in the Philippines and Netherlands East Indies.” DOMINATING RIDGE CAPTURED Within four hours of their landing on the south-east coast of Biak Island. American invasion forces had gained a dominating ridge overlooking Bosnok, the largest village on the island. Bosnok has now been captured and the Americans are extending their perimeter around it and continuing theii drive towards a cluster of three airfields which from the strategic prize on Biak Island. They are meeting enemy mortar and artillery fire, American and Australian warships escorted the.invasion convoy. They were fired on by Japanese shore batteries. Destroyers were hit and damaged. some casualties being caused. Liberators pounded shore targets before the landings. In a special statement to war correspondents at his headquarters to-day. General MacArthur said that the success of the Allied offensive in New Guinea had more than fulfilled his most optimistic hopes and expectations. He was particularly thankful for the light losses which had marked these operations. P.A. Special %astralian Correspondent.